Verbeek, Thunder Agree To Terms

September 29, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, an ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, has agreed to terms with veteran free agent forward Tim Verbeek, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Tim is an exciting addition to our club with the amount of leadership, character and big-game toughness he brings," said Cichocki. "He gets under opposing players skin and is a player you hate to play against, but would love to have on your team."

Verbeek, 26, joins the Thunder after scoring 27 points (11g-16a) with 95 penalty minutes in 54 games with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers in 2005-06, while also scoring an assist in two games with the American Hockey League's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In nine Kelly Cup Playoff games in 2006, Verbeek scored seven points (3g-4a) while helping guide Wheeling to an American Conference division finals berth and a 45-21-6 regular season record (96 points).

The Sarnia, Ontario native has scored 168 points (77g-91a) in 280 career ECHL games with the Nailers, Toledo Storm, Roanoke Express and Idaho Steelheads while appearing in 14 AHL games with the Penguins, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Utah Grizzlies, posting a goal and assist.

"I'm extremely excited about the upcoming season and eager to be apart of the Stockton Thunder," said Verbeek. "I've heard such great things about the organization and the professional manner in which they conduct themselves. From what I hear, Chris has assembled a very talented and a very competitive group of guys, which should give the incredible fan support Stockton already has even more to cheer about."

The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder registered a career-high 23 goals, 32 assists, 55 points and 220 penalty minutes as a 2000-01 professional rookie with Toledo, helping guide the Storm to the Northern Conference Semifinal round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs with a team record of 37-27-8 (82 points). Verbeek has scored 18 career points (9g-9a) in 32 career Kelly Cup Playoff games.

Verbeek spent his four-year (1996-00) junior hockey career with the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers, Sarnia Sting and Barrie Colts, scoring 113 career points (59g-54a) in 259 games with 401 penalty minutes. His brother Pat spent 20 seasons (1982-2002) in the National Hockey League with the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings.

Verbeek is currently in pre-season training camp with the American Hockey League's Albany River Rats.

The Thunder opens 2006-07 training camp on Friday, October 6 at Stockton Arena and faces the Fresno Falcons in a 4:00 p.m. PT pre-season game on Sunday, October 15 at Stockton Arena. Open-seating tickets for the Thunder's only pre-season home game can be purchased beginning Monday, October 2 by calling the Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or by visiting www.stocktontickets.com.

The Thunder begins the 2006-07 ECHL season Friday, October 20 on the road against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 p.m. PT, and faces the Long Beach Ice Dogs on Saturday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena.

The Thunder drew 228,364 fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's best attendance mark for 2005-06. Thunder season tickets and mini-plans for the 2006-07 season are on-sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from September 29, 2006


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