Sharks extend ECHL affiliation with Wichita Thunder Through 2025-26
WICHITA,KS – The San Jose Sharks have announced a continuation of their progress pipeline,re-signing their affiliation agreement with the ECHL’s wichita Thunder for the 2025-26 season. The partnership ensures a continued pathway for young players to progress towards the NHL.The Wichita Thunder, entering their 12th season in the ECHL and 34th season have a history dating back to 1993 in the now-defunct Central Hockey League. The franchise secured championships in 1994 and 1995,and reached the Finals in 2012 and 2013 before joining the ECHL in 2014-15. Last season, the Thunder finished second in the ECHL’s western Conference Mountain Division with a 41-24-6-1 regular season record.
“Wichita is a premier franchise in the ECHL with a proven track record of developing NHL prospects well,” said Sharks Assistant General Manager and San Jose Barracuda General Manager Joe will. “The staff, facilities and city are all first class.”
Joel T. Lomurno serves as the Thunder’s General Manager, earning ECHL Executive of the Year honors for the 2021-22 season. Bruce Ramsay is the team’s Head Coach,having been named ECHL Head Coach and GM of the Year following the 2020-21 season. The Thunder play their home games at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita, Kansas.
“I’m excited to be back with San Jose for another season,” said Ramsay. “Last year, I was able to work with some talented players that lived out their dreams as they continue to pursue a chance to play in the NHL. It was a pleasure to help develop guys like Gabriel Carriere and Braden Hache, who both signed second contracts with the organization. I’m proud of Gabe, who really improved his game and earned an NHL contract with the Sharks and equally as proud with Braden, who is back with the Barracuda.I’m happy with the progress of several other players who spent a meaningful amount of time hear. We look forward to growing our partnership and working together to ensure success at each level for all three teams.”
the Sharks organization also has ECHL ties beyond the affiliation. Current Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky previously coached in the league for two seasons with the South Carolina Stingrays (2016-18), and NHL Goaltending Coach Thomas Speer played three ECHL contests with the Idaho Steelheads and Las Vegas Wranglers in 2011-12, later serving as Goaltending Coach for the Allen Americans (2014-15 through 2016-17), a former Sharks affiliate.
Last season saw several players move between the Thunder and the San Jose Barracuda, including defensemen Jeremie Bucheler and Braden hache, forwards Mitchell Russell and Luke Grainger, and goaltenders Gabriel Carriere and Aaron Dell.
The Thunder were previously affiliated with the Edmonton Oilers (2017-2022) and the Ottawa Senators (2016-17).
