Didn't we document in this blog space several weeks ago about the lure of Europe?

It's happening. The lure of big money, less games and international competition has taken some bite out of the Thunder roster from 2009-10:

-          Chris D'Alvise (pictured) - Italy
-          Justin DaCosta - Czech Republic
-          J.F. Caudron - Italy
-          Colin Hemingway - England

Andrew Perugini, Kelly Czuy and Bryan Young have also signed overseas, but they're asterisks in the "players leaving" category because they were under an NHL or AHL contract last season, not an ECHL contract.

That's now seven players from last season's playoff roster we can address as "the departed."

Now, stop before you hit that big, red, shiny, imposing panic button.

1.       As we've said many times, don't forget how much the ECHL is now a "step-ladder" league where you celebrate your favorite player moving up, not witnessing the huge chunk of veterans whose careers are dying. Europe, as much of the AHL and NHL, is part of that.

2.       Don't overlook the leadership core retained from last season (Valette, Marcoux) - with Steve Vanoosten already inked for next season. Anthony Aiello, Garet Hunt and Trevor Hunt have expressed their interest in returning, so we'll see how those play out. Assuming those potentials come to fruition, you have six returners back into the mix.

3.       There's also rights retained to Aiello, Ryan Constant, Jason Pitton and more - making the potential returners at eight.

4.       There are 19 teams this season - meaning - less jobs, meaning - more premium players available on the free agent market.

5.       The affiliation factor and how much it can provide you with supplemental, elite-ECHL level talent and lure more potential free agents with the possibility of playing in front of said affiliated team's scouts and upper brass.

With all those factors, eight returners in a roster of 20 active players isn't a bad ratio in a league that can often serve as a revolving door, year-after-year.

It's still only late July, and the hot stove season hasn't even kicked into fifth gear. Enjoy it and with how the Thunder roster for 2010-11 is continuing to evolve!


Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com

It is 6:30 p.m. and my stomach is screaming "feed me" as I put the finishing touches on this newest addition of laptop produced work in the front lobby of the JW Marriott.

But, the temporary fasting is well worth it after working with some of the brightest and courteous people in the hockey world you will ever meet.

Before we put a bow on this draft wrap-up, endless gratitude goes to the Edmonton Oilers. What a terrific and professional group of people to work with through the three days that the hockey world landed its spotlight on Los Angeles. It's too bad the experience had to end, in what seemed to be, so soon.

Putting faces to names and getting a chance to shake hands officially with Steve Tambellini and Ricky Olczyk will be officially marked in the "experience grandeur" category.

And even then, a huge amount of kudos is deserved for the Los Angeles Kings and Staples Center for the show they put on. It was an event to showcase the growth of hockey in the Sunbelt region, and the Hollywood hockey circle (Kevin Connolly) and next generation of talent (Emerson Etem, Cam Fowler) were celebrated while achieving that goal.

Also, it's a thrill to see many contacts and friends you can make or rekindle in the hockey circle, who are all present in one atmosphere, at the same time. Not many other events in the hockey world can offer that.

Since virtually everyone by now has packed up and flown out, let's recap day two:

10:00 a.m. was time to be present, bright and early, in our seat! The Oilers select first in the second round and take Lance Pitlick's nephew, Tyler, with the 31^st overall pick. Time for the interview downstairs.

Just ten minutes after being handed an Oilers jersey and exchanging handshakes with team management, Tyler was very professional with the media proceedings after missing the prime-time, first round draft stage one night before. He had to go back to his hotel Friday night after hanging around Staples Center and not seeing his name called. What a trooper.

Martin Marincin was picked as one of three Oilers selections in the second round along with Pitlick and Curtis Hamilton - they were all present. Yet, only Pitlick was available for interviews, immediately. Hamilton wasn't present at the draft and Marincin, who is a native of Slovakia, was immediately whisked off for NHL photo opportunities.

