Martz and Lutes Agree To Terms With Thunder20 July 2006
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder has agreed to terms with centerNathan Martz and left wing Brett Lutes, Thunder head coach ChrisCichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were notdisclosed.
Martz, 25, tallied a career-high 57 points (16g-41a) in 65 games forthe Thunder in 2005-06, finishing second on the team in scoring andassists. Originally acquired from the Las Vegas Wranglers on September13, 2005 in exchange for the rights to center Derek Edwardson, Martz hassplit two ECHL seasons between the Thunder and Long Beach Ice Dogs,tallying 108 points (32g-76a) in 132 career games, including an assistin six Kelly Cup Playoff games with the Ice Dogs in 2005.
"Nathan is a very accomplished player; I view him as one of the besttwo-way players in the entire ECHL, and we're obviously very excitedto bring him back," said Cichocki. "He's a player who excels atboth ends of the ice and brings the same intensity, whether it's toscore a goal or prevent one."
A fifth round selection by the New York Rangers in the 2000 NationalHockey League entry draft, Martz compiled a four-year (2000-04) collegehockey career at University of New Hampshire (NCAA), posting 82 points(25g-57a) in 137 career games for the Wildcats. Martz collected acareer-high 12 goals and 27 points in his 2002-03 junior campaign, wherehe guided the Wildcats to the 2003 NCAA Frozen Four Championship gameand was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
"We have a great team, great town and great atmosphere in Stockton;I'm thrilled to return for this next season," said Martz. "My planfor coming back is to have a strong year and I hope to do my best incontributing to a much greater-improved club in 2006-07."
Lutes, 24, returns to the ECHL after spending the 2005-06 season withthe United Hockey League's Port Huron Flags, posting a team-high 53points (23g-30a) in 63 games along with 188 penalty minutes, alsofinishing as the Flags' leader in goals and assists. A seventh-roundselection by the St. Louis Blues in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Lutescollected 37 points (18g-19a) and 104 penalty minutes in 66 games as afirst-year professional with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) in 2004-05.Lutes also tied Condors-highs with three goals and four points in fiveKelly Cup Playoff games in 2005.
"Not only does Brett bring grit, but he brings character, talent, andoffensive skill to our club for next season," said Cichocki. "He'sa quality, top-six forward who gets to the scoring area and is willingto pay the price to score."
A native of Riverview, New Brunswick, Lutes compiled 231 points(100g-131a) in four seasons (1999-03) with the Quebec Major JuniorHockey League's Montreal Rocket, posting 299 penalty minutes in 210career games, leading to a 2003-04 college hockey stint with St. ThomasUniversity (CIS), where he registered 21 points (8g-13a) in 28 games.
"I've heard of the great fan base in Stockton and I'm veryexcited at the opportunity of playing in California," said Lutes."It was a perfect fit for me as a player; I look forward to myreturn to the ECHL and coming to Stockton."
Details on Thunder 2006 training camp information will be announcedsoon. The Thunder begins the 2006-07 ECHL season Friday, October 20 onthe road against the Bakersfield Condors, and faces the Long Beach IceDogs on Saturday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener atStockton Arena.
An ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes andAmerican Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage, the Thunder drew 228,364fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's bestattendance mark for 2005-06.
Thunder season tickets for the 2006-07 season are on-sale now. For moreinformation about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact theStockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visitwww.stocktonthunder.com.
Source: oursportscentral
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