"You Gotta Love These Guys" Headlines Promotional Lineup

September 8, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder announced its 2008-09 season will be themed "You Gotta Love These Guys," selecting the season's marketing campaign to celebrate the up-close-and-personal connection between Thunder players and the fans as the centerpiece in game night promotions, special events, community activities, charitable efforts, publications and the Thunder's official website, www.stocktonthunder.com.

The team has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and surpassed the mark of 230,000 fans in back-to-back seasons, finishing the yearly attendance total at 239,337, an average of 6,648 fans per game in 2007-08. The Thunder, who has drawn 12 sellouts in three seasons, became the first team since 2004-05 to lead the ECHL in attendance for three straight seasons (Florida led the ECHL in attendance for five straight seasons).

"One of the best things about Thunder hockey is the relationship our fans have with our players," said Thunder president Dan Chapman. "The fans love the Thunder and our players love the fans loyalty and support, so the phrase 'You Gotta Love These Guys' is certainly very appropriate."

"There have been many great and interesting personalities on the Thunder and we are excited to finally be able to highlight that element in 2008-09," said Thunder director of marketing Marlena Aranda. "Our goal this year is to help Thunder fans - serious and casual alike - to greater identify with Thunder players on a more personal basis."

Fans will get their first chance to rub elbows with Thunder players, coaching staff and broadcast personalities at the fourth annual "Thunder FanFest," on Monday, October 6 at Stockton Arena. The event is open to all fans, free-of-charge beginning at 5:00 p.m.

All fans will be able to pick up their 2008-09 season ticket books and mini-plan tickets and are invited to participate in a handful of family-friendly activities located in the concourse, complete with autographs, giveaways, a personal "Chalk Talk" session with the Thunder coaching staff and more.

VALENTINE'S DAY WEDDING CEREMONY HEADLINES NEW EVENTS FOR 2008-09

The Thunder takes the ice, along with betrothed couples in a special Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony event on Saturday, Feb. 14 when the Thunder faces the Bakersfield Condors at 7:30 p.m. During the first Thunder event of its kind, the Thunder will host marriage ceremonies for couples seeking a creative approach to tying the knot: at center ice of Stockton Arena will preside over the ceremony during the first intermission.

Couples interested in Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony packages, which will include the option of receptions hosted before and during the game at Stockton Arena, can contact the Thunder by calling (209) 373-1500.

The Thunder is scheduled to celebrate All-Star left wing Mike Lalonde, the Thunder's all-time leading goal scorer heading into 2008-09, on Saturday, Feb. 7 when the Thunder hosts the Fresno Falcons at 7:30 p.m. As part of "Mike Lalonde T-Shirt Giveaway," the first 2,000 kids in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder t-shirt, bearing the popular forward.

THUNDER LAUNCHES SEASON-LONG GREEN-THEMED CAMPAIGN

In addition to its many popular theme nights, this year the Thunder will be launching a season-long "Easy Being Green" campaign, culminating in a two-day weekend of events on Friday, Mar. 20 against the Fresno Falcons and Saturday, Mar. 21, against the Bakersfield Condors. Throughout the season, the campaign will focus on education and awareness of a host of environmental and other "green" initiatives. The two-day March event will feature green-themed giveaways and a pre-game "green" fair featuring local eco-friendly companies.

"THUNDER GOES PINK" RETURNS WITH POPULAR AND FAMILIAR PROMOS

Hockey returns for the fourth season to Stockton on Saturday, October 18 when the Thunder faces the local Pacific Division rival Fresno Falcons at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena for "Opening Night." All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Thunder magnet schedule while additional events to spotlight opening night of ECHL play will be announced soon.

A fan favorite series that has drawn rave reviews for a notable cause, "Thunder Goes Pink" III, returns for its third annual run on November 7-8 at Stockton Arena, when the Thunder hosts the Victoria Salmon Kings at 7:30 p.m. for both games. The Thunder have a 4-0 record in the lifetime "Thunder Goes Pink" series and last season raised $36,000 for the American Cancer Society - Stockton Field Office and the St. Joseph's Foundation - Breast Cancer Services. Nearly 18,000 fans (including a sell-out crowd of 9,737 on November 3) attended the two games.

Special-themed pink jerseys will be worn by the Thunder during both games and a handful will be available for bidding via silent auction by all fans in attendance at both games, while the remaining jerseys will be available for bidding via live auction immediately following the Saturday, Nov. 8 contest. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society - Stockton Field Office and the St. Joseph's Foundation Breast Cancer Services.

