The Wichita Thunder have announced that they hired Travis Clayton as the team’s new assistant coach. Clayton replaces John Gurskis, who spent the last five seasons as the assistant coach in Wichita before getting a head coaching job this summer in the SPHL with the Knoxville Icebears. Clayton does have some prior experience at the AJHL level, as he spent the 2017-18 and the beginning of the 2018-19 season as the Head Coach/GM of the Lloydminster Bobcats before being relieved of his duties on November 10, 2019. His last coaching appearance came during the 2021-22 season in the AJHL as the head coach of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
“I want to thank Joel and Bruce for giving me this opportunity,” stated Clayton. “I’m super excited to come back to Wichita and help bring back a championship. It’s always been a special place for me and my family. I can’t wait to get things started.”
Clayton on joing the Wichita Thunder Coaching Staff (Wichita Thunder Press Release)
During his playing days, Clayton spent 14 seasons in the CHL, which included his first 11 seasons as a member of the Thunder, where he put up 327 goals along with 508 assists for 835 points in 696 games. He still holds the franchise record for PP goals (110), shorthanded goals (26), game-winning goals (50) and plus/minus (+108). His number 38 was retired by the Thunder. The Paradise Hills, Sasakatawon native spent his final three seasons in the CHL with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, where he put up 55 goals and 93 assists for 148 points in 184 games.
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