Wichita Thunder
Encyclopedia
The Wichita Thunder are a minor league hockey team based in Wichita, Kansas
. The team plays in the Central Hockey League
. From 1992 until January 2010 the Thunder played in the Britt Brown Arena located in the northern Wichita suburb of Park City
. In January 2010 (the second half of the 2009-10 season) the team began playing its home games at the newly built Intrust Bank Arena.
, along with the Oklahoma City Blazers
, Tulsa Oilers, Memphis RiverKings
, Dallas Freeze
and the Fort Worth Fire
.
Wichita played their first home game at Britt Brown Arena on November 4, 1992 in front of a crowd of 5,486. In the same season the Thunder had their first sellout in team history, the crowd of 9,686 fans watched the Thunder defeat Oklahoma City 4-3.
The Thunder were originally coached by Gary Fay
, but after a 6-20 start he was replace by Doug Shedden
. Although they started out with a 6-20 record the season was quickly turned around by Shedden and they finished their first season with a 25-32-2 record. On April 5, 1993 Thunder goaltender Robert Desjardins
was named the first CHL Rookie of the Year.
In the following two seasons the Thunder were the Regular Season Champions (Adams Cup) and Playoff Champions (William Levins Memorial Cup
) for both seasons. Ron Handy
was the Playoff Most Valuable Player for both seasons, he is the only player in Central Hockey League history to win the award on multiple occasions. In the 1993-1994 season Doug Shedden won the Coach of the Year award, Robert Desjardins won the Regular Season Most Valuable Player award and Paul Jackson won the Scoring Champion award.
On May 14, 1995, Head Coach Doug Shedden resigned to become coach of the Louisiana IceGators of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
was hired as the new head coach on July 21, 1995. He led the Thunder to a 22-39-3 record and missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.
On July 19, 1996, Don Jackson resigned to become head coach of the Kansas City Blades
of the International Hockey League (IHL).
was named the Thunder's fourth head coach in franchise history. Wells would go on to coach the Thunder for five seasons, they made the playoffs four out of the five seasons he coached. On May 2, 2001, Wells was dismissed as head coach.
William Levins Memorial Cup
Adams Cup
Coach of the Year
Joe Burton Award
Ken McKenzie Trophy
Playoff Most Valuable Player
Most Outstanding Defenseman
Rick Kozuback Award
Rookie of the Year
All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (North)
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
. The team plays in the Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
. From 1992 until January 2010 the Thunder played in the Britt Brown Arena located in the northern Wichita suburb of Park City
Park City, Kansas
Park City is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States; it is a suburb of Wichita. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,297.-History:...
. In January 2010 (the second half of the 2009-10 season) the team began playing its home games at the newly built Intrust Bank Arena.
Early history (1992-95)
The Thunder were one of the first six original teams of the new Central Hockey LeagueCentral Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
, along with the Oklahoma City Blazers
Oklahoma City Blazers
The Oklahoma City Blazers were a professional ice hockey team that played in the Northwest Division of the Central Hockey League. The Blazers played at the Ford Center, located in downtown Oklahoma City. Their colors were burgundy, gold and white...
, Tulsa Oilers, Memphis RiverKings
Memphis RiverKings
The Mississippi RiverKings are a professional minor league ice hockey team. The RiverKings are a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League, playing their first nineteen seasons from the 1992–93 season to the 2010–11 season in the Central Hockey League The Mississippi RiverKings...
, Dallas Freeze
Dallas Freeze
The Dallas Freeze were a minor professional team that played in Dallas, Texas. They played in the Central Hockey League from 1992 to 1995 at the Fair Park Coliseum....
and the Fort Worth Fire
Fort Worth Fire
The Fort Worth Fire were a professional ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League. Their home games were played in the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena. They began operations in 1992 and ceased operations in 1999....
.
Wichita played their first home game at Britt Brown Arena on November 4, 1992 in front of a crowd of 5,486. In the same season the Thunder had their first sellout in team history, the crowd of 9,686 fans watched the Thunder defeat Oklahoma City 4-3.
The Thunder were originally coached by Gary Fay
Gary Fay
Gary Fay is a former ice hockey coach who was the first coach of the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League .-Career statistics:-Coaching career:Fay was an assistant coach for Northeastern University from 1979-1986...
, but after a 6-20 start he was replace by Doug Shedden
Doug Shedden
Douglas Arthur Shedden is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He coached Team Finland to a bronze medal in 2008 World Championships...
