index

02/07/10      The Thunder showed their competitive nature as they beat the Jets on Friday night, 7-6. Zach Brainard racked up two goals in the game, as well as Alex Unrue neted the goal that tied the game. Unfortunately, the Thunder went back to their "same-old" ways by loosing to the Jets, 10-3. " It is just an embarrassment for the guys to show up one night, compete hard and play great hockey then to just come out the next night, embarrass themselves, the team and their fans".

01/23/10      The games this weekend have been cancelled due to the Troy Bruins Bus problems at 4:00 A.M. this morning. The bus is privately owned by the Bruins and was not able to find a replacement. The games will be rescheduled at the Thunder Arena within the next two weeks.

01/18/10       Thunder welcome back Defenseman, Brad Ritter from the 'A' Pro Team, Michigan Blizzard. The Thunder also welcome back Foward, DJ Whittaker and wish the best to Defenseman, Alex Kupstas, as his injuries suffered by cheap play from the Wooster Oilers has cost him his career. Our prayers are with Alex and his family.

01/12/10        The Thunder gear up this week as they prepare to head to Jamestown, NY for the All-Star weekend and prepare to play 5 games in 3 days.

01/04/10         The Thunder have been granted two wins due to last weekends failed team appearance in the NJHL. Due to the Adirondack Predators folding back in November of 2009, the NJHL was duped by a person named Gary Jester that was supposidly forming a team out of Cleveland, OH. Gary Jester stated to the  Commissioner of the NJHL that they would come and play the Thunder in place of the Wooster Oilers, so the Oilers could go and play the Troy Bruins due to the Adirondack team folding earlier in November, 2009. The NJHL has also admitted that they will rectify the $1,500.00 loss the Thunder suffered due to the dead ice they were stuck with due to no games. The Thunder will hit the ice hard in practice to prepare for the showcase coming up in Jamestown, NY January 16 & 17, 2010.

12/14/09         Thunder Players will be volunteering time to the Salvation Army at the Willow Grove Mall in Willow Grove, PA. Stay tuned for details.

12/13/09         The Thunder had two very disappointing games this past weekend, in which they lost 5-3 on Friday and 2-1 on Sunday. They will prepare for the 2nd place Troy Bruins this weekend at home.

12/07/09         The boys had off this past weekend with a bye and are looking to get ready to take on the Findlay Grrrowl this weekend on December 11 & 12, in Findlay, Ohio.

"We have an opportunity to get out of the basement from last place with two wins over Findlay this weekend, we have beaten them in the past and if the boys decide to come out and play, they will have two wins"; stated Coach Unger.

The Philadelphia Thunder are proud to announce that their two Ukraine Players, Evgeniy Limanskiy, Forward and Oleksiy Lakiza, Defenseman are heading back home to play in the 2010 International Ice  Hockey Federation Division I “World Junior Hockey Championships" as they will proudly represent their Country. Both players came to the Thunder in the middle of the season and have shown their skills by producing on the ice. Evgeniy already has 8 points in 6 games and is a key player on the PP and sees the ice well to make plays happen for the Thunder. Oleksiy has fit in well by picking up the systems of the Thunder and adjustinig quickly to his defensive partners.
 
                "It's great to know that you have two players on the team that have accomplished a goal such as this as both players are still very, very young and have a bright future ahead of them"; stated Coach Simmons.

"Hopefully some of these players will see their accomplishments by going over to play in the World Championships and bump their play up. We have selected Brad Ritter and Scott Mathis for the 2 players of the week. Ritter has proven to be an asset on the scoreboard with his assists to his team as well as scrapping his knuckles as a defender as well. Scott Mathis is slowly coming around and player TEAM hockey. He has great skill, but sometimes the attitude and character can hurt guys more than just their play. He has produced well on the ice by putting the puck in the net and I hope he continues to do so and be positive off the ice as well"; stated Coach Simmons.