The NHL Draft's second day, which is covered by the NHL Network, is much more bare bones as it relates to pomp and circumstance, compared to the first round which is televised by Versus and TSN. Many players who are picked in rounds 2-7 aren't present, which eliminates the entire "GM-then-draft-pick-marches-to-stage/player-slips-on-jersey/poses-for-photos" chain of events.

By 4:30 p.m., all eleven Oilers draft picks are documented by website literature and/or video, for your watching and listening pleasure, and we can officially call it a day.

And, as they say in Hollywood, "that's a wrap!"

Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com

The stars certainly came out today for Round One of the NHL Entry Draft.

Taylor Hall is an Oiler, Kevin Connolly re-affirms that Hollywood has a presence with hockey in the Southland, and hockey fans across the region can near fill a building for a hockey event that features no ice - all of it being covered by 30 draft tables for every NHL team's brass.

Here's my time lapse of round one of the draft, observed from 200 feet away from the draft stage:

2:00 p.m. - Get into the building. The draft stage is always so professionally manicured by the NHL, who know how to put on a good show!

3:00 p.m. - Get instructions from the day from the Edmonton Oilers - the assignment: THE first overall pick recap. Better bring the "A" game!

3:45 p.m. - E.J. McGuire, Director of the Central Scouting Bureau, introduces each team on the draft floor for the traditional roll call. Loudest ovation: Los Angeles Kings (obviously). Second loudest ovation: Edmonton Oilers (who might have the most fans from out-of-town). Loudest jeers: Anaheim Ducks.

4:17 p.m. - Steve Tambelliini announces Taylor Hall - after pausing for dramatic effect. Throng of 100 Oilers fans go nuts in the stands. So do Hall's parents. Well-deserved.

4:18 p.m. - Just realized I better hustle down to the event level of Staples Center at Hall's draft podium before the media hoard assembles.

4:19 p.m. - There's already 20 reporters waiting. Oh well. Time to stick the audio recorder into the pile and keep the arm up as a form of exercise.

4:45 p.m. - Hall answers as many questions as possible before being whisked away to multiple one-on-one interviews, including TSN, Rogers SportsNet, and the Oilers TV website channel, "Oilers On Demand."

4:50 p.m. - Just missed actor Kevin Connolly ("Eric" from Entourage), who hit the stage to represent the New York Islanders and their fifth overall selection, Nino Niederreiter (a.k.a. "El Nino").

5:30 p.m. - Cam Fowler, whom many projected to go third or fourth overall, fell all the way to 12^th to Anaheim. He's a trooper. Before the pick was announced, a chorus of boos again filled Staples Center as the rival Ducks were announced as picking next.

6:05 p.m. - the first trade announced in the midst of the draft by Commissioner Gary Bettman, the Florida Panthers dropped down to 19^th from 15^th, trading the pick to ... the Los Angeles Kings. Building goes nuts. California homegrown products Emerson Etem and Beau Bennett still available, but the Kings go with Derek Forbort

7:45 p.m. - Head downstairs for more interviews and Jared Tinordi (son of former defenseman Mark Tinordi) is being interviewed by national media after being selected by the Montreal Canadiens. He's got his dad's size - maybe even bigger.

7:47 p.m. - It's no secret the Ducks came out with quite the grab in Cam Fowler at #12. As we wait for a round of interviews with Oilers GM Steve Tambellini, the place goes bonkers and Ducks fans voices are heard when California product Emerson Etem (grew up and trained in Long Beach) gets picked at #29 overall

8:05 p.m. - Round one over. Time for dinner and then a 10:00 a.m. call time for round two!

Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com.

"Seems like everyone here's got a plan ... it's kind of like Nashville with a tan ..."
- "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins

Through Day 1 of the NHL Entry Draft proceedings, most notably surrounding the Prospects Media Luncheon on a sweltering, hot skyview deck of the Target Terrace in Los Angeles, that song lyric draws a parallel to the most talked about, soon-to-be, future stars of hockey (Taylor Hall ,Tyler Seguin, or "other").

