Thunder Adds Veteran Leadership, Toughness in Lepine

Wichita, KS (August 30th) - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, AHL's Bakersfield Condors and powered by Toyota, announced today the signing of veteran defenseman Guillaume Lepine, who will also serve as the team's Player/Assistant Coach.

"I'm looking forward to the new challenge in Wichita," commented Lepine. "I'm very excited to be working as a player/assistant coach and learning from Coach Cameron. I can't wait to get started."

Lepine, 30, enters his 10th year as a pro after spending the last two and a half seasons with the AHL's Binghamton Senators. A native of Montreal, Quebec, the 6-foot-4, 218-pound defenseman adds grit and toughness to the team's blueline. Lepine has racked up 1,298 penalty minutes to go with 110 points (24g, 86a) in 531 games.

"Guillaume is a player that leads by example, plays tough and is of high character," stated Head Coach Malcolm Cameron. "His AHL experience will be beneficial for our players that are aspiring to move up. He has a great stick , blocks shots and stands up for his teammates, which was what we were looking for in a veteran player. He will have an opportunity to share his wisdom with our young defense in the role of Player/Assistant coach."

He began his pro career in 2008-09 with the Elmira Jackals and played there for two seasons. In 2010-11, Lepine went across the pond and played the next three years for the EIHL's Nottingham Panthers. He set a career-high in penalty minutes in 2010-11, piling up 225 penalty minutes in 49 games and helped lead the Panthers to three-straight EIHL titles.

Lepine returned to the states in 2013-14, signing with the Evansville IceMen and served as an alternate captain. He also appeared in six games with the AHL's Utica Comets. After re-signing in Evansville in 2014-15, he was named as the team's captain and played in 35 games for the IceMen. The tough, stay-at-home defenseman earned a call-up to the B-Sens in January that same season and collected 107 penalty minutes in 38 games.

He becomes the 17th player announced this offseason and joins Matt DeBlouw, Dyson Stevenson, Jeremy Beaudry, Travis Ewanyk, Etienne Boutet, Justin Hamonic, Istvan Sofron, Louick Marcotte, Marc-Olivier Crevier-Morin, Justin Crandall, Jamie Doornbosch, Matt Tipoff, Gerrad Grant, Shaquille Merasty, Miner-Barron and Rumpel on the roster.

The 26th season of Thunder hockey kicks off on Friday, October 13th against the Indy Fuel.

Season ticket packages are on sale now. Get your seats for just $15 per month. All it takes is a $50 deposit per seat to reserve yours today. To learn more, click here or contact a Thunder representative at the office today!

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