ECHL: Wichita Thunder Re-Signs Pair of Forwards

The Wichita Thunder have announced that they have re-signed forwards Spencer Blackwell and Jake Wahlin for the 2025-26 season.

Spencer Blackwell’s Career

Spencer Blackwell started his junior career in the OJHL, where he played in eight games and had 26 penalty minutes with the Aurora Tigers. He then joined the Thorold Blackhawks in the GOJHL before going to the QMJHL for a season where he played for the Québec Remparts. Blackwell then finished his junior career in the MJAHL where he spent two seasons, splitting his time between the Truro Bearcats and Miramichi Timberwolves. In 73 MJAHL games played, Blackwell registered 44 goals and 54 assists for 98 points with 182 penalty minutes.

Blackwell then went on to play USports at Lakehead University, where he spent four seasons. In 93 games at Lakehead, Blackwell registered 30 goals and 52 assists for 82 points with 119 penalty minutes. In the 2022-23 season, Blackwell was named to the USports OUA West First All-Star Team.

After completing his time in USports, Blackwell signed with the Wichita Thunder to finish his 2024-25 season. He played in nine games with the Thunder where he had one assist with seven penalty minutes and a -1.

Spencer Blackwell brings a lot of speed as well as power allowing him to get to the front of the net. As Blackwell continues to get experience and find his game, his offense and scoring power should continue to develop which will create a lot more scoring chances and offensive success for him, and his team.

Jake Wahlin’s Career

Jake Wahlin spent his junior career playing in the USHL where he spent time with the Des Moines Buccaneers and Tri-City Storm. In 127 USHL games, Wahlin had 32 goals and 59 assists for 91 points. He had four goals and six assists for ten points in 18 USHL playoff games.

Wahlin then went on to play Division I hockey at St. Cloud State University, spending four seasons with the Huskies. Wahlin played 127 games in a Huskies jersey where he registered 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points.

After completing his collegiate career, Wahlin started his professional career in the 2020-21 season. He split his season between the Rapid City Rush in the ECHL and the Pensacola Ice Flyers in the SPHL. In 37 games with the Ice Flyers, Wahlin had 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points.

After two seasons with the Rush, Wahlin was traded to the Wichita Thunder, where he has played since. In 283 ECHL games thus far, Wahlin has 47 goals and 74 assists for 121 points. In the 2024-25 season, Wahlin played in 66 games with the Thunder where he had nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points.

Jake Wahlin brings a lot of speed to the Thunder and has a very good net front presence. Wahlin’s smaller size and speed allows him to get up and down the ice and around other players, creating more offense for the Thunder and can also create many scoring chances.