Edmonton Rush defender Chris Corbeil has joined the ECHL hockey team Stockton Thunder according IL Indoor. Corbeil had played with the Buffalo Bandits before being traded to the Rush last off season.
Corbeil will take some time off from lacrosse to play for the Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, he said via the press release from the Thunder, posted below.
The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, and head coach Matt Thomasannounced today the team has agreed to terms with rookie left wing Chris Corbeil (COR-bee-il). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Corbeil, 24, skated for three seasons with the University of Western Ontario (CIS) and helped guide the Mustangs to the CIS championship game last season, eventually won by McGill University on Thunder left wing Evan Vossen’s overtime goal.
“Chris is the type of player that every team needs,†said Thomas. “He has size, a great skill set and tremendous compete level. He’s the type of player that helps you win in tight games. I’m really excited to see his development into a solid professional. He has already reached the pinnacle in professional lacrosse and that experience will bode well for him as a first year pro with the Thunder.â€
The 6-foot-3 and 185 pound forward notched eight points (4g-4a) in 23 games last season for Western and collected 25 points (14g-11a) in 59 career games.
Corbeil previously suited up for Oakville, Brampton and Mississauga of the OPJHL and amassed 58 points (30g-28a) in 80 career games. He ranked fourth on Oakville with 18 goals and totaled a career high 40 points in 45 games in 2007-08.
The Oakville, Ontario native has ties to the city of the Thunder’s NHL parent club, Edmonton Oilers. Corbeil added to his resume as a two sport athlete and played for three seasons in the National Lacrosse League with Edmonton and Buffalo. He was selected to the NLL All-Rookie team in 2010 and helped Canada earn the gold medal at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in 2011.
“Getting the chance to play for a coach like Matt Thomas, who was willing to open the door for guys to prove themselves in training camp, was too good to pass up,†said Corbeil. “I can’t wait to bring an aggressive ‘crash and bang’ and hard skating style to the team. Lacrosse gets put aside for now as I promised myself, out of school, to give hockey a chance and can’t wait to pursue that opportunity.â€
Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 12 when the Thunder launches the 2012-13 season and the ECHL’s 25th Anniversary campaign at home against the Ontario Reign starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.
In the past year, the Rush have seen Athan Iannucci and Paul Rabil hold out with them, and now they lose star defender Chris Corbeil. The Rush represented the west in the Champions Cup this season.
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