Thunder Signs Four D-Men
July 28, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder announced four signings on Tuesday, welcoming defensemen Jordan Little, Arthur Fritch, and Rickard Forslund, and re-signing Connor MacDonald.
Entering his sixth professional season, Little joins the Thunder after spending the last two seasons with the IHL's Kalamazoo Wings where he was a teammate of recently signed Thunder center Glenn Detulleo. Little finished the season +15, best on a club that was -20 as a team. Over the last three seasons, Little has notched at least 117 penalty minutes. The six-foot, four-incher picked up eight fighting majors last season. Little played four games with the AHL's Edmonton Roadrunners after finishing his college career at the University of Manitoba.
Fritch was a rookie in 2008-09, spending time in Europe with the Heerenveen Flyers. The Boston, MA native played in 12 games, scoring four goals and assisting on six more. Fritch played four seasons at Colby College, scoring 116 points in 96 games from 2004-08. During his junior and senior seasons, Fritch scored 21 goals and 43 assists from the blue line in just 49 games and was named a first-team AHCA All-American both years.
Forslund turns just 23-years old in early August, but already has a wealth of professional experience, playing at the Division-I level of the Swedish Professional League since 2004. Playing for Ska IK last season, Forslund scored a career-high three goals and 12 assists in 28 games and also picked up 45 penalty minutes.
MacDonald enters his second season with the Thunder and his fourth in professional hockey. Originally from Tracadie Cross, Prince Edward Island, MacDonald racked up five fighting majors and 71 total penalty minutes in only 34 games before having his season cut short due to a shoulder injury. Two seasons ago, MacDonald picked up 176 penalty minutes in 52 games with the SPHL's Jacksonville Barracudas. MacDonald did not appear after February 3rd, but has fully recovered from his injury after undergoing surgery this offseason.
The quartet of defensemen join forwards Damian Surma, Glenn Detulleo, Mike Batovanja, Brad Thompson, Scott Rozendal, Chris Trafford, and Brent Ottmann giving the Thunder 11 players under contract for the 2009-10 season. More signings are expected within the coming weeks.
The Thunder opens its 18th season on Friday, October 16th at the Kansas Coliseum. In mid-January, the Thunder will move into the new downtown arena. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information, contact the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 28, 2009
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- Thunder Signs Four D-Men - Wichita Thunder
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