There is a plan for Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini and head scout Stu MacGregor.

Except, no one knows what that plan is.

Yet.

We'll find out Friday at 4:30 for the first round of the NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center (Versus and TSN have the TV coverage).

Day two will be just as equally enticing. The Oilers will pick eight more times (twice in the second round) - which could have a definitive direction as to what talent is eventually siphoned down to the Thunder in future seasons.

E.J. McGuire, the guru of the Central Scouting Bureau, called many fourth rounders of this year's draft "a good crop" and "many could play in the National Hockey League."

That's depth.

Yet it's very hard to say, if not impossible, if we'll see Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin in a Thunder uniform. Both considered franchise players for whatever taker snatches them up (Boston picks second, by the way), they're in the middle of a first round draft class of "eight or nine players," according to McGuire, that could already be NHL ready for 2010-11.

Yet, whatever team picks Hall or Seguin, they're getting a club cornerstone.

My impressions of the two from today's media scrum, that was held not too far away from the new "Twilight: Eclipse" movie premiere in downtown L.A. (tangent alert: you should have seen the line to get in, and heard the screams from overzealous fans):

-          Hall: an absolute "beauty," as many of us like to define in the hockey world. Was definitely not gun shy at answering any question thrown his way and injected a little personality into it. His story on taking batting practice the day before for the Dodgers/Angels game in Anaheim drew a few laughs (check out the story, soon to be posted on the Thunder and Oilers website)!

-          Seguin: mature way beyond his years. Many have given him comparisons to Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic - not just for his play on the ice, but his demeanor. Nothing seems to faze him and answered many questions that you would come to expect out of a nine year veteran, not an 18-year old who is ready to hit the draft stage.

That's Thursday's scoop - which also involves a tasty media reception cuisine containing chicken sliders, garlic fries and more resting happily in my stomach! Back for more on Friday, after we find out the big news of who goes #1 overall to the Thunder parent club in Edmonton!


Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com.

STANLEY CUP CONNECTION

Congratulations are certainly well-earned for the Chicago Blackhawks, who snapped a 49-year drought to clinch their first Stanley Cup championship since the JFK administration.

Jonathan Toews, a.k.a. "Captain Serious," elevated himself to becoming one of the top three forwards, if not players, in the game today with his leadership at the tender age of 22 - joining Crosby and Ovechkin who might have just taken the baton as the NHL's next elite "Holy Trinity" since Gretzky, Lemieux, and Brett Hull ruled the day in the early 90's.

Patrick Kane, who clearly is not devoid of personality this game sorely needs to keep ascending back to the main conscience stream of the nation's casual fan, scored possibly the most climactic, late-reaction goal in sports championship history.

He had a game-tying assist on a goal late in regulation in the Olympics and has a cup-winning goal in the finals. What else do you need to earn the title of "Kane The Clutch?"

Seeing him live for the first time ever at Game 2 of the Conference Finals in San Jose, he's the closest thing I've seen at a live NHL game to Sergei Fedorov-in-his-prime, when it comes to rushing the puck up ice.

But what cannot be forgotten is the tie-in the Thunder have with all of this jubilation the city of Chicago is celebrating.

Two words: Mike. Haviland.

The assistant coach of the Blackhawks - and according to numerous reports , the next candidate to fill a NHL head coaching vacancy - is the reason why Matt Thomas is here today.

Thomas was Haviland's lieutenant on the bench (see photo on the right) when Atlantic City captured the Kelly Cup in 2003. Much of a Haviland protégé in the way the two coaches connect with players, bring passion to the dressing room and prepare, Thomas started on Haviland's staff when he made the Boardwalk Bullies the winners of a "bidding war" for the assistant coach's services.

