Stockton Thunder
Encyclopedia
The Stockton Thunder are a minor league
professional ice hockey
team from Stockton, California
. The Thunder are a member of the ECHL
, and began playing in the 2005–06 season. The Stockton Arena
is their home ice, providing a capacity for 9,737 fans. Stockton is an affiliate team of the San Jose Sharks
and the Edmonton Oilers
of the National Hockey League
.
, who were an expansion franchise that joined the East Coast Hockey League in 1990. The Cyclones would reach the Riley Cup playoffs in their first two seasons, reaching the semifinals in the 1991-92 season. Following the 1991-92 season, Cincinnati's owner Doug Kirchhofer was granted an expansion franchise in the International Hockey League and took all Cyclones colors, logos and monikers to be adopted by his future Cincinnati IHL franchise.
The ECHL moved the franchise rights that had been held by Kirchhofer to Birmingham, Alabama
. The new franchise was named the Birmingham Bulls
, named after the former former
World Hockey Association
franchise that played in Birmingham from 1976–79. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex from 1992 until 2001. The Bulls would make the playoffs five out of their nine seasons in Birmingham, reaching the Riley Cup semifinals during the 1993-94 season.
Following the 2000-01 season, the Birmingham Bulls would move to Atlantic City, New Jersey
and become the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
. The Bullies would find success quickly in the ECHL, reaching the Conference Finals during the 2002 Kelly Cup playoffs and winning the Northeast Division title the following season. The Bullies would continue their streak through the 2003 Kelly Cup playoffs, winning the Kelly Cup
after defeating the Columbia Inferno
, 4 games to 1. Despite winning a division crown and making playoff appearances in all of their four seasons in New Jersey, including the 2003 Kelly Cup championship, the Bullies were unable to maintain a large average attendance. Following the 2004-05 season
, the Bullies were sold to an ownership group out of Stockton, California that moved the team into Stockton Arena
which was to open during the 2005-06 season
.
was named the first head coach in Thunder history. Before the 2006-07 season
, the Thunder reached an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League
's Edmonton Oilers
to be their secondary affiliate after the American Hockey League
's Springfield Falcons
. Midway through the 2009-10 season, the Thunder would pick up a working partnership agreement with the San Jose Sharks
.
In January 2007, the Thunder and Stockton Arena were chosen to host the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game
. Three Thunder players, Ryan MacMurchy, Brad Farynuk
and Andy Contois, were selected to the National Conference's All-Star team. The National Conference would win the exhibition, defeating the American Conference 10–7 and Victoria Salmon Kings
' forward Ash Goldie was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
The 2008-09 season began with Stockton starting at 10-17-4, fourth in the Pacific Division before the hiring of Matt Thomas as new head coach on December 29. Stockton won seven games in a row and went 7-0-1 in its first eight games under Thomas, eventually clinching a Kelly Cup Playoff berth for the third straight season. The Thunder achieved its first playoff series win in club history, 4-3 in seven games with the Pacific Division champion Ontario Reign
. The series featured five separate one-goal games and Stockton won game seven, 5-4 at Ontario behind Craig Valette's eventual game-winning goal. The Las Vegas Wranglers
, the defending Conference champion, eliminated Stockton in another seven-game series, 4-3, in the Conference Semifinal.
Following a start to the 2009-10 season at 5-11-3 and 1-6-3 on their own home ice, the Thunder acquired forwards J.F. Caudron, Matt Robinson, Brett Hemingway and defensemen Anthony Aiello and Justin DaCosta through a series of trades and free-agent signings in December to go 28-19-7 overall and 16-6-4 at Stockton Arena for the remainder of the regular season, at one point moving to a tie for first place in the Pacific Division with the Bakersfield Condors
in the final week of the regular season. They made the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
In February 2010, Stockton Hockey Franchise Group, Inc. sold the team to SC Hockey Franchise Corp., headed by Canadian oil executive Brad Rowbotham and the ECHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the transfer of controlling interest in April, 2010.
