Andrew Martens to return for Thunder

Andrew Martens will be back with the Wichita Thunder this season.

The team announced the signing Friday.

Martens was chosen the CHL's most outstanding defenseman last season, when he had 15 goals and 39 assists. His 54 points were second among CHL defensemen. After the Thunder's season ended he played one playoff game with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL.

In six pro seasons, Martens has 42 goals and 203 points in 360 career games.

The team also announced the signing of forward Erick Lizon, who played last season with Bakersfield in the ECHL.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Lizon also appeared in eight games for the AHL's Worcester Sharks, picking up 24 penalty minutes.

This will be Lizon's third stint in the CHL, having played for the Oklahoma City Blazers in 2007-08 and the Laredo Bucks in 2008-09.

This story was originally published August 6, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Andrew Martens to return for Thunder."