Wichita Adds Trio From Sweden

2018-19 season The Jr. Thunder would like to announce the signing of three players from Sweden, Sebastian Lind, Felix Ryberg and Marcus Ohlsson-Ornelius.

Wichita, who will be entering its 7th season in the WSHL, clearly not satisfied with the results of last years team, coach Weingartner, who will now serve as General Manager in addition to his coaching duties, signed a trio of Swedish players that are sure to make an impact during the 2018-19 season. Weingartner guided Wichita to the Thorne Cup Championship during the 2016-17 season with a handful of Swedish players, most notably was Oskar Gullstrom who was the Thorne Cup leading scorer with 24 points in 11 games and finished with 194 points in 74 games played over his two years with the Junior Thunder. 

Erik Spath who backstopped the Junior Thunder during the same span, had a goals against average of 2.65 and save percentage of .922 and went a perfect 10-0 during the Thorne Cup Play-Offs in 2017. David Good was also impressive scoring 152 points in 89 games as well as Robert and Henrik Igel who had 28 and 43 points respectively and finally, Jesper Voss who was trade deadline acquisition, scored 12 points in 18 games during the regular season and 7 points in 11 games during the finals. 

“I’ve been talking with Erik Spath’s father, Robert Spath who coaches the U20 Elite team in Nynashamns, I told him I was looking for some high end talent this year, he put me in contact with the three players and I was excited we were able to get them signed up”, stated coach Weingartner. 

Sebastian Lind is a speedy, skilled forward that posted 27 points in 31 games at the U20 Elite level on 8 goals and 19 assists, he also played 19 games at the Division II level posting 5 assists. Lind is listed at 6’0”, 180 pounds and is a right handed shot that can play any of the three forward positions. Marcus Ohlsson Ornelius is a power forward with a big shot, the 6’2”, 190 pound center who recorded 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 36 games at the U20 Elite level and also chipped in 4 goals and 8 assists at the Division II in 33 games played.

Former player Oskar Gullstrom had this to say about the boys, “I had a chance to play with both Marcus and Sebastian this season, I feel both players should help out immediately on the power play and offensive opportunities.” Felix Ryberg is a smooth skating defensemen that should flourish on the Olympic ice at the Wichita Ice Center. 

At 5’9” and 165 pounds, Ryberg only managed 4 games at the U20 Elite level scoring 1 goal and adding 2 assists and suited up for 3 games at the Division II level but didn’t register a point. The Wichita Junior Thunder are still searching for Billet Families to host players during the 2018-19 season, if you are interested, please contact Rob Weingartner at rweingartner@wichitathunder.com