The Wichita Thunder announced yesterday that they have extended their affiliation agreement with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and AHL’s San Jose Barracuda for the 2024-25 season. This will be the third straight season that the Thunder have been affiliated with the Sharks. San Jose is the third different NHL team that the Thunder have been partnered with since joining the league in the 2014-15 season. It’s been a rough couple of years for Wichita as they have missed the Kelly Cup Playoffs the last three seasons and finished at the bottom of the Mountain Division in two of the last three seasons.
“We’re happy to continue our partnership with San Jose,” stated General Manager Joel Lomunro. “It was exciting to see some of the players wear both the Sharks and the Thunder jersey last season. With San Jose’s help and support, we’re looking forward to putting a solid team on the ice this season while helping develop more players for the NHL.”
Via Wichita Thunder Press Release
During the 2023-24 season, the Thunder had ten players who were on NHL/AHL deals make an appearance with the Wichita Thunder, including goaltenders Magnus Chrona and Georgi Romanov, who both made their NHL debuts, as Chrona picked up his first win on April 9th vs Ottawa Senators where he made 31 of 32 saves in a 2-1 win for San Jose. Romanov would make two appearances, both on the road for the Sharks during the regular season, and wouldn’t take a decision in either appearance.
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