06/09/2009 3:08 PM -
Fifth Anniversary season debuts Oct. 16 at Idaho, starting countdown in search for one millionth Thunder fan
The Thunder lock horns with the Alaska Aces 10 times this season and first welcome the defending National Conference champion Aces to Stockton Arena on Friday, Nov. 6. (photo by George Steckler)
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder and the ECHL announced the 2009-10 regular season schedule today, with the Thunder opening its Fifth Anniversary ECHL season on Friday, Oct. 16, on the road against the Idaho Steelheads starting at 6:10 p.m. from Qwest Arena. The Thunder will open its home schedule with a rematch of last year's first round playoff series against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at Stockton Arena.
The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans (6,218 average) to Stockton Arena last season, prepared to reward Thunder fans for their unbridled and passionate loyalty after drawing a total of 935,640 fans through four seasons. For the Fifth Anniversary season, the Thunder is scheduled to welcome its "One Millionth Fan" through Stockton Arena's turnstiles.
A complete announcement of the "One Millionth Fan" festivities, in addition to 2009-10 promotions and giveaway nights, are scheduled to be announced soon.
Thunder home games will begin at 7:00 p.m. PT on Monday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m. PT on Friday and Saturday, and 4:00 p.m. PT on Sunday. The 72-game schedule (36 home, 36 away) ends with a two-game road trip against the defending National Conference champion Alaska Aces on April 2-3. A total of 24 home games will be played on a Friday or Saturday while the home schedule features 30 weekend dates (12 Fridays, 12 Saturdays and 6 Sundays).
2009-10 SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
For the 2009-10 regular season, the Thunder will be participating in a 72-game schedule that emphasizes rivalries against familiar National Conference foes from the 08-09 season. The Thunder will play two preseason games (7:00 p.m. start times) against the Bakersfield Condors on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Stockton Arena and Saturday, Oct. 10 at Rabobank Arena.
The Thunder faces its 2008-09 Pacific Division opponents 28 times in 2009-10, including 12 games against the Bakersfield Condors, its nearest geographical rival. After an epic, seven-game series in the Pacific Division Semifinal in which the Thunder won, 4-3 over the Ontario Reign, the two teams collide in the first rematch in the Stockton Arena home opener on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
The Las Vegas Wranglers, who have eliminated the Thunder from the Kelly Cup Playoffs in the last two seasons, face Stockton six times in 2008-09 and the first rematch of last year's second round playoff series is on Friday, Feb. 26 at Orleans Arena. Las Vegas makes its first return to Stockton Arena on Friday, Mar. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Home-ice advantage favors the Thunder in the second half of the season - 20 of the final 36 games will be played at Stockton Arena. The Thunder will play 11 straight times at home from Jan. 9-31, the longest homestand next season at Stockton Arena. A seven-game road trip (Dec. 9-26) marks the longest period the Thunder will be on the road.
TICKET INFORMATION
The Thunder are freezing season ticket prices for the 2009-10 season, which are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting http://www.stocktonthunder.com/. Thunder season ticket holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, preferred parking options, benefits including admission to season ticket holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, exclusive access to the Thunder "Insider" website, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more. Individual ticket information will be announced soon.
