
Weingartner Era Starts Tuesday
Published on December 10, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
THUNDER DROPS THREE TO COLORADO TEAMS- Rocky Mountain broke open a 1-0 game with four second period goals in a span of 4:29, dropping the Thunder 6-2 on Wednesday at the Kansas Coliseum. Kris Wiebe and Daniel Tetrault scored the Thunder goals. This weekend, the Thunder entered a pair of games tied in the third period and lost both. On Friday in Colorado, the Eagles scored three in the final frame, dropping the Thunder 5-3. Bruce Richardson led the Thunder with a goal and two assists. On Saturday, the Thunder again allowed three third period goals, falling 5-2. Todd Paul and Mathieu Wathier scored the Thunder goals.
THUNDER MAKES COACHING CHANGE- Off to the worst start in franchise history (4-13-0), the Thunder dismissed third-year head coach Mark French on Sunday and named former Thunder star Rob Weingartner as interim head coach. A native of Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, Weingartner (pronounced WINE-gart-ner) began his pro career as a member of the inaugural Thunder team in 1992 and was a key member of both the 1994 and 1995 CHL Champion Thunder teams. Following Wichita's second CHL Title, Weingartner was one of just three players who chose to stay with the Thunder in 1995-96. He served as team captain until he was traded to San Antonio for Dave Shute, and came within one game of a third straight CHL Title with the Iguanas. Ironically, the Thunder traded Shute the following season to Oklahoma City for current team captain Jason Duda. Over his eight-year playing career, Weingartner amassed 308 points and 1726 penalty minutes in 447 games. He served as an assistant coach for the Thunder last season. French was let go after compiling a record of 70-59-16. The Thunder also dismissed second-year assistant coach Ben Murphy.
HISTORY ON WEINGARTNER'S SIDE- Weingartner is the ninth head coach in franchise history and the third to take over midseason. Doug Shedden took the helm of a 6-20-2 team in 1992-93 and compiled an impressive 19-13-2 record. In 2002-03, Derek Laxdal stepped in for an 8-19-7 club and went 12-17-0. The following seasons both Shedden and Laxdal had a playoff team.
CLAYTON WATCH- With 312, Travis Clayton still needs one goal to pass former Thunder star Paul Jackson for second place in CHL history. Former Blazer Joe Burton is the all-time CHL leader with a whopping 565. Clayton is now just seven points shy of becoming the third player in CHL history to reach the 800-point plateau.
DUDA CLOSE, TREMBLAY GONE- Veteran left wing Jason Duda, on the 30-day IR since opening weekend, is expected to return to the Thunder lineup this weekend. Duda has missed 16 of the first 17 games. Rookie defenseman Erick Tremblay left the team today to return to college and will be placed on the suspended list. With 18, the Thunder roster is one player short of the legal limit.
THUNDERBOLTS- Wichita is 4-3-0 against teams from Oklahoma, but is 0-10-0 against the rest of the CHL...Wichita ranks second in the CHL, averaging 6,060 fans per game...Dominic D'Amour leads all CHL defensemen with 71 shots on goal...Wichita leads the CHL with 37 major penalties...The Thunder is the only CHL team yet to play an overtime or shootout game this season...At 0-8-0, Wichita is the only team yet to win a road game this season...Wichita is 4-4-0 on Saturday, but is 0-9-0 every other day of the week...METAL BLADE RECORDS PLAYER OF THE WEEK- Center Bruce Richardson (3 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS).
1000th GAME, TEDDY BEAR TOSS SATURDAY- This Saturday is the 1000th game in Thunder history. Numerous great prizes, with a "1000" theme will be given out to select fans in attendance. Saturday is also the 6th annual Bank of the West/Waste Management Teddy Bear Toss. The Thunder will once again try and break the franchise record of 1231 new teddy bears, set last season. Fans are urged to bring a new teddy bear to the game and throw it on the ice when the Thunder scores their first goal. The Thunder players will distribute the bears to needy children throughout Wichita next week.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES:
Wednesday, December 5- Rocky Mountain 6 at Wichita 2 Loss
Friday, December 7- Wichita 3 at Colorado 5 Loss
Saturday, December 8- Wichita 2 at Rocky Mountain 5 Loss
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
Tuesday, December 11- Wichita at Mississippi 7:05 PM
Friday, December 14- Odessa at Wichita 7:05 PM
Saturday, December 15- Rocky Mountain at Wichita 7:05 PM
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Thursday-Saturday Kansas Coliseum - 10:00 AM
Central Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2007
- RiverKings news and notes - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rage's Butler Named CHL Player of the Week - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Steelhounds Weekly - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Shots from the Point - CHL
- Be a Face of the Nation - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Eagles Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Celebrate The Holidays With The Bucks - Laredo Bucks
- Sundogs' Own Sharon Johnson Named CHL Employee of the Month - Arizona Sundogs
- Oakley CHL Player/Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Rayz Round-Up Will Not Air Tonight - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Sundogs Notes - Arizona Sundogs
- Weingartner Era Starts Tuesday - Wichita Thunder
- Bees, Scorpions Battle For Blood - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- RiverKings at Newk's Wednesday - Mississippi RiverKings
- RiverKings release broadcast schedule - Mississippi RiverKings
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