Stockton Regains Services of Pederson
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, announced rookie defenseman Jody Pederson, a former Princeton standout, has been returned to the Thunder from his loan to the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League on a professional tryout agreement (PTO).
Pederson, acquired by the Thunder from Elmira on Feb. 4 in exchange for goaltender Garrett Zemlak, has collected one goal and one assist in 31 games for the Thunder and Elmira this season.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman was signed to his second tryout contract with the Sharks this season on Feb. 18 and has put up three assists in nine AHL games this season. He made his pro debut last season with the Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout contract last season, skating in two games with a +2 rating.
The Smithers, British Columbia native skated in 128 career games in college through four seasons (2006-10) with Princeton University (NCAA), scoring 58 points (12g-46a) and 12 goals with 82 penalty minutes. He earned All-Ivy (first team) honors as a 2008-09 junior, when he scored a career-high 19 points (5g-14a) in 35 games with the Tigers.