Free commemorative giveaway items for fans in attendance at "Thunder Goes Pink" III will include pink-colored glow sticks, pink-themed Thunder visors and more.

Before the Nov. 8 contest, the Thunder will host its inaugural charity exhibition hockey game at 5:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena, a contest scheduled to feature Thunder alumni and local personalities from the hockey and media world. Details on the event, along with players and personalities scheduled to appear will be announced soon.

Mascots from the professional and college ranks will convene at Stockton Arena on Saturday, December 6 when the Thunder faces the Ontario Reign for "Mascot Night."

Popular giveaway items such as the Thunder Bobblehead series (players to be announced soon) will be staged on Sunday, Dec. 28, Saturday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Mar. 7. Player Poster Nights (series of five during the season) also return to the mix for 2008-09 and specific details will be announced soon.

The Thunder's fourth annual "Teddy Bear Toss Night" is slated to take place on Saturday, Jan. 17 against the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7:30 p.m. Fans are invited to bring and throw a teddy bear or other stuffed animal onto the ice immediately following the Thunder's first goal of the game.

Last year's Teddy Bear Toss night netted over 3,800 stuffed animals as a capacity crowd of 9,737 showered the ice with stuffed animals on a third period goal by Brandon Schwartz, bringing the three-year total to over 11,000 animals distributed by the United Way of San Joaquin County to various children's charities, hospitals, police and fire departments throughout Stockton.

The Thunder will celebrate "Fan Appreciation Day" on Sunday, Mar. 29 at its final regular season home game against Las Vegas at 4:00 p.m.

The Thunder opens the 2008-09 preseason on Thursday, October 9 against the Fresno Falcons at 7:00 p.m. from Gateway Ice Center in Fresno. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, preferred parking options, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more.

A proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets for 2008-09 are now on sale and begin at just $335. A deposit of just $50 reserves your seat for the 2008-09 season! For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.

Monday, October 6: FanFest

Saturday, October 18: Opening Night/Magnetic Schedule Giveaway

Friday, November 7: Thunder Goes Pink III

Saturday, November 8: Thunder Goes Pink III

Sunday, November 16: Family Day/Coats for Kids

Wednesday, November 26: Antenna Topper Giveaway/It Pays to Recycle With the Thunder Night

Friday, November 28: Team Photo Giveaway

Saturday, November 29: Hockey Puck Giveaway

Saturday, December 6: T-shirt Night (Youth)/Mascot Night/Never-A-Wasted Ticket Redemption Date

Saturday December 28: Thor Bobblehead Giveaway (1 of 3)

Sunday, December 29: Knit Cap Giveaway /Family Day

Friday, January 16: Player Poster Giveaway (1 of 5)/Never-A-Wasted Ticket Redemption Date

Saturday, January 17: Teddy Bear Toss

Sunday, January 18: Family Day

Friday, January 23: Team Poster Giveaway

Saturday, January 24: Jersey Off Our Back Auction

Sunday, January 25: Family Day

Saturday, January 31: Replica Road Jersey Giveaway (Youth)

Wednesday, February 4: It Pays to Recycle with the Thunder Night

Friday, February 6: Player Poster Giveaway (2 of 5)

Saturday, February 7: Mike Lalonde T-Shirt Giveaway (Youth)

Sunday, February 8: Family Day

Friday, February 13: Player Poster Giveaway (3 of 5)

Saturday, February 14: Bobblehead Giveaway (2 of 3)/Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony

Sunday, February 15: Family Day

Wednesday, February 25: It Pays to Recycle with the Thunder Night

Friday, February 27: All Faith's Celebration/Player Poster Giveaway (4 of 5)

Saturday, February 28: Replica Home Jersey Giveaway

Sunday, March 1: Family Day

Friday, March 6: Adult Caps Night/Never-A-Wasted Ticket Redemption Date

Saturday, March 7: Bobblehead Night (3 of 3)

Sunday, March 8: Family Day

Friday, March 20: Thunder's "Easy Being Green"

Saturday, March 21: Thunder's "Easy Being Green"/Family Day

Friday, March 27: Player Poster Giveaway (5 of 5)

Saturday, March 28: Equipment Bag Giveaway /Never-A-Wasted Ticket Redemption Date

Sunday, March 29: Family Day/Fan Appreciation Day

*Dates subject to change

**Events subject to change



ECHL Stories from September 8, 2008


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