Thunder Add Blueliner to the Mix

Wichita, KS (March 11th) - The Wichita Thunder, proud member of the ECHL and powered by Toyota, added some depth this afternoon with the amateur signing of Darren Bestland.

Bestland, 24, most recently attended the University of Manitoba of the CIS. The Brunkild, Manitoba native played a four-year career, compiling 24 points (7g, 17a) and 169 penalty minutes in 56 games. Bestland had an outstanding senior year, where he tallied 12 points (4g, 8a) in 22 games and was a +11. He is a former teammate of Thunder forward Ian Duval, who also was added earlier this season from the University of Manitoba.

Prior to his collegiate career, the 5-foot-10, 182-pound blueliner played five seasons of junior hockey, split between the Selkirk Steelers (MJHL), Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), and Vancouver Giants (WHL). In 2007-08 with the Steelers, he racked up 30 points (3g, 27a) and 151 penalty minutes in 60 games. Bestland also participated in the CJAHL Prospects game that season.

Wichita remains on the road for the next four games as the team will head to Tulsa this coming Friday night against the Oilers at 7:35 p.m.

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-