2nd Annual Thunder Alumni Game Set for March 24th
February 29, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS (February 29th) - The Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League is set to welcome back many of its former players for the 2nd Annual Wichita Thunder Alumni Game that will take place on Saturday, March 24th before the Thunder take on the Evansville IceMen. This year's team will feature nine new members including four that were a part of the Championship Thunder teams back in 1993-94 and 1994-95. The game will feature a team of local All-Stars including members from the Men's League and High School team against the Thunder Alumni.
Appearing for the first time will be Thunder greats Ron Handy and Brent Sapergia along with Conrade Thomas and Greg Smith. Handy, Sapergia and Smith were on both championship teams and Thomas was on the 94-95 squad. Handy played 114 games with Wichita, recording 196 points (59g, 137a) and Sapergia played in 78 games, notching 146 points (87g, 59a). Thomas played on the '94-'95 championship team, scoring 31 points (14g, 17a) in 50 games. Smith is near the top in many categories for a Thunder goaltender, including fourth all-time in games played (88), fourth in wins (42), first in shutouts (5), fourth in saves (2,377) and fourth in minutes played (4662).
Other new faces that will play this year will be Todd Newton, Joe Blaznek, Ryan McLean, Kevin St. Pierre, and Alex Goupil. Newton played in two separate seasons for the Thunder, appearing in a total of 44 games from 1997-98 and 2000-01. Blaznek was a member of the Thunder from 2003-07, appearing in 208 games and earned the nickname 'Smokin Joe' because of his speed and hard shot. He is fourth all-time in goals (117), points (249), power play goals (41) and third in short-handed goals (15) and game-winning goals (30). McLean is Wichita's all-time leader in penalty minutes (1,094) and is fourth all-time in games played (297), playing from 02-07.
Doors to INTRUST Bank Arena will open at 4:45 p.m. and the game starts at 5:05 p.m. The entire roster for the team includes:
Mike Hiebert D Todd Newton D Sean O'Reilly D Ron Handy F Thomas Migdal F Jason Duda F Steve Magnusson F Conrade Thomas F Joe Blaznek F Rob Weingartner F Brent Sapergia F Bryan Wells F Ryan McLean F Greg Neish F Scott Rozendal F Greg Smith G Kevin St. Pierre G Jerod Bina F Brad Link G Alex Goupil F Tom Roulston F Sean Roulston F
Wichita Thunder playoff packages and season tickets for 2012-13 are now on sale. A $50 dollar non-refundable deposit is required for all season tickets. Contact the Wichita Thunder Monday-Friday, 9am-5:00pm at (316) 264-4625 if you are interested in playoff packages or season tickets, or visit the fan relations table behind section 120 at any Wichita Thunder home game.
Wichita hits the road for the next five games, starting next Wednesday night in Evansville and will not return to the Air Capital till March 14th against Rapid City. For tickets, call 755-SEAT, visit the INTRUST Bank Arena box office or online at www.selectaseat.com .
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2012
- Wild Third Period Comeback Earns Thunder Playoff Berth - Wichita Thunder
- Sundogs Fall in Offensive Battle, 8-4 - Arizona Sundogs
- Blaze Drop Overtime Battle in Fort Wayne - Bloomington Blaze
- Allen Americans in the Community - Allen Americans
- Mallards to Honor Boblett Saturday Night - Quad City Mallards
- Mavericks' Forward Carlyle Lewis Placed on Season Ending IR - Kansas City Mavericks
- 2nd Annual Thunder Alumni Game Set for March 24th - Wichita Thunder
- Brown Recalled to Abbotsford - Quad City Mallards
- Gems Announce Kids Eat Free & Ministick Giveaway Night - Dayton Gems
- Reeder & Kyrzakos Spearhead Rapid City's Dramatic 3-2 Comeback Win Against Sundogs - Rapid City Rush
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.
