Veteran Center Mike Bayrack, Thunder Agree To Terms

Published on November 6, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, has agreed to contract terms with veteran center Mike Bayrack, Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We've been addressing a need to add another pure scorer in our lineup and we're excited to fill it with Mike's abilities," said Thomas. "He's an elite-level, proven scorer who's performed as one of the hardest working veterans I've ever seen and is extremely competitive. Any time you can add his offensive presence and work ethic, it gives you a lot of confidence that you're going to be a tough team to beat."

Bayrack, 31, has spent seven ECHL seasons (1999-00, 2002-04, 2005-09) with Charlotte, Texas, Greensboro, Toledo and Jackson, scoring 368 points (166g-202a) in 419 career games with 358 penalty minutes. He has also suited up in 30 career Kelly Cup Playoff games, scoring 24 points (8g-16a).

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound forward has led his teams in scoring in two of the last three seasons and paced the Charlotte Checkers with 60 points (21g-39a) in 60 games last year and ranked second on the Checkers in playoff scoring with seven points (2g-5a) in six games.

In 2006-07 with Texas, Bayrack enjoyed a career-high 78 points (33g-45a) in 66 games, ranking second in scoring on the Wildcatters. His 36 goals with Greensboro in 2003-04 mark his ECHL career-high for goal-scoring, leading the Generals and ranking tied for fourth (Wes Goldie) in ECHL goal-scoring.

Throughout his ten-year (1999-2009) professional career, Bayrack has scored 547 points (249g-298a) in 636 career games with 501 penalty minutes, adding time in the AHL with Grand Rapids, Norfolk, Bridgeport and Springfield and in the United Hockey League with Danbury, Muskegon and Missouri.

"I first heard about Stockton through Riley Emmerson, who was my teammate in Texas," said Bayrack. "He was a big influence in my decision to come here and I remember coach Thomas from when he was in Atlantic City. He brings a lot to the table and I find it pretty exciting to be a part of that. For as long as I've been around, I've found that by staying consistent in my game and being a team player, everything else will work itself out."

The Edmonton, Alberta native participated in the 2005 UHL All-Star Game, scoring a UHL career-high 37 goals and 73 points (37g-36a) in 71 games, adding 42 penalty minutes that year with Danbury. He spent four years (1995-99) of his junior career in the Western Hockey League with Lethbridge, Prince George and Medicine Hat, scoring 142 points (67g-75a) and notching 275 penalty minutes in 243 career games.

Bayrack will wear jersey #19 and start his 2009-10 season on the three-day injured reserve list. He is eligible to be activated as early as Monday, Nov. 9.

The Thunder begins to play five of the next six games at home and returns to Stockton Arena tonight, facing the Alaska Aces at 7:30 p.m. to launch "Thunder Goes Pink 4." The game can be heard and viewed exclusively online at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (audio is free of charge).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

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