Thunder Add Four to Training Camp Roster
October 13, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
Wichita, KS (Oct. 13th) - The Wichita Thunder, proud member of the ECHL and powered by Toyota, began training camp this morning in preparation for their inaugural season in the ECHL. The team announced the training camp roster including the re-signing of defenseman Mike Wilson, additions of forwards Kurtis Bartliff, and Devin Mantha along with defenseman Andrew Randazzo.
Wilson, 27, enters his seventh season as a pro. He returns for his second stint in a Thunder uniform after compiling a career-best 46 points (12g, 34a) in 65 games last season. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound blueliner is no stranger to the ECHL, having spent time in 2012-13 with the Orlando Solar Bears, scoring 34 points (7g, 27a) in 57 games. A native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Wilson began his pro career in 2008-09, splitting time with the Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL) and the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Bartliff, 24, begins his second season as a pro after playing last year with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL. A native of Clinton, Ontario, he tallied 23 points (14g, 9a) in 64 games during his rookie campaign. The 6-foot, 185-pound forward spent four years at Colgate University where he was named to the ECAC All-Academic Team from 2009-13. His best season came during his sophomore year when he recorded 28 points (7g, 21a) in 42 games in 2010-11.
Randazzo, 24, enters his third year as a pro after playing the past two seasons with the Mississippi RiverKings of the SPHL. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, the 5-foot-9, 218-pound defenseman was selected to the SPHL First All-Star Team last year after recording 34 points (4g, 30a) in 56 games. Prior to turning pro, Randazzo played his junior hockey with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL. He earned the Kevin Lowe Trophy for the league's Best Defensive Defenseman in both 2008-09 and 2010-11 while also collecting a league championship in 2008-09.
Mantha, 25, begins his second season as a pro after playing his rookie year with the Mississippi RiverKings of the SPHL. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward comes from a rich hockey family. His father, Moe Mantha, played 13 years in the NHL with Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Minnesota (North Stars) and Philadelphia. Mantha split a four-year college career between Miami University (Ohio) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He recorded 28 points (11g, 17a) in 56 games while also capturing an NCAA Division III Championship during his senior year for the Blugolds.
Season tickets will be available to pick up on Wednesday, October 22nd starting at 6 p.m. at Pucks Sports Bar at the Wichita Ice Center. Players will be on hand to meet and greet season ticket holders. Small appetizers and a cash bar will be available during the event.
Individual tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 26th for the home opener. Don't delay! Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com. Stay up-to-date on all the news during the season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.
2014-15 Training Camp Roster
Ian Lowe, F
RG Flath, F
Erick Lizon, F
Alex Bourret, F
Jared Walker, F
Todd Hosmer, F
Andy Bathgate, F
Nikita Kashirsky, F
Daniel Chang, F
Evan Mackintosh, F
Joe Caveney, F
Michael Budd, F
Josh Graves, F
Robert Davis, F
Devin Mantha, F
Kurtis Bartliff, F
Jim Jorgensen, D
Zack Josepher, D
Scott Morongell, D
Theo Peckham, D
Michael Trebish, D
Andrew Randazzo, D
Mike Wilson, D
Tim Boron, G
Tyler Bunz, G
Taylor Nelson, G
About the ECHL
The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and one Canadian province for its 27th season in 2014-15. There have been 541 players who have started their career in the ECHL have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 29 who made their NHL debuts in the 2013-14 season. The ECHL had affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2013-14, marking the 17th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.
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ECHL Stories from October 13, 2014
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