11/28/09         The Thunder had two horrible games vs. the Oilers this past Friday and Saturday, as they again disappointed their fans and mostly, themselves as they lost both games to the Oilers.

"It is just so frustrating when one weekend, they come out playing 60 minutes of hockey and win and the next week, they come out with half-a-heart. I now see why the following player's (Jasinsky, Vitale, Smarsh, Ouellette) made it to the next level and were helped..........THEY HAD HEART, DESIRE and DEDICATION to the game and mostly themselves as players to the game. At this point, we as a coaching staff have made all the necessary moves, implementation of systems, player changes and provided them with the tools to win. As Coach Simmons once told me, I can not lace up the skates and go out their and do it for you. These guys have the talent and they have proven they can play with the teams in this league, but consistency appears to be a problem and they will have to figure this out as a team"; stated Coach Unger.

"This game is based off of heart, strong work ethic and desire to succeed not just in the win column, but to advance to the next level. We have this happen with the Pro Team, the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, farm team to the AHL Binghamton Senators and NHL Ottawa Senators. We have players go up and come down all the time, but it is the players willing to ride the bike for that extra hour, pay attention during review of game footage and study opposing teams, etc. This is not just in hockey but in anything an athlete does, trying to better himself in the game they play. You can not be one foot in and the other unsure to commit fully in, you are either commited or not. I allow my players to come to our Pro games and personally meet and speak with our Pro players, so they have an understanding of the game and the steps these former NCAA Div. I and Major Jr. 'A' players took to achieve their goals. All I can say for the team this year is some players need to find their maturity and character button and turn it on. I am proud of the team we have at this point and time, but their work ethic and desire to complete and finish games with 100% heart is lacking"; stated Coach Simmons.

11/22/09         Sunday's game started out with the Thunder full steam ahead but then died out as both teams were tied at 1-1 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd period. Due to a poor call by the official, it gave the Grrrowl their only offence to win the game and the Thunder lost 3-2.

11/21/09         The Thunder kept the Grrrowl in the dog-house as they beat them 8-1. "We were very happy with their performance and all the adversity and changes have finally blossomed as these boys are playing hockey and the best part is they have become a tight team as well"; stated Coach Unger.

Both teams will hit the ice again tomorrow at 3:20 P.M. The win tonight moves the Thunder out of last place and into 6th, giving them their 4th win of the season. A win tomorrow will have them tied for 5th.

11/16/09        The Philadelphia Thunder are showing the "true" colors of Thunder Hockey as they defeated the Adirondack Predators, 9-7 on Saturday. Even with 4 players suspended and 2 injured, they came out victorious.
        
                      On Sunday, after having one player getting the flu and another getting suspended, the Thunder bench was light with skaters, basically carrying two lines and were unable to sustain a victory and lost 5-2.

"We are proud of the guys, they have battled through alot of adversity so far this season and their character is showing, on and off the ice. I am glad to see the guys starting to really pick on our system play of the game and working as a unit and not individuals. We are getting some players back off of IR and suspensions so we will hit the ice again this week to prepare for the Findlay Grrrowl this weekend, November 21 & 22, 2009; stated Coach Unger."

11/14/09     The Thunder won their second game in a row as they beat the Predators 9-7. Both teams will play again on Sunday at 8:00 P.M.

11/13/09     Please note the time changes for the games this weekend for the Philadelphia Thunder; Saturday, 10:10 P.M. and Sunday, 8:00 P.M. We apologize for the lateness but this was a schedule change made not by The Rink or the Thunder yet the multitude of schedule changes by the Adirondack Predators.

11/10/09      The Thunder have placed netminder, Gabriel Larsson on season suspension for failure to obligate his contract and have signed two players; Defensemen, Oleksiy Lakiza   and Forward, Evgeniy Limanskiy, both from the Ukraine.

Both players join the Club in time to play the Adirondack Predators this weekend at home.

11/02/09      THUNDER PLAYER CHANGES SHOWING

The Thunder split the series last weekend against the Predators.

