Thunderbolts Sign Defenseman John Woernle

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of defenseman John Woernle for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts begin the 2025-26 season and raise their President’s Cup Championship banner at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.

Woernle, a native of Wellesley, Massachusetts, joins the Thunderbolts following four seasons of college hockey at Assumption University between 2021-2025. With Assumption, Woernle scored 7 goals and 60 points in 108 regular season games, earned conference Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors in 2023-24, and was twice part of Assumption’s conference championship teams in 2021-22 and 2023-24. Prior to college, Woernle played two seasons of junior hockey with the EHL’s New England Wolves, scoring 6 goals and 24 points in 84 games.

“I think I’m a really solid skating 200-foot defenseman that handles pucks well and can contribute offensively, while also being reliable in the defensive zone,” replied Woernle when asked about his style of play. On his decision to sign with Evansville, Woernle commented: “I had some really good talks with Coach Bes, and everyone I talked to mentioned what a great spot it was, that they treat you like a pro and that the team is a contender each and every year, everyone had nothing but good things to say about the organization. Pair that with the facilities and all that the Thunderbolts have to offer, and it was a no-brainer. I’m really excited to get out there and join a winning culture in Evansville!”

“John is a player that has been on my radar for some time, I am pleased that he is joining our team this season” commented Head Coach Jeff Bes in response to signing Woernle. Coach Bes continued: “He skates very well, is a solid defender, but can also contribute offensively. He has really good vision and passing skills which give him the ability to control the play and quarterback on the power play.”

Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Thunderbolts Re-Sign Defenseman Joey Berkopec

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of defenseman Joey Berkopec for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts begin the 2025-26 season and raise their President’s Cup Championship banner at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.

Berkopec joined the Thunderbolts as a free agent prior to the 2024-25 season after beginning his professional career with the Macon Mayhem in 2023-24. In the 2024-25 regular season, Berkopec scored 2 goals and 13 points while registering a +2 rating in 54 games, and played in all in seven playoff games, providing strong defensive coverage in Evansville’s run to the President’s Cup with a +4 rating. Berkopec’s 54 games played were the most amongst all Thunderbolts defensemen and tied for most amongst all Evansville skaters alongside forwards Logan vande Meerakker and Matt Dorsey. In two total SPHL seasons between Macon and Evansville, the Oakville, Ontario native has scored 4 goals and 18 points in 96 regular season games.

“Winning a championship with this group was special, and it’s something I’ll never forget. The support from the fans, the atmosphere in the (Ford Center), it was electric all season long,” commented Berkopec when discussing his first year with the Thunderbolts. In preparation for his second season with Evansville, Berkopec continued: “My job is not done in Evansville, I’m focused on continuing to grow my game and taking the next step as a player. I can’t wait to get back to work with the guys, I want to continue to build on what we accomplished last season and help bring another championship to Evansville.”

“We are excited to bring Joey back this season,” commented Coach Bes, who further highlighted Berkopec’s play in 2024-25 by saying: “He is such a good skater and defender, who had a solid regular season, but was exceptional in the playoffs. He found another gear in his game, his confidence grew, and he was dominant against other teams’ top players. We’re looking forward to Berks continuing his success this season.”

Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Thunderbolts Re-Sign Forward Scott Kirton

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of forward Scott Kirton, who will take on an expanded role with the team in 2025-26. The Thunderbolts begin the 2025-26 season and raise their President’s Cup Championship banner at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.

The 2025-26 season will be Kirton’s fifth season with Evansville, and he will take on added responsibility in the upcoming year, including assisting in practice, video breakdown, and more. The native of Scarborough, Ontario, who has played his entire SPHL career with the Thunderbolts, is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals (66), points (145), power play goals (16), and game-winning goals (9), while also ranking 2nd all-time in regular season games played (159), assists (79), and shorthanded goals (4). In 2024-25, Kirton recorded 14 goals and 40 points in 47 regular season games, before adding a goal and 4 points in Evansville’s playoff run to the President’s Cup. Kirton also suited up in 5 games with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones, bringing his ECHL career total to 35 games with Cincinnati, Norfolk, Newfoundland, and Maine, scoring 1 goal and 4 points. Prior to turning pro with Evansville in 2021-22, Kirton played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Toronto from 2017-2021, preceded by three seasons of junior hockey with the OJHL’s Whitby Fury from 2014-2017.