Check out this Haviland quote from a story back in 2005, on his connection with Thomas:

"Matt and I have a lot of mutual friends. There were a lot of people who I respected that were pushing for him. He was young, eager, a hard worker, and there were a lot of people who were after him," says Haviland. "I had an opening and interviewed him and then Jason Christie offered him the assistant coach's job in Peoria, so we kind of got into a bidding war for him. When you hear about good people that work hard and have passion you want to get them and that's why we wanted Matt."

Haviland's won titles in a coaching capacity on two levels (ECHL, NHL) with three different teams (Atlantic City, Trenton and Chicago) and was AHL Coach of the Year in 2007 with Norfolk.

He's now on the cusp, maybe, of securing an NHL head coaching job.

It's an inspiration and a testimony for hard working, successful coaches in the minor leagues, like Thomas, Glen Gulutzan (formerly of Las Vegas, who's now just two wins from a Calder Cup in Texas), Chuck Weber (Cincinnati) and more - who are trying to carve the same path as Haviland.

YOU SAY GOODBYE, I SAY HELLO

In the light of Oren Eizenman signing an AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch, we get hit with this every summer.

We know the months of June are slow. We know you ask "who's coming back?" and "what will next year's team" look like?

Tough to say for the 2009-10 Stockton Thunder - every player is on a one-year contract (save those who have NHL and AHL deals) and thus Matt Thomas - like every other coach - is technically re-negotiating deals with every player he wants back next season.

Like private planes, 18,000-seat arenas and a coaching staff of 3-4 people, there are no multi-year extensions that are from the area of NHL luxury.

Through the power of internet research, we can give you a glimpse of what the ECHL landscape looks like for next year, based on who's leaving (and there's already a few "household" and "familiar" names) -

Check them out (many of these discovered through eliteproprospects.com):

- Ryan Kinasewich (RW)
GOODBYE: Utah Grizzlies
HELLO: Austria (Medvescak)

- David Walker (D)
GOODBYE: Ontario Reign
HELLO: Germany (Iserlohn)

- Peter Lenes (LW)
GOODBYE: Ontario Reign
HELLO: Austria (Graz)

- Sasha Pokulok (D)
GOODYE: Bakersfield Condors
HELLO: Germany (DEG Metro Stars)

- Scott Hotham (D)
GOODBYE: Florida Everblades
HELLO: Norway (Lillehammer)

- Brad Zanon (D)
GOODBYE: Florida Everblades
HELLO: England (Coventry)

- Dustin Sproat (C)
GOODBYE: Cincinnati Cyclones
HELLO: England (Nottingham)

- Billy Ryan (C)
GOODBYE: Wheeling Nailers
HELLO: England (Nottingham)

- Olivier Filion (C)
GOODBYE: Victoria Salmon Kings
HELLO: Missouri Mavericks (CHL)

- Andrew Martens (D)
GOODBYE: Ontario Reign
HELLO: Wichita Thunder (CHL)

- Zach Tarkir (D)
GOODBYE: South Carolina Stingrays
HELLO: Germany (Hannover)

- Tim Wedderburn (D)
GOODBYE: Victoria Salmon Kings
HELLO: Scotland (Braehead)

- Adam Miller (C)
GOODBYE: Las Vegas Wranglers
HELLO: Finland (Assat)

The bottom line: already a handful of players who have bided their time and torn up the ECHL are getting that next step up - which forces teams to re-tool more this offseason and will make a very scintillating free agent signing period, which begins July 1!

While you keep track of that - make your plans now for your Thunder game of choice - for those who come for the party in addition to the "game," the 2010-11 lineup of giveaways was rolled out today. Of all interesting items - a skateboard deck!

Why do I suddenly feel in the mood to dust off "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2" from my video gaming youth days?

Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com

Several days ago, we asked you to give us your take, feedback, input, solicitation, etc. through facebook and the Thunder Insider on your top moment of the Thunder season after my blog titled, "What. A. Season."

You, ‘O Thunder fans, are united as one, so we put all your feedback into one! It's so far the greatest season in Thunder history - so, enjoy it (a great part about this is there's still more work to be done - i.e. a Kelly Cup championship).

