Thunder Signs First Two for 2002
Published on April 10, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder announced today that they have re-signed their top two defensemen, Vladimir Hartinger and Paul Johnson, for the 2002-03 season.
Hartinger, the 2002 Wichita Thunder Defenseman of the Year, finished tied for the team lead last season among defensemen, with 23 assists. Overall, the Czech Republic native compiled 27 points and 110 penalty minutes in 56 games, his rookie season and first ever in North America.
The 22-year-old Hartinger really poured it on following the CHL All-Star break, picking up 17 points in the final 19 games. Easily one of the CHL's hardest hitting players, his physical play also improved as the season progressed, as Hartinger dished out dozens of bone-crushing checks over the final two months.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Johnson also returns to Wichita for a second season. Johnson began his fourth straight season with the Oklahoma City Blazers, where he was a member of the 2001 CHL Champions. He was released in early November and joined the Thunder as a free agent on December 7th.
One of Wichita's steadiest defensemen, Johnson recorded eight points with the Thunder, but was limited to just 23 games played due to a nagging shoulder injury. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on February 14th, and underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum. In 173 career games, the Manitoba native has recorded 35 points, 362 penalty minutes and a +/- rating of +10.
"I am thrilled to have these two players back", said Thunder head coach Jim Latos. "Paul and Vlady were our two most physical, hardest-working defensemen last season and if we can get Pat Stachniak signed, that's a pretty good foundation for us to build around on defense."
The Thunder acquired the rights to Stachniak last week from the Lubbock Cotton Kings, to complete a February trade which sent Blaz Emersic to Lubbock. A very solid defenseman, Stachniak picked up 30 points and 135 penalty minutes last season, while playing in all 64 games. Stachniak, who finished second on the Cotton Kings with a +/- rating of +20, was called-up to the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans after the season, where he saw action in two games.
In CHL playoff action, Doug Shedden's Memphis RiverKings and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs are tied 2-2 in the best-of-seven Northern Conference Finals. The series resumes in Memphis on Thursday Night. In the Southern Conference Finals, the El Paso Buzzards look to take a commanding 3-0 lead, when their series resumes tonight at the Austin Ice Bats.
Season ticket packages for 2002-03 are on sale now, starting at just $120. For more information, contact the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 10, 2002
- Ice Bats 6, Buzzards 2 - El Paso Buzzards
- Thunder Signs First Two for 2002 - Wichita Thunder
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