07/23/2010 1:43 PM -
Record seven players invited to main training camp in 2009; Registration open for all aspiring players in three-day tryout
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," has announced the team's 2010-11 Free Agent Tryout Camp is scheduled to be held on September 24-26 at Oak Park Ice Arena in Stockton and Stockton Arena.
The camp, beginning at on Friday, Sept. 24 at Oak Park Ice Arena, is open to all aspiring individuals interested in advancing their professional hockey careers and will be conducted by Thunder head coach Matt Thomas and coaching staff. Following the three-day camp session, select individual players from each position (minimum one goaltender, one forward and one defenseman) will be invited to participate in the 2010-11 Stockton Thunder training camp session.
THUNDER FREE AGENT CAMP SUBMISSION FORM (PDF)
Last season, a record seven players were selected from the free agent camp to participate in the main training camp session. Two players, forward Stephen Slonina and goaltender Matt Pamidi saw action during the regular season as members of the Thunder.
Camp registration fee is $150 per player and includes three on-ice practice and scrimmage sessions. Space is limited and reservations will be accepted on a "first-come, first-serve" basis.
Sessions on Saturday and Sunday are scheduled to be held at Stockton Arena. Registration and ice times will be announced soon.
Player transportation to and from tryouts, accommodations and meals are the responsibility of the attending player. All players must be 18 years of age or older and no participant may be under contract with any other professional team or league at the "AA" level or higher (NHL, AHL, ECHL or Central Hockey League). Participating players are required to bring full equipment (including half-visor/shield for skaters and mask for goaltenders).
Players participating in the Free Agent Tryout Camp are eligible for discounted hotel rate, for $55 per night at Hampton Inn and Suites in Stockton. Reservations can be made by calling (209) 946-1234 and using the promotional code, "THD."
To register for the Thunder 2010-11 Free Agent Tryout Camp, please contact Matt O'Dette in the Thunder hockey operations department at modette@stocktonthunder.com.
Oak Park Ice Arena is located at 3545 Alvarado Street in Stockton. For directions, please visit Oak Park Ice Arena's website at www.OakParkIceArena.com.
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 are freezing Season Ticket prices for the 2010-11 season, which are on sale now and can be purchased, as well as mini-plan packages, by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting 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. Partial-season Mini Plans are also available now and information on individual tickets will be announced soon.
The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, the 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. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.
