WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Thunder will begin their 17th CHL season when they open training camp on the 6th of October. The new season brings lots of new faces to the Thunder roster. With 18 players signed, the Thunder will only have five players returning from last season. Centers Chris Green and Brad Thompson, along with wingers Mike Batovanja, Jason Duda, and Stan Yanchishyn are the returning players which will form the core of the Thunder roster. In addition to these returning players, the Thunder will have nine rookies on the roster, and four players with pro experience in the ECHL, the SPHL, and ASG Tours in France. The Thunder roster is loaded with forwards (13) and short on defensemen with only three signed. The Thunder also have two rookies in goal, with the signing of Krister Toews from the University of Manitoba, and Ryan Dutton formally of Mount Royal College. Toews will be attending training camp with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. He was signed to replace goaltender Ervins Mustukovs who left to play in the new Kontinental Hockey League in Russia. Goalie Ryan Dutton is currently in training camp with the Calgary Flames. Another Thunder player that is spending his training camp away from Wichita is center, and CHL rookie Troy Ofukany. Ofukany is attending training camp with the Quad City Flames of the AHL. Ofukany comes to the Thunder after having spent the past four seasons in the WHL. Fan favorite, center Chris Greene rejoins the Thunder for his second season. He joined the Thunder via a trade with the Arizona Sundogs. His hard hitting play style quickly gave his status as a fan favorite. Greene suffered a broken hand in only his 7th game with the Thunder, and the injury resulted in his missing 16 games. In 51 games that Greene split between Arizona and Wichita last season, Green racked up 29 points. He has registered a total of 59 points in his 123 games as a pro. The Thunder are looking forward to a healthy Green on their roster this season. The Thunder will be working to improve on the 20-42-2 record that they had last season. Their 42 points kept them well out of any playoff chance, and dead last in the Northwest Division. They struggled at home, splitting their home games and ending with a 16-16 home record. But it was playing on the road that really hurt the Thunder. Compiling a dismal road record of 4-26-2, the worst road record in the CHL.
Contact the author at: buck.pettry@prohockeynews.com
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