Thunder Introduce Pankewicz as New Coach
December 10, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
A veteran of 20 professional hockey seasons as a player and four campaigns as an assistant coach is the new head coach for the Bloomington Thunder.
Greg Pankewicz was introduced as the Thunder coach during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Pankewicz was the assistant coach with the Colorado Eagles of the ECHL for the past four years after spending the final six seasons of his playing career with that franchise in 2009. He was part of two Central Hockey League championship squads with the Eagles in 2005 and 2007, earning Most Valuable Player honors for the 2007 playoffs.
During his 1,138 games in his two-decade playing career, the native of Drayton Valley, Alberta registered 563 goals and 582 assists for 1,145 points with 3,497 penalty minutes. He is one of only two professional players to have recorded 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes. His career includes 21 National Hockey League games, three with the Ottawa Senators in the 1993-94 season and 18 with the Calgary Flames in 1998-99, totaling three assists and 22 penalty minutes.
Pankewicz will be behind the bench when the Thunder return home for three games against the Mississippi Surge on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 3:05 p.m. Friday is Pepsi Date Night featuring two tickets for $20 when bringing a Pepsi product to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office. Saturday features the annual Teddy Bear Toss after the first Thunder goal with additional collection boxes for new, unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots throughout the concourse. Also on Saturday, children 12 and under get in free with a paid adult admission and a flyer found at www.bloomingtonthunder.com and the Thunder Facebook page courtesy of Easton Sports, plus kids 12 and under eat free (hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, fries and popcorn) until the first Thunder goal courtesy of SERVPRO. On Sunday, fans are invited to skate with the Thunder after the game. More information is available on www.bloomingtonthunder.com, Facebook and Twitter (BLMThunder) or by calling 309-434-2980. The Bloomington Junior Blaze will host the Michigan Ice Dogs in Midwest Junior Hockey League play before all three Thunder contests, facing off at 3 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Barczuk called up: The Thunder also recorded their league-leading fifth call-up of the season as forward Dan Barczuk was loaned to the Denver Cutthroats of the Central Hockey League on Tuesday. Barczuk is tied for third in Thunder scoring with six goals and six assists for 12 points. He has played in all 15 Thunder games and scored the game-winning goal on Saturday.
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SPHL Stories from December 10, 2013
- Stanfield Joins List of Rivermen Call-Ups - Peoria Rivermen
- Thunder Introduce Pankewicz as New Coach - Bloomington Thunder
- RiverKings to Welcome "Mountain Man" - Mississippi RiverKings
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