Lightning Assign Gauthier to Thunder

Wichita, KS (Oct. 31st) - The Wichita Thunder, proud member of the ECHL and powered by Toyota, announced today that forward Danick Gauthier has been assigned from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) by the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) to the Thunder. The Thunder also announced this afternoon that forward Michael Budd has been released from his ECHL agreement.

Gauthier, 23, played in three games with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL this year, recording a goal and an assist. During the 2013-14 season, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound native of Repentigny, Quebec split time between the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League and the Everblades. He appeared in 19 games with the Crunch, posting seven points (3g, 4a) and 30 games in Florida, notching 17 points (5g, 12a). Prior to turning pro, Gauthier played 219 career games in the QMJHL, amassing 146 points (76g, 70a) with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Shawinigan Cataractes. His best season came during 2011-12 when he tallied 47 goals and 86 points in 66 games with the Sea Dogs.

Wichita has the night off before a pair of games this weekend. The Thunder will host the Missouri Mavericks for the first time this season tomorrow evening at INTRUST Bank Arena at 7:05 p.m. Wichita will close out the weekend with their third meeting in the last eight days against the Tulsa Oilers at 4:05 p.m. at the BOK Center.

Individual tickets are on sale now. Don't delay! Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com. Stay up-to-date on all the news during the season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com. About the ECHL The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and one Canadian province for its 27th season in 2014-15. There have been 541 players who have started their career in the ECHL have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 29 who made their NHL debuts in the 2013-14 season. The ECHL had affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2013-14, marking the 17th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

-Thunder-