Thunder Add Defenseman
August 27, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder continued to solidify their blueline, agreeing to terms today with offensive defenseman Chad Mazurak.
A second-year pro out of Regina, Saskatchewan, Mazurak (pronounced ma-ZOR-ick) spent last season with the ECHL's Roanoke Express, where he picked up 29 points in 66 games. He finished second among all Express defensemen in goals (7), assists (22), plus/minus (+4) and penalty minutes (90).
Prior to turning pro, Mazurak spent four seasons with perennial NCAA powerhouse University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, where he compiled 71 points in 141 games and was a member of the 2000 NCAA National Champions. He was also a part of the 2001 Fighting Sioux team, which lost to Boston College in overtime of the NCAA Frozen Four Finals.
"Chad is another two-way defenseman who will be a major part of this year's team", said Thunder head coach Derek Laxdal. "He has been on top-notch teams his entire career and comes to us very highly recommended."
Before attending UND, Mazurak played two seasons for the USHL's Lincoln Stars, notching 49 points and 282 penalty minutes in 99 games. He recorded nine points in 14 playoff games during his first season in Lincoln, leading the Stars to the 1997 USHL Title.
Wichita also traded veteran forward Tom Gomes to the Amarillo Gorillas today for future considerations. Gomes picked up 66 points in 64 games last season for the Thunder.
"Tom played well for us last season", said Laxdal. "But with the direction the organization is headed and some of the other players being recruited, we both felt that a change was best for him. The Wichita Thunder wishes him the best of luck".
The Thunder drop the puck on their 12th CHL season when training camp opens on Monday, October 6th. Wichita will begin the regular season with a pair of home games on Friday, October 17th versus the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and Saturday, October 18th versus the Tulsa Oilers. Both games will face-off at 7:30 p.m.
The deadline to renew your season tickets and keep your same seats is this Friday. Season tickets can still be purchased up to the start of the season, for as low as just $198. For more information or to order tickets, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from August 27, 2003
- Gorillas in Process of Moving Corporate Offices - Amarillo Gorillas
- Van Tighem hanging up his skates and whistle - New Mexico Scorpions
- Thunder Add Defenseman - Wichita Thunder
- Kings Sign Ninth Forward - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Mudbugs Re-Sign Jim Sprott - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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