With 2020 season undone by pandemic, a key date is approaching for the Wichita Thunder
The Wichita Thunder are gearing up for their Oct. 16 season opener against the Tulsa Oilers. But that — like everything else touched by the ongoing pandemic — could change.
The Thunder are awaiting the outcome of Tuesday’s ECHL meeting, in which the league’s 2020-21 schedule could be finalized. What comes out of that meeting could also determine the near-term futures of some of the Thunder’s off-ice workforce.
The ECHL season was suspended March 12 because of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. By March 15, the season was canceled altogether — and at the time, the announcement was met with some backlash.
Thunder general manager Joel Lomurno said that decision doesn’t look nearly as rash now, as major pro sports leagues across North America have been abundantly cautious about resuming competition.
When the ECHL season was canceled, the Thunder were in the middle of their final road trip of the 2020 campaign and were looking forward to a seven-game home stretch to finish the season.
Those seven games carried much financial weight. Without the revenue they would’ve generated, the Thunder were forced to release “a good portion,” of their staff, Lomurno said. Thunder players were given final physical exams in Wichita and were then sent home.
“A lot of the players wanted to get home before they couldn’t,” Lomurno said. “We have players in Europe that need to get back to the Czech Republic, Finland. They wanted to be with their families.”
Lomurno is hopeful he can get Thunder employees and players back to work in Wichita after next week’s meeting.
“Once we get clarity on the exact start date for the 2020-21 season, we’ll start getting people back,” he said. “The good news is most of the staff is eager to get back. They have been coming in to say hi and staying in the loop.”
When asked whether the ECHL could return earlier than October, as the 2019-20 season officially ended Tuesday, Lomurno said the league does not have the “ability or the finances” to bring hockey back without fans in the stands.
But he indicated that there’s still room for the ECHL to be pioneers in the reopening process.
“Minus the NFL, the ECHL could be one of the first leagues that gets restarted with fans in the stands (in October),” Lomurno said.
More discussions will remain for the Thunder regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s league meeting. The team also has discussions with the Edmonton Oilers in the offing — the Thunder have had an NHL affiliation with the Oilers club for the past three seasons, and renegotiation for an extension of that contract will take time, Lomurno said. He’s hopeful the agreement will be extended.
Some player news could also be close at hand. The league’s new year started Wednesday, so players may now start negotiating contracts. Teams will soon begin announcing those signings, Lomurno said.
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 3:40 PM.