Reflecting on his four previous seasons with Evansville culminating in the President’s Cup championship, Kirton commented: “I have seen my fair share of highs and lows, winning the Cup being the highest high. To win the President’s Cup on home ice was so special, as one of the more veteran players I felt so proud of getting the job done here in Evansville.” Looking forward to helping the Thunderbolts defend their title, Kirton continued: “Our goal hasn’t changed a bit, it is to win back-to-back President’s Cups. The only thing that has changed is that now we have a bigger target on our backs, everyone will want to beat us even more. I am hoping to increase offensive production both personally, as well as from a team standpoint, particularly with getting our power play rolling at a higher percentage.” In closing, Kirton finished by saying: “I am excited to get back to Evansville and get the season going. Summer is always great, and being back home in Toronto with my friends and family has been nice, but I’m looking forward to training camp and another big season for our team!”

“Having Scott Kirton return for his fifth season with the Thunderbolts is such a positive for our team and for the community” commented Head Coach Jeff Bes. On Kirton’s role in the upcoming season, Coach Bes continued: “With his experience and knowledge, the natural progression is for him to take on more responsibility within our team. As a player, we continue to expect Scottie to be one of the top players in the league, and with this expanded role, I am excited to have Scottie assist me on the coaching aspect this season as well.”

Season and single-game tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Hockey Fights Cancer: Jersey Reveal - Add Your Name for $10!

Join us on February 21 as the Evansville Thunderbolts take the ice for a cause close to all of our hearts — Hockey Fights Cancer Night. For this special game, our players will wear custom jerseys featuring the names of those who have been affected by cancer — whether survivors, fighters, or loved ones we’ve lost.

For just $10, you can submit a name to be printed directly onto a player's jersey, creating a powerful display of remembrance, honor, and hope. These jerseys will be worn during the game and serve as a tribute to the strength and resilience of our community.

📍 Deadline to submit names: November 30 at 11:59 pm
🟣 Submit a name for $10
🟣 Replica jerseys available for purchase at checkout

Let’s fill the ice with stories of courage, love, and unity. Together, we can make a statement that goes far beyond the game.

👉 bit.ly/HFCJersey

Thunderbolts Re-Sign Captain Matthew Hobbs

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of captain Matthew Hobbs for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts begin the 2025-26 season and raise their President’s Cup Championship banner at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th.

Hobbs captained the Thunderbolts to their first President’s Cup title in 2024-25, his third full season with Evansville and first as team captain. In the 2024-25 regular season, Hobbs scored 12 goals and 24 points in 49 games, adding three assists in seven playoff games. 4 of his 12 goals were game-winning goals, which were the most amongst the Thunderbolts and tied for 6th-best around the SPHL. Since the 2021-22 season, when he was acquired late in his first professional season from the Birmingham Bulls, the Burlington, Ontario native has scored 28 goals and 66 points in 151 regular season games with Evansville, along with 1 goal and 8 points in 16 career playoff games.

“The experience of this past playoff run to the Cup is hard to put into words,” replied Hobbs when asked to reflect on this past season’s playoff success. “We had such a great group of guys on and off the ice, we battled together all year through the ups and downs, that’s what made us so tough to play against in the playoffs. In my fourth trip to the playoffs with Evansville, I’m glad we were able to finally bring the Cup to our amazing fan base, hoisting the Cup in the Fordo (Ford Center) was an amazing feeling.” Turning the page to 2025-26, Hobbs continued: “My goals for the upcoming season will be to continue the hard-nosed, tough style we play that has made us successful, help the new guys be the best players and best people they can be, and of course, lift the Cup again at the end of the season. I can’t wait to be back on the ice at Ford Center with the best fans in the league, I’m already counting down the days.”

“I am thrilled that Matt is returning for another season,” replied Head Coach Jeff Bes when asked to comment on the signing of Hobbs. “He is the leader of our team both on and off the ice. Matt’s work ethic is top level and contagious, which makes everyone around him and the team better. We are aligned in our goal of bringing another championship season to the loyal fans in Evansville, and just like last season, it’s a great start to our team with signing Hobbs”.

Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL. The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com