April 8, 2010

D'Alvise is ECHL Rookie of Month

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, announced in conjunction with the ECHL that rookie all-star center Chris D'Alvise, a former Clarkson standout, has been named winner of the Reebok Hockey ECHL Rookie of the Month award for March.

D'Alvise, 24, scored 23 points (11g-12a) in 15 games during the month including four power-play goals, two game-winning goals and one shorthanded goal to help the Thunder finish 7-5-1 during the month and clinch their fourth straight Kelly Cup Playoff berth.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound center had points in 12 of 15 games and led ECHL rookies in goals, assists and points in March.

Among the highlights, D'Alvise notched the first four-assist game of his career in the Thunder 7-3 win against the Victoria Salmon Kings on Mar. 6 and recorded seven multi-point games for the month.

D'Alvise finished the regular season ranking second on the Thunder with 67 points (34g-33a) and led the club with 34 goals, also recording 38 penalty minutes in 68 games. He ranked third in the ECHL with seven game-winning goals and was second among the league's rookies in goals (34), tied for third in power-play goals (10) and ranked fourth in points (67).

The Mississauga, Ontario native was one of two players to represent the Thunder in the 2010 ECHL All-Star Game, finished one goal shy of tying the Thunder regular season record for goals (35 by Ryan Huddy, 2008-09) and made his pro debut last year in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones, registering three assists in four games.

D'Alvise, signed by the Thunder as a free agent on Aug. 14, 2009, skated in 145 games in his four year (2005-09) college career with Clarkson University, totaling 105 points (49g-56a) and 117 penalty minutes.

He becomes the first player in Thunder history to be named ECHL Rookie of the Month.