Here they are:


Vcaprini

Well Mike it's a toss up for Linda and I. We like number 3, Ryan Constant's triple overtime goal. And then there's one you did not list. The big party after beating Bako. That was a special night for us also. Celebrating that with all the players and Dan was a lot of fun. Wish we could have had two more of those.

David Relloque

Triple overtime!

Blackie Leathers

Games 1 and 2 of the 2nd round in Bakersfield.

Bodhi Zaffa

Round 1 Game 2 in that barn in Wasilla (or whatever that place is called) Alaska. And that crazy shootout at the Teddy Bear toss we lost to Victoria.

Ron Browning

Two games stick out for me. The 16 round shootout and the triple overtime.

Tara Michelotti

I'm with David triple overtime what a game

Michelle Lowen

I agree with Ron. Those were probably the most exciting. The others are the hat tricks and special events. It really has all been exciting for me. I am going through hockey withdrawals. Can't wait till October to be here.

Jill Mackey-Scaffidi

16 round shootout and triple overtime

Andy Coy

Every time the referee got nailed with the puck....

Nunez Jeff

Down 3-0 against Bako and we win

Mike McKnight

Ryan Constant drilling one into the back of the net and then sliding down the ice on his knees to end a triple OT...

Mary Curtis

I agree with you Mike McKnight - Constant's goal was awesome

David Relloque

Love that one bout the refs, Damn I miss booing em on the way out!

Moni Rogg

For sure Constant's goal...best moment!

Carrie Relloque

Every win!

Dana Vlaovich

of course the longest game ever and watching Constant slide across the ice nothing will ever beat that...and have to agree with the pucks hitting the refs that is always entertaining.

Lilly Craig

Getting two pucks in one game!

Pamela Murphy

I loved the 6 period game against Idaho and of course the after parties in the King's Room

Mary Neville

I missed the 6 period game, but loved the film of constant getting that shot. I miss hockey, I miss hockey, I miss hockey...I love every minute of every game...really I do...

Tina English-Hulse

Constant's goal was the BEST! I know there is no crying in hockey, but I think I actually teared up when he slid across the ice to his teammates! I'm sure he will remember that moment the rest of his life.

Mary Ann Foehringer Tolbert

My family and I are in withdraws! We were at every home game all season and don't know what to do with our time!!! Can't wait for October to roll around! At least Idaho is down 2-0!!!!

Eric N Lorri Kenny

ALL OUT! ALL SEASON! These boys proved it! GO THUNDER!

Kathleen Hand

I have 2 favorite moments. My kids being the Let's Play Hockey kids and my boys skating with the thunder and the picture with Hunt we got "putting up their dukes"

Rebecca Anderson

When we returned home from Idaho and beat the steelheads to tie up the series!

Tim Harrington

There were so many, but let's start with one for the record books - Ryan Constant's game winner in Game 3 vs. the Steelheads. So many records were set during this game (Longest game in Thunder Franchise history, Longest game in Steelheads Franchise history, Longest SCORELESS game in ECHL history, First Playoff Shutout for Bryan Pitton, the list goes... See More on). That his game winning goal was the pinnacle of such an evening, should speak for itself as to why it's my favorite highlight. Not to mention the tactful "History Will Be Made" video that followed.

Christina Patton

omg the best for me was on an away game...we were in Bakersfield. And was yelling to support r team with a cow bell also....well we ended up getting into a fight with r own team members fans...wow....long weekend...but we won that game...it was a great victory....with the police called on us all over a 10 dollar whiteboard and a 8 dollar cowbell...and some ghetto fans...but all around great game and had a blast

Cori Swanson

Would have to be Ryan Constants game winning goal in game 3 against Idaho. But there are soo many, but that would have to be my #1 top choice... I could go on for days.....look @ the amount of hat tricks we had this season!! _his with a Natural, Bates with a California Hat trick..haha Great season!!