Their season ended by advancing to the National Conference Finals for the first time in club history. The Thunder defeated the defending conference champion Alaska Aces, 3-1 in a best-of-five first round series. Stockton then defeated the Pacific Division champion Condors, 4-1 in the best-of-seven Conference Semifinal. The Idaho Steelheads
then eliminated Stockton, 4-2 in the Conference Final series.
In August 2010, The Edmonton Oilers announced that the Oklahoma City Barons
will be the AHL
affiliate of the Thunder for the 2010/11 season. The Thunder and San Jose Sharks
also announced an affiliation partnership, aligning the two local teams and giving the Thunder a dual NHL affiliation for the first time in club history. As a result, Stockton will have AHL affiliates in both Oklahoma City and Worcester.
Seven Thunder alumni have played in the NHL as of May 2010.
venue, the Thunder have built a reputation with one of the most passionate, loyal fan bases in minor league hockey.
Stockton led the ECHL in attendance for four straight years, becoming the first team in the ECHL to accomplish the box office feat since the Florida Everblades
' five-year run from 2000-05. Stockton has drawn over an average of 6,000 fans per game or more every season, and has 14 recorded sellouts at their 9,737-seat home ice venue since 2005.
as an affiliate in 2006-07, seven players have gone on to make their debut in the National Hockey League
after playing for the Thunder. They include:
Other players who have experience with the Thunder after previously making their NHL debut include:
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team from Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
. The Thunder are a member of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, and began playing in the 2005–06 season. The Stockton Arena
Stockton Arena
Stockton Arena is an indoor arena in Stockton, California. It opened in December 2005 and seats approximately 10,000 fans. The arena, at maximum capacity, can seat 11,800 people.It is primarily used for ice hockey, indoor soccer and arena football....
is their home ice, providing a capacity for 9,737 fans. Stockton is an affiliate team of the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Cincinnati, Birmingham and Atlantic City
The Stockton Thunder franchise began as the first incarnation of the Cincinnati CyclonesCincinnati Cyclones
The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena....
, who were an expansion franchise that joined the East Coast Hockey League in 1990. The Cyclones would reach the Riley Cup playoffs in their first two seasons, reaching the semifinals in the 1991-92 season. Following the 1991-92 season, Cincinnati's owner Doug Kirchhofer was granted an expansion franchise in the International Hockey League and took all Cyclones colors, logos and monikers to be adopted by his future Cincinnati IHL franchise.
The ECHL moved the franchise rights that had been held by Kirchhofer to Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. The new franchise was named the Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls (ECHL)
The Birmingham Bulls were a minor professional ice hockey team in the East Coast Hockey League from 1992 to 2001. Their home arena was the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. The team moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey and was renamed the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2001...
, named after the former former
Birmingham Bulls
The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being...
World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
franchise that played in Birmingham from 1976–79. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex from 1992 until 2001. The Bulls would make the playoffs five out of their nine seasons in Birmingham, reaching the Riley Cup semifinals during the 1993-94 season.
Following the 2000-01 season, the Birmingham Bulls would move to Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
and become the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies were an ECHL hockey team in Atlantic City, New Jersey from 2001 to 2005. The team's venue was the historic Boardwalk Hall, which seats 6,979....
. The Bullies would find success quickly in the ECHL, reaching the Conference Finals during the 2002 Kelly Cup playoffs and winning the Northeast Division title the following season. The Bullies would continue their streak through the 2003 Kelly Cup playoffs, winning the Kelly Cup
Kelly Cup
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...
after defeating the Columbia Inferno
Columbia Inferno
The Columbia Inferno are an ECHL team based in Columbia, South Carolina. The team is currently on voluntary suspension awaiting construction of a new arena in suburban Lexington County. They played their home games at the Carolina Coliseum. They planned on playing in a new arena during the...
