Thunder Sign Tulupov to SPC

Wichita, KS (Nov. 5th) - The Wichita Thunder, proud member of the ECHL and powered by Toyota, announced two roster moves today in preparation for this weekend's games. The team has signed defenseman Kirill Tulupov to a standard player contract while also placing forward Joe Caveney on the 21-Day IR retroactive to October 15th.

Tulupov, 26, began the season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for Vityaz Podolsk, where he appeared in one game. A native of Moscow, Russia, the 6-foot-3, 227-pound blueliner is a former third round pick (#67 overall) of the New Jersey Devils in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Tulupov began his career in 2009-10 with Spartak Moskva in Slovakia. He made his North American debut with the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2011-12 season, collecting eight points (1g, 7a) and 71 penalty minutes in 33 games. The sixth-year pro played against Wichita in the first round of the 2012-13 CHL Playoffs when he was a member of the Arizona Sundogs.

Prior to turning pro, he played three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, splitting time between the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Victoriaville Tigres. In 172 games over three seasons, he recorded 64 points (15g, 49a) and served 196 penalty minutes. His best season came in 2006-07, when he scored 28 points (8g, 20a) in 54 games with Chicoutimi.

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-