The Adirondack Thunder continue to bolster their blueline as they’ve added defenceman Ryan Wheeler and are bringing back Matt Stief. Wheeler is a guy who plays on the left side but isn’t going to light up the scoresheet but is going to be a guy who is going to be a pass-first kind of guy. Wheeler put up his first goal and only goal of the season on April 5th as a Heartlander before being traded to the Cincinnati Cyclones, and he finished the year putting up one goal and ten assists in 66 games. Before beginning his career in the ECHL, the 6’0- 190lb defencemen spent four years at UConn, putting up four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 108 games. Wheeler has been known for being a guy who is very involved in the community which is one thing that Head Coach Pete MacArthur always preaches. “Ryan Wheeler is a left-handed defenseman who gives us good depth on the left side,” added MacArthur. “He skates well, competes hard, and is motivated to elevate his game as a second-year pro.”
Matt Stief returns to Adirondack as he was acquired by the team in a trade with the Idaho Steelheads. In 66 games with the Thunder, Stief put up four goals and 22 assists for 26 points. There’s a lot to like about Stief, as he’s a guy who will be a solid part of the Thunder’s top four next season. He’s not afraid to shoot the puck, as he lit the lamp four times last season and plays a solid two-way game. All four of his goals came on the road. In a season that saw a lot of movement and changes on the blueline, the one consistent was always Stief, and I expect that to be more of the same heading into next season. “Matt Stief developed into a top-four defenseman for us, seeing time on both special team’s units,” said Head Coach Pete MacArthur. “He is a skilled defender with both his skating and puck skills and will be counted on in that role once again this season.”
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