On Saturday, poor mental erros by the goalie and defensemen cost the Thunder three goals which should just not have happened. The Thunder fell 7-4 on Saturday and bounced back Sunday to take a victory over the Predators 12-5.

With injuries to Defenseman Kyle Pelk and Tyler Mishchenko, the Thunder have been playing with a short bench.

"I think the new addition of players and the players that have quit on their team and went home have paid off as the team is truly playing better hockey"; stated Coach Unger.

The Thunder have a bi-week this November 7 & 8, 2009 and then hit the ice again back at home against the Predators, November 13 & 14, 2009.

10/31/09     The Thunder have two new players in todays line up, as well as the reinstatement of suspended Defenseman, Greg Elz.

"We had a team meeting at Thursdays practice, informing the players that were weak and gave up on their teammates and left town with no notice and the response from was that they are glad to see the negative that was plauging the team is now gone. I saw a very more vibrant and excited team this week at practice. We will see today and tomorrow how we do with the new additions and the settlement for the rest of the season"; stated Coach Unger.

10/30/09     The Thunder have another Alumni, this time it was last years netminder, Jon Smarsh who signed Pro yesterday with the Chicago Blaze in the AAHA (All American Hockey League). "It was no surprise that he would end up somewhere, he just has that raw talent and technique that truly can not be taught. His hard worked paid off during the season and off season and I am proud to see him succeed. We had him up for 5 games last season in the ECHL with the Jackals and ever since that time, his eyes have been on playing Pro Hockey"; stated Coach Simmons.

10/28/09     The Thunder have suspended the following players; Lee Clagett, Justin O'Brien and Greg Elz. "I am sick of the excuses from these players and their placing blame on everyone but themselves. Hockey is a TEAM sport and they again proved they can play as they won their first game last Saturday. So I have suspended 3 players and we will be bringing a new player in this week as well to add to the list of players that want to play hockey for the Thunder and not themselves as individuals", stated Coach Unger.

10/26/09      The Thunder get their first win of the season over the Findlay Grrrowl 5-1 on Saturday, with new netminder Gabriel Larsons to get his first win. On the next day the Thunder went right back to their old ways as they fell to the Grrrowl Sunday 12-2.

10/20/09      The Thunder played another horrible weekend and this time, Thunder Coach, Doug Unger stated; "changes will be made this week, we are bringing in 3 new players and players will be sitting that can not perform and have poor attitudes. In turn, due to the 25 man roster we will be releasing 1 player this week".

10/12/09      After major changes to the Thunder Coaching Staff and Management, the changes were noticed immediately this weekend as the Thunder achieved their first point this past weekend against the Predators, loosing in a shoot out on Saturday and on Sunday the Thunder lost 8-7. The most important part of this weekend is that the changes in the organization showed and that is the first step in the positive direction the team needed.  "The team must learn to play a full 60 minutes of hockey and they will win, but when we come out flat and not aggressive and slow play, it shows on the score board"; stated Coach Unger.

The Thunder prepare for the Wooster Oilers this weekend in Wooster, OH.

10/08/09      The Thunder sign Gabriel Larsons from Stockholm, Sweden as their 4th goalie. "We normally only carry 3 goalies, but with the departure of Jon Smarsh from last season to the Pros, we knew these were going to be big shows to fill. Right now all three of our goalies still seem shakey and not on their game, some have problems on and off the ice and right now we need to think of the team as a whole to make sure we do all we can to see their record turn to wins"; stated GM/Head Coach Jimi Simmons.

10/07/09      The Thunder face off against the Preds this weekend and are still in search for their first victory. "The Players need to play 60 minutes of hockey, stop being selfish and placing blame on their team itself. It is easy to place blame instead of correcting the problem, play the systems and stay out of the penalty box. Coach Unger."

09/27/09      The Thunder played like a new team behind the new Asst. Head Coach, Doug Unger, as they played together and played smart hockey. The game was tied 2-2 until the 2:25 mark of the 3rd period when an Oiler player got away with a goal that was kicked in and gave the Oilers their victory. The Thunder head back home and will prepare for the Troy Bruins next weekend in Troy, Ohio.

