Thunderbolts Sign Forward Logan vande Meerakker for 2026-27 Season

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Logan vande Meerakker, who previously played for the Thunderbolts between 2024-2025, for the 2026-27 season. The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.

Vande Meerakker previously joined the Thunderbolts late in the 2023-24 season off waivers from the Fayetteville Marksmen, becoming a significant factor in Evansville’s first round playoff upset of the Birmingham Bulls, scoring 2 goals and 3 points in the three-game series. In 2024-25, Vande Meerakker tied for the Thunderbolts’ team regular season lead in goals (18) and tied for second in points (37), before leading the Thunderbolts in playoff scoring with 4 goals and 7 points in Evansville’s run to their first President’s Cup Championship. In 2025-26, the native of Dieppe, New Brunswick took his game overseas to England, playing with the Swindon Wildcats of the NIHL, where he dominated with 34 goals and 84 points in only 49 regular season games, leading the Wildcats in both categories, before adding 5 goals and 10 points in 7 playoff games. Since turning pro late in the 2023-24 season, Vande Meerakker has amassed 52 goals and 121 points in 110 regular season games between the SPHL and NIHL.

“I feel like I have a lot left to prove, and talking with Coach Bes, I knew there wouldn’t be a better opportunity to take my game to the next level,” commented Vande Meerakker on his return to Evansville. “Leaving (after 2024-25), a big piece of my heart stayed in Evansville. Everyone was so good to me the first time around and I wanted to come back to what feels like my hockey “home” and help in the pursuit for a third title. Being a part of the first one and being able to celebrate with all the guys and their families, I’ll never forget that feeling.” Looking back on 2025-26 with Swindon, Vande Meerakker commented: “I had a great experience, I’m very grateful for my time in Swindon. While I was there, I followed the boys back in Evansville, I hardly missed a game that I was able to watch, even with some very late nights with the time difference, I still had so many of my best friends on the team so I couldn’t help but cheer them on.” Looking ahead to his second stint in Evansville, Vande Meerakker looks to bring his new level of play to the Thunderbolts, remarking: “I was just a young rookie trying to figure it out when I first arrived. My offensive game has taken a big step forward in the last year, I believe I’m coming back with a much more polished game on both sides of the puck. I couldn’t be more excited to see all the familiar faces around the rink, walk into the locker room, and put that jersey on once again!”

On signing Vande Meerakker, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Logan is a player I have been in communication with and targeting since he went to Europe. We were happy for him to get the opportunity to play in Europe, but even more happy that he decided to come back to Evansville. He is now a more seasoned player, a great competitor that hates to lose, makes everyone around him accountable and is someone I know I can count on.”

Season tickets for the 2026-27 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 Evan Miller for 2026-27 Season

Evansville, In.:  The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of forward Evan Miller for the 2026-27 season.  The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17^th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.

Miller, one of the SPHL’s top rookies of 2025-26, returns to Evansville for his second professional season after playing four seasons of NCAA Division 1 hockey at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) between 2021-2025. Miller initially began 2025-26, his first professional season, in Germany’s 4^th-tier league with the Ratinger Ice Aliens before joining Evansville in December and quickly growing into one of the Thunderbolts’ top offensive producers.  Despite only playing in 42 regular season games with Evansville, Miller scored 13 goals and 30 points, his .71 points-per-game average ranking second amongst all Thunderbolts skaters and fifth amongst all SPHL rookies who played at least 10 games.  In the President’s Cup Playoffs, the Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario native led all Thunderbolts with 6 goals and tied for second on the team with 9 points, with 5 of the 6 goals and 8 of the 9 points coming in the final 7 games against Roanoke and Peoria. 

“My first year in Evansville was special,” reflected Miller when asked about his experience so far as a Thunderbolt. “We had a great group of guys, and the fans were amazing all year long.  With the different styles of hockey (from NCAA to Germany to the SPHL), it took a few games to adjust, but I was able to adjust quickly after that, and winning the championship was the cherry on top.  It’s fun to come to the rink every day surrounded by people who want the best for us on and off the ice.  The culture that has been built in that locker room is special; it’s not something that you take for granted.”  Looking ahead to building in his second professional season, Miller commented: “I want to continue where I left off last season, be more creative with the puck and be more aggressive in making plays at both ends of the ice.  My goal is to bring a third President’s Cup title to the City of Evansville; I couldn’t be more excited to get the season going!”

On re-signing Miller, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Bringing Evan back was a one of our top priorities for this season. He creates offense and has that natural ability to score goals that you just can’t teach, as we saw last season, especially in the playoffs. We will be counting on Evan to take on a bigger role this season and continue to generate offense to help our team win.”

Season tickets for the 2026-27 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 Jordan Simoneau

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of forward Jordan Simoneau for the 2026-27 season. The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.

Simoneau returns to the Thunderbolts for his third full professional season, the entirety spent with Evansville. The native of Tisdale, Saskatchewan took a significant step forward in 2025-26, scoring 14 goals and 20 points in 56 regular season games, his 14 goals ranking fourth amongst all Thunderbolts skaters. After finishing the regular season with four goals in the final four games, Simoneau continued his elevated play in the postseason, where he scored 4 goals and 6 points in 12 games, including the goal that forced overtime in Evansville’s dramatic game three comeback victory against Pensacola in the opening round. Since joining the Thunderbolts late in the 2023-24 season from Marian University, Simoneau has scored 20 goals and 34 points in 105 regular season games and is one of the nine members of both President’s Cup-winning Thunderbolts teams of 2025 and 2026.

