Thunderbolts Re-Sign Defenseman Joey Berkopec

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of defenseman Joey Berkopec for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts begin the 2025-26 season and raise their President’s Cup Championship banner at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.

Berkopec joined the Thunderbolts as a free agent prior to the 2024-25 season after beginning his professional career with the Macon Mayhem in 2023-24. In the 2024-25 regular season, Berkopec scored 2 goals and 13 points while registering a +2 rating in 54 games, and played in all in seven playoff games, providing strong defensive coverage in Evansville’s run to the President’s Cup with a +4 rating. Berkopec’s 54 games played were the most amongst all Thunderbolts defensemen and tied for most amongst all Evansville skaters alongside forwards Logan vande Meerakker and Matt Dorsey. In two total SPHL seasons between Macon and Evansville, the Oakville, Ontario native has scored 4 goals and 18 points in 96 regular season games.

“Winning a championship with this group was special, and it’s something I’ll never forget. The support from the fans, the atmosphere in the (Ford Center), it was electric all season long,” commented Berkopec when discussing his first year with the Thunderbolts. In preparation for his second season with Evansville, Berkopec continued: “My job is not done in Evansville, I’m focused on continuing to grow my game and taking the next step as a player. I can’t wait to get back to work with the guys, I want to continue to build on what we accomplished last season and help bring another championship to Evansville.”

“We are excited to bring Joey back this season,” commented Coach Bes, who further highlighted Berkopec’s play in 2024-25 by saying: “He is such a good skater and defender, who had a solid regular season, but was exceptional in the playoffs. He found another gear in his game, his confidence grew, and he was dominant against other teams’ top players. We’re looking forward to Berks continuing his success this season.”

Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Thunderbolts Re-Sign Forward Scott Kirton

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of forward Scott Kirton, who will take on an expanded role with the team in 2025-26. The Thunderbolts begin the 2025-26 season and raise their President’s Cup Championship banner at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.

The 2025-26 season will be Kirton’s fifth season with Evansville, and he will take on added responsibility in the upcoming year, including assisting in practice, video breakdown, and more. The native of Scarborough, Ontario, who has played his entire SPHL career with the Thunderbolts, is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals (66), points (145), power play goals (16), and game-winning goals (9), while also ranking 2nd all-time in regular season games played (159), assists (79), and shorthanded goals (4). In 2024-25, Kirton recorded 14 goals and 40 points in 47 regular season games, before adding a goal and 4 points in Evansville’s playoff run to the President’s Cup. Kirton also suited up in 5 games with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones, bringing his ECHL career total to 35 games with Cincinnati, Norfolk, Newfoundland, and Maine, scoring 1 goal and 4 points. Prior to turning pro with Evansville in 2021-22, Kirton played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Toronto from 2017-2021, preceded by three seasons of junior hockey with the OJHL’s Whitby Fury from 2014-2017.

Reflecting on his four previous seasons with Evansville culminating in the President’s Cup championship, Kirton commented: “I have seen my fair share of highs and lows, winning the Cup being the highest high. To win the President’s Cup on home ice was so special, as one of the more veteran players I felt so proud of getting the job done here in Evansville.” Looking forward to helping the Thunderbolts defend their title, Kirton continued: “Our goal hasn’t changed a bit, it is to win back-to-back President’s Cups. The only thing that has changed is that now we have a bigger target on our backs, everyone will want to beat us even more. I am hoping to increase offensive production both personally, as well as from a team standpoint, particularly with getting our power play rolling at a higher percentage.” In closing, Kirton finished by saying: “I am excited to get back to Evansville and get the season going. Summer is always great, and being back home in Toronto with my friends and family has been nice, but I’m looking forward to training camp and another big season for our team!”

“Having Scott Kirton return for his fifth season with the Thunderbolts is such a positive for our team and for the community” commented Head Coach Jeff Bes. On Kirton’s role in the upcoming season, Coach Bes continued: “With his experience and knowledge, the natural progression is for him to take on more responsibility within our team. As a player, we continue to expect Scottie to be one of the top players in the league, and with this expanded role, I am excited to have Scottie assist me on the coaching aspect this season as well.”

Season and single-game tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Hockey Fights Cancer: Jersey Reveal - Add Your Name for $10!

Join us on February 21 as the Evansville Thunderbolts take the ice for a cause close to all of our hearts — Hockey Fights Cancer Night. For this special game, our players will wear custom jerseys featuring the names of those who have been affected by cancer — whether survivors, fighters, or loved ones we’ve lost.

