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July 20, 2010

Thunder re-signs Valette, Marcoux

STOCKTON - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, and head coach Matt Thomas announced that the team has re-signed unrestricted free agent center and captain Craig Valette and defenseman Daryl Marcoux. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.??

"We're excited to retain a core of our leadership group," said Thomas. "Craig has come back nicely off last season's injury with a lot of motivation. We're expecting him to perform as a go-to guy in every situation and make sure our team keeps heading in the right direction.

"Daryl has been a cornerstone of my teams for the last three years, and you can't say enough about a player like him who takes care of the little things, is popular in the dressing room and carries himself like a true professional."?

Valette, 27, who was named fourth captain in Thunder history on Oct. 15, 2009, is slated to return for his third season in a Thunder uniform after missing most of the 2009-10 season because of an injury sustained in December. He suited up in 22 games last year, scoring 11 points (4 goals-7 assists) and collecting 36 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound veteran pivot helped guide the Thunder to within one win of advancing to the National Conference Finals last year while serving as acting captain during the playoffs when his 13 points (6-7) in 14 games ranked third in Thunder postseason scoring.

Valette has skated in 65 career regular season games for the Thunder, totaling 36 points (13-23) and 101 penalty minutes.

Previously signed to an NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks, Valette scored a goal in three NHL preseason games in 2006-07 and has skated in 349 career games at the AHL level with the Syracuse, Houston, Worcester and Cleveland, posting 82 points (36-46) and 457 penalty minutes through six seasons (2003-09).

The native of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan scored an AHL career-high 15 goals and 26 points (15-11) and added 77 penalty minutes in 55 games for Worcester in 2006-07.

"I feel I have a lot to prove with this next season," said Valette. "Last year was cut short and I got hurt at a bad time. I'm looking forward to bringing as much leadership as I can. We're climbing the staircase to the Kelly Cup and that's our only goal as a team."

Marcoux, 26, led the Thunder with a plus-15 rating and was the recipient of the team's "Unsung Hero" award last season as an alternate captain, amassing 17 points (3-14) and 49 penalty minutes in 71 regular season games. He collected five assists in 15 Kelly Cup Playoff games.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound defenseman has totaled 29 points (5-24) and 73 penalty minutes in 112 career games in a Thunder uniform.

He has skated in 206 career ECHL games throughout three seasons-plus (2006-10) with the Thunder, Fresno Falcons and Trenton Devils, scoring 57 points (10-47) and adding 175 penalty minutes. He has notched eight points (1-7) from the blueline in 35 career postseason games. 

Marcoux previously skated in 126 career college games in four years (2003-07) at Princeton University (NCAA), scoring 18 points from the blueline (5-13) while posting 78 penalty minutes.

"We had a nice, long run in the playoffs last year and there's unfinished business at hand," said Marcoux. "We seem to be getting closer and closer every year to winning a championship and I'm looking forward to another year in trying to help get the job done.

"Stockton has a first class organization, the fan base is unbelievable and the support we get is truly phenomenal. It gets you excited to play with the top-notch housing, equipment and coaching amenities that come hand-in-hand."