Thunder, left wing tough guy agree to contract terms for 07-08 


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, has agreed to terms with left wing Adam Huxley, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Adam's toughness and grit made him a fan favorite here last year and we're excited to add him back to the lineup for this season," said Cichocki. "His aggressiveness and knack to get under the opponent's skin fill a vital role that nearly every successful hockey team looks for in an enforcer and it compliments the recent rule changes that emphasize an open-style of play."

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Listen: (Part 1) Adam Huxley appears on AM 970 ESPN Radio's "The Jim"
Listen: (Part 2) Adam Huxley appears on AM 970 ESPN Radio's "The Jim"

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Huxley, 23, returns for his second season in a Thunder uniform after appearing in a career-high 61 games last year, scoring 10 points (1g-9a) while tallying a Thunder single-season record 241 penalty minutes, ranking fourth in the ECHL. The Wainwright, Alberta native has appeared in 160 career ECHL games in four seasons (2003-07) with the Thunder, Alaska Aces, Las Vegas Wranglers and Victoria Salmon Kings, posting 696 penalty minutes while scoring 32 points (11g-21a).

The 6-foot, 200-pound left wing ranked fourth in the ECHL, set a career-high and a Las Vegas record with 294 penalty minutes with in his first full professional season in 2004-05, also scoring 15 points (7g-8a) in 55 games. Huxley split his three-year (2001-04) junior hockey career between the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades and Seattle Thunderbirds, registering 29 points (9g-20a) and 621 penalty minutes in 197 career games.

"There's really no where else I'd rather play but Stockton," Huxley said. "I'm looking forward to returning to the great fans that support us and seeing what more I can do in my role to help the team win. I'm confident I can continue to expand my role into being a further well-rounded player." 

Huxley is scheduled to participate in Edmonton Oilers rookie camp on September 6-10 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories which will include Thunder free-agent signee Andy Contois. Also included are goaltender Devan Dubnyk, forwards Troy Bodie, Stephane Goulet, Liam Reddox, Tyler Spurgeon and defenseman Bryan Young, all members of the Thunder 2006-07 roster.


ABOUT THE ECHL
Opening Day for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier ‘AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

Details on Thunder 2007 training camp information will be announced soon. The Thunder begins the 2007-08 ECHL season Friday, October 19 on the road against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 p.m. PT, and faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets for 2007-08 are on sale now. 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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Click here to view Adam Huxley's career statistics.