The Thunder and Bakersfield Condors battle it out 12 times in 2009-10, in addition to two preseason games scheduled at Stockton Arena on Thursday, Oct. 8 and at Rabobank Arena on Saturday, Oct. 10. (photo by Jon Swenson)
STOCKTON ARENA SEAT LOCATIONS & PRICING
| Location | Per seat | Deposit | Jul. 1 | Aug. 1 | Sep. 1 |
| Glass | $930 | $50 | $280 | $300 | $300 |
| Lower Premium | $650 | $50 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Upper Premium | $500 | $50 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Lower End Zone | $500 | $50 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Upper End Zone | $335 | $50 | $85 | $85 | $150 |
STOCKTON THUNDER 2009-10 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
(HOME GAMES IN BOLD) Preseason games in italics
| OCTOBER | | |
| Thur. Oct. 8 | Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sat. Oct. 10 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Oct. 16 | @ Idaho | 6:10 p.m. |
| Sat. Oct. 17 | @ Idaho | 6:10 p.m. |
| Sun. Oct. 18 | @ Idaho | 6:10 p.m. |
| Fri. Oct. 23 | Ontario | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Oct. 24 | Ontario | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri. Oct. 30 | @ Victoria | 7:05 p.m. |
| NOVEMBER | | |
| Sun. Nov. 1 | @ Victoria | TBA |
| Wed. Nov. 4 | @ Ontario | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Nov. 6 | Alaska | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Nov. 7 | Alaska | 7:30 p.m. |
| Tue. Nov. 10 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Nov. 13 | Idaho | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Nov. 14 | Idaho | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri. Nov. 20 | @ Ontario | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Nov. 21 | @ Ontario | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed. Nov. 25 | Idaho | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Nov. 27 | Idaho | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sat. Nov. 28 | Idaho | 7:00 p.m. |
| DECEMBER | | |
| Fri. Dec. 4 | Bakersfield | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Dec. 5 | Bakersfield | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri. Dec. 11 | @ Alaska | 8:15 p.m. |
| Sat. Dec. 12 | @ Alaska | 8:15 p.m. |
| Sun. Dec. 13 | @ Alaska | 6:05 p.m. |
| Wed. Dec. 16 | @ Victoria | 7:05 p.m. |
| Fri. Dec. 18 | @ Victoria | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sat. Dec. 19 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sat. Dec. 26 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Tue. Dec. 29 | Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thur. Dec. 31 | @ Idaho | 6:10 p.m. |
| JANUARY | | |
| Fri, Jan. 1, 2010 | @ Idaho | 6:10 p.m. |
| Sat. Jan. 2 | @ Idaho | 6:10 p.m. |
| Fri. Jan. 8 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sat. Jan. 9 | Bakersfield | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. Jan. 10 | Bakersfield | 4:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Jan. 15 | Utah | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Jan. 16 | Utah | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. Jan. 17 | Ontario | 4:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Jan. 22 | Alaska | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Jan. 23 | Alaska | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wed. Jan. 27 | Victoria | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Jan. 29 | Victoria | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Jan. 30 | Victoria | 7:30 p.m |
| Sun. Jan. 31 | Alaska | 4:00 p.m. |
| FEBRUARY | | |
| Fri. Feb. 5 | @ Ontario | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Feb. 6 | @ Ontario | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri. Feb. 12 | Ontario | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Feb. 13 | @ Ontario | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Feb. 19 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sat. Feb. 20 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sun. Feb. 21 | Idaho | 4:00 p.m. |
| Tue. Feb. 23 | @ Utah | 6:05 p.m. |
| Wed. Feb. 24 | @ Utah | 6:05 p.m. |
| Fri. Feb. 26 | @ Las Vegas | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sat. Feb. 27 | @ Las Vegas | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sun. Feb. 28 | @ Las Vegas | 2:05 p.m. |
| MARCH | | |
| Wed. Mar. 3 | Victoria | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Mar. 5 | Victoria | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Mar. 6 | Victoria | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri. Mar. 12 | @ Utah | 6:05 p.m. |
| Sat. Mar. 13 | @ Utah | 6:05 p.m. |
| Sun. Mar. 14 | @ Utah | 3:05 p.m. |
| Wed. Mar. 17 | Victoria | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Mar. 19 | Utah | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Mar. 20 | Utah | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. Mar. 21 | Utah | 4:00 p.m. |
| Fri. Mar. 26 | Las Vegas | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Mar. 27 | Las Vegas | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. Mar. 28 | Las Vegas | 4:00 p.m. |
| Tue. Mar. 30 | @ Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed. Mar. 31 | Bakersfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| APRIL | | |
| Fri. Apr. 2 | @ Alaska | 8:15 p.m. |
| Sat. Apr. 3 | @ Alaska | 8:15 p.m. |
HOME DATES TO REMEMBER
- October 23 - Home opener at Stockton Arena versus the Ontario Reign
- November 6 - The defending National Conference champion Alaska Aces make their first visit of the season
- December 4 - The Pacific Division rival Bakersfield Condors make their first visit of the season
- March 26 - The Las Vegas Wranglers make their first visit of the season
- March 31 - The Bakersfield Condors visit for the final home game of the regular season
2009-10 OPPONENT BREAKDOWN: (home games in bold)
Alaska: 10 games (5 home, 5 road)
Bakersfield: 12 games (6 home, 6 road)
Idaho: 12 games (6 home, 6 road)
Las Vegas: 6 games (3 home, 3 road)
Ontario: 10 games (4 home, 6 road)
Victoria: 12 games (7 home, 5 road)
Utah: 10 games (5 home, 5 road)
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/.
