Thunder Earns Four Nominations for 2022-23 ECHL Team Awards
June 5, 2023 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks, AHL's San Jose Barracuda and powered by Toyota, are excited to announce that the team has been selected as a finalist for four separate categories for the 2022-23 Team Awards, presented by SponsorCX.
The Thunder earned nominations for Most Creative Revenue Generation, Most Creative Ticket Package, Inclusive Spirit Award and Media/PR Director of the Year.
The awards will be presented at the 2023 ECHL Hockey Summer Meetings in Las Vegas on Wednesday, June 28. ECHL Team Awards honor teams and individuals in several categories for their accomplishments during the 2022-23 Season.
The first category that the team has been nominated for is Most Creative Revenue Generation of the Year. On Saturday, March 18, the Thunder welcomed former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye for Celebration Night, which helped honor the Chiefs for winning the big game.
The first 1,000 fans through the door received a commemorate cup, courtesy of Whiskey Dicks Bar & Grill. Okoye also hosted a shoe drive at the arena along with his charity to donate a new pair of shoes to 100-plus local children. Fans could purchase a VIP package, which included a ticket to the game and a Meet & Greet after the game with Okoye.
For Most Creative Ticket Package, the Thunder earned a nomination for their Valentine's Day Suiteheart Date Night that took place on Wednesday, February 15. Couples could purchase a special date night that included two tickets in one of our luxury suites, buffet-style dinner catered by the arena, two beverage vouchers, a gift bag, a rose, and a post-game photo on the ice. This promotion sold nearly 100 tickets (50 couples) for a weeknight game.
The Thunder were also nominated for the Inclusive Spirit Award, which was the team's Noche del Trueno on Friday, February 18. Directly translating to 'Night of the Thunder,' the night helped provide inclusion and attention to the Hispanic Heritage within the Wichita community.
The game atmosphere included food trucks on-site, vendor booths with giveaway items, the music group Banda Tamborracho, who performed pre-game and during intermissions, Ballet Folklorico, a pinata on the ice during intermission, and specialty-themed jerseys worn during the game.
Finally, Jason Mals was nominated for Media/Pr Director of the Year. This is his third nomination in this category. Mals helped coordinate several feature stories throughout the season, such as the close relationship between Jay Dickman and Jake Wahlin, the connection between Ben Allison and his father Scott, who played for the team in 2004-05 and the other sports that Michal Stinil almost got into before deciding hockey was his passion.
He also helped coordinate the granting of a Make-A-Wish for a young boy during intermission at a game last season. Local news was on-hand and the wish was revealed during intermission with the help of some of the Thunder players.
Mals recently called his 1,000th regular season game behind the mic for the Thunder. He joined the franchise in 2004-05 and is currently entering his 16th year with the organization.
The presentation will also be available for streaming on the ECHL Facebook page at 7 p.m. ET on June 28.
The 2023-24 schedule is now available. Start planning now as we get ready for our 32nd year as a professional franchise and 10th in the ECHL. Click here to learn more and click here to download the schedule right to your calendar.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now. Save money by reserving your seats for all the fast-paced, hard-hitting action of every game.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from June 5, 2023
- Keyrenter Property Mgmt. Named Presenting Sponsor of Icemen Esports Lounge - Jacksonville Icemen
- Admirals Nominated for Four ECHL Awards - Norfolk Admirals
- Americans Finalists for Two League Awards - Allen Americans
- Florida Everblades Nominated for Multiple ECHL Team Awards - Florida Everblades
- Solar Bears Nominated for Several Team Awards Ahead of 2023 ECHL Hockey Summer Meetings in Las Vegas - Orlando Solar Bears
- Icemen Named Finalist for Four ECHL Awards - Jacksonville Icemen
- Jacqui Gutierrez Selected as Athletic Trainer for 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gladiators Nominated for "Theme Night of the Year" - Atlanta Gladiators
- Thunder Earns Four Nominations for 2022-23 ECHL Team Awards - Wichita Thunder
- Ghost Pirates Named Finalists for Seven 2022-23 ECHL Awards - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Reading Royals Named Finalist for 2022-23 "Most Creative Revenue Generation of the Year" Team Award - Reading Royals
- ECHL Announces Finalists for 2022-23 Team Awards Presented by SponsorCX - ECHL
- Mariners up for Six ECHL Awards - Maine Mariners
- The Drive for Five: Railers Finalist for Fifth Straight Community Service Award - Worcester Railers HC
- K-Wings Nominated for Six ECHL Team Awards - Kalamazoo Wings
- Swamp Rabbits Earn Four Finalist Nods for 2022-23 ECHL Team Awards Presented by Sponsorcx - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
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.
