WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 4) – 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 former Thunder captain Dillon Boucher made his NHL debut tonight with the Chicago Blackhawks against the Florida Panthers.
Boucher, 29, became the 785th former ECHL player to reach the National Hockey League. He is the third former ECHL player to make his debut during the 2026-27 season.
He played two full seasons in the Air Capital. The Head Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia native was named captain during the 2024-25 season. Overall, he piled up 242 penalty minutes and 35 points (14g, 21a) in 151 ECHL games.
Last year, Boucher signed an AHL contract with Rockford and finished with 114 penalty minutes in 53 games to go along with eight points (3g, 5a).
The last Thunder player to make his debut was Olivier Rodrigue, who played for Edmonton on March 27, 2025 against the Seattle Kraken. He joined a deep list of goaltenders played in Wichita before being called up to the NHL, which include Dylan Wells, Scott Darling, Chris Driedger, Tyler Bunz, Stuart Skinner, Magnus Chrona and Georgi Romanov.
Other players that have made their NHL Debut after playing in Wichita are Vincent Desharnais, Bobby McMann, Jack Rodewald and Hayden Hodgson.
Wichita returns to action at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, November 7 against Tulsa for Native American Heritage Night. The team will celebrate the local native heritage, in conjunction with with the Mid-America All-Indian Museum and the Wichita Intertribal Warrior Society.
Tickets purchased at this link will benefit the Mid-America All-Indian Museum and the Wichita Intertribal Warrior Society by clicking HERE.
The schedule for the 2026-27 season is out. Help us celebrate our 35th anniversary season. Tickets are on sale now. Click HERE to buy for all 36 games.
Season tickets are still 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.
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