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Veteran Pepperall Makes Comeback For Playoff Run

March 7, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, has agreed to terms with veteran center Colin Pepperall, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Colin is a bonafide winner and leader in this game, and to add a player of his character and leadership at this time of year will give our team a huge boost," said Cichocki. "His offensive skills have proven he can set up his teammates, finish scoring chances himself, and is known around the league to be a feisty player."

Pepperall, 28, comes out of a brief 11-month playing hiatus to join the Thunder who are 24-21-10 (58 points, sixth place in the National Conference) and currently in a battle for one of the top-eight playoff spots in the ECHL's National Conference.

The Niagara Falls, Ontario native was selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round (131st overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, and has appeared in 488 career ECHL games in eight seasons (1998-06), scoring 382 points (146g-236a) and posting 960 penalty minutes with the Greenville Grrrowl, Hampton-Roads Admirals, Reading Royals and Columbus Cottonmouths.

Pepperall helped guide Greenville to a Kelly Cup championship in 2002, scoring 21 points (8g-13a) in 17 playoff games and stands as Greenville's all-time leader with 382 points, 146 goals, 236 assists and 488 games played. In 39 career Kelly Cup playoff games, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound former Greenville captain has scored 32 points (10g-22a) with 110 penalty minutes.

In total, Pepperall has scored 389 points (149g-240a) in 529 career professional games and scored a goal in 10 career American Hockey League games with the Hartford WolfPack, Portland Pirates and Binghamton Senators. He spent his three-year (1995-98) junior career with the Niagara Falls Thunder and Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 215 points (93g-122a) with 237 penalty minutes in 192 career junior games.

Pepperall is reunited with former Greenville teammates Tim Sestito, Cam Ellsworth, and Brock Radunske. The ECHL trade deadline-day acquisition is the second move made by the Thunder today after the team acquired defenseman Brian Lee from the Columbia Inferno.

The Thunder continues an eight-game homestand against the Victoria Salmon Kings tonight at Stockton Arena, beginning at 7:00 p.m.. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing for a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Recently named host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, 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, mini-plans, group tickets and individual tickets 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 March 7, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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