Media Articles

Lomurno holds keys to future

BY BOB LUTZ, The Wichita Eagle- These are precarious times for the Wichita Thunder, coming off a disaster of a season during which it finished dead last -- and dead is the appropriate word -- in the Central Hockey League's Northwest division. The Thunder has a new coach, Brent Bilodeau, who undoubtedly will overhaul the roster. You wonder whether… Read More

Thunder introduce new coach

BY PAUL SUELLENTROP, The Wichita Eagle- The Wichita Thunder hockey team ended the worst season in franchise history on March 22. Thursday, the Thunder started rebuilding under new coach Brent Bilodeau. "Brent is a guy we had our eyes on since our season ended in March," Thunder general manager Joel Lomurno said after a news conference at… Read More

Sources: Thunder tab Bilodeau as next coach

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Brent Bilodeau, an assistant for one of the top franchises in the East Coast Hockey League, is the new coach of the Wichita Thunder, according to two sources close to the hiring.Bilodeau, the assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Las Vegas Wranglers the past three seasons, is expected to be… Read More

Thunder narrows coaching search

New GM conducts interviews with two candidates, including one with NHL playing experience. BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- The lengthy search for the Wichita Thunder's next coach is down to two dramatically different finalists. Brent Bilodeau is a highly regarded assistant coach who spent 12 years as a player in the minor leagues. Kevin Kaminski… Read More

Thunder not ready to pick next coach

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Thunder president Chris Presson has pushed back his deadline for hiring a coach to the second week in June. The earlier timetable, set by Presson in late March, had a new hockey coach in place by June 1.That tidbit is the only substantive update on the coaching position for the Thunder, which is coming off the… Read More

Weingartner not alone on Thunder search list

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Interim coach Rob Weingartner understandably wanted a quick decision on his future with the Wichita Thunder hockey team.He won't get one.Thunder president Chris Presson said he has received six applications for the coaching position and he is hoping for two or three more from "legitimate candidates."With… Read More

Penalty Shots

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle-  And the winner isTravis Clayton, who scored a career-low 50 points, was named the Thunder MVP in a ceremony before the season finale on Saturday."He competes every night, no matter what the score is," Weingartner said.Other team awards went to Kyle Bruce (glass rattler), Stan Yanchishyn (most… Read More

Thunder ends tough season with win

BY JON MCGILLIVRAY, Wichita Eagle correspondent- Over the years, Wichita and Tulsa have built one of the better rivalries in the Central Hockey League.So maybe it wasn't surprising that Saturday's game between two teams long eliminated from the playoff chase still provided plenty of entertainment for the more than 9,000 fans in the stands.The… Read More