Lalonde, 27, is the Thunder's all-time leader in goals (52) and ranks second on the club's all-time scoring chart with 105 points (52g-53a) in 120 games, spanning two seasons (2005-07) with the team. Lalonde returns from a one-year stint in Europe with the Tilburg Trappers of the Netherlands League, where he scored a league-leading 92 points (43g-49a) in just 34 games last year and helped guide Tilburg to the Dutch Championship.

"We missed Mike's offense last year and we're thrilled about his return to our club for this season," said Cichocki. "He's not afraid to shoot the puck and he'll certainly help boost our power-play. What I also like is that he's a complete, two-way player. He cares about his own zone and willing to do the little things for us to be successful."

Cichocki admitted that Lalonde's signing was part of a process in attempting to upgrade the team's offense.

"We certainly have to score more goals and the way we were built last year, injuries and call-ups forced us to rely on defense and goaltending to win games," said Cichocki. "Mike's signing is part of a transition we're taking with improving our club offensively and I'm looking for more of those players. It runs through the whole organization - from Edmonton down to Stockton - in trying to be more offensive-minded."

In three ECHL seasons (2004-07) with the Thunder and Las Vegas Wranglers, Lalonde has scored 106 points (52g-54a) in 125 career games while amassing 67 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound forward scored a goal and added two assists for the National Conference at the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game in Fresno, Calif. and finished his 2005-06 rookie season as the Thunder leader in goals (29) while ranking third on the team with 52 points (29g-23a). Lalonde also led the club with 13 power-play goals and led the entire ECHL with 308 shots.

Lalonde, a member of the Thunder's inaugural opening night roster in 2005-06, has also registered three assists in four career Kelly Cup Playoff games.

"The biggest reason for coming back is how good Chris Cichocki and the rest of the Thunder organization have been to me - everyone is like family," said Lalonde. "Going to Europe for a year helped me realize how much more of a personal touch you receive in Stockton and that's more important than what you can attach to any dollar figure. The fans and organization are nothing but first-class and it's made me excited for this next season. You don't see it everywhere you go and it's truly respected."

Lalonde compiled a decorated four-year college hockey career at Michigan State University (NCAA). The Chetwynd, British Columbia native posted 101 career points (50g-51a) for the Spartans, including a 40-point campaign (22g-18a) as a 2003-04 junior where he led the program with 22 goals.

Lalonde's 17-point campaign (10g-7a) as a 2001-02 freshman helped guide the Spartans to an NCAA Frozen Four Tournament berth, a team that included current NHL veterans Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres) and John-Michael Liles (Colorado Avalanche).