WICHITA, Kan. (August 19) – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks, AHL's San Jose Barracuda and powered by Toyota, are excited to announce that they have extended their affiliation agreement with the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AHL's San Jose Barracuda for the 2026-27 season. 

Under the affiliation agreement, the Sharks will be able to designate players within their development system for assignment with the Thunder. The club will also be composed of players who are signed to two-way AHL contracts in addition to those on ECHL contracts (under agreement with the Thunder).

“We're really happy to continue our partnership with the San Jose organization," stated Thunder General Manager Joel T. Lomurno. “The Sharks are on a path to having a tremendous season and we look forward to helping develop their players. The communication between Joe (Will) and our new head coach Travis Clayton has been phenomenal this offseason. There is big things ahead for all of us.”

The 2026-27 season will be the fifth year that the Thunder will partner with San Jose. Last year, Wichita had nine players spend time in the ECHL that were either on AHL or NHL contracts. Defenseman Noah Beck and forward Kyle Crnkovic were both on contracts with San Jose and were selected to the ECHL Warrior All-Star Game. 

“We're proud to extend our partnership with the Wichita Thunder,” said Sharks Assistant General Manager and San Jose Barracuda General Manager Joe Will. “Wichita is a first-class organization with an amazing staff, facilities and city.”

Other players include goaltenders Matt Davis and Gabriel Carriere along with forwards Lucas Vanroboys and Donavan Houle. Jack Bar, John Gormley and Kyle Masters were defensemen that played some time this past year in the Air Capital. Netminder Connor Hasley earned an AHL contract with the Barracuda prior to the start of this season. 

"We're excited to partner with the San Jose Sharks again this upcoming season," commented Head Coach Travis Clayton. "Over the last few years, we've been lucky to work closely with their players and help develop them to the next level. Our shared commitment to excellence and player development makes this partnership special. We want to thank the Sharks leadership, staff, and players for another year of opportunity, and we are ready to bring our absolute best to the ice in 2026."

San Jose joined the NHL in 1991. The Sharks have advanced to the Western Conference Final five times, which included them capturing the Presidents’ Trophy in 2009. San Jose has also earned six Pacific Division titles and made a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2016. San Jose has one of the most exciting young players in the league in Macklin Celebrini as well as Will Smith and Michael Misa.

San Jose has several ties to the ECHL. Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky (South Carolina, 2016-18) served two seasons as a head coach for the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. NHL Goaltending Coach Thomas Speer played in three league contests as a member of the Idaho Steelheads and Las Vegas Wranglers in the 2011-12 season and went on to serve as Goaltending Coach with the Allen Americans, then the Sharks’ ECHL affiliate, from 2014-15 through 2016-17.

The schedule for the 2026-27 season is out, and we are counting down the days until Opening Night! Join us on Saturday, October 17 as we host the Tahoe Knight Monsters and help us celebrate our 35th anniversary season. Contact us today for more information by clicking HERE.

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2026-27 season. Lock in your seat for all of our 36 home games and catch all the action as we head into our 35th anniversary season. Click HERE to learn more and request a call.