December 7, 2009

Bates Returns to Stockton

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, announced right wing James Bates, a former Quinnipiac standout, has been reassigned to the Thunder from Springfield.

Bates should be available to suit up for the Thunder in their next game on Friday, Dec. 11 at Sullivan Arena, visiting the Alaska Aces in a game that begins at 8:15 p.m. (1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com).

Bates, 24, signed an AHL contract with Springfield during the summer of 2008 and was tied for the Thunder lead in points (11) and goals (6) while suiting up in 11 games this year at the time of his recall on Nov. 11. He has skated in six games for Springfield, collecting one assist with five penalty minutes.

The native of Toronto, Ontario ranked fourth on the Thunder in scoring last year with 48 points (16g-32a) in 63 games, additionally tying for third in team scoring for the Kelly Cup Playoffs with 13 points (6g-7a) in 14 postseason games.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound winger participated in Oilers preseason camp this year and began his pro career with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) in 2007-08, notching one assist in five games with nine penalty minutes. The Toronto, Ontario native played all four years (2004-08) college hockey career with Quinnipiac University (NCAA), skating in 143 career games while scoring 129 points (52g-77a) and adding 88 penalty minutes.