New owner for Stockton Thunder

STOCKTON, Calif. – The future of the Stockton Thunder is becoming clearer; the team will stay in Stockton under new ownership.   In March 2009, the Stockton Hockey Franchise Group, Inc., led by Michael Reinsdorf put the team up for sale, in a move he said was primarily for personal and business reasons.   In a press conference this morning, with Reinsdorf and Thunder President Dan Chapman present, Brad Rowbotham, of SC Hockey Franchise Corporation, announced the signing of an asset purchase agreement.   The agreement is subject to final approval by the ECHL Board of Governors and the City of Stockton. Rowbotham expressed his excitement in a comparison to a nice warm holiday, times a thousand. He is a native of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, which may explain why a warm holiday is so exciting.   He currently has shareholding interest and is general manager of Roll’n Oilfield Industries, Ltd, which was founded by his father 33 years ago. The company has operations currently in both the United States and Canada. Stressing the values of his business background, Rowbotham said Roll’n Oilfield Industries has “been around for 33 years, and is probably the oldest rig company in business in Canada. We could have sold it many times, but that’s not what we are in business for. Our people are extremely important. We have really good values. They’ve made the company what it is. We focus on our employees, customers and community. I think the thunder does that too and I want to add to that.”
 
In today’s press conference Rowbotham shared his personal background with fans, corporate sponsors, and Thunder staff and players about his company and family. Together with his wife, Dawn, they have four children ranging in age from grade school to college.   An avid hockey enthusiast himself, Rowbotham has been involved in youth hockey for several years, playing as a child himself up to, and including, coaching his son’s teams. In December, Rowbotham had discovered the team was for sale on the internet and began to investigate the possibilities.   He related reading numerous articles on the team and could see the strong support of the community and fans.
 
Rowbotham said, “I was quite amazed and wanted to be associated with that.” He continued to share his impressions with the Stockton Arena, “I’ve looked at six different teams over the last five years. This is the best building I’ve seen.   I can’t say enough about the Community.   People seem to jump to get on board.”
 
“The downtown area is beautiful. The new buildings, the marina, I’m very impressed. It’s a lot warmer than Canada too.   This is a place I’m hoping I can feel a part of. I knew this was the right team for me.” Rowbotham further assured Thunder staff, players, corporate sponsors and fans alike, that he has no plans to leave Stockton.   He wanted a solid team and this was his answer.   The Thunder will remain in Stockton. “It is definitely not moving – maybe I didn’t convey that – I wouldn’t be buying this team to move. I like the city and I want to do everything I can to keep the team here,” as he finished this statement the fans in the room applauded their satisfaction.
 
As for his involvement, he said he thought the purchase should be completed in March.   With that, he hopes to spend at least one long weekend in town to observe games, watch a practice and get to know the team, town and staff better.
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Reinsdorf’s primary business interests lie in the east and it was getting difficult to keep track of business obligations on the west coast. Reinsdorf is the principal owner of Minor League Baseballs’ Harrisburg Senators, a class-AA affiliate of the Washington Nationals. He also continues to serve the NBA’s Chicago Bulls as Alternate Governor and is with the Children’s Memorial Hospital Foundations, serving on the Board of Directors.
 
Reinsdorf spoke briefly to those in attendance, “I never thought when I made the decision to bring professional hockey to Stockton that things would turn out the way they have. It’s been an incredible ride and it far exceeded my expectations. It’s a great success story and it says a lot about the city of Stockton.” He went on to thank the Thunder staff, players and the fans, “without your wonderful support we wouldn’t be where we are today, from the first puck drop, to the first fight, you have really taken to this team.”
 
Thunder Head Coach Matt Thomas sees this as something that was already positive, getting even better. Reinsdorf “made this a place where players want to play. I think [Rowbotham] is going to do more of the same.   I think he’s going to be a great addition to our team,” he said.
 
Reinsdorf and Chapman presented Rowbotham with a Stockton Thunder hat and Jersey with his name emblazed on the back with the number ten to represent the year of his purchase. Thunder Hockey came to Stockton, California in 2005 and was the first ever hockey franchise. The community embraced them and under President Chapman the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for four straight years and is among the top three teams this season, vying for a fifth consecutive season.   The Thunder has been twice named a recipient of the ECHLs “Award of Excellence” (2006-07 and 2008-09), has drawn 13 sellouts to the 9,737 seat Stockton Arena and has advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoff’s in the last three straight seasons. The Thunder is an ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks of the NHL and Springfield Falcons of the AHL.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com