Media Articles

Thunder acquires veteran defender

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle-  The Wichita Thunder has acquired the rights to veteran defenseman Jason Tessier, a four-time Central Hockey League all-star.  The Thunder, one of the league's youngest teams, gave future considerations to Amarillo for Tessier.  The 6-foot, 200-pound Tessier has been a CHL all-star the past two… Read More

Thunder drops exhibition

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle-  Given the youthful nature of the Wichita Thunder, rookie Chris Tarkir selected what would seem an odd word to describe the team's play in an exhibition game on Wednesday night.  He said the Thunder showed "poise."  The Thunder lost the game -- 6-5 in a shootout to Tulsa -- but certainly… Read More

Thunder newcomers get first test on ice

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- New Thunder coach Brent Bilodeau already owns a reputation as a tell-it-like-it-is kind of guy; and on one point, he has left no doubts.  "Everybody has to earn a spot on this team -- coach has done a good job making that very clear," rookie Mike Carmody said after the first day of training camp… Read More

Thunder may lose Clayton

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Quiet, unassuming and professional, Thunder star Travis Clayton has never been one to make news off the ice. That changed late Tuesday afternoon when Clayton stunned the organization by saying that he planned to exercise his newly discovered free-agent status. Clayton, who has played 11 seasons with the Thunder… Read More

Clayton, Duda will return for Thunder

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- One of the most-intriguing questions of the offseason for the Wichita Thunder has been answered: Travis Clayton and Jason Duda, cornerstones of the hockey franchise for years, will be back next season, new coach Brent Bilodeau said Tuesday. Duda will play his 13th year in Wichita; Clayton his 12th. In the past,… Read More

Lomurno holds keys to future

BY BOB LUTZ, The Wichita Eagle- These are precarious times for the Wichita Thunder, coming off a disaster of a season during which it finished dead last -- and dead is the appropriate word -- in the Central Hockey League's Northwest division. The Thunder has a new coach, Brent Bilodeau, who undoubtedly will overhaul the roster. You wonder whether… Read More

Thunder introduce new coach

BY PAUL SUELLENTROP, The Wichita Eagle- The Wichita Thunder hockey team ended the worst season in franchise history on March 22. Thursday, the Thunder started rebuilding under new coach Brent Bilodeau. "Brent is a guy we had our eyes on since our season ended in March," Thunder general manager Joel Lomurno said after a news conference at… Read More

Sources: Thunder tab Bilodeau as next coach

BY KOLLEN LONG, The Wichita Eagle- Brent Bilodeau, an assistant for one of the top franchises in the East Coast Hockey League, is the new coach of the Wichita Thunder, according to two sources close to the hiring.Bilodeau, the assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Las Vegas Wranglers the past three seasons, is expected to be… Read More