Leanne Emery Rutherford

I have 3 Highlights: Constant making history in Game 3, Thunder beating Idaho to tie the series on home ice & Thunder making it to Round 3!

Raymond Mahnke

I am going with James Bates California hat trick.

Denise LeClert Armstrong

I'd say all of the hat tricks. I think we had more this season than the other four put together.

Janet Aquilina Smyers

Chris D'Alvise Natural Hat Trick

Amy VanderWal

Any goal scored by Steve Vanoosten!!

Heather Buckland

The first home win of the season! The score was 3-0 and Perugini was in net...it was beautiful

Annette Dominguez

The highlights of the2009-10 season for me was all the fights that Hunt got into. It added spice to the games.




THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
The 2010-11 regular season schedule is out, leaving us with the official start of the countdown to hockey season once more - and we aren't even through May yet.

For the third straight season, the Thunder will play against a National Conference exclusive slate. Typically, coast-to-coast travel costs a lot of money and in these hard, economic times, not every team has the luxury of trekking to Trenton, Florida or South Carolina every season.

As to why the Thunder aren't traveling east this year, or, taking in an east coast team (strangely, Ontario will host Elmira in a three-game series - and the Reign are only a 5.5 hour drive south), that's not left for us to know unfortunately.

Yet, the Thunder came within six wins of a Kelly Cup championship and never before have I seen the Central Valley fan base so fired up and thirsty. I can't wait for Opening Night and the Ontario Reign on October 15. Period.

Your bottom dollar can also be bet on saucy rivalries being renewed that came to engage you, ‘O Thunder fan, in the postseason - and we'll pick up right where we left off on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 (Bakersfield away and home games) and Nov. 10 and 18 (Idaho away and home games).

Given the Conference-emphasized schedule, I'm not having an easy time understanding why somebody would hate it. All in all, the Thunder were given a break.

-          There's no overbearing road trips at hand (the 11-day odyssey last year in December - through Alaska and Victoria - came to mind) ... the longest are two separate five-gamers in December and February

-          The Thunder start with six of the first eight in the boisterous confines of Stockton Arena ... nothing like a little momentum to get you going in the right direction

-          That oh, so decisive home stretch: 10 of 14 at home in March ... seven-game homestand and 7 of the last 9 at home. As the Steve Miller Band sung, take the money and run.

Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com

The season takes you through a lot of hockey.

This year, it was the most ever for a Thunder season - 91 games, when you count preseason, regular season and Kelly Cup Playoffs.

That leaves little time to absorb anything else, NHL hockey included.

You find time though for it when the regular season is over, and that included an opportunity for yours truly to hop over the Altamont for Game 2 of the Western Conference Final between the Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks.

It's my first playoff trek to the "Shark Tank" in four years (the second round Edmonton series) and it re-affirmed my stance, shared with many people around our great spot - there is absolutely, positively, nothing like playoff hockey.

I could feel the floor in the press box shake beneath me from the near deafening tones of HP Pavilion at San Jose.

It also re-affirmed my stance California hockey fans get the short straw of hockey allegiance.

At times, a crowd of 8 or 9,000 at Stockton Arena sounds like it's 17,000. It's among the talk of the league now that Stockton Arena is one of the more intimidating atmospheres to play in.

Like the storied tradition of our affiliates in Edmonton, a crowd of 17,000 at HP Pavilion sounds like its 24,000.

Recently, a players' poll recently ranked HP Pavilion at San Jose as 1^st in the NHL as the most intimidating building to play in.

I'd say California hockey is alive and well. Keep rooting on.

ON ANOTHER NOTE
Keep those facebook (through my page and the official Thunder facebook page) and "Insider" postings coming on your #1 Thunder memory of 2009-10 - we'll post them in our next blog edition!

Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com

I remember sitting in a three-hour meeting approximately ten months ago - located in the bowels of Stockton Arena - involving every member of the Thunder business office.

