Wichita Jr. Thunder Explained

The Wichita Jr. Thunder were an Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned junior ice hockey team based in Wichita, Kansas, and played home games at the Wichita Ice Center. The team was a member of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). The league and team were dormant for the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Jr. Thunder were not included as a member of the league when it restarted in 2021.[1]

In addition to games played during the regular season, the Jr. Thunder played an exhibition game against the Wichita Thunder alumni at the Intrust Bank Arena. Former Thunder player Rob Weingartner was the team's head coach from 2012 to 2019.[2]

Season-by-season records

Season GP W L Pts GF GA PIM Regular Season Finish Playoffs
2012–13 46 8 36 2 1 18 131 359 1,302 5th of 5, Midwest[3] Did not qualify
2013–14 46 4 41 0 1 9 99 371 1,066 6th of 6, Midwest[4] Did not qualify
2014–15 46 17 26 3 0 37 131 359 896 5th of 6, Midwest[5] Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Dallas Snipers
2015–16 52 30 21 1 61 230 206 915 3rd of 6, Midwest
13th of 29, WSHL
Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Dallas Snipers
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Springfield Express
2016–17 52 35 13 4 74 293 175 1,008 3rd of 6, Midwest
8th of 27, WSHL
Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Dallas Snipers
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Oklahoma City Blazers
Won Div. Finals, 2–0 vs. El Paso Rhinos


Won Thorne Cup Semifinal game, 4–2 vs. Ogden Mustangs
Won Thorne Cup Championship game, 4–3 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads
2017–18 51 3 48 0 6 70 546 1,246 5th of 5, Midwest
23rd of 23, WSHL
Did not qualify
2018–19 51 13 35 1 2 43 144 335 1,001 5th of 5, Midwest
18th of 23, WSHL
Lost Play-in series, 0–2 vs. Dallas Snipers
2019–20 51 6 40 3 2 26 113 397 1,103 6th of 6, Midwest
18th of 20, WSHL
Did not qualify

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WSHL August Update . WSHL . August 9, 2021.
  2. Web site: JR. THUNDER HIRE NEW HEAD COACH . WSHL . July 9, 2019.
  3. Web site: WSHL 2012/2013 Standings. Pointstreak.
  4. Web site: WSHL 2013/2014 Standings. Pointstreak.
  5. Web site: WSHL 2014/2015 Standings. Western States Hockey League. Pointstreak.