Thunderbolts Win The President's Cup!
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Birmingham Bulls | Pelham Civic Complex Click to watch live | ||
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Quad City Storm | Ford Center Click to watch live | ||
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Huntsville Havoc | Ford Center Click to watch live |
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Forward Evan Benwell
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Evan Benwell for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts will raise their President’s Cup Championship banner prior to their 2025-26 home opener at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.
Benwell joins the Thunderbolts following four seasons of Canadian college hockey at Wilfrid Laurier University between 2021-2025, where he scored 13 goals and 40 points in 91 regular season games. Prior to college, Benwell played junior hockey in the OJHL for two seasons, first with his hometown Toronto Patriots, before joining the Burlington Cougars early in the 2018-19 season, where he played almost a full season alongside Thunderbolts captain Matthew Hobbs. In two seasons of OJHL play, Benwell scored 32 goals and 74 points in 101 regular season games, including 17 goals and 35 points in 37 games playing with Hobbs at Burlington. In 2019-20, Benwell played in Western Canada, starting with brief stints with the SJHL’s Notre Dame Hounds and the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers, before playing the majority of the season with the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials, scoring 9 goals and 18 points in 28 games before the season ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Benwell finished his junior career in the Canadian Maritimes with the Fredericton Red Wings of the MJAHL in 2020-21, scoring 9 goals and 17 points in 16 regular season games and adding a goal and 8 points in 6 playoff games before enrolling at Wilfrid Laurier University.
“I’d describe myself as an offensive playmaker who has a knack around the net, I like to think I’m someone who tries to make their teammates better by setting them up for scoring chances,” commented Benwell when describing his playing style. Reuniting with Hobbs was a big factor in joining Evansville, as Benwell went on to say: “We had a great relationship and kept in touch over the years, he mentioned how much fun he’s had in Evansville and how kind and generous the people are. I found Evansville to be a very attractive program, especially after their championship run last year. Speaking with Coach Bes, I became really excited about the professional environment and the winning culture it fosters with this group. No matter where you go, everyone wants to win and it sounds like there’s a recipe in this organization that leads to success, and I’m incredibly excited to put my best foot forward and be a part of it!” In closing, Benwell expressed excitement of the highest order, saying: “ I’d say I’m at a 10 out of 10 level of excitement! It’s always a privilege to be able to do what you love, which for me is playing hockey. I couldn’t be more excited to get down to Evansville in October and get to work!”
On the addition of Benwell, Head Coach Jeff Bes commented: “Evan is an offensive forward that has produced at every level he has played at. He has a high hockey IQ and is very creative with the puck, which generates scoring opportunities for himself as well as his teammates.”
Season tickets 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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Forward Damon Zimmer
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Damon Zimmer for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts will raise their President’s Cup Championship banner prior to their 2025-26 home opener at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.
Zimmer served as team captain at Salve Regina University in the 2024-25 season, the final of his four seasons at Salve Regina which began in 2021-22. In 104 total regular season games, Zimmer scored 22 goals and 56 points along with a +29 rating. The native of Camrose, Alberta played parts of four seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League between 2016-2020, playing briefly with the Okotoks Oilers late in 2016-17 before joining the Spruce Grove Saints for 2017-18, with whom Zimmer won the Inter Pipeline Cup as AJHL champions. From 2018-2020, Zimmer played his two final AJHL seasons with his hometown Camrose Kodiaks. Zimmer finished with 26 goals and 73 points in 145 regular season AJHL games before playing one final season of junior hockey in the United States with the Minot Minotauros of the NAHL, scoring 13 goals and 23 points in 53 regular season games.
“I chose to sign with the Thunderbolts because of the winning culture portrayed by everyone in the organization,” said Zimmer on joining Evansville. Zimmer continued: “The things I have heard about the team are nothing but glowing, great people from top to bottom and true sense of family, and I look forward to becoming part of the family! It was also very important to me to play for an organization that has great fan support, and Evansville looks amazing in that aspect.” Speaking on how he approaches the game on the ice, Zimmer said: “As a player, I pride myself on being a 200-foot forward who takes care of both the defensive and offensive zones and doing whatever else is needed of me to help the team succeed.” Zimmer closed by saying: “I am excited to be fortunate enough to be a part of an amazing organization and play for an amazing fanbase. I can’t wait to get to Evansville in October!”
On the addition of Zimmer, Head Coach Jeff Bes commented: “Damon is a big power forward who does all the little details that you don’t see, that helps the team be successful. He is a leader, was captain of his college team, and knows what it takes to be a part of a successful team.”
Season tickets 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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Defenseman Max Thiessen
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of defenseman Max Thiessen 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.
Thiessen joins the Thunderbolts following four seasons of college hockey at Amherst College, where he scored 4 goals and 19 points, along with a +8 rating and a remarkably low 16 total penalty minutes in 91 regular season games between 2021-2025. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Thiessen spent many years in the Washington Little Caps youth program, and in the final three seasons with the Little Caps, Thiessen also played high school hockey at Gonzaga College High School, one of the top high school hockey programs in the Mid-Atlantic region. In three seasons at Gonzaga College High, Thiessen scored 14 goals and 29 points in 35 regular season games.
