Thunder Add Depth; Sign Bernhardt

Wichita, KS (Jan. 26th) - The Wichita Thunder, proud member of the ECHL and powered by Toyota, added some depth on Monday with the signing of forward Justin Bernhardt and has been placed on reserve. To make room, the Thunder have released forward Kyle Gibbons from his SPC agreement.

Bernhardt, 26, started the season in Germany with ESV Buchloe recording 19 points (7g, 12a) in 15 games. A native of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, the 6-foot-1, 181-pound center is in his fifth season as a pro. He's no stranger to the ECHL, having played in 98 games for the Las Vegas Wranglers over parts of three seasons and collecting 46 points (16g, 30a). His best year as a pro came during the 2010-11 season when he finished with 25 points (6g, 19a) in 47 games. Bernhardt has also appeared in 14 American Hockey League games with the San Antonio Rampage during his rookie season.

Bernhardt had an outstanding junior career, piling up 242 points (103g, 139a) in 307 games between Regina, Kelowna and Prince Albert of the Western Hockey League. In 2008-09, he racked up 92 points (35g, 57a) and 104 PIM with the Prince Albert Raiders which was good for fifth overall in scoring. At the conclusion of the season, he signed an entry-level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. Wichita closes out its five-game road swing in Quad City on Wednesday night against the Mallards at 7:05 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-