For just $10, you can submit a name to be printed directly onto a player's jersey, creating a powerful display of remembrance, honor, and hope. These jerseys will be worn during the game and serve as a tribute to the strength and resilience of our community.

📍 Deadline to submit names: November 30 at 11:59 pm
🟣 Submit a name for $10
🟣 Replica jerseys available for purchase at checkout

Let’s fill the ice with stories of courage, love, and unity. Together, we can make a statement that goes far beyond the game.

👉 bit.ly/HFCJersey

Thunderbolts Re-Sign Captain Matthew Hobbs

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of captain Matthew Hobbs for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts begin the 2025-26 season and raise their President’s Cup Championship banner at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th.

Hobbs captained the Thunderbolts to their first President’s Cup title in 2024-25, his third full season with Evansville and first as team captain. In the 2024-25 regular season, Hobbs scored 12 goals and 24 points in 49 games, adding three assists in seven playoff games. 4 of his 12 goals were game-winning goals, which were the most amongst the Thunderbolts and tied for 6th-best around the SPHL. Since the 2021-22 season, when he was acquired late in his first professional season from the Birmingham Bulls, the Burlington, Ontario native has scored 28 goals and 66 points in 151 regular season games with Evansville, along with 1 goal and 8 points in 16 career playoff games.

“The experience of this past playoff run to the Cup is hard to put into words,” replied Hobbs when asked to reflect on this past season’s playoff success. “We had such a great group of guys on and off the ice, we battled together all year through the ups and downs, that’s what made us so tough to play against in the playoffs. In my fourth trip to the playoffs with Evansville, I’m glad we were able to finally bring the Cup to our amazing fan base, hoisting the Cup in the Fordo (Ford Center) was an amazing feeling.” Turning the page to 2025-26, Hobbs continued: “My goals for the upcoming season will be to continue the hard-nosed, tough style we play that has made us successful, help the new guys be the best players and best people they can be, and of course, lift the Cup again at the end of the season. I can’t wait to be back on the ice at Ford Center with the best fans in the league, I’m already counting down the days.”

“I am thrilled that Matt is returning for another season,” replied Head Coach Jeff Bes when asked to comment on the signing of Hobbs. “He is the leader of our team both on and off the ice. Matt’s work ethic is top level and contagious, which makes everyone around him and the team better. We are aligned in our goal of bringing another championship season to the loyal fans in Evansville, and just like last season, it’s a great start to our team with signing Hobbs”.

Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

2025-26 Theme Nights

The Thunderbolts announce the official theme nights for the upcoming 2025-26 season! All games are played at the Ford Center. Opponents & Times are TBA.

To purchase season tickets or bring a group of 10+ to any of these nights, please give us a call at 812-422-BOLT or visit our website at evansvillethunderbolts.com!

Sat. Oct 25 - Champions Night (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Tues. Oct 28 - Education Day
Fri. Oct 31 - Halloween
Sat. Nov 1 - Disco Night
Fri. Nov 7 - Military Appreciation Night (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Fri. Nov 14 - Free Kids Friday/Mascot Night
Fri. Nov 21 - First Responders Night
Sat. Nov 22 - Toy Story Night (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Fri. Dec 5 - Teddy Bear Toss
Sat. Dec 6 - A Mickey Mouse Christmas (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Sat. Dec 20 - Hockey Holidays
Wed. Dec 31 - New Year's Eve (Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Fri. Jan 2 - Rebrand Weekend
Sat. Jan 3 - Rebrand Weekend (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Wed. Jan 14 - White Out Wednesday
Fri. Jan 23 - Faith Night
Sat. Jan 24 - Star Wars Night (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Wed. Feb 4 - White Out Wednesday
Fri. Feb 13 - Jurassic Night
Sat. Feb 21 - Hockey Fights Cancer (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Sun. Feb 22 - Sunday Funday
Fri. Feb 27 - $3 Tallboys
Sun. Mar 8 - Princess & Pirates
Fri. Mar 13 - Lilo & Stitch (Specialty Jersey Auction Post-Game)
Sun. Mar 15 - Sunday Funday
Sat. Mar 21 - Pucks & Paws
Fri. Mar 27 - Superhero Night
Fri. Apr 3 - Country Night
Sat. Apr 4 - Fan Appreciation Night (Jersey Auction Post-Game)