09/26/09      The Thunder took another humiliating loss to the Oilers 8-2. The Thunder have announced the new Asst. Head Coach, Doug Unger, who played for the Thunder for 3 seasons and has 5 years of Jr. Hockey experience.

09/21/09      The Thunder took a tough loss to the Predators, 5-2. "We have to stay out of the box and some players are still having a tough time to stay militant and not hurt their team. I will say one thing, we were proud of their play today, they are finally coming together as a team and out played the Predators. Some poor decisions that led to some players in the box allowed the Predators to convert on their PP to take the win"; stated Coach Dan Kuehnl. The Thunder prepare for their first road trip next week as they head to Ohio to play the Wooster Oilers.

09/20/09      The Thunder have been announced as the Pro Single Affiliate of the Detroit Hitmen in the AAHL. "Our Alumni us growing every season with players not just to the College route, but to Major Jr. 'A' and Pro, with our latest Alumni Ryan Jasinsky whom was in rookie and main camp with the NHL Washington Capitals. This is a good thing for the Thunder and also gives these players options"; Coach Simmons.

09/19/09      The Thunder again..................came out flying and controlled the game, but respect for themselves as players was missing as they spent most of their time in the penalty  box, giving 3 of the 6 goals to teh Predators on the PP. "It is very frustrating as these kids have talent and skill, but they need to play a full 60 minutes of hockey and stay out of the box and be disciplined"; Coach Simmons.

09/16/09      The Philadelphia Thunder have another proud Alumni player that is one of their own.

Ryan Jasinsky surpassed Rookie Camp and has been in main camp with the NHL Washington Capitals under the tootlidge of Head Coach, Bruce Boudreau.

"I met Ryan when I was coaching as an assistant in the UHL with the Richmond Riverdogs with Robbie Nichols and he came to my Jr. team the first season when the team was in Delaware. I saw his intense work ethic and desire to excel. When we were heading to a showcase in Montreal that season, I made my contacts with teams I have delt with in the past (OHL/QMJHL) for the Pros and informed them that they need to look at Ryan as a legit Major Jr. Player. Next thing you know, the following year he went to play in the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigers and is now in an NHL Main Camp. The bottom line is we have the legit contacts and credibility to move our players on to the next level and that is the whole purpose of Jr. hockey. The more players you move, the more that wish to come to you the following season to excel as your past players have done. He had a good preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers, along with two good scraps". Coach Simmons.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/sep/03/jasinsky-ready-for-tryout-or-the-ushl/

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/boudreau-vacation-is-over.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoFzva1S5gY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BeXAfRjjK8

09/13/09     Again, the Thunder came out of the gate hard, took the lead and then had some sloppy play in the crease, along with defensive and offensive problems which gave the Bruins their second win of the season. The Thunder prepare to take on the Predators this week at home. Both teams are looking for their first win.

09/12/09     The Thunder showed great poise in the first two periods of play at the home opener, with both the Bruins and Thunder exhanging goals back to back. The lack of experience and discipline though cost the Thunder due to poor defensive and offensive play tords the end of the 2nd Period and all of the 3rd period, which cost the Thunder their first loss of the season as the Bruins tallied, 8-3. Both teams will resume play on 09/13/09 at 1:45 P.M.

09/10/09     The Thunder ink 3 players from Pro ECHL team, Elmira Jackals, which held a Pro Rookie Camp last weekend. Anthony Lugo from Prescott, AZ.; Greg Elz from Selden, NY and Brad Richards from Milton, Ontario, Canada.

09/08/09     The Philadelphia Thunder get ready for their home opener this weekend against the Troy Bruins from Troy, Ohio. Game times are Saturday, 5:20 P.M. and Sunday, 3:20 P.M.

