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Thunder

Wichita's hockey team

Kollen Long

Kollen Long has covered the Wichita Thunder since 2001. The journalism instructor at Bishop Carroll High School, Long is a former sportswriter at the St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press.

Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 36 - 55 of 252 (Page 3 of 13)

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Hey there Kollen , your article about Saturdays Thunder game against the Rage really nailed it . The slew foot major was a garbage call to an otherwise fair fight and as Weingartner said the major to the Rage in last two minutes was an obvious attempt by the ref to make up for it to little to late . The boys played fantastic and deserved better but it was a great game and effort by the Thunder .

Answered 12/17/07 03:22:59 by Kollen Long

A: I would like to see the fight on video, so I could get a better look at it. I agree -- two entertaining games on Friday and Saturday.

Submitted by go4cats from No location specified

Q: K-Dog, Covering the Thunder since 01! WOW time flies. Merry Christmas to you and your family. TJ

Answered 12/12/07 21:57:34 by Kollen Long

A: Yes, only Travis Clayton, Jason Duda and myself (well, Joel Lomurno, too) have survived since 2001. Merry Christmas to you as well.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Less then Five ! Improvement already Kollen !

Answered 12/12/07 17:01:02 by Kollen Long

A: Ever the optimist.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Well Kollen I look for things to get VERY PHYSICAL under Weingartners rein .Unfortunatly I don't believe he's the long term solution to Thunders coaching problems .But it oughta get entertaining in next couple of games huh ? If boys would just follow the directions I shout from the rafters each game we would'nt be in this mess !

Answered 12/11/07 01:47:50 by Kollen Long

A: I know Rob wants the team to increase its level of intensity. It will be interesting to see to what extent that happens.

Submitted by sharon from wichita kansas

Q: do u know where scott rozendal went and andrew martin

Answered 12/10/07 03:42:36 by Kollen Long

A: Martin is 4-4-1 with New Mexico of the CHL. I am not sure on Rozendal. I think he was planning to play overseas.

Submitted by Anonymous from wichita ks

Q: what happen to steve dix

Answered 12/09/07 20:42:00 by Kollen Long

A: The Thunder didn't re-sign him after last season. According to hockeydb.com, he isn't playing anywhere this season.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Well Kollen if anything at least this year the Thunders play is consistent . None of that erratic win one week lose the next play of last year . Thunders fans know what to expect and the guys in Vegas wont give good odds on any score involving the number 5 !!!!!!!!

Answered 12/09/07 14:44:01 by Kollen Long

A: Consistently unsuccessful on the road, that's for sure.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Hey Kollen don't forget to check the Thunders future prospects The Squirts Hockey at Ice Sports Center this weekend .Games start Saturday Dec 8th @ 3:30 P.M. & 6 P.M. At this point they're are only hope !

Answered 12/09/07 14:42:34 by Kollen Long

A: I saw the varsity Warriors beat Jeff City last weekend. Pretty entertaining.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: If it were'nt for courage of fearless crew the minnow would be lost . Not sure if the problem is the skipper or the crew yet but Thunder better figure a way off this desert island of losing fast . And hobbies I have plenty there K-man .Am avid reader , amature photographer , dog rescuer ,tropical fish breeder ,gardner , collect old Rock vinyl and love hockey , baseball & muscle cars too . With all that I manage to still have time to feed you material to keep your column going . Go figure huh !!!!

Answered 12/07/07 12:08:56 by Kollen Long

A: Gotta admit, those sound like interesting hobbies. A challenging road trip for the Thunder, to say the least.

Submitted by Angie from Wichita, Ks

Q: When are the Thunder gonna realize that their goalies aren't there to carry them through the season, again? From where I sit there doesn't seem to be the teamwork that we had last year. I am starting to wonder if it is Duda's absence effecting the team. I agree that finding a new coach is NOT the solution. He gives the guys guidance and what they do with it is their choice. What can you do when half the team is only there for themselves and their own glory? This is not a "team" anymore. They need to do something, but getting rid of French isn't the answer. Getting rid of the players who wouldn't know teamwork if it hit them in the head is what needs to be done. I miss the days when Duda was new, we had Brian Wells. Those were good times. We actually won games then.

Answered 12/05/07 03:27:02 by Kollen Long

A: I think you have every right to be frustrated with the performance of this team. I haven't heard any talk of locker room problems, which was a problem last year. Obviously, the glaring weakness of the current team is lack of offense.

Submitted by Mr. Pink from Wichita, Kansas

Q: Mr. Long, the Thunder are mediocre at home and it looks as if they might not win at all on the road. Could this be the worst Thunder team ever? Oh, and what do you want in your Christmas stocking this year?

Answered 12/05/07 03:25:29 by Kollen Long

A: I have blocked out the Jim Latos era, but I think those teams were worse. For Christmas...the return of Sherry Stringfield to TV, a Patriots' loss, a hobby for Center Ice Steve and a date for you (IM chats don't count). Oh yea, and world peace.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Indoor Football ? WHAT ? Oh you mean Arena Football ? Geeeez Kollen who does your editing ?LOL !

