Thunder Weekly
Published on October 1, 2013 under SPHL (SPHL) News Release
Sounds of Zambonis, skate sharpeners and flying pucks are once again filling U.S. Cellular Coliseum as professional hockey returns to Central Illinois with the beginning of the Bloomington Thunder season in less than three weeks.
Let's go camping: Training camp opens Monday, October 13 as the Thunder begin a new chapter in local pro hockey with a new locally-based organization and a move to the Southern Professional Hockey League. Head Coach Brian Gratz returns for his second season in Bloomington and has assembled a training camp roster of about 25 players. Fans and media are welcome to attend training camp sessions after the opening day with times to be determined. The Thunder will play two exhibition games against the rival Peoria Rivermen, visiting Carver Arena on Friday, October 18 before a home match-up on the following night, Saturday, October 19. The regular season will open the following weekend with a pair of games against the Rivermen beginning with opening night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum on Friday, October 25 at 7:05 p.m. before visiting Peoria on Saturday, October 26 at 7:15 p.m.
Familiar faces: Several players who called Bloomington home during the last few years are lined up to play around the SPHL this season. Pekin native Cole Ruwe has signed to play in his home area with the Peoria Rivermen. Other former Bloomington skaters playing in the circuit this year include Brandon Richardson (Fayetteville FireAntz), Leland Fidler (Huntsville Havoc), Brayden Metz (Louisiana Ice Gators), Nicholas Kuqali (Mississippi Surge), and Gerry Festa, Ross MacKinnon and Jeremy Gates (defending President's Cup champion Pensacola Ice Flyers).
Junior time: The Bloomington Junior Blaze begin their second season this weekend, opening Midwest Junior Hockey League play in Michigan this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series against the Alpena Street Cats. The Junior Blaze return to U.S. Cellular Coliseum for a three-game weekend set against the Detroit Fighting Irish on October 18-20. Many of the Junior Blaze home games will be played before Thunder home contests. Schedule, roster and team information can be found at www.bloomingtonblazejr.com.
Individual game tickets are on sale beginning today, and season tickets at a lower per-game rate with many perks are also available. For more information, call 309-434-2980.
Fans can learn more about the team at www.bloomingtonthunder.com and by liking the team on Facebook and following them on Twitter (BLMThunder).
SPHL Stories from October 1, 2013
- Thunder Weekly - SPHL
- Ice Flyers Unveil 2013-14 Uniforms - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- B.J. Stone Back Behind Mic - Peoria Rivermen
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.
