The Wichita Thunder have announced that they have re-signed 5’10” defenseman T.J. Lloyd for the 2025-26 season.
T.J. Lloyd Junior and Collegiate Career
T.J. Lloyd started his junior career in the 2015-16 season with the Spruce Grove Saints in the AJHL. Lloyd spent four seasons in the AJHL. He had 18 goals and 69 assists for 87 points in 163 games. In 41 playoff games, he had five goals and 17 assists for 22 points, helping the Saints win the AJHL championship. He was named to the AJHL North All-Star Team in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, also being named the AJHL Most Outstanding Defenseman and the CJHL Top defenseman in the 2018-19 season. Lloyd served as one of the Saints’ alternate captains in the 2017-18 season and captained the team in the 2018-19 season.
Lloyd then began his collegiate career, spending three seasons at Bowling Green State University. After three seasons with the Falcons, Lloyd entered the transfer portal. He found himself a spot with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks for his final two collegiate seasons, serving as a Nanooks alternate captain in his final season. In 172 collegiate games, Lloyd had ten goals and 63 assists for 73 points. In the 2023-24 season, Lloyd served as an alternate captain for the Nanooks and was named a Hobey Baker nominee.
Professional Career
After completing his collegiate career, Lloyd began his professional career, signing with the ECHL’s Savannah Ghost Pirates, playing in four games. Lloyd then signed with the Wichita Thunder for the 2024-25 season. He had nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 66 games played.
Lloyd is not the biggest player, but he still has a large impact on the ice. Lloyd can use his speed for both defense and offense. He can get up the ice to help break up odd-man rushes, but is also able to flip to offense and get up the ice to give his team an odd-man rush or even to find the back of the net.
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