. Although they started out with a 6-20 record the season was quickly turned around by Shedden and they finished their first season with a 25-32-2 record. On April 5, 1993 Thunder goaltender Robert Desjardins
Robert Desjardins
Robert Desjardins was a Canadian professional goaltender who had a stellar junior and university career but only a short professional career....
was named the first CHL Rookie of the Year.
In the following two seasons the Thunder were the Regular Season Champions (Adams Cup) and Playoff Champions (William Levins Memorial Cup
Ray Miron President's Cup
The Ray Miron President's Cup goes to the play-off champion of the Central Hockey League. The Ray Miron President's Cup has been awarded to teams since 2002. Prior to 2002, the playoff winner was awarded the Ray Miron Cup. The current cup is named after Ray Miron, one of the league's co-founders...
) for both seasons. Ron Handy
Ron Handy
Ronald Handy was a professional ice hockey player who played 14 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues.- References :...
was the Playoff Most Valuable Player for both seasons, he is the only player in Central Hockey League history to win the award on multiple occasions. In the 1993-1994 season Doug Shedden won the Coach of the Year award, Robert Desjardins won the Regular Season Most Valuable Player award and Paul Jackson won the Scoring Champion award.
On May 14, 1995, Head Coach Doug Shedden resigned to become coach of the Louisiana IceGators of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
Don Jackson (1995-96)
Don JacksonDon Jackson (ice hockey)
Donald Clinton Jackson is an ice hockey coach and a retired professional ice hockey player who played 315 games in the National Hockey League between 1978 and 1987 and began his coaching career in 1988....
was hired as the new head coach on July 21, 1995. He led the Thunder to a 22-39-3 record and missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.
On July 19, 1996, Don Jackson resigned to become head coach of the Kansas City Blades
Kansas City Blades
The Kansas City Blades was a professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri at Kemper Arena....
of the International Hockey League (IHL).
Bryan Wells Era (1996-01)
In July of 1996, Bryan WellsBryan Wells (ice hockey)
Bryan Wells is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and ice hockey coach. He coached the Wichita Thunder from 1996-2001.-Career statistics:-External links:...
was named the Thunder's fourth head coach in franchise history. Wells would go on to coach the Thunder for five seasons, they made the playoffs four out of the five seasons he coached. On May 2, 2001, Wells was dismissed as head coach.
Retired numbers
- 9 - Ron HandyRon HandyRonald Handy was a professional ice hockey player who played 14 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues.- References :...
- 11 - Jason DudaJason DudaJason Duda is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League...
- 15 - Rob WeingartnerRob WeingartnerRob Weingartner is a former American professional ice hockey coach and player. He coached the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League for the 2007-08 season.Weingartner's jersey number, 15, is retired by the Wichita Thunder...
- 35 - Robert DesjardinsRobert DesjardinsRobert Desjardins was a Canadian professional goaltender who had a stellar junior and university career but only a short professional career....
Head coaches
| Name | Year(s) Coached | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Fay Gary Fay Gary Fay is a former ice hockey coach who was the first coach of the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League .-Career statistics:-Coaching career:Fay was an assistant coach for Northeastern University from 1979-1986... |
1992 | 6 - 20 |
| Doug Shedden Doug Shedden Douglas Arthur Shedden is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He coached Team Finland to a bronze medal in 2008 World Championships... |
1992–1995 | 103 - 49 - 12 |
| Don Jackson Don Jackson (ice hockey) Donald Clinton Jackson is an ice hockey coach and a retired professional ice hockey player who played 315 games in the National Hockey League between 1978 and 1987 and began his coaching career in 1988.... |
1995–1996 | 22 - 50 - 29 |
| Bryan Wells Bryan Wells (ice hockey) Bryan Wells is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and ice hockey coach. He coached the Wichita Thunder from 1996-2001.-Career statistics:-External links:... |
1996–2001 | 161 - 146 - 39 |
| James Latos James Latos James Latos is a former professional ice hockey coach and player. He coached the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League from 2001-2003.-Career statistics:-External links:... |
2001–2003 | 32 - 53 - 13 |
| Sean O'Reilly Sean O'Reilly (ice hockey) Sean O'Reilly is a former professional ice hockey coach and player. He was the interim coach for the Wichita Thunder for only won game after James Latos was fired mid season, he won the only game he coached .-Career statistics:-External links:... |
Interim Coach | 1 - 0 - 0 |