It's an annual rite we like to call the "rack-each-other's-brains-for-marketing-ideas-so-we-can-keep-this-good-thing-going-and-make-it-even-better" summer event.

Among those ideas tossed around was the season slogan, which eventually evolved into "ALL OUT, ALL SEASON."

It lived up to its billing, from training camp to the final horn of Game 6 of the Conference Finals.

How could you argue with it?

Matt Thomas built a team this year that successfully branded an identity of smash-mouth, north/south, forechecking madness. Not once did I hear a complaint about "soft." It gave the Thunder, their fans and the Northern California community the deepest playoff run in franchise history which nearly included a trip to the Kelly Cup Finals.

After all the turmoil the city has gone through in the last 10 years, including crime, real estate foreclosures and an economic crisis, how could you not feel good about this feel good story that is now five years old?

Yes - Thunder hockey is alive and well. By sporting the highest attendance out of any San Joaquin Valley sports team, it's now clear - this is the pride of Stockton and what brings the community and neighboring cities together, each fall and early spring.

On our final broadcast of the season in Game 6 at Idaho, I used a comparative between the evolution of the Thunder under head coach Matt Thomas (his first season in Stockton was last year) and the Alaska Aces, when they brought on then-head coach Davis Payne in 2003-04 (he's now in the NHL with St. Louis):

First season: reach the second round (Alaska bounced by Idaho , Thunder bounced by Las Vegas )

Second season: reach the Conference Finals (Alaska bounced by Trenton , Thunder bounced by Idaho )

Third season: Win the Kelly Cup (Alaska's first in franchise history , Thunder - ???)

Not putting and pressure on as it regards to expectations, the future is bright. More success plus good amenities plus good fan base = better crop of free agents. Winning is a self-breeder of success - and we're now beginning to see the results.

Here's my look at the top ten moments, on and off the ice of 2009-10 - with your chance to chip in:

10. Dec. 1-2: a series of events - the day the Thunder traded for Robinson, Brett Hemingway, signed Justin DaCosta and Anthony Aiello ... this turned the season around, and the Thunder never looked back. Imagine what would've happened if not for a slow start (don't forget, they were tied for first place the final week of the season).

9. Feb. 20 - Thunder shuts out Bakersfield on their own home ice, 2-0. It was also the infamous "Toilet Plunger Night." That began a string of four straight wins by the Thunder in "CondorsTown," including the playoffs. The hockey gods were paying attention.

8. March 28 - Matt Robinson's hat trick and goal with 59 seconds left against Las Vegas - Thunder wins, 6-5 after trailing 3-0 and 4-1 ... pretty much sealed the deal for playoffs.

7. Game 3 - first round series - 7-4 win over Alaska - and a five-goal rally in the third period after trailing 3-2 in the third period. True, the Thunder could've dug out of a hole in that series if they lost Game 3. But, facing elimination against Alaska could have also been a death knell.

6. Game 4 - the next night, a 8-5 win over Alaska - the Thunder sent the Aces golfing at their earliest exit in franchise history. Another amazing five-goal outburst in the first period took care of this (totaling 10 goals in a 28 minute span on Alaska goaltenders). Jordan Bendfeld completed a monster series with a breakaway goal in the first period.

5. Game 1 - second round - 3-2 OT win at Bakersfield - it put the Condors and their raucous Rabobank Arena on their heels. Kelly Czuy forced overtime with a goal coming less than two minutes left in regulation. The J.F. Caudron OT goal sucked the life out of the building.

4. Game 2 - second round - 4-3 OT win at Bakersfield - the Thunder did it again the next night - and this time it was Oren Eizenman playing "hero." Looking back on it, this pretty much sealed the deal for the series.

3. Game 3 - Conference Finals - Ryan Constant's triple overtime goal - a 1-0 win for the Thunder over Idaho, ending the longest 0-0 game in ECHL history. Welcome to ECHL lore, Stockton Thunder.

