WICHITA, Kan. (Oct. 17) – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks, AHL's San Jose Barracuda and powered by Toyota, announced today the club's season-opening roster ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The roster is comprised of 23 players, including eight defensemen, 12 forwards and three goalies. Two players will start the season on reserve and one on 3-Day Injured Reserve. Two players are awaiting approval for immigration. 

As a part of the season-opening roster, the Thunder announced two separate transactions. Goaltender Tyriq Outen was released from his tryout agreement and signed to a standard player contract. Forward Kyle Jeffers was claimed off waivers and added to the active roster.

To make room, forwards P.J. Fletcher and Erik Miller along with defenseman Caleb Huffman were released from their standard player contracts.

Outen, 25, had a solid training camp for the Thunder. A native of Tampa, Florida, the 6-foot-4, 192-pound netminder enters his first season as a pro. He played two years at the collegiate level, which began at Stevenson University (NCAA DIII).

After a stellar season at Stevenson where he went 19-6-1 with a 1.82 goals-against average, he transferred to Long Island University (NCAA DI). Last year, Outen went 7-5-1 with a 1.93 goals against average and .920 save percentage in his 14 appearances. 

Jeffers, 26, is a former collegiate teammate of current Thunder forward Ryan Finnegan. He turned pro in 2023-24. A native of Oviedo, Florida, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound forward signed with Savannah after completing his senior campaign at Lindenwood University. In 2024-25, he played his first full season as a pro for the Ghost Pirates, recording 14 points (7g, 7a) in 46 games.  

2025-26 Season-Opening Roster

Defense (8): Jack Bar (AHL), Ty Gibson (Reserve), Tyler Jette, Nolan Kneen, Patrick Kyte, T.J. Lloyd, Kirby Proctor, Nico Somerville

Forwards (12): Peter Bates, Spencer Blackwell (3-Day IR), Tyrone Bronte, Kyle Crnkovic (AHL), Jay Dickman, Ryan Finnegan, Kyle Jeffers, Nick Nardecchia, Tian Rask, Declan Smith, Jake Wahlin, Danny Weight

Goaltenders (3): Matt Davis (AHL), Tyriq Outen, Roddy Ross (Reserve) 

Immigration Pending (2): Anton Rubtsov, Michal Stinil

Opening Night is just one day away! Mark it down, we open our 2025-26 campaign against the Allen Americans on Saturday, October 18. Click HERE to read more and bring out a group.

Single game tickets for all games are on sale now. The first game of the season is less than 50 days away. Buy tickets by clicking HERE.

Season tickets are still on sale for the 2025-26 season. Lock in your seats and catch all the high paced, hard-hitting action at INTRUST Bank Arena. Click HERE now to learn how you can get your seats reserved and start paying now.