Wichita Thunder prepare for 18th CHL season

WICHITA , Kansas — The Wichita Thunder opened their training camp on Monday, in preparation for their 18th Central Hockey League campaign. 

Looking to improve upon last season’s dismal 20-41-3 record, their second consecutive season with just 20 wins, head coach Brent Bilodeau has brought in 16 new players and nine returnees from last season. Among the new players coming to Wichita is former NHL defenseman Chris McAllister. McAllister has 301 NHL games under his belt while playing for five NHL teams. Now in his 14^th pro season, the 6’ 7”, 238 pound defenseman has notched 1,402 penalty minutes in 663 games. This includes 123 fighting majors; more fighting majors than any Thunder player in the history of the club. McAllister will be an imposing addition to the Thunder blue line which now has four defensemen that are 6’4” or better, including Mark Adamek, Chris Kovalcik and Jordan Little, all listed at 6’4”. On offense, the Thunder have re-signed forward Joel Hansen, last season’s Thunder Rookie of the Year. Last season, Hansen recorded 33 points (14 G, 19 A) in 39 games played. Hansen was signed by the Thunder in December of last year when his former team, the Augusta Lynx (ECHL) suspended operations. His season with the Thunder ended prematurely when he sustained a season-ending wrist injury and was placed in injured reserve in March. Another exciting signing for the Thunder is rookie forward Mike Kneeland who played for four years at Lake Forest College (NCAA), where he recorded 96 points (40 G, 56 A) in 85 games played. Kneeland played three games for the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) last year. In addition to his playing skills, Kneeland received NCAA All Academic Honors and led this team in points during his Junior and Senior years at Lake Forest. A notable departure for the Thunder is forward Scott Rozendal, who has left to pursue interests outside of hockey. He played for three of his four professional seasons in Wichita. During his 147 games in Wichita, Rozendal notched 93 points (47 G, 46 A) while recording 362 penalty minutes. He was also a two-time winner of the Thunder’s annual Community Service Award. His contributions to the team and the  community will be missed. The Thunder will host the expansion Missouri Mavericks for two pre-season games at the Wichita Ice Center on October 9^th and 10^th. They will host the Amarillo Gorillas at the BOK Center to open the 2009-10 regular season on October 16^th. Contact the author at buck.pettry@prohockeynews.com