“It was an easy decision to come back for another season,” commented Simoneau on continuing his career in Evansville. “Last season was special, coming back to Evansville after winning our first championship, the banner raising, and luckily enough being able to run it back and go on another championship run. The culture that Coach Bes has created in Evansville is top-tier, and we are treated so well by the Thunderbolts organization, we couldn’t win without that, or without the support of our fans at Ford Center or on the road; Game 5 in Peoria is a prime example of that, we couldn’t have won without the support they gave us.” Reflecting on his growing role as a veteran, Simoneau said: “I feel I can grow into a larger leadership role and share my knowledge and experience with the newer, younger players, especially in the playoffs. I feel like I’m playing some of the best hockey of my life and still have room to grow, so I’m excited to get back to work and be relied on further in the big moments of the game and be a top power forward in the league. I’m super excited to get the season going and see the fans again at Ford Center; Raising another banner will be a great way to cap off last season’s success, kickstart the new season, and have a chance at being the first team in SPHL history to win three (President’s Cup titles) in a row. The last two seasons have set the bar for success, anything below that isn’t acceptable.”

On re-signing Simoneau, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce Jordan coming back this season. His leadership and experience will be counted on as an integral part of our team’s continued success. He is a powerful presence both on and off the ice, a fan favorite, and an excellent presence in the Evansville community. I have had the pleasure of watching him grow and mature over the past 2 years and I know he has only scratched the surface, the sky is the limit for him, and I am excited to get going.”

Season tickets for the 2026-27 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 Announce Home Dates for 2026-27 Season

On Wednesday, the Thunderbolts announce their upcoming home schedule for the 2026-27 season. Times, opponents, and theme nights will be announced at a later date. Here are the dates:

Saturday October 17^th

Friday October 30th

Tuesday November 10^th

Friday November 13^th

Saturday November 21^st

Sunday November 22^nd 

Saturday December 5^th

Friday December 11^th 

Saturday December 12^th 

Friday December 18^th

Wednesday December 23^rd 

Thursday December 31^st

Friday January 1^st

Saturday January 2^nd

Friday January 22^nd

Saturday January 23^rd

Friday January 29^th  

Saturday January 30^th 

Friday February 5^th 

Saturday February 6^th

Thursday February 11^th 

Friday February 12^th 

Sunday February 21^st

Friday February 26^th

Sunday March 7^th

Friday March 19^th 

Saturday March 20^th

Friday March 26^th 

Saturday March 27^th 

Saturday April 3^rd

Thunderbolts Re-Sign Captain Matthew Hobbs for 2026-27 Season

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, who will take on an expanded role with the team in 2026-27.   

Hobbs, the longest-tenured captain in Thunderbolts team history, led the Thunderbolts to their second consecutive President’s Cup title in the 2025-26 season, his fourth full season with Evansville and second as team captain. Hobbs will take on added responsibility in the upcoming year, including assisting in practice, video breakdown, and more. Hobbs scored 8 goals and 23 points in 57 regular season games before a very strong showing in the playoffs, where he scored 1 goal and 9 points to go with a +10 rating to earn Playoff MVP honors. 4 of his 8 goals in 2025-26 were scored on the power play, tied for most on the Thunderbolts, his +13 rating also tied for the team lead.  Since the 2021-22 season, when he was acquired late in his first full professional season from the Birmingham Bulls, the Burlington, Ontario native has scored 36 goals and 90 points in 208 regular season games with Evansville, along with 2 goals and 17 points in 28 career playoff games.  Hobbs’ current total of 208 regular season games played ranks second most all-time in franchise history, and his 28 playoff games played are tied for the franchise record.   

“Going back to back was a surreal experience,” replied Hobbs when asked to reflect on the Thunderbolts’ second consecutive President’s Cup victory. “It was an amazing group of guys to do it with. Winning the second (President’s Cup Title) was extra special just to prove that the first (in 2025) was no fluke, and that we have built a winning culture in Evansville.”  Looking ahead to 2026-27, Hobbs continued: “My goals for the upcoming season are to continue getting better every day with the guys in the room and work to give our fans the best product on the ice that they’ve seen yet by continuing to play tough Evansville Thunderbolt hockey.  I’m so pumped for next season, and the opportunity to fight for the opportunity to lift that Cup again, it’s an amazing feeling that I want to experience again.  Our eyes are back on building this squad back up to get number three.”  

On the return of Hobbs, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Matt has continued to grow and mature as a captain and leader on this team over the past three seasons.  His ability to come to work and work hard every day makes everyone else accountable as well, which leads to our team’s success.”  Coach Bes continued by highlighting the heightened role for Hobbs in the upcoming season: "It is evident that taking the next step by assisting in coaching and learning the daily responsibilities will benefit our team this season.  I look forward to working with Matt and mentoring him this season as we look to sustain a winning culture in Evansville.” 

Season tickets for the 2026-27 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