| Derek Laxdal Derek Laxdal Derek Laxdal is a former professional ice hockey right winger. Currently, he is the head coach of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. He led the Idaho Steelheads to the Kelly Cup as ECHL champions in the 2006–07 season.... |
2003–2005 | 87 - 58 - 8 |
| Mark French Mark French (ice hockey) Mark French is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach who currently coaches the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.-Early career:A native of Milton, Ontario, French played college hockey at Brock University in St... |
2005–2007 | 70 - 56 - 16 |
| Rob Weingartner Rob Weingartner Rob Weingartner is a former American professional ice hockey coach and player. He coached the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League for the 2007-08 season.Weingartner's jersey number, 15, is retired by the Wichita Thunder... |
2007–2008 | 16 - 29 - 2 |
| Brent Bilodeau Brent Bilodeau Brent Bilodeau is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenseman. He was drafted in the first round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens while a member of the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.... |
2008–2009 | 22 - 52 |
| Jason Duda Jason Duda Jason Duda is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League... |
Interim Coach | 7 - 40 - 4 |
| Kevin McClelland Kevin McClelland Kevin McClelland is a retired professional ice hockey forward. He is currently the head coach of the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League.-Playing career:... |
2010–Present | 34 - 26 - 6 |
General managers
| Name | Appointment | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Bill Shuck | 1992 | 2002 |
| David Holt | 2003 | 2005 |
| Chris Presson | 2005 | 2008 |
| Joel Lomurno | 2008 | Present |
CHL awards and trophies
The following lists the league awards which have been won by the Thunder team and its players:William Levins Memorial Cup
Ray Miron President's Cup
The Ray Miron President's Cup goes to the play-off champion of the Central Hockey League. The Ray Miron President's Cup has been awarded to teams since 2002. Prior to 2002, the playoff winner was awarded the Ray Miron Cup. The current cup is named after Ray Miron, one of the league's co-founders...
- 1993-94, 1994-95
Adams Cup
- 1993-94, 1994-95
Coach of the Year
- Doug SheddenDoug SheddenDouglas Arthur Shedden is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He coached Team Finland to a bronze medal in 2008 World Championships...
: 1993-94
Joe Burton Award
Joe Burton Award
The Joe Burton Award is awarded annually to the Central Hockey League's scoring champion. The award was named after the CHL's career point leader Joe Burton who played 11 season with the Oklahoma City Blazers accumulating 985 points...
- Jason DudaJason DudaJason Duda is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League...
: 2004-05
Ken McKenzie Trophy
Ken McKenzie Trophy
The Ken McKenzie Trophy is awarded annually to the Central Hockey League's leading points scorer in the regular season. The award is named for Ken McKenzie, the co-founder and longtime president and publisher of The Hockey News....
- Paul JacksonPaul JacksonPaul Jackson may refer to:*Paul Jackson , British television producer*Paul Jackson , British video game publisher*Paul Jackson , English rugby league player...
: 1993-94
Playoff Most Valuable Player
- Ron HandyRon HandyRonald Handy was a professional ice hockey player who played 14 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues.- References :...
:1993-94, 1994-95
Most Outstanding Defenseman
- Paul EsdalePaul EsdalePaul Esdale is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently the head coach of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the ECHL.-Awards and honours:-External links:*...
: 2004-05 - Andrew MartensAndrew MartensAndrew Martens is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Wichita Thunder of the CHL. He played three seasons of college hockey at Bemidji State University before turning pro in the 2005–06 season...
: 2010-112010–11 Wichita Thunder seasonThe 2010–11 Wichita Thunder season was the 19th season of the CHL franchise in Wichita, Kansas.-Off-season:On April 27, 2010, the Wichita Thunder announced that they hired Kevin McClelland as the new head coach. They also announced that Jason Duda would be the new assistant coach...
Rick Kozuback Award
- Jason DudaJason DudaJason Duda is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League...
: 2009–102009–10 Wichita Thunder seasonThe 2009–10 Wichita Thunder season was the 18th season of the CHL franchise in Wichita, Kansas.The Thunder relieved coach Brent Bilodeau of his duties on November 12, 2009 after a 2-7-0 start...
Rookie of the Year
- Robert DesjardinsRobert DesjardinsRobert Desjardins was a Canadian professional goaltender who had a stellar junior and university career but only a short professional career....
: 1992-93 - Cory DosdallCory DosdallCory Dosdall is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player.Dosdall played five seasons of major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League with the Regina Pats, Tri-City Americans, and Lethbridge Hurricanes...
: 1996-97 - David Beauregard: 1997-98
All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (North)
- Joe Blaznek: 2005-06