Thunder Lands Young Sniper Latta
January 15, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, AHL's Bakersfield Condors and powered by Toyota, are excited to announce the signing of forward Nick Latta to a standard player contract.
Latta, who just turned 24, returns to North America for the first time in three-plus seasons after securing his recent release from historic DEL franchise, Kolner Haie (Cologne Sharks). A native of Peiting, Germany, the 6-foot-1, 194-pound forward appeared in 156 games and recorded 43 points (21g, 22a) to go with 136 penalty minutes. "We're excited to have Nick join us," commented Head Coach Malcolm Cameron. "He has invested a lot in the Thunder to leave a prominent league like the DEL and we look forward to helping him achieve his goals here in North America." He played alongside the likes of former Edmonton Oilers Ryan Jones and Corey Potter.
Latta chose to develop in one of the stronger European leagues before making his way back to North America. The DEL has produced NHL talent such as Christian Ehrhoff and Leon Draisaitl. Originally born in Germany, Latta is a dual citizen. His father, Ken, hails from Thunder Bay, Ontario. He brings quite a hockey pedigree to the Air Capital. Latta's father was drafted in the fourth round of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft (#79 overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers. His uncle, David, was a former first round draft pick of the Quebec Nordiques (#15 overall) in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and played 10 years of pro hockey in the NHL, AHL, IHL and Germany. Latta played hockey in Germany until the age of 17, when he headed to his dad's province to follow in his footsteps into the Canadian Junior ranks.
He joined the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting and played there for four seasons. In 2013-14, he was named captain and had a career year, racking up 66 points (38g, 28a) in 65 games. During his junior career, he was selected to represent Team Germany for the World Junior U18 and U20 teams. After finishing his junior career, Latta signed an amateur tryout with the American Hockey League's Hartford Wolfpack to close out the 2013-14 season. He returns to North America looking to advance his career and reach the NHL. Being just 24 years old, he sees this as an opportunity to start showcasing himself again in North America and follow in his family's footsteps.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from January 15, 2018
- OIL DROPS: Tulsa Oilers Weekly Report - Tulsa Oilers
- Monarchs Fall to Royals, 6-2 - Manchester Monarchs
- Five-Goal Explosion in 2nd Dominates Monarchs, 6-2 - Reading Royals
- Beast Score Plenty of Goals and Silence Thunder - Brampton Beast
- Mychan to Replace Joly at 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star - Colorado Eagles
- Game Recap: Wings End Lengthy Road Trip with Overtime Win in Idaho - Kalamazoo Wings
- Eagles Win Eighth Straight with 8-1 Victory over Rush - Colorado Eagles
- Eagles Sweep Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Second Period Surge Lifts Fuel over Mallards - Indy Fuel
- Early Deficit Too Much in Loss to Utah - Wichita Thunder
- Heeter Stops 41 as Solar Bears Defeat Stingrays 2-1 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Mallard Rally Falls Short - Quad City Mallards
- Impressive Third Period Leads 'Blades Past IceMen 5-3 - Florida Everblades
- Americans Thump Oilers 7-2 - Tulsa Oilers
- Komets Top Beast in Close Game - Brampton Beast
- Physical Effort Goes Thunder's Way, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- Brown's Late Goal Lifts Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
- Five-Game Road Trip Wraps up with 4-2 Loss to Nailers - Norfolk Admirals
- Railers Finish Six Game Roadie with 3-1 Loss in Manchester - Worcester Railers HC
- Monarchs Beat up Railers, 3-1 - Manchester Monarchs
- Thunder Lands Young Sniper Latta - Wichita Thunder
- Forward Michael Joly Earns Call-Up to AHL's Rampage - Colorado Eagles
- Walker Called up to Iowa - Rapid City Rush
- Winner Announced in ECHL's 30th Anniversary Memories Contest - ECHL
- Admirals Wrap up Road Trip in Wheeling - Norfolk Admirals
- Royals Sign Hummelstown Native Dillan Fox and Have Another Shot At - Reading Royals
- Thunder Clipped by Grizzles, 4-2. - Wichita Thunder
- Game Recap: Wings Led by Defensive Efforts in Win over Steelheads - Kalamazoo Wings
- Eagles Score Four Straight to Defeat Rapid City 4-2 - Colorado Eagles
- Sivak's Pair Not Enough in Loss - Rapid City Rush
- Win Streak Snapped for Solar Bears in 4-2 Loss at Greenville - Orlando Solar Bears
- Fuel Falter in Loss to Quad City - Indy Fuel
- Mallards Halt Winless Streak - Quad City Mallards
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