“I play a strong two-way game. I pride myself on being tough to play against on both sides of the puck. I have good vision of the ice, which allows me to both set up plays and shut down opposing chances, and I love to join the rush and sometimes even lead it,” replied Thiessen when asked about his playing style. On joining Evansville, Thiessen commented: “I’ve heard only positive things about the organization, and I am excited about the opportunity to play for a team with a record of success, with the winning culture that Coach Bes has built, and I look forward to contributing to that culture and being a part of the community. I’m excited to battle on the ice for the great fanbase, I’m looking forward to being a part of this team, and I’m going to give my all to help bring another championship to Evansville!”
On the signing of Thiessen, Head Coach Jeff Bes commented: “Max is a big, strong, smooth skating defenseman who defends well with long stick and angles, or his physicality. He has good vision on the ice and makes a good first pass which translates to clean breakouts and counterattacks. He has the ability to jump into the play and attack offensively, either as a second or third layer, or can lead the play.”
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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Forward Connor Tait
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Connor Tait for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts will raise their President’s Cup Championship banner prior to their 2025-26 home opener at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.
Tait joins the Thunderbolts following three seasons at Plymouth State University from 2022-2025, where he was a member of Plymouth State’s conference championship teams of 2023 and 2024. Tait, a native of Boyds, Maryland, was one of Plymouth State’s most prolific scoring forwards in his time with the team, scoring 42 goals and 83 points in 73 regular season games following a two game stint with the University of New England in 2021-22. Prior to college, Tait played four seasons of college prep hockey with the Jersey Hitmen and New Jersey Rockets of the NCDC, scoring 49 goals and 116 points in 155 games between 2017-2021.
“Speaking with Coach Bes, I knew that the energy surrounding this organization would make it an awesome place to play,” commented Tait when asked about his decision to sign with the Thunderbolts. Tait went on to say: “I have heard nothing but great things about the organization and the city of Evansville. The Thunderbolts being the reigning champs made the decision even easier for me, I take pride in success as a team, not just individually, and the Thunderbolts have developed a winning culture on and off the ice that I strive to be a part of.” When asked about his style of play, Tait replied: “I like to think of myself as a guy who can make plays anywhere on the ice. I hold myself to a high standard in all three zones and strive to play a full 200-foot game night in and night out.” Looking ahead to the quickly approaching season, Tait concluded by saying: “I am honored and extremely excited to be joining the Evansville Thunderbolts. This is an amazing opportunity, and I am looking forward to contributing to the team’s success both on and off the ice. I can’t wait to get started, work hard, and contribute however I can!”
On signing Tait, Head Coach Jeff Bes commented: “Connor is a big power forward who plays a strong 200-foot game. He has the ability to score goals and produce points while also being very aware of his defensive responsibilities. Connor is a mature player, has high hockey IQ, and the work ethic to compete every day. I predict Connor will become a fan favorite here in Evansville!”
Season tickets 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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Defenseman Colin Tracy
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of defenseman Colin Tracy for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts will raise their President’s Cup Championship banner prior to their 2025-26 home opener at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.
Tracy joins the Thunderbolts following five seasons of college hockey at Plymouth State University between 2020-2025, where he was a member of Plymouth State’s conference championship teams of 2023 and 2024. Tracy scored 5 goals and 35 points while recording a very strong +37 rating in 93 regular season games at Plymouth State and served as team captain in the 2023-24 season. Born in Manchester, New Hampshire, Tracy played the entirety of his hockey career from high school to college in his home state. At Bow High School from 2015-2017, Tracy scored 9 goals and 45 points in 33 games, before joining the Seacoast Spartans club in 2017-18, scoring 3 goals and 17 points in 49 games. Tracy played two final seasons of junior hockey with the New Hampshire Avalanche of the EHL, scoring 7 goals and 34 points in 66 games between 2018-2020, before enrolling at Plymouth State.
On signing with Evansville, Tracy commented: “I chose to sign with Evansville because I wanted to be a part of a winning team with a great culture and fanbase around them. I have heard that the team is really close, like a family, and the guys are serious competitors who expect the best from each other day in and day out.” Commenting on his style of play on the blue line, Tracy said: “I would describe myself as a hard-nosed two-way defenseman who likes to be play physical and move the puck.” In closing, Tracy looked ahead to 2025-26 by saying: “I am extremely excited to be coming to Evansville and joining the Thunderbolts. I hope to add whatever I can to the team both on the ice and off!”
On adding Tracy, Head Coach Jeff Bes commented: “I just enjoy the way Colin plays the game. He is a smart, hard working player who competes every single time he is on the ice. He is a high character player, a player that will do anything to contribute to our team’s success. He is a little bit of a throwback, he can play strong defense and contribute offensively as well.”
Season tickets 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
Meet
The
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Team roster
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Experiences
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Fan Experiences