Evansville Thunderbolts
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Upcoming Games |
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Knoxville Ice Bears | Knoxville Civic Coliseum Click to watch live | ||
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Knoxville Ice Bears | Ford Center Click to watch live | ||
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Birmingham Bulls | Pelham Civic Complex Click to watch live | ||
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Quad City Storm | Ford Center Click to watch live |
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Defenseman Nikola Murgic for the 2026-27 Season
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of defenseman Nikola Murgic for the 2026-27 season. The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Murgic joins the Thunderbolts following a season overseas with Dunaújvárosi Acélbikák - Erste Liga in Hungary, tallying 3 goals and 3 assists in 15 games played. Before his time overseas, he spent two and a half seasons with the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The Windsor, Ontario native recorded 8 goals and 69 assists in 120 games played. During the 2023-24 season, Murgic played 23 games for the Fairbank Ice Dogs in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) where he has 9 points in his duration.
When asked how he would describe his style of play, Murgic said, “I would describe myself as a two-way puck-moving defenseman. I like to make plays with the puck and contribute offensively while also playing a responsible defensive game.” Murgic spent last season playing overseas, an experience he believes will help him as he begins his time in Evansville. “I was fortunate to have a good group of veterans to guide and help me develop throughout the year and show me firsthand how important those traits are at the next level,” Murgic commented. As he prepares to join the Thunderbolts, Murgic is excited to experience the Evansville community and play in front of the fans. “I’m super excited to get down to Evansville. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the team, city, and fan base. I’m honoured to play hockey and represent this amazing community.”
On signing Murgic, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Nikola is a strong puck-moving defenseman who can play both ends of the ice. His skating is his biggest asset which allows him to be sound defensively, generate plays and create offense from the back end. He has the awareness to jump into the play and make things happen offensively, and we’re looking forward to seeing him bring that skill set to our team.”
Season and single game tickets for the 2026-27 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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Re-Sign Forward Seth Bernard for 2026-27 Season
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of forward Seth Bernard for the 2026-27 season. The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Bernard skated in 10 games with the Thunderbolts in the 2025-26 season, tallying 1 goal and 1 assist. The Braintree, Massachusetts native played four seasons of NCAA Division 3 college hockey at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, scoring 38 goals and 72 points, along with a +14 rating, in 101 regular season games between 2022-2026.
“The biggest thing I learned from last year was the importance of the little details. Showing up every day and being the best version of yourself both on and off the ice puts the team in the best position to win”, comments Bernard when asked what he learned from last year that he will take into the upcoming season. Looking ahead to his first full professional season, Bernard commented: “I am most excited to be back in the room everyday with the guys! I’m really excited to be back at the Ford Center so we can work towards another championship! Go Bolts!”
On re-signing Bernard, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Seth is a big, physical power forward who brings a tremendous amount of energy to the lineup. He’s a great kid that loves hockey and somebody who works hard, competes, and understands what we’re trying to accomplish with our team. His ability to play all three positions gives us a lot of versatility, while his size and physical style can make a big impact throughout the game. We’re expecting a big season from Seth and believe he has the ability to take another step forward and become an important part of our team.”
Season tickets for the 2026-27 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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Forward Blake Frost for 2026-27 Season
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Blake Frost for the 2026-27 season. The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Frost joins the Thunderbolts following the conclusion of his collegiate career with NCAA DIII Nazareth University’s (previously known as Nazareth College) hockey team. Over the course of his four years with the Golden Flyers, Frost recorded 30 goals and 51 assists for 81 points in 107 games played. Before his time at Nazareth, he spent two and a half seasons with the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), one of which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his final year with the Tigers, the Stouffville, Ontario native logged 14 goals and 31 assists for 45 in 47 games played.
When asked to describe his play style, Frost says that he’s a “skilled forward and a speedy playmaker who can also score goals.” Ahead of his first professional hockey season, Frost is most excited about “meeting his new teammates and experience playing in front of the Thunderbolts fans at the Ford Center”. “The championship pedigree they’ve built in Evansville over the last two seasons made me want to be a part of that and in completing the three-peat. After conversations with Coach Bes, I knew he was the coach I wanted to play for and Evansville was the play I wanted to be”, commented Frost when asked about why Evansville was the right fit for him.
