08/25/2010 10:49 AM - Two-time "Fan Favorite" Award Recipient Garet Hunt, brother Trevor return to Stockton for 2010-11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE: GARET HUNT CAREER STATISTICS
MORE: TREVOR HUNT CAREER STATISTICS
VIDEO: Matt Thomas Discusses the Return of Garet and Trevor Hunt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garet Hunt (right) scraps with Brendan Milnamow of the Idaho Steelheads. (photo by Sean Blair)
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, and head coach Matt Thomas announced today the team has signed unrestricted free agent left wing Garet Hunt and rookie defenseman Trevor Hunt. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
The transaction reunites the brothers, who played together on the Thunder 2009-10 squad that made its first appearance in the Conference Final. They have increased the total to five players returning from last season's team.
"Garet brings back familiar elements of energy, work ethic and fearlessness that are vital supplements for our team and have deservedly earned the admiration of our fan base," said Thomas. "He provides energy with the way his style rubs off on the rest of our group. He's handled his role as a true professional and realizes how it fits into our scheme, but is aware of the possibilities for his continued development."
Of Trevor Hunt, Thomas said, "Trevor enters his first full season with a lot of promise and potential. We were impressed with how he handled the professional environment coming out of college last year and we're looking for him to contribute with a solid, two-way style, similar to what Ryan Constant has provided over the last two seasons. He won't back down physically, is capable of handling the puck and possesses a hard shot from the point that we're excited to continue developing."
Garet, 22, will be entering his third season as a member of the Thunder and has been the recipient of the Thunder "Fan Favorite" Award for two consecutive seasons. He has spent his entire ECHL career of two seasons (2008-10) in a Thunder uniform, suiting up in 115 career games, scoring 28 points (10g-18a) while ranking second on the Thunder all-time list with 463 penalty minutes.
The 5-foot-8, 190-pound forward has also appeared in 26 lifetime Kelly Cup Games, scoring eight points (6g-2a) and totaling 30 penalty minutes.
Last season, Garet led the Thunder with 215 penalty minutes in 52 games and added five goals and 12 points (5g-7a). He scored four points (2g-2a) in 12 Kelly Cup Playoff games, including a game-winning goal.
In 193 career games, spanning four seasons (2004-08) in the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants, he collected 542 penalty minutes and 41 points (16g-25a).
"I wanted to come back to Stockton because of many factors," said Garet. "I'm really looking forward to a special opportunity in playing alongside my brother. The fan support at Stockton Arena is second to none and I've really enjoyed my role and the opportunities to grow under Coach Thomas' style. He gives us a chance to win the Kelly Cup and that's the ultimate goal. I've got a good feeling about our chances this year."
"I'm looking forward to playing with Garet and enjoying that opportunity for the whole season," said Trevor. "From the time I spent in Stockton, late last season, the feel I got from the fans and community was incredible. It makes me excited for the upcoming year. I'm looking forward to contributing by playing a defensively sound, physical style and generating offense when the chances come my way."
 |
| Trevor Hunt generated two assists in 8 ECHL games from the blueline, coming out of college. (photo by George Steckler) |
Trevor, 24, will enter his first full season of professional hockey after originally signing an amateur tryout contract with the Thunder on March 17, 2010 and notching two assists and 15 penalty minutes in eight ECHL games.
Previously, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound blueliner spent all four seasons (2006-10) of his college hockey career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage (NCAA), suiting up in 100 games for the Seawolves while totaling 22 points (5g-17a) and 114 penalty minutes.
As a 2008-09 junior, he recorded a career-high 12 points (4g-8a), four goals and eight assists in 36 games.
OPENING NIGHT AND TICKET INFORMATION
Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 15, when the Thunder opens the 2010-11 regular season at home against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The Thunder and Alaska Aces meet in the preseason opener on Oct. 5 at Sullivan Arena, beginning at 8:15 p.m. The Thunder and Ontario Reign square off in the only preseason game at Stockton Arena on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
The Thunder are freezing Season Ticket Prices for the 2010-11 season, which are on sale now can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (209) 373-1500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by visiting http://www.stocktonthunder.com/. 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, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more. Information on individual and group tickets will be announced soon.
A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets and mini-plans for 2010-11 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (209) 373-1500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.
-Written by the Stocktn Thunder-
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep it nice, keep it civil. GOILERS!