Training Camp and Media Day Monday, Five More Signed
October 1, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder announced its annual media day is scheduled for Monday, October 5th at the Wichita Ice Center, during the team's first day of training camp.
The Thunder recently added five players to their training camp roster, including second-year center Chris Tarkir. Tarkir was one of five Thunder rookies to score 10 or more goals last season, including two in his first professional game. A native of Fresno, CA, Tarkir played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.
Joining Tarkir are forwards Brandon Kaleniecki and Will Roberts, defenseman Brett Beauchamp, and goaltender Jamie Gilbert. Kaleniecki spent the past three seasons in the ECHL, notching 65 points in 115 games. Last season, the left winger scored 24 points in 35 games for the Gwinnett Gladiators. Kaleniecki played four seasons of Division-I hockey at the University of Michigan, where he scored 64 goals and 36 assists in 159 games. The Livonia, MI native played two seasons for the Las Vegas Wranglers while Brent Bilodeau was the Assistant Coach.
Roberts, who also has the ability to play defense, joins Thunder camp after spending last season in the AAHA with the Evansville IceMen. The Nashville, TN native potted four goals and assisted on 21 more in 37 games played. His professional career began in the MAHL in 2007-08 with the Jamestown Kings.
Beauchamp started his professional career last season, spending time with three different teams in the ECHL. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Beauchamp totaled 41 games last season while posting a +4 rating. The 23-year old defenseman played two seasons at Concordia University in Canada, scoring 18 points in 33 games.
Gilbert, a true rookie, finished his college career last season at the University of Southern Maine, going 7-7-3 in 17 games with a .906 save percentage and 3.10 goals against average. During his junior season, the Lewiston, ME native posted marks of .914 and 2.63 while going 10-6-1. The five additions give the Thunder 26 total players in camp. An updated roster is attached.
Training camp at the Wichita Ice Center is open to the public. The Thunder's camp schedule for next week is as follows:
Monday, October 5th: 9:00-10:15 a.m. and 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Tuesday, October 6th: 9:00-10:15 a.m. and 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7th: 9:00-10:15 a.m. and 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 8th: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
The Thunder drops the puck on the 2009-10 season on Friday, October 16th when they host the Amarillo Gorillas at the Kansas Coliseum. Wichita also hosts two exhibition games against the expansion Missouri Mavericks on October 9th and 10th at the Wichita Ice Center located across from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Tickets for the pre-season contests, which both start at 7:05 p.m., are on sale now. For more information, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
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