On signing Frost, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Blake is a consistent player with a proven ability to contribute offensively. After a successful college career, he brings a strong scoring instinct and a desire to create offense for the team. We’re looking forward to seeing his offensive ability translate at the next level and helping him continue to grow.”
Season and single game tickets for the 2026-27 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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Re-Sign Defenseman Max Thiessen for 2026-27 Season
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of defenseman Max Thiessen for the 2026-27 season. The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Thiessen skated in 22 games with the Thunderbolts in the 2025-26 season, tallying four assists and registering a +4 rating with only a single minor penalty for his entire rookie year. The Washington, DC native also earned his ECHL debut midway through the season, playing one game for the Idaho Steelheads in January. Prior to 2025-26, Thiessen played four seasons of NCAA Division 3 college hockey at Amherst College in Massachusetts, scoring 4 goals and 19 points, along with a +8 rating and only 16 total penalty minutes, in 91 regular season games between 2021-2025.
“I love the culture that Coach Bes has created here,” commented Thiessen when asked about his experience through one season in Evansville. “(Coach Bes) expects the best from us, and we expect the best from ourselves, it’s the type of environment I feel I fit right into. My teammates pushed me every day to get better, I really think I grew a lot as a player because of that. It was a no-brainer to come back.” Looking ahead to his goals for his second professional season, Thiessen commented: “The most important goal is another President’s Cup, and I want to be a guy that Coach Bes and my teammates can depend on in the process. In my first season, I focused on being a steady presence on defense, in my second season I feel like I can become an even bigger offensive threat as well. I’m super pumped to help the Bolts build on last season’s success and I am excited to be able to play in front of our incredible fans again!”
On re-signing Thiessen, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “I am looking forward to having Max back on our defense this season, he was just starting to find his confidence and rhythm last year. He comes and works his butt off every day, knows the system and now understands what pro hockey is about. He is big, skates well, is very good defensively, and I feel there is a lot more offensive upside in his game. Coming in confidently for his second season, I know he can be a guy we count on.”
Season tickets for the 2026-27 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
Latest News
Thunderbolts Sign Forward Brady Estabrook for 2026-27 Season
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Brady Estabrook for the 2026-27 season. The Thunderbolts return to Ford Center ice for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, October 17th against the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Estabrook joins the Thunderbolts following the conclusion of his first season with the DI ACHA University of Las Vegas hockey team. During his first season of collegiate play, Estabrook appeared in 24 regular season games, bringing 8 goals and 7 assists to his stat sheet. In the Rebels push for a National Championship title, Estabrook recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 games played. Before his time at UNLV, he opened the 2024-25 season playing with the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) logging 4 goals and 12 assists across 24 games. He then made the shift from the NAHL to the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) where he recorded 12 points in 23 games.
“Evansville gives me a great opportunity to play for a winning franchise with a great fan base and to have the chance to play under a winning coach, you really can’t pass up an opportunity like that where you’re brought in to develop under a team that knows how to win and be professionals,” commented Estabrook when asked about Evansville being a right fit for him heading into his first professional season. Estabrook describes his style of play as “a physical player who loves to finish checks, play fast and create chances.” Ahead of his first professional season, a message he wants to send to the fans is “hope you guys enjoyed the summer and I’m looking forward to seeing and meeting you guys at the Ford Center!”
On signing Estabrook, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Brady is a good young kid, who will bring a lot of energy to the Ford Center. He’s tough, he plays a physical game, and we’re really looking forward to bringing him in.”
Season and single game tickets for the 2026-27 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
Meet
The
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Team roster
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Experiences
Explore the many exciting and unique experiences we offer to our fans and spectators. Ride on the Zamboni, ring the air raid siren, get photos with the team & more. There is a little something for every fan and visitor out there. Learn more today and get involved with the Evansville Thunderbolts by clicking or tapping the link below.
Fan Experiences