Answered 12/04/07 11:07:29 by Kollen Long

A: Ice, the guy who invented arena football has a patent on the rules, so leagues outside of the Arena Football League call it indoor football. The Wild will play in the United Indoor Football League. So you see there is a distinction. As always, though, I appreciate your editing remarks and suggestions.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Hey Kollen great article about Saturdays 3-1 victory over OKC except for one thing . No self respecting hockey reporter refers to the boards as "the wall " . Ya got the rest right though Bruces hit into THE BOARDS was definatly the defining moment of the game .Cudoo's to Thunder fans for the Thunder seemed to be feeding off the crowds energy to .And how about the alert fans in 121 bringing OKC's to many men infraction to the ref attention ? LOL , total effort by the entire THUNDER NATION , players , fans and even T-dog working in three part harmony . Wall , geeeeeeeeeez !

Answered 12/02/07 13:35:34 by Kollen Long

A: Yes, boards would have been a better choice. Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I was still in indoor football mode. And you are right, give the Thunder crowd much credit. The enthusiasm is impressive. I am planning on touching that in my Wednesday notes column.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Well Kollen its not the goal tending , and its not the defense , the boys are tough enough to . Whats it gonna take to get some offense and get the biscuit in the twine ? And don't tell me Duda's comming back because although he's good it ain't like its gonna be the second comming if you get my drift . Don't take no for an answer . Knock down some doors if you have to . You can even resort to water boarding , shrub says its alright . Whatever it takes we want answers !

Answered 11/30/07 15:23:13 by Kollen Long

A: The Thunder is averaging 1.85 goals a game. It is what it is, Ice. I don't know what you want me to find out. Looking on the bright side, perhaps Duda's return will get Clayton going.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Hey Kollen can I interest you in adopting an American Eskimo puppy ?

Answered 11/28/07 12:44:26 by Kollen Long

A: Tempting, but no. Puppies are a pain to train. I wouldn't mind swatting Mr. Pink's nose with a rolled-up newspaper, but I hate to do it to a little dog.

Submitted by Brian from Wichita KS

Q: You are GM for a day. How many more games do you let French punish the hockey fans in Wichita before you fire him.

Answered 11/24/07 18:50:20 by Kollen Long

A: If I was GM, I would lower ticket prices and install an escalator that takes out-of-shape reporters to the press box. The rest I leave to Chris Presson. He makes the big bucks. See below for my thoughts on French's future.

Submitted by Thunder fan from wichita

Q: Kollen, How much longer before the Thunder management starts looking for a new coach? Its about time or should we just keep losing and hope it gets better ! There is something terribly wrong on why this team has'nt shape up. Its not Sebass getting in trouble either.

Answered 11/24/07 18:48:50 by Kollen Long

A: I'm generally uncomfortable talking about a person's livelihood, especially when it involves a good guy and a hard worker like Mark French. He's had to deal with some unpredictable events -- Duda getting hurt after just one game, Laplante's suspension (and Laplante wasn't playing well even before that, which no one saw coming). Many players on the team are underachieving, based on what was expected of them. Is that the players' fault or French's fault? A combination of both, as always. Still, the franchise is looking at a lost season if things don't turn around. It would make for a miserable remainder of the season if the Thunder is out of it by Christmas. As GM Chris Presson told me Friday, it's a results-based business. Obviously, the results this season aren't acceptable to anyone in the organization, including French. The boo birds were out in full force after Friday's loss, and that's never a good sign. Bottom line, I think it's fairly obvious that French's job security is an issue unless things improve. I have no feel for the time table, though. I would think French would get a chance to solve the Laplante issue, which I think is a huge distraction, and get Duda back before any change would be made. I could be wrong. If you're a fan, though, I would be cheering for French and the team to show some marked improvement, not rooting for his dismissal. But that's just how I view things.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Oh the AGONY OF DA FEET !!!!!Any idea beyond the obvious of what its gonna take to stop the bleeding oh wise one of the pond ?

Answered 11/23/07 05:14:25 by Kollen Long

A: No answers here.

Submitted by BC 03 from Wichita

Q: A team without a captain is not a team at all! Whats the status on Mr Duda's return to the ice?

Answered 11/19/07 22:24:40 by Kollen Long

A: What timing -- I just got off the phone with Duda. He resumes light skating tomorrow. Off topic, your BC Eagles are enjoying quite a post-season ride.

Submitted by Jason from Wichita, KS

Q: Do you think there's any chance Sebas might be moved? This team needs a shakeup and I think trying to get Sterling (Mississippi)would help improve the Thunder. JMO of course, but, something needs to happen.

Answered 11/19/07 22:04:55 by Kollen Long

A: Jason: Even if the Thunder wanted to trade Laplante, and I don't think that's the case, I highly doubt another team would be interested in a player in legal trouble.

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