CHL Central Hockey League

Wichita's Travis Wight Named CHL Man of the Year

March 19, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


GLENDALE, AZ (March 19, 2013) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Travis Wight of the Wichita Thunder has been named the 2012-13 Central Hockey League Man of the Year. The award is selected by the CHL front office based on nominations and supporting materials presented from member clubs. The other finalists for the award were Bloomington's Jon Booras, Missouri's David Simoes, Rapid City's Scott Wray and Tulsa's Gary Steffes.

The CHL Man of the Year award is "˜presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community'.

"The CHL Man of the Year Award is a significant award for a player in the CHL each season," said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner. "It comes with great pleasure to recognize Travis publicly for his work in the Wichita community and the surrounding areas, as players continue to give of their time in charitable ways without expecting any recognition. On behalf of the entire CHL, I would like to congratulate and thank Travis for his efforts in assisting in such admirable causes while playing for the Thunder organization not just this season, but over his 3 years with the club."

"Travis is a tremendous asset to the city of Wichita and represents our organization well," said Joel Lomurno, Wichita Thunder General Manager. "Whether it be helping out in the community, visiting hospitals or talking with fans before the game, Travis is always the first player to volunteer. Most importantly when Travis is not on the ice with the Thunder, he is either down at the Wichita Ice Center helping the kids or at Eisenhower High School working with young people in and out of the classroom. It is a great honor for him to be named as the CHL Man of the Year and I thank him for all his hard work."

In his seventh professional season and third with the Thunder, Wight has established himself as a significant member of the greater Wichita community and as an exemplary player on the ice.

During the season Wight partnered with The ARC, a non-profit group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and was a catalyst in a charity floor hockey game and jersey auction to help raise money for the group.

He also was a key member in the Thunder's partnership with Eagle Med, an air medical transport service, and their promotion to help pack the arena for the Thunder to cover the medical bills for the team's mascot (CLICK HERE to see video).

Wight spends much of his free time as a student teacher starting the year at Eisenhower High School and then spending the second half of the season as a student teacher at Explorer Elementary.

"I had the opportunity to work with coach Wight in the fall of 2012," said Steve Blue, Physical Education Department Chair and Head Basketball Coach at Eisenhower High School in Goddard, Kansas. "Without a doubt, Travis connected with our students immediately, showing the ideal balance of compassion and discipline. He is a natural leader and a positive influence, to which the students genuinely responded. Coach Wight made a lasting impact on our school community, more than he even knows."

On the ice, Wight is a steady member of the Thunder's blue line with 10 assists and a +12 in 62 games this season.

CHL Man of the Year (previous winners, since 2001)

2012-13 - Travis Wight (Wichita)

2011-12 - Riley Weselowski (Rapid City)

2010-11 - Simon Watson (Missouri)

2009-10 - Justin Quenneville (Corpus Christi)

2008-09 - Austin Sutter (Amarillo)

2007-08 - Stacey Bauman (Oklahoma City)

2006-07 - Riley Nelson (Colorado)

2005-06 - Paul Fioroni (Lubbock)

2004-05 - Paul Fioroni (Lubbock)

2003-04 - Don Parsons (Memphis)

2002-03 - Anthony Donskov (Lubbock)

2001-02 - Scott Hillman (Odessa)

2012-13 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:

CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - Vince Fedorowich, Arizona Sundogs

CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year - Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush

CHL All-Rookie Team - Aaron Dell (ALN), Greger Hanson (WIC), Mike Hellyer (QDC), Matt McCready (ARZ), Sy Nutkevitch (FTW) and Daniel Spivak (FTW)

All-CHL Team - Aaron Dell (ALN), A.J. Gale (DEN), Mickey Lang (QDC), Tyler Ludwig (ALN), Sebastien Thinel (MIZ) and Kevin Young (WIC)



Central Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2013


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