The Wichita Thunder have announced that they have re-signed forwards Peter Bates, Jay Dickman, and Michal Stinil.
Peter Bates’ Junior and Collegiate Career
The 6’1″ forward from Evanston, Illinois, started his junior career in the NAHL, where he spent three seasons. During that time, Bates played with the Johnstown Tomahawks, Michigan Warriors, Lone Star Brahmas, and Janesville Jets. Bates played in 159 NAHL games, where he had 44 goals and 53 assists for 97 points with 36 penalty minutes.
Bates then went on to start his collegiate career playing Division III hockey at St. Norbert College, wearing an “A” for the team in one of the seasons. He spent five seasons at St. Norbert, playing in 123 games during which he scored 65 goals and recorded 92 assists for a total of 157 points.
While at St. Norbert, Bates was named to the DIII NCHA All-Freshman Team in the 2017-18 season, the DIII All-USCHO Second Team and DIII NCHA All-Conference Team in the 2019-20 season. He was also named the DIII NCHA Player of the Year and was named to the DIII AHCA West All-American First Team. In the 2021-22 season, Bates was named to the DIII AHCA West All-American First Team, DIII All-USCHO First Team, NCHA All-Conference Team, DIII NCHA All-Tournament Team, and was named the NCHA Player of the Year. He also led DIII hockey in goals and points and was named the DIII Player of the Year, winning the Sid Watson Award. Bates and St. Norbert were the DIII NCHA Champions in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons and were the DIII Champions in the 2017-18 season.
Bates’ Professional Career
After completing his collegiate career, Bates signed in the ECHL with the Atlanta Gladiators to finish his 2021-22 season. After finishing the season with the Gladiators, Bates spent two seasons with the Thunder. During the 2023-24 season, Bates decided to go overseas and play in Slovakia with HK Poprad. He played in five games with HK Poprad, where he had one goal and one assist with a +2. Bates then returned to the Thunder for the 2024-25 season, where he was an alternate captain for the Thunder. Bates has played in 298 ECHL games, where he has 76 goals and 97 assists for 173 points.
With the Thunder, Bates has played 187 games, where he has registered 73 goals and 95 assists for 168 points. Last season, Bates played in all 72 games, putting up 28 goals and 50 assists for 78 points.
Bates was named the Wichita Thunder Most Improved Player in the 2022-23 season. He went to the ECHL All-Star game in the 2023-24 season and was named to the ECHL First All-Star Team in the 2024-25 season. He was also the recipient of the 2024-25 ECHL Sportsmanship Award.
Jay Dickman’s Junior and Collegiate Career
Jay Dickman began his junior career in the USHL with the Fargo Force, playing in 12 games and registering five assists. Dickman then spent two seasons in the NAHL with the Austin Bruins. In 114 games with the Bruins, Dickman registered 51 goals and 68 assists for 119 points. He was named to the NAHL All-Rookie First Team in the 2012-13 season.
After completing his junior career, the St. Paul, Minnesota native played collegiately at Bemidji State University, where he spent five seasons. In 132 games with the Beavers, Dickman had 30 goals and 25 assists for 55 points. Dickman and the Beavers were the WCHA Regular Season Champions in the 2016-17 season.
Dickman’s Professional Career
Once his collegiate career finished, Dickman signed in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades to finish his 2018-19 season. Since starting in the ECHL, Dickman has played for the Indy Fuel and Wichita Thunder as well. In the 2022-23 season, Dickman started the season with HC Nove Zamky in Slovakia. He played in two games before returning to the Thunder for the remainder of the season.
In 364 ECHL games, Dickman has 127 goals and 187 assists for 314 points. Dickman has spent the majority of his career with Wichita, putting up 125 goals and 185 assists for 310 points. Last season, Dickman put up 30 goals and 43 assists for 73 points while playing in all 72 games.
Michal Stinil’s Junior and Collegiate Career
Michal Stinil started his junior career in the 2016-17 season when he made the move from Czechia to the US, playing for the Springfield Jr. Pics in the USPHL Premier. In 37 games, Stinil had 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points with 30 penalty minutes. After one season in USPHL Premier, Stinil then went to the NCDC, where he played for the South Shore Kings. Stinil suited up for 43 games with the Kings, where he had 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points.
Before starting his collegiate career, Stinil spent two seasons in the NAHL with the Lone Star Brahmas. Playing in a total of 74 games with the Brahmas, Stinil registered 34 goals and 30 assists for 64 points.
After completing his junior career, Stinil went to play Division I hockey at American International College (AIC), where he spent two seasons. While at AIC, he played in 18 games, where he had two goals and five assists for seven points. In the 2020-21 season, Stinil and AIC were named the AHA Regular Season Champions and then won the AHA Championship.
Stinil’s Professional Career
After two seasons of collegiate hockey, Stinil signed with the Wichita Thunder, where he has spent the last four seasons. Through four seasons, Stinil has played in 247 games, where he has 101 goals and 152 assists for 253 points. In the 2024-25 season, Stinil played in 63 games, where he had 25 goals and 52 assists for 77 points.
The last two seasons, Stinil has spent some time in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls. He’s played in five games, but he has yet to register any points.
All three of these players have been incredible for the Thunder in previous seasons and will look to continue making a huge impact on the Team for the 2025-26 season.
The 2025-26 season will be Bates’ fifth professional season and fourth with the Thunder, Dickman’s eighth professional season and seventh season with the Thunder, and Stinil’s fifth professional season and fifth season with the Thunder.
ITR 48: Testing…Testing… – Inside The Rink
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