35TH ANNIVERSARY ADIRONDACK TEAM ANNOUNCED

Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, have announced today their All-Adirondack 35th Anniversary Team, presented by the Queensbury Ramada, as voted on by the fans. Votes were collected via an online voting poll and includes players from all six professional teams that have called the Adirondacks home over the past 35 years.

The 35th Anniversary Team is as follows:

Forwards (12) – Jason Akeson (Phantoms - 2011-2014), Hugo Belanger* (IceHawks - 2000-2044, Frostbite - 2004-2006), Sylvain Cloutier (Red Wings - 1993-1998, IceHawks – 2003-2004, Frostbite – 2004-2006), Kris Draper (Red Wings, 1993-1994), Murray Eaves* (Red Wings, 1987-1990, 1994-1995), Jody Gage* (Red Wings – 1979-1985), Frank Littlejohn (IceHawks – 2000-2004, Frostbite – 2004-2005), Peter MacArthur (Thunder – 2015-Present), Peter Mahovlich* (Red Wings – 1980-82) Glenn Merkosky* (Red Wings – 1985-1991), Adam Oates (Red Wings – 1985-1986), Chris Tancill (Red Wings – 1991-1993).

Defensemen (6) – Mathieu Brodeur (Thunder – 2015-2016), Scott Drevitch (IceHawks – 2003-2004, Frostbite – 2004-2006), Doug Houda (Red Wings – 1986-1991), Greg Joly* (Red Wings – 1979-1986), Gord Kruppke (Red Wings, 1989-1995), Barry Melrose* (Red Wings – 1983-1987).

Goaltenders (3) – Michael Leighton (Phantoms – 2010-2013), Norm Maracle (Red Wings – 1994-1999), Joni Ortio (Flames – 2014-2015)

*Players marked with an asterisk are members of the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame, presented by Curtis Lumber.

The 21 players that make up the 35th Anniversary Team represent all six team that have played in the area. 13 players played with the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings, followed by four players each with the Adirondack Frostbite and IceHawks of the UHL. Two players skated with the Adirondack Thunder and the Adirondack Phantoms, while one player skated with the Adirondack Flames.

Seven members of the 35th Anniversary Team (Belanger, Eaves, Gage, Joly, Mahovlich, Melrose and Merkosky) are members of the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame, which honors the top contributors to the game of hockey in the Adirondack region as players, coaches and builders.

16 members of the team played in the NHL during their career with Draper and Mahovlich each winning the Stanley Cup. In his time with Detroit, Draper won the Frank J. Selke Award in 2004 while Adam Oates was named a Second-Team NHL All-Star in 1991. The players on the 35th Anniversary Team combined to play for 22 different NHL franchises throughout their careers.

The Thunder conclude their regular season schedule this weekend with a pair of games at First Arena against the Elmira Jackals before they begin the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs beginning next week.

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Adirondack Thunder Hockey - This Is Our Team