Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Logan vande Meerakker, who previously played for the Thunderbolts between 2024-2025, 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.
Vande Meerakker previously joined the Thunderbolts late in the 2023-24 season off waivers from the Fayetteville Marksmen, becoming a significant factor in Evansville’s first round playoff upset of the Birmingham Bulls, scoring 2 goals and 3 points in the three-game series. In 2024-25, Vande Meerakker tied for the Thunderbolts’ team regular season lead in goals (18) and tied for second in points (37), before leading the Thunderbolts in playoff scoring with 4 goals and 7 points in Evansville’s run to their first President’s Cup Championship. In 2025-26, the native of Dieppe, New Brunswick took his game overseas to England, playing with the Swindon Wildcats of the NIHL, where he dominated with 34 goals and 84 points in only 49 regular season games, leading the Wildcats in both categories, before adding 5 goals and 10 points in 7 playoff games. Since turning pro late in the 2023-24 season, Vande Meerakker has amassed 52 goals and 121 points in 110 regular season games between the SPHL and NIHL.
“I feel like I have a lot left to prove, and talking with Coach Bes, I knew there wouldn’t be a better opportunity to take my game to the next level,” commented Vande Meerakker on his return to Evansville. “Leaving (after 2024-25), a big piece of my heart stayed in Evansville. Everyone was so good to me the first time around and I wanted to come back to what feels like my hockey “home” and help in the pursuit for a third title. Being a part of the first one and being able to celebrate with all the guys and their families, I’ll never forget that feeling.” Looking back on 2025-26 with Swindon, Vande Meerakker commented: “I had a great experience, I’m very grateful for my time in Swindon. While I was there, I followed the boys back in Evansville, I hardly missed a game that I was able to watch, even with some very late nights with the time difference, I still had so many of my best friends on the team so I couldn’t help but cheer them on.” Looking ahead to his second stint in Evansville, Vande Meerakker looks to bring his new level of play to the Thunderbolts, remarking: “I was just a young rookie trying to figure it out when I first arrived. My offensive game has taken a big step forward in the last year, I believe I’m coming back with a much more polished game on both sides of the puck. I couldn’t be more excited to see all the familiar faces around the rink, walk into the locker room, and put that jersey on once again!”
On signing Vande Meerakker, Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes commented: “Logan is a player I have been in communication with and targeting since he went to Europe. We were happy for him to get the opportunity to play in Europe, but even more happy that he decided to come back to Evansville. He is now a more seasoned player, a great competitor that hates to lose, makes everyone around him accountable and is someone I know I can 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