Batman Returns....

Batovanja back for a second seasonPosted on July 8, 2008 in PressReleases
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder added their first player for the 2008-09 season today, re-signing forward Mike Batovanja.

Though just 5-7, 175 pounds, Batovanja (pronounced bat-uh-VAN-juh) was a fan favorite in his rookie season due to his all-out playing style and his fearlessness on the ice. The Hinton, Alberta native notched 10 points last season and won the 2008 Thunder Unsung Hero Award.

"Batty is easily one of the hardest working players to ever wear a Thunder uniform", said Thunder general manager Joel T. Lomurno. "We are thrilled to have him back for another season."

Prior to turning pro, Batovanja played three season at Michigan Tech, where he served as co-captain during his senior season. Prior to attending college, he played five seasons for the AJHL's Drayton Valley Thunder, where he earned the club's Heart and Soul award in each season and was a four-time AJHL All-Star.

The Thunder will begin their 17th CHL season on Friday, October 17th. The complete CHL schedule is expected to be announced next week. For season tickets or more information, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-4625.

-THUNDER-



One of the more consistent checkers the Thunder has had in many years, decent start.

Not a bad one to bring back. I'm hoping they'll bring back Greene as well. Anyone happen to know about Hanchuck? Is he planning on returning, is he healthy, etc?

Both of them wouldn't hurt my feelings either, Bruce is on my short list as well.

Good pickup.... and i too would like to see what Greene could do in a full healthy season.

at a actual "5'5" only two words come to mind for the first to be signed


TOO SMALL!

very good for the first signing lets hope those wrists are completely healed up. Hanchuck would be good has well as greene and bruce.

ES he might be small but the bigger players out there on the ice knew he was there when he put them against the glass time and time again!!

Eagle Struck wrote:

at a actual "5'5" only two words come to mind for the first to be signed TOO SMALL!

i too say he did ALOT MORE than our 6' or taller players.

it's not only height it's also weight GT/Stoney



Between Hanchuck and the Bernier Brothers there was only 3 on the team


The others were not 6 footers


IMO now time to watch/drink to the show Wipeout

everytime someone falls on NBC you have to yell "He got Jacked Up" and take a shot of alcohol


EM"S THIS MEANS YOU the other half of ICT is at Church

Brad Thompson C6-0 190
Kyle Bruce "A" RW 6-0 195
Cedric Bernier RW 6-2 210
Chris Greene C 6-2 195
Daniel Tetrault "A" V D 6-0 205
Tyler Hanchuck D 6-3 235
Jonathan Bernier D 6-2 205


even out of all those..... game for game night in and night out, shift for shift, i still think batovanja played bigger than those on that list.
Is he big enough to be a 50 pt a season guy.... NO. But he is a great 3rd line checking type player.

[quote="gametime"]Brad Thompson C6-0 190 NOT
Kyle Bruce "A" RW 6-0 195 NOT
Cedric Bernier RW 6-2 210
Chris Greene C 6-2 195
Daniel Tetrault "A" V D 6-0 205 N0T
Tyler Hanchuck D 6-3 235
Jonathan Bernier D 6-2 205\


I stand correted at 4 movement players

besides he only had 4 goals 6 A in 46 games thats reason enough

[quote="Eagle Struck"]

gametime wrote:

Brad Thompson C6-0 190 NOT Kyle Bruce "A" RW 6-0 195 NOT Cedric Bernier RW 6-2 210 Chris Greene C 6-2 195 Daniel Tetrault "A" V D 6-0 205 N0T Tyler Hanchuck D 6-3 235 Jonathan Bernier D 6-2 205\ I stand correted at 4 movement players besides he only had 4 goals 6 A in 46 games thats reason enough

but at least he tried..... thats more than the majority of the rest of the team did. He does have heart at least.

true more than anyone else GT but I WANT SIZE and HEART


not some dumb ass like Parker who was Big and DUMB either


oh no I might get my ass kicked at Hooters LOL sorry BWW

back to the show

Last edited by Eagle Struck on Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:36 pm; edited 1 time in total

Eagle Struck wrote:

true more than anyone else GT but I WANT SIZE and HEART not some dumb ass like Parker who was Big and DUMB either oh no I might get my ass kicked at Hooters LOL back to the show

oh believe me i would love to SIZE & HEART both as well, but at least he didnt throw in the towel even though he was playing on basically the worst thunder team in history. He still skated every shift. Now if we could build a team, i think he will make a nice 3rd liner addition.

I think you are a better sign and bigger GT

call Joel and tell em youll play for DUda's wages (almost nothing)

Eagle Struck wrote:

I think you are a better sign and bigger GT call Joel and tell em youll play for DUda's wages (almost nothing)

Hell i would play for a case a beer per game..... but im a defenseman (oh yeah plus i suck)

I bet for free beer you would score more than Bat did and be a helluva of a lot more laughs in person too


plus I know for a fact you could kick his ass

Eagle Struck wrote:

I bet for free beer you would score more than Bat did and be a helluva of a lot more laughs in person too plus I know for a fact you could kick his ass

fall down = laughs. Oh no ES.... me luva... not fighta!

BS what about when you kicked those two guys asses over a pitcher of beer at Shooters?


Keep laying low I wont tell anymore of your criminal activities but that was awesome I didnt even have to get off my chair that 1 night

Eagle Struck wrote:

BS what about when you kicked those two guys asses over a pitcher of beer at Shooters? Keep laying low I wont tell anymore of your criminal activities but that was awesome I didnt even have to get off my chair that 1 night

atta boy ES..... boostin' my street cred.

Not drunk yet but that was a fond memory I hope I dont lose it


now when are the open tryouts for the Blunder?