, 4 games to 1. Despite winning a division crown and making playoff appearances in all of their four seasons in New Jersey, including the 2003 Kelly Cup championship, the Bullies were unable to maintain a large average attendance. Following the 2004-05 season
2004-05 ECHL season
The 2004-05 ECHL season was the 17th season of the ECHL. This season marked uncharted territory for the ECHL as they established their first Canadian franchise, the Victoria Salmon Kings....
, the Bullies were sold to an ownership group out of Stockton, California that moved the team into Stockton Arena
Stockton Arena
Stockton Arena is an indoor arena in Stockton, California. It opened in December 2005 and seats approximately 10,000 fans. The arena, at maximum capacity, can seat 11,800 people.It is primarily used for ice hockey, indoor soccer and arena football....
which was to open during the 2005-06 season
2005-06 ECHL season
The 2005–06 ECHL season is the 18th season of the East Coast Hockey League, ECHL, a professional ice-hockey league based in the United States. The season ran from late October, 2005 to early June, 2006...
.
Stockton Thunder
The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies were relocated to Stockton following the 2004-05 season and the franchise was named the Stockton Thunder in May 2005 after Thunder beat out Brawlers, Fog, Skate, Spears and Stallions in a name the team contest. That same month, former Cyclones forward and coach Chris CichockiChris Cichocki
Chris J. Cichocki [si-HOCK-ey] is a retired ice hockey right winger. He played a handful of games at the NHL level, but is mostly known for his high scoring in the American Hockey League...
was named the first head coach in Thunder history. Before the 2006-07 season
2006-07 ECHL season
The 2006–07 ECHL season was the 19th season of the ECHL. Two teams returned to the ECHL after suspensions: the Texas Wildcatters and the Cincinnati Cyclones The 2006–07 ECHL season was the 19th season of the ECHL. Two teams returned to the ECHL after suspensions: the Texas Wildcatters (who had...
, the Thunder reached an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
to be their secondary affiliate after the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
. Midway through the 2009-10 season, the Thunder would pick up a working partnership agreement with the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
In January 2007, the Thunder and Stockton Arena were chosen to host the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game
2007-08 ECHL season
The 2007–08 ECHL season was the 20th season of the ECHL.Two teams suspended operations at the end of the 2006–07 season, the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the Toledo Storm...
. Three Thunder players, Ryan MacMurchy, Brad Farynuk
Brad Farynuk
Brad Farynuk is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing with AS Renon in the Serie A...
and Andy Contois, were selected to the National Conference's All-Star team. The National Conference would win the exhibition, defeating the American Conference 10–7 and Victoria Salmon Kings
Victoria Salmon Kings
The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
' forward Ash Goldie was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
The 2008-09 season began with Stockton starting at 10-17-4, fourth in the Pacific Division before the hiring of Matt Thomas as new head coach on December 29. Stockton won seven games in a row and went 7-0-1 in its first eight games under Thomas, eventually clinching a Kelly Cup Playoff berth for the third straight season. The Thunder achieved its first playoff series win in club history, 4-3 in seven games with the Pacific Division champion Ontario Reign
Ontario Reign
The Ontario Reign is a ice hockey team from Ontario, California that play in the ECHL. Their home arena is the Citizens Business Bank Arena. They are a minor league affiliate team of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League.-Team History:...
. The series featured five separate one-goal games and Stockton won game seven, 5-4 at Ontario behind Craig Valette's eventual game-winning goal. The Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
, the defending Conference champion, eliminated Stockton in another seven-game series, 4-3, in the Conference Semifinal.
Following a start to the 2009-10 season at 5-11-3 and 1-6-3 on their own home ice, the Thunder acquired forwards J.F. Caudron, Matt Robinson, Brett Hemingway and defensemen Anthony Aiello and Justin DaCosta through a series of trades and free-agent signings in December to go 28-19-7 overall and 16-6-4 at Stockton Arena for the remainder of the regular season, at one point moving to a tie for first place in the Pacific Division with the Bakersfield Condors
Bakersfield Condors
The Bakersfield Condors are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors join the Houston Aeros as an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League...
in the final week of the regular season. They made the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
In February 2010, Stockton Hockey Franchise Group, Inc. sold the team to SC Hockey Franchise Corp., headed by Canadian oil executive Brad Rowbotham and the ECHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the transfer of controlling interest in April, 2010.
