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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 1 - 15 of 252 (Page 1 of 13)

Submitted by DedicatedThunderFan from

Q: After winning both road games this weekend, page 10 is the best you can do Kollen??? I'm disappointed!

Answered 10/27/08 07:38:14 by Kollen Long

A: Wow, usually I don't start to disappoint fans until much later in the season. Road games, since we can't staff them, don't get the same play as home games. But look for the Thunder/CHL notebook to debut this Wednesday, and a story on Friday to set up the next home game. Be sure and write back when the Thunder gets Page 1.

Submitted by Ken Bradley+ from Derby, KS

Q: Hello Kollen: Here we are nearly the first of August and looking at the Blazers web site and the bearded one has already signed three players as of last week and the Thunder new management only one, a returning rookie I think he is. What is the skinny on why the Thunder is getting further behind in recruiting. By the by, is there any cap on coach's salary as players? I wonder if Chen is rolling in so much in profits he's getting greedy and won't cut loose to get a top notich known winner as coach and we have to settle for another on the job trainee and pray he works out. I just have a gut feeling that whoever Chen has as his hatchet man really calls the shots and our general manager has little say and has to stay under a Chen budget regardless of league rules.

Answered 08/13/08 15:16:51 by Kollen Long

A: The Thunder routinely gets commitments from players and even signs them, but doesn't always release it right away. The Thunder likes to spread out the news of player signings through the summer, thinking it keeps them in the public eye more. You can debate that strategy either way. The new coach said Duda and Clayton will be back, but I don't know if they have signed contracts yet. I am sure he will have a full team signed up by training camp. Then Thunder fans can worry about the quality of players. Yeah, I would guess Lomurno has to stay under budget. Most businesses do. I don't think there is a cap for coaches. And I don't think you should use OK City as your benchmark for success. They haven't been an elite team in a while.

Submitted by CENTERICESTEVE aka T from WICHITA

Q: Now just hold on there partner . Say it ain't so . Rumor has it the X -Seattle Sonics of NBA now taking up residence in OKC wanna insult us Wichita hockey fans by calling themselves the OKC THUNDER ! That would be like a franchise in BOSTON calling itself the YANKEES . They might of sold 16,000 season tickets already but its obvious they are not in touch with the local sports fans or rivalries !

Answered 08/13/08 15:12:32 by Kollen Long

A: I don't think a CHL team is really on the radar of the NBA. If they start using the old "You called down the Thunder and now you got it" tape before tipoff, then it'll be an issue.

Submitted by ES from Blunderville,KS

Q: How can the Blunder be second in the CHL in attendance and never have the payroll to bring in players that can bring respect and honor back to the blue uniform? Also a Janitor for Coach again next year? Really?

Answered 03/15/08 23:43:59 by Kollen Long

A: I don't suppose the answer that "Well, there is a salary cap" is the one you're looking for.

Submitted by Thunder12 from Wichita, KS

Q: The season is winding down and we are soon to be faced with the biggest decision of the off-season. Do we keep Weingartner or look for someone else? The fans I hang around with most are about evenly split on this issue. The advantage I see with Rob is that he has local ties and would probably be a long term coach for us. If he were successful that is. The disadvatage is that he is an unknown in the area of recruiting. Does he have the connections to bring in the players? What do you think his chances are?

Answered 03/13/08 15:04:33 by Kollen Long

A: It's a huge decision and one Presson has to nail, given that the Thunder has gone from a title contender under Laxdal to one of the worst teams in the CHL. When Weingartner got off to that 8-8-1 start, it seemed he was a slam-dunk choice to get the job next year. Obviously, it doesn't bode well for Weingartner that Presson continues to delay the decision. First, he said he would decide by March 1. That deadline passed. Now, he is saying he will wait til the season is over. I am not sure what is gonna happen in the next six games to make up Presson's mind. Seems to me he has a big enough sample to judge Weingartner. I assume Presson wants to see what coaches might become available or be interested after seasons are over in the CHL and other leagues. That seems a prudent move. In my opinion, Presson should have said from the start that Weingartner would be the interim coach the rest of the season and he would make the call after the year was over. He boxed himself in with that March 1 deadline. Having said all that, I think it's awfully hard to evaluate Weingartner. He took over a lousy team, with many players who don't fit his style. He has tried to improve the team by making moves, but he was limited in those too by numerous factors. Can he motivate players? Who knows -- any coach would have trouble motivating guys hopelessly out of the playoff race. I think Rob has done a good job of improving his professionalism on the bench. The big question is, can he recruit? As I have said before, the only way to see if Rob can recruit is to give him the job and let him recruit. It's a gamble. But I'm guessing any coach that would be available would be a gamble too.

