Wichita Thunder Hockey News

KOLLEN LONG'S WEEKLY CHL REPORT

A CHANGE IN NET- Sebastien Laplante, the Thunder's unquestioned No. 1 goaltender when the season began, has been surprisingly ineffective, so Jon Horrell will get the start tonight.Laplante, whose .928 saves percentage set a team record last season, was pulled after giving up his fourth goal early in the second period of the Thunder's 5-1 loss to… Read More

Thunder falls to Oklahoma City

Eagle staff- Two games against Oklahoma City to open the season has meant two losses for the Thunder.Behind two goals by Garrett Prosofsky the Blazers topped the Thunder 5-1 on Saturday in Oklahoma City.After spotting Oklahoma City the first two goals, Wichita's Dominic D'Amour scored on a power play 12:51 into the first period.Oklahoma City… Read More

Duda out at least a month with injury

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle-  Thunder captain Jason Duda could have slacked off, taken it easy during the 2-on-1 drill at Tuesday morning's practice.Instead, the veteran forward chose to lead by example, diving and crashing the net in an effort to cut off the passing lane in a backchecking exercise.The result was a knee injury that Duda… Read More

Thunder adds three

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Thunder fans already in sky-is-falling mode after the team's season-opening loss to Oklahoma City might find solace in the fact that reinforcements have arrived.Three new players -- forwards Mike Batovanja and Kyle Bruce, and defenseman Erick Tremblay -- practiced with the team on Monday morning. Bruce's visa was… Read More

Thunder falls flat in opener

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Everything fell in the Wichita Thunder's favor for the 24 hours prior to the season opener against Oklahoma City.The Thunder stressed for days about a visa for big defenseman Dominic D'Amour before it was approved Friday night. Oklahoma City arrived in town in a weakened state after enforcer Erick Lizon broke a… Read More

Immediate Impacts

Ten players are expected to make their Thunder debuts tonight. It will take a special performance to outdo these impressive debuts:• The fiery Bryan Wells gave a hint of things to come in his first home game on March 8, 1993. Wells scored four goals in a 10 minute, 55 second span in the second period. Just one goal shy of tying Brent… Read More

Liebel to join Thunder's big scorers as linemate

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- The question finally has been answered: Tyler Liebel will join Wichita Thunder veterans Travis Clayton and Jason Duda on a line for the season opener against visiting Oklahoma City tonight.Liebel, a fourth-year pro, will bring skill and toughness to the line featuring the top scorers in team history, coach Mark… Read More

Oklahoma City, Thunder renew 'friendly' rivalry

BY BOB LUTZ, The Wichita Eagle- The first thing Josh Evans and Joel Lomurno will do when they meet before Saturday's Central Hockey League opener between Oklahoma City and Wichita is shake hands.Then they'll make a friendly wager. Not on the outcome of the game, mind you, but on the over/under for the number of fights.It's a custom. Evans, the head… Read More

Fan-favorite Tyler Liebel returns to Thunder lineup

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Tyler Liebel reported to Wichita Thunder training camp with one of his front teeth missing -- an oddity for which he had a perfectly reasonable explanation."I was talking when I definitely should have been listening," he said, flashing a menacing grin that only a hockey player minus a front tooth could… Read More

Thunder still looking to fill opening on line

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Travis Clayton and Jason Duda will, of course, play on the same line to start the season. Who joins the veteran duo is always an intriguing question, and that's the case again this year.The answer? We're not sure yet.As of Tuesday afternoon, coach Mark French was uncertain who would fill out the line, although… Read More

Clayts or Dudes?

Travis Clayton and Jason Duda have been Thunder teammates for 10 years, and both live year-round in Wichita. They're the most recognizable faces of the franchise. But how well do you know the popular duo? For each question below, is the answer Duda or is it Clayton?1. Thunder career leader in hat tricks with 11.2. Thunder career leader in… Read More

Duda, Clayton still yearn for more hockey

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle-  Despite being 32 and a veteran of more than 600 professional hockey games, Jason Duda states unequivocally that he hasn't lost any of his skating ability.Not one single step.Of course, with the gregarious Duda, you can be confident that there's some kind of punch line coming. Sure enough, he grins and adds,… Read More

Wichita edges Tulsa in an exhibition shootout

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- The Wichita Thunder's established players dressed in suits and sweaters Tuesday night, sitting out the exhibition game so coach Mark French could evaluate the rookies and newcomers.Tulsa's stars, meanwhile, were on the ice.So the result -- a 3-2 shootout victory for the Thunder -- was somewhat surprising but quite… Read More

Thunder ready for first game test

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Thunder star Travis Clayton hasn't had to worry about a roster spot in years, but he can still relate to the players who entered training camp on Monday with uncertain futures."There's a lot of competition this year for jobs," Clayton said. "I'm sure the boys are ready for a challenge and ready to… Read More

Central Hockey League And Network Foundation Technologies Introduce The CHL Network

Phoenix, AZ – The Central Hockey League (CHL) and Network Foundation Technologies (NFT) today announced a partnership that will provide a “FREE-for-View” experience for all CHL hockey fans. The 2007-2008 CHL season will be broadcast live over the Internet utilizing Network Foundation Technologies’ NiFTy Online Television… Read More