Thunder Adds Toughness to Blue Line
Published on August 12, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder added size and strength signing defensemen Mark Adamek and Chris Kovalcik. Adamek joins the Thunder's defensive corps after spending the first four seasons of his professional career in the ECHL. Adamek spent three seasons with the Stockton Thunder, where he was a teammate of Thunder goaltender Tim Boron from 2007-2008. Last season, Adamek teamed with newly signed Thunder center Damian Surma to help Stockton to the ECHL playoffs. At six-foot, four-inches, Adamek adds presence to the blue line. Adamek owns a +15 rating in 26 career playoff games and earned the Stockton Thunder's "Unsung Hero" Award in 2008. Before turning pro, the Hollister, CA native played four seasons of college hockey at Lake Superior State University.
Kovalcik spent last season in the CHL with the Tulsa Oilers, appearing in 53 games and totaling 192 PIM. The six-foot, four-inch Kovalcik finished fifth in the league with 24 fighting majors, including three which came against the Thunder. Kovalcik finished just -2 on a team that was a collective -225 at the end of the season. Now in his sixth season of pro hockey, Kovalcik has 944 career PIM in just 249 games played. Originally from St. Charles, MO, Kovalcik has finished in the top-five in fighting majors two other times in his career. The 26-year old spent most of last season playing up front but is currently penciled in as a defensemen for the Thunder this October.
Adamek and Kovalcik join goaltender Tim Boron, forwards Damian Surma, Glenn Detulleo, Chris Trafford, Brent Ottmann, Brad Thompson, Scott Rozendal, and Mike Batovanja, as well as defensemen Jordan Little, Arthur Fritch, Rickard Forslund, and Connor MacDonald as players under contract for the 2009-10 season.
The Thunder opens the 2009-10 season on Friday, October 16th at the Kansas Coliseum when they host the Amarillo Gorillas. Wichita also has two exhibition games scheduled for October 9th and 10th against the expansion Missouri Mavericks. Both games begin at 7:05 p.m. at the Wichita Ice Center. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, contact the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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