2. Game 5 - second round - 7-4 win versus Bakersfield  - down go the Pacific Division champs (that's two years in a row the Thunder have taken out the top dog - and apparently, making this a habit).

1. *** The choice is yours! *** Send us your suggestions by reply on the Thunder Insider, under the blog titled "What. A. Season". For those who are engaged in the facebook craze, I'll also post this on my facebook page and I'll put up some of your highlights back in this space as well!


Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com

"Chillin" by Wale' (feat. Lady Gaga)

Look at, Lookin At, Lookin at me
Look at that, look how they lookin at me
Eyes all Stickin Like Honey on Bees
Look At That, Look How they Lookin At Me

Yeah DC Chillin, PG Chillin
My Name WALE and I came to Get It
Came to Get it, Came to Get It
My Name Wale'

This round two reflection, before we focus on the glory of Thunder history achieved on the magical evening of April 24, 2010 (first trip onto the Conference Finals), starts with a little swagger and beat.

With Kelly Cup Playoffs and the glory that is all-clutch things involving the Thunder, Kelly Czuy, Andrew Perugini, Oren Eizenman, J.F. Caudron, etc. and their jones for the clutch, there seemed to be an unwelcome, mutating subplot that came out of nowhere.

Choice of music.

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M-V-P!! (1st round)

If you‘re reading this, you're still alive, and are not suffering from hockey-induced conditions worthy of heart meds.

The best way to describe the Thunder four-game series win (over the Alaska Aces: remarkable.

There were seven lead changes in four games. Everyone on the Thunder showed up on the scoresheet - even Andrew Perugini. The Thunder combined for ten goals in 28 minutes of play (dating back to Game 3) - a feat I have never seen before in hockey. The Aces are out in April, their earliest since pre-ECHL-Aces-for-sale-on-ebay days.

We saw the goosebump inducing: Stockton Arena being sent into pandemonium when the Thunder took a 4-3 lead in the third period in a five-goal rally, then rolling off five goals in the first period of game 4, then letting the roof blow off when the clock hit zero in the first series clinching win on Thunder home ice, ever.

We even saw the bizarre: a second goaltending change in a playoff game (Sauer back in for Reid in game 4), and then Reid being held back by teammates and staff from a heated meltdown on the bench.

Remember when we said early in October: it's a long season. The Thunder began 0-4. The Aces began 4-0.

The Thunder couldn't score to save their lives (six goals in that span).

Alaska couldn't be cooled off with a fire hose containing the pressure of a Landa (18 goals in first 5 games).

All of a sudden, the Aces are headed to the first tee. The Thunder gets to grow the playoff beards longer and is 12 wins away from the Kelly Cup.

It leaves me to reflect on the heroes of the first round:

-          Andrew Perugini: his goals-against-average (3.76) and save percentage (.899) aren't flattering, but he was thrusted into high-octane hockey that forced him to make a combined 86 saves in the last two games. He spared the Thunder in game two with a surreal glove save on Jarrett Konkle. Bottom line, he made the clutch, game-defining or changing saves when needed.

-          Jordan Bendfeld: beast. You have to feel for Nick Mazzolini going down in the midst of the scrum in the first period in what was a punch that was completely blown out of proportion. All he did after that: get the attention of the Aces for the rest of the series, and deliver a three point, +7 effort that included a breakaway goal in Game 4 to help deliver the knockout punch.

-          Oren Eizenman: seven assists in four games and two in the series clincher (set-up Caudron's give-and-go goal to make it 4-3)

-          Chris D'Alvise: four goals and put the game three rally away to make it 6-4.

-          James Bates: produced as big-game players should - 6 points in 4 games. Had three in Game 4.

-          Czuy: would have been the runaway lead for MVP if not for a scoreless output in Game 5. The man knows simply how to turn it on, come playoff time (five points in four games - that's now 21 points in 16 first round games).