Submitted by Brian from Wichita, KS

Q: Kollen, First off i'd like to thank you for working your bag off covering the Wichita Thunder......what in the world does that exactly mean?

Answered 03/07/08 17:04:28 by Kollen Long

A: Brian, your question had me laughing. I'm not exactly sure, and I was hesitant to ask Kyle for clarification. I thought it might get taken out in the editing process; since it didn't, I assume the reference is a clean one.

Submitted by Thunder12 from Wichita, KS

Q: Given the year that we are having and the underperformance of several players this year (some of whom are now gone, it is reasonable to expect a large shake-up in the roster for next season. Who do you think earns an invitation back to camp next year? I'm not sure even some of our veterans are safe.

Answered 03/05/08 17:16:06 by Kollen Long

A: Good question. I was talking with Rob about the roster the other day, and he was understandably hesitant to talk specific names, since there are still games left to play. He said, if he returns, the biggest priority is getting a goal scorer. The team has been painfully shy of anyone with consistent explosiveness all season. I don't know who Mark French thought was going to put the puck in the net. Finally, I agree completely -- it wouldn't surprise me at all to see three or even four new vets next year. Weingartner has shown that he is not afraid to shake things up and make dramatic changes.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: If it were'nt for courage of fearless crew the minnow would be lost !I'm afraid even the professer can't figure a way to get the Thunder off losers island . The only salvation is that this seasons almost over .

Answered 02/27/08 23:29:47 by Kollen Long

A: The Tulsa win must have put a little bounce in your step. Course, three in YT won't be easy.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Kollen romor has it Thunder front office is trying to locate Gary Fay .With the strong possibilty of Gary's 92/93 record being broken it would only be fitting to have him drop the ceremonial first puck at the March 22 home game .

Answered 02/27/08 23:28:57 by Kollen Long

A: Good one, Ice.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: Wow three wins in a row for Thunder this weekend Kollen . What do you think the odds are of them finishing this dismal season with a winning record thru Feburary & March ?

Answered 02/21/08 01:15:50 by Kollen Long

A: I would say the odds aren't very good.

Submitted by BC03 from Wichita, KS

Q: Do you think Chris Presson is giving any thought to bringing in Duda as the head coach sometime soon. He is already close to hanging up the blades and has given up his "C" so what is his next move?

Answered 02/14/08 22:04:34 by Kollen Long

A: No, I think if Presson decides to go with a rookie head coach, it will be Weingartner.

Submitted by Concern Thunder Fan from Wichita KS

Q: Kollen, Looks like Duda and Clayton are not getting along. They were standing on opposite sides of the bench Saturday. I thought their freindship was very close. What have you heard ?

Answered 02/12/08 15:10:07 by Kollen Long

A: Nothing...but it's not something I'd dig into, either.

Submitted by Brian from No location specified

Q: What is the word on the street about Duda not being the captian of the team anymore?

Answered 02/10/08 18:44:30 by Kollen Long

A: I'm wondering about that, too. I'll have something about this in Wednesday's CHL report.

Submitted by Centericesteve aka T from Wichita

Q: As if this season has'nt already been humiliating enough , now they're gonna make the Thunder wear PINK JERSEY'S and use PINK STICKS Saturday night .Geeeeeeeeeez there's definatly gonna be fights . What a nightmare Kollen .

Answered 02/10/08 18:43:25 by Kollen Long

A: Come on Ice, I know you have a few pink shirts in your closet. I actually like this promotion. It's for a worthy cause.

Submitted by Ron Kroening from Sapulpa, OK

Q: Hi Kollen, how ya been?

Answered 02/07/08 22:53:58 by Kollen Long

A: Hey Ron, great to hear from you. Shoot me an e-mail at klong@wichitaeagle.com and let me know what's going on with you.

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