Stockton Thunder opens training camp

STOCKTON, Ca. – Training camp officially opened for the Stockton Thunder this past Sunday evening at the Stockton Arena.   Approximately 23 players hit the ice under head coach Matt Thomas’ direction, as he sent them through a series of drills.
 
This has been a busy summer for Thomas.   The Thunder reached affiliation agreements with two NHL teams; the Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks.   This marks the Thunder’s fifth consecutive year with the Oilers, and the beginning of the first full season with the Sharks.  
 
Thomas has signed eight free-agent roster players from last season’s team, including centers Chris D’Alvise, Craig Valette, forwards Jason Pitton, Garet Hunt and defensemen Steve Vanoosten, Anthony Aiello, Daryl Marcoux and Trevor Hunt.  
 
Last season, the Thunder advanced to the Kelly Cup Conference Finals, marking their deepest run since coming to Stockton in 2005.   The returning players are hungry and looking for an even better season this year.
 
Among the newest members to the squad, include left wing Aaron Clarke and right wing Matt Jones.   Clarke’s rights were originally acquired from Wheeling last December in a transaction that dealt Colin Power for future considerations.   
 
Jones appeared in 19 games last season with the Worcester Sharks (AHL) and ended the season with 35 games the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL).   Jones was a free-agent signee by the Sharks in 2008.   The 6’4”, 205 pound winger’s experience includes appearances in two Kelly Cup Playoff games.
 
Another player with experience under Coach Thomas, Frasier Clair, will also be returning to the ECHL from an extended stay in Europe.   Clair had spent the last four seasons with teams in Germany, Italy and Denmark.   He played under Thomas in 2005-06, in the Fresno Falcons, and in 2004-05 in Atlantic City.
 
The camp included five players that were offered training camp tryout opportunities.   Brian Cooke (D), Jason Lindner (G), Sean Menton (RW), Drew Sanders (F) and Marcus Watson all hit the ice, showing their best moves with the others.
 
The San Jose Sharks sent their first contracted player in goaltender Tyson Sexsmith. Sexsmith was a third round draft pick by the Sharks in 2007 (91 overall).   Sexsmith’s experience includes a Memorial Cup championship as goaltender in 2006-07.   Last season he played on the Kalamazoo Wings and appeared in 13 games with the Worcester Sharks, posting a 4-6-1 record, one shutout, .860 save percentage and 3.94 goals against average.
 
The Sharks have a number of goaltenders on their prospect list, which means lots of competition for higher level teams.   It doesn’t seem to cause Sexsmith much worry.  
 
“They want me to play in a lot of games. I would rather be playing, than sit on the bench,” said Sexsmith.
 
Thomas was pleased to have a player assigned here, with Sexsmith’s talents.  
 
“He has a history of winning,” said Thomas. “A good goaltender makes a difference at this level. He’s somebody that’s going to help us win some games.”
 
Another former roster player, Ryan Constant just returned this weekend from skating in Worcester’s training camp. He’s on a two-way AHL contract.   Constant makes nine total players on the roster from last years team.  
 
It’s only the first day of training camp, but the team will be leaving in the morning, bound for Alaska, for the first of two pre-season games against the Aces.   Thomas was pleased about the schedule.
 
Last year, there were so many new players, Thomas needed to use the time to look at them and weed out the players he thought should be given a chance to play in the regular season.   That left few opportunities for the veterans and seasoned players to get to play together before the season started.   He’s sure things will be different this time.
 
“Everyone will get to play in the exhibition games,” said Thomas.   “All of our players are going to get in shape and be ready.   I’ll have four chances to switch the lines up,” he said, referring to the four pre-season scheduled games.
 
Thomas was pleased with the first practice. “I was impressed with the tryout players. I liked their work ethic.   I liked the pace of practice.”
 
Although, the players know it’s not going to be easy to make the Thunder roster and no one is guaranteed a position.
 
“I tell the guys their resume got you in the door, but what you do in the next seven days will keep you here.”
 
Thomas said the pre-season is a workable schedule, even though it includes a long travel to Alaska. It also means an opportunity for the guys to get to know each other and bond as a team.   He added that morning skates will be longer this week and he’ll do more in-depth teaching during that period.   The players can also look forward to lots of video sessions from the first two games, as well.  
 
When asked what he was looking for in a roster player, he said “I’m looking for players that can think out there.”   He knows they have the skills, but if they can think on their skates, then they could have a shot at the dream.
 
The Thunder will return home for the third pre-season game against the Ontario Reign on Friday before the home crowd, then dash down to Ontario, for the fourth game on Saturday.
 
The regular season opens on Friday, October 15^th, when the Thunder take on the Reign in Stockton Arena.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com