Trades Bring Trio
Reber, Campbell expected to debut with Thunder on Wednesday at Idaho
STOCKTON, Calif.
Center Max Campbell has been also assigned to the Thunder by the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League and the Thunder has acquired the ECHL contract rights to defenseman Ryan Lowery from the Greenville Road Warriors in exchange for right wing Bretton Cameron.
Matt Reber was a key cog in Utah's playoff run last season with 11 points in 8 postseason games.
Reber and Campbell, 23, are expected to make their debut with the Thunder on Wednesday at Century Link Arena against the Idaho Steelheads at 6:10 p.m. (1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com).
“Matt gives us an element of speed along with offensive production that will help us not only create more scoring chances but also convert more,” said Thomas. “He was a major factor in Utah’s playoff success last year and we look for him to have the same impact with the Thunder.”
Lowery is currently skating in the American Hockey League with the Oklahoma City Barons, an affiliate of the Thunder.
“Max and Ryan create additional offensive depth to our team,” said Thomas. “Max is a big center that has a knack for scoring. He should help us create some new chemistry with our forward lines. Ryan is a very mobile offensive defenseman that has a well rounded game. Acquiring a player under contract with Oklahoma City made sense to us and it presented an opportunity to potentially strengthen our blueline as the season progresses.”
The 6-foot-2 and 185 pound Reber has suited up in 33 games this year for Utah, scoring 20 points (6g-14a) and collecting 12 penalty minutes. He has collected three points in a game twice this season and has tallied four multi point games.
Reber notched an assist in his pro debut with Utah last season. His 11 points (3g-8a) in eight games ranked second in Grizzlies scoring for the Kelly Cup Playoffs. In the opening round of the playoffs he racked up seven points (3g-4a), scoring in all four games to help lead Utah to a 3-1 series victory over the Thunder.
The Edina, Minn. native skated at Dartmouth College (NCAA) for four seasons and scored 68 points (17g-51a) in 122 games. Reber enjoyed a career high 26 points (5g-21a) in 29 games as a 2009-10 senior.
Foreman, 24, leaves the Thunder after scoring 14 points (5g-9a) and posting 80 penalty minutes in 30 games this season. He signed with the Thunder as a free agent on Aug. 10, 2010 and scored 25 points (10g-15a) along with 116 penalty minutes in 40 games last season.
Campbell was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and has skated in 17 games this season with Greenville, scoring four points (2g-2a) and adding four penalty minutes.
The 6-foot and 185 pound pivot attended training camp with the Rangers during the 2011 preseason and wrapped up a career in college at Western Michigan University (NCAA) that boasted 107 points (46g-61a) in 154 career games. As a 2010-11 senior, he led the program in scoring and achieved career highs in points (35), goals (18) and assists (17) in 42 games with the Broncos.
Campbell also received the program’s Most Valuable Player award and Top Scorer award.
Lowery, 23, was signed to an AHL contract with Oklahoma City on Sept. 23, 2011 and has notched seven points (1g-6a), 16 penalty minutes and a +1 rating in 26 games. He skated with the Edmonton Oilers in the 2011 YoungStars Tournament in Penticton, B.C. and scored a goal in two games.
The 5-foot-11 and 189 pound blueliner was co-captain as a 2010-11 senior at Colorado College and suited up in 152 career games with the Tigers, recording 46 points (7g-39a) and 152 penalty minutes. He collected 35 of his 46 points during his final two seasons and posted a career high 18 points (4g-14a) in 38 games as a 2009-10 junior.
Cameron, 22, has scored 15 points (6g-9a) in 34 games this season with the Thunder, collecting 69 penalty minutes. He was originally signed as a free agent on Oct. 25, 2010 and ranked fourth on the Thunder last season with 16 goals, additionally scoring 31 points (16g-15a) in 53 games.
Ryan Lowery is currently with the Thunder's AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons. He suited up for the Edmonton Oilers in last September's YoungStars Tournament. (photo by Steven Christy)
“We have high expectations for our team and we aren’t happy with where we stand,” said Thomas. “It was necessary to make some changes in an effort to improve our hockey team.”
“We’re excited about today’s transactions and it’s a lot easier to say ‘make a trade’ than to make one happen,” said Thunder owner Brad Rowbotham. “It takes time and patience to make a good trade. We’re looking ahead to the stretch run and playoffs, where today’s movement can significantly benefit us. It moves us in the right direction of finishing strong.”
Matheson Returned from Rochester
The Thunder also announced rookie defenseman Brock Matheson has been returned to the Thunder from loan to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.
Matheson, 24, is expected to make his return to the Thunder lineup tonight at Century Link Arena against the Idaho Steelheads at 6:10 p.m. (1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThunder.com).
The 6-foot-1 and 190 pound defenseman returns from his second career trip to the AHL and his first of the season after suiting up in 19 games for the Thunder, earning one assist and 13 penalty minutes.
He collected an assist and four penalty minutes in three games for Rochester. Matheson made his pro debut last season in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators and skated in two games.
Previously, Matheson suited up in 141 career games with Union College (NCAA) and notched 123 penalty minutes and 24 points (9g-15a). As a two year captain, he earned ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman honors and was the first player in the program to be named recipient of the award since 1997.
The Thunder have frozen most Season Ticket prices for the 2011-12 season, which are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting www.stocktonthunder.com. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the best seating locations in Stockton Arena and includes 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.
For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.
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