Veteran Verbeek, Thunder Agree to Terms

Published on July 18, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


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

"Getting Tim back in a Thunder uniform was critical to maintaining the nucleus of our team's success from last season," said Cichocki. "He's a very driven hockey player who has been a great asset to our community and I'm confident that his leadership and offensive contributions will continue our push for a championship."

Verbeek, 27, returns for his second season with the Thunder after scoring 33 points (19g-14a) with 103 penalty minutes in 68 games with Stockton last year, playing a significant role in leading the Thunder to a 38-24-10 regular season record (86 points) and its first Kelly Cup Playoff appearance in team history.

The Sarnia, Ontario native registered a season-high three points twice during the 2006-07 campaign, including a hat-trick performance (third of his career) in a 6-1 win over the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena on January 13. Verbeek also posted a goal in five consecutive contests from March 10-18.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound veteran forward has scored 201 points (96g-105a) in 348 career ECHL games with the Thunder, Wheeling Nailers, Toledo Storm, Roanoke Express and Idaho Steelheads while appearing in 14 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Utah Grizzlies, posting a goal and assist.

Verbeek 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 38 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.

"Coming back here was a no-brainer and I'm really excited to return to a fantastic hockey community - everybody from the organization to the city of Stockton," said Verbeek. "Last year's first round loss was disappointing so I'm excited to get the opportunity to help us vie for a championship this season."

Verbeek joins defensemen Beau Geisler and Mark Adamek as returners from last year's Kelly Cup playoff squad that tied for fourth in the ECHL with 197 goals allowed (2.7 per game).

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