Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 09/29/2009 02:14 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 09/29/2009 02:14 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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The Hunt Is On: Fan Favorite Agrees To Terms Agitator broke team penalty minutes record, co-winner of "Fan Favorite" award~by Mike Benton
Stockton, CA....The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, has agreed to contract terms with left wing Garet Hunt, Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hunt, 21, was last year's co-recipient of the Thunder "Fan Favorite" award and ranked second in the ECHL with a team record-breaking 248 penalty minutes. He is the seventh returning player from last year's team that finished 22-16-3 after Dec. 31, advancing to the seventh game of the second round (Pacific Division Final) of the Kelly Cup Playoffs....
GARET HUNT CAREER STATISTICS
"Garet was tremendous at branding himself as a fearless presence on the ice last year, to which we're sure there's not too many teams that are happy we signed him," said Thomas. "He's the ultimate team player who really matured in the playoffs last year by scoring some timely goals and fancied himself as one of our better penalty killers. We're looking for him to add those attributes to a developing offensive game."
Hunt played under an AHL contract last season and skated in 63 regular season games last year, scoring 16 points (5g-6a) while adding three goals in 13 Kelly Cup Playoff games. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound forward earned the first AHL call-up of his career on Feb. 2 and skated in one game for Springfield, collecting two penalty minutes.
The native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia spent his entire four-year (2004-08) junior career with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, amassing 542 penalty minutes and 41 points (16g-25a) in 193 career games.
Hunt was a part of Vancouver's 2006-07 team that won their first Memorial Cup championship and notched 156 penalty minutes, 11 points (6g-5a) and six goals in 57 games.
"A huge part in my decision to come back to Stockton this year is the loyal support of the fan base," said Hunt. "Getting the chance to play every night and improve your game in front of a good crowd is very exciting and I'm looking forward to being a part of a high level of competitiveness. I can't wait to build on last season and get another opportunity to play in the playoffs. I've been training hard this offseason and can't wait to get started."
Hunt will be a part of the team that hosts "FanFest" on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena, where admission is free to the public. Thunder Training Camp for the 2009-10 season is scheduled to begin Saturday, Oct. 3 at Stockton Arena.
The Thunder returns to the ice for preseason play on Thursday, Oct. 8 against the Bakersfield Condors, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The 2009-10 season, the Fifth Year Anniversary for the team, launches on Friday, Oct. 16 at Qwest Arena against the Idaho Steelheads at 6:10 p.m. and the Thunder home opener is Friday, Oct. 23 against the Ontario Reign at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.
The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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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