(Team Release) The Thunder today announced that center Travis Clayton will return for the 2007-08 season, his 11th straight season in Thunder blue. A 31-year-old native of Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan and now year-round Wichita resident, Clayton is coming off another solid season in which he averaged more than a point per game and recorded his second highest goal total since 2001. Clayton, who finished second on the Thunder last season with 68 points, led the Thunder with 30 goals and a plus/minus rating of +7.

Announced CHL Player Signings for 2007-2008

Clayton broke into the CHL in 1997 and went on to record 62 points as a rookie, the only season in his pro career that he did not average more than a point per game. A seven-time CHL All-Star, Clayton led the Thunder in scoring each of the next two seasons. He led the Thunder again in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons and then recorded a career-high 93 points and +38 rating in the 2004-05 campaign.

Clayton has ranked among the top two Thunder scorers in eight of the last nine seasons, helping him compile the all-time franchise record in nearly every offensive category, including goals, power play goals (104) and points (784). The all-time Thunder leader with 634 games played, Clayton also ranks second in team history with 474 assists and third overall with 998 penalty minutes.

This past season Clayton added another milestone to his impressive resume, notching his 300th pro goal with a hat trick on February 20th versus Amarillo. He now sits at 310 career goals, just three shy of former Thunder star Paul Jackson for second place in CHL history. The sticks used by both Clayton and teammate Jason Duda - who also recorded his 300th pro goal with a hat trick just 10 days after Clayton - were requested by and are now on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario. Clayton and Duda, also expect to join Joe Burton and Doug Lawrence as the only 800 point scorers in CHL history.

One of the smartest and most talented players in CHL history, Clayton leads by example, serving as either team captain or assistant captain in every season since his rookie year. He has also received the Thunder “Player’s Player” award seven times and was voted the 2003 Thunder Most Valuable Player. Clayton joins forward Tyler Liebel as the first two players signed for the upcoming season.

The Thunder will begin their 16th CHL season in October. For more information, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.