Arena, Fans Top 2010 Best Of The Best Poll
March 9, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder captured three awards and placed in five overall categories in the Central Hockey League's annual 'Best of the Best' poll.
The brand new INTRUST Bank Arena took home honors for 'Best Arena' and 'Best Locker Rooms'. The state-of-the-art facility opened early in the new year and hosted its first Thunder game on January 23rd in front of a franchise-record crowd of 13,412.
The new arena has drawn two other crowds in excess of 9,000, leading to a meteoric rise in the CHL attendance standings. The Thunder ranked second in the league late last week after 9,074 fans watched the Thunder battle Arizona on March 1st.
The INTRUST Bank Arena also ranked third in the 'Best Press Box' category. Wichita's new press area features a unique two-level design that provides visiting broadcasters an eagle-eye view of the action.
Local Dondlinger Construction teamed with Scottsdale, AZ-based Hunt Construction Group, Inc. in late 2007 to build the arena which is currently managed by SMG.
Thunder fans were voted the 'Most Annoying' for a seventh consecutive year, while Sonic Thunderdog finished a close second to Rio Grande Valley's Sir-Sting-A-Lot for the league's 'Best Mascot'. Thunderdog fell short by just two total points, and tied for the most first place votes.
Votes were compiled by league coaches, players, and media representatives. You can read the full story on this year's poll, written by Odessa Jackalopes' beat writer Lee Scheide at www.centralhockeyleague.com
The Thunder is back in action on Wednesday when they host the Colorado Eagles at 8:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2010
- IceRays Gain Point In 4-3 Shootout Loss To Arizona - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Allen Americans Weekly Notes - Allen Americans
- Arizona Keeps Playoff Chances Alive With 4-3 Shootout Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Jackalopes Shut Out Rush With 3-0 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
- Mavericks Recognized In CHL's "Best Of The Best" Poll - Kansas City Mavericks
- Rush Host Fan Appreciation Weekend - Rapid City Rush
- Killer Bees Tabbed In Annual "Best Of The Best Poll" - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- McNulty Nominated For Performance Of The Week - Mississippi RiverKings
- Colt King's Hat Trick Voted CHL Performance of the Week - CHL
- Bucks Teach Ladies Hockey 101 - Laredo Bucks
- Rush Well Represented In CHL's "Best Of The Best" Poll - Rapid City Rush
- Oilers, BOK In Best Of Best - Tulsa Oilers
- Reminder: Thursday Game Moved To Next Week - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Arena, Fans Top 2010 Best Of The Best Poll - Wichita Thunder
- Mudbugs Well Represented In Best Of The Best Poll - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bucks Can Inch Closer To Playoffs Wednesday - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs Recognized In Annual CHL "Best Of The Best" - Arizona Sundogs
- Nelson, Eagles Dominate "Best Of The Best" - Colorado Eagles
- Americans Win Four Best Of The Best Awards - Allen Americans
- RiverKings Among Best Of The Best - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Represented In Best Of The Best Poll - Laredo Bucks
- Gorillas rank among the "Best of the Best" - Amarillo Gorillas
- CHL's Best Of The Best Poll Released - Odessa Jackalopes
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.