Their season ended by advancing to the National Conference Finals for the first time in club history. The Thunder defeated the defending conference champion Alaska Aces, 3-1 in a best-of-five first round series. Stockton then defeated the Pacific Division champion Condors, 4-1 in the best-of-seven Conference Semifinal. The Idaho Steelheads
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads are an American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Boise, Idaho. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL since 2003....
then eliminated Stockton, 4-2 in the Conference Final series.
In August 2010, The Edmonton Oilers announced that the Oklahoma City Barons
Oklahoma City Barons
The Oklahoma City Barons are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and serve as the top affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. The team's first season was 2010–11. They play their home games at the newly renovated Cox Convention Center, in Oklahoma...
will be the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate of the Thunder for the 2010/11 season. The Thunder and San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
also announced an affiliation partnership, aligning the two local teams and giving the Thunder a dual NHL affiliation for the first time in club history. As a result, Stockton will have AHL affiliates in both Oklahoma City and Worcester.
Seven Thunder alumni have played in the NHL as of May 2010.
Box office success
Since relocating from Atlantic City and taking up residence as the flagship tenant in the state-of-the-art, waterfront Stockton ArenaStockton Arena
Stockton Arena is an indoor arena in Stockton, California. It opened in December 2005 and seats approximately 10,000 fans. The arena, at maximum capacity, can seat 11,800 people.It is primarily used for ice hockey, indoor soccer and arena football....
venue, the Thunder have built a reputation with one of the most passionate, loyal fan bases in minor league hockey.
Stockton led the ECHL in attendance for four straight years, becoming the first team in the ECHL to accomplish the box office feat since the Florida Everblades
Florida Everblades
The Florida Everblades are an ECHL ice hockey team playing in the Southeast Division. The team is based in Estero, Florida and plays at Germain Arena . The team has existed since 1998...
' five-year run from 2000-05. Stockton has drawn over an average of 6,000 fans per game or more every season, and has 14 recorded sellouts at their 9,737-seat home ice venue since 2005.
Players in the NHL
Since partnering with the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
as an affiliate in 2006-07, seven players have gone on to make their debut in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
after playing for the Thunder. They include:
- Bryan YoungBryan Young (ice hockey)Bryan Young is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman currently playing for High1 of the Asia League Ice Hockey.He was selected in the 5th round, 146th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Oilers....
: Defenseman - Liam ReddoxLiam ReddoxLiam Reddox is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the Växjö Lakers Hockey of the Elitserien . He has dual citizenship in both Canada and Scotland.-Playing career:...
: Forward - Tim SestitoTim SestitoTim Sestito is an American professional Ice Hockey player currently with the Albany Devils of the American Hockey League while under contract to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
: Center - Troy BodieTroy BodieTroy Bodie is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks-Playing career:...
: Left Wing - Colin McDonaldColin McDonald (ice hockey)Colin J. McDonald is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League . He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2nd round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, 51st overall...
: Right Wing - Ryan O'MarraRyan O'MarraRyan O'Marra is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He is currently playing for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League , the top minor league affiliate for the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers....
: Center - Devan DubnykDevan DubnykDevan Dubnyk is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Oilers in the first round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft....
: Goaltender
Other players who have experience with the Thunder after previously making their NHL debut include:
- Sebastien BisaillonSebastien BisaillonSebastien Bisaillon is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.-Playing career:Bisaillon was signed as a free agent by the Edmonton Oilers on September 27, 2006...
: Defenseman - Damian SurmaDamian SurmaDamian Surma is an American professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays with the Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League .- European career :...
: Left Wing
Current roster
| Title | STAFF MEMBER |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Matt Thomas |
| Assistant Coach | Matt O'Dette |
| Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Anderson |
| Head Equipment Manager | Ben Laing |
| Assistant Equipment Manager | Rob Kaufmann |