CHL Wichita Thunder

Weingartner, Murphy back with Thunder

Published on September 20, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release


WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder today announced that former Thunder forwards Rob Weingartner and Ben Murphy will re-join the organization as members of the coaching staff.

One of the most popular players in Thunder history, Weingartner was a member of the inaugural Thunder team in 1992 and a key member of both Thunder CHL Championship Teams. A hard-nosed player who could score, skate, hit and fight, Weingartner notched 85 points and 564 penalty minutes in 149 career Thunder games. He also chipped in 15 points and 79 penalty minutes in the postseason before being traded to the San Antonio Iguanas in 1996, where he came within one game of a third straight CHL Title.

A 34-year-old native of Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, Weingartner spent most of the next four seasons with his former Thunder head coach Doug Shedden and the ECHL's Louisiana Ice Gators, going to the playoffs each season. He retired following the 1999-2000 season, finishing with 308 points and 1726 penalty minutes in 447 games.

Murphy returns to the Thunder and will serve as assistant coach after suiting up for the Thunder last season as a rookie. Murphy joined the Thunder following a four-year career at the University of Maine, where he picked up 48 points in 141 games.

In 55 games with the Thunder Murphy picked up just two goals and six points, but contributed to the Thunder's success last season as a top penalty killer. He scored one of the biggest Thunder goals last season, the game-winner in the 10th round of a shootout victory over the Colorado Eagles on February 4th, his first ever professional goal.

"I'm very excited to add Rob and Ben to our staff", said Thunder head coach Mark French. "Rob played with tremendous passion and earned everything through his determination and work-ethic, while Ben was an intelligent player who has a good head for the game. Each brings a unique style to our organization which can only benefit our players this season."

The Thunder also announced today that forward Sean Roulston will attend Thunder training camp, which opens on Monday, October 9th at Ice Sports Wichita. The son of NHL veteran and former Thunder great Tom Roulston, Sean played last season for the Grand Forks Border Bruins of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, where he picked up 17 goals and 38 points in 49 games.

A 6-2, 215-pound right wing, Sean was born and raised in Wichita, where his father played two seasons as a member of the Edmonton Oilers' affiliate the Wichita Wind of the old CHL. Tom led the Wind in scoring in 1980-81 with 63 goals and 107 points, then went on to play 195 NHL games over six seasons with Edmonton and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After retiring in 1988, Tom came out of retirement in 1994 at age 37 to join the Thunder. He notched 30 points in 23 games, then poured it on in the playoffs, piling up 13 goals and 24 points in just 11 games, as the Thunder rolled to their second consecutive CHL Title.

The 2006 CHL Most Improved Franchise, the Thunder will begin their 15th CHL season with a pair of home games on Friday, October 20th versus the Tulsa Oilers and Saturday, October 21st versus the Oklahoma City Blazers. For tickets, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2006


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