08/30/09     The Philadelphia Thunder have a player out for the season, just one before training camp. Team Captain, Jadyn Bolte tore his MCL and will need surgery and rehab which will side line him for his last year of Jr. hockey. "These are shoes that will be hard to be filled, not just on the ice, but off. Bolte's character and leadership was superb to the Thunder when he played for us 2 years ago. He is a great young man and we wish him the best", Coach Simmons.

08/28/09    The Thunder sign a pair of Defensemen Lee Clagget and Kyle Firth, as well as Forward, Zach Brainard for the 2009-10 season.

08/22/09    The Thunder have signed speedy Forward, Jessie Dunphy from Newfoundland, Canada and Forward, Scott Mathis from Morton Grove, Illinoise for the 2009-10 season.

08/18/09    The Philadelphia Thunder bring Paul Miles on board for the 2009-10 season as Asst. General Manager and Broadcaster. Paul has been working for the South Jersey Lynx Football team, which is a minor pro team in the NAFL Football League. Paul will be dealing with the game day operations as well as the voice of the Thunder for all of the broadcasts of their home games.

08/11/09   The Thunder sign Forward, Alexander Unrue from Easton, PA. for the 2009-10 season

08/05/09   The Philadelphia Thunder have signed Forward Tyler Mischchenko from Marlton, NJ. Tyler player Midget 'AAA' last season for the Vorhees Flyers in Vorhees, NJ.

07/29/09     The Thunder have signed promissing defenseman, Matt Broderick from Milford, CT. Matt played H.S. Hockey and also played for the Hartford Wolfpack last season.

07/28/09     The Thunder have brought on Matthew B. Marcus, ATC, D.C. for the 2009-10 season as their Team Chiropracter.
 
	          Dr. Marcus graduated with a degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh and received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University. He has been the Athletic Trainer or Chiropractic Physician for:

-The University of Pittsburgh Football, Basketball & Track teams. 
-The Philadelphia 76ers, NBA          -Philadelphia Eagles, NFL
-WWE Wrestling                -University of Pennsylvania Wrestling Team

07/26/09     The Thunder welcome Matt Gummel to the organization as their Assistant Coach and Physical Trainer for the 2009-10 season. Matt played college hockey and graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a BS in Exercise Science and is CAAHEP accredited.

07/23/09    The UJHL has released the Game Schedule for the 2009-10 season.

07/15/09    The Thunder sign the Massarini brothers; Defenseman Dan and Forwards Josh and Ben. The brothers are from Mountain Dale, N.Y.

07/12/09    The Thunder wish to congratulate former netminder, Jon Smarsh as he will continue his quest to the Pros with tryouts in the ECHL, CHL and SPHL. Jon had 5 games in the ECHL last season with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, farm team of the NHL Ottawa Senators and AHL Binghamton Senators.

07/09/09    The Thunder have signed another player, 5' 09" 195 lb. forward, Patrick Oberlin from Athens Ohio.

07/01/09    The UJHL and Harrow sign a one year agreement to be the sole provider of the UJHL teams. For the full press release from Harrow, you can go to http://harrownews.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/harrow-signs-deal-with-the-united-junior-hockey-league/

06/25/09    The Thunder prepare for their final tryout July 25, 2009 which is free to invited players.

06/18/09   Thunder announce that they will supply the players with sticks for the 2009-10 sesaon.

06/17/09   The Thunder sign Forward Justin Obrien from Elmira, NY. Justin played for the Elmira Jr. Jackals in the EJHBL last season, where he totaled 10 points in 40 games. Justin is familiar with the style of coaching as he was the stick boy for the Pro Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, where Coach Simmons is the Team Head Scout and Video Coach.

06/16/09   The Thunder sign Forward Michael Materna from Mechanicsville, VA. for the 2009-10 season.

06/02/09   The Thunder sign Netminder, Michael Fisher from Hopewell, Va. for the 2009-10 season. Michael played for the Richmond Royals hockey club, which is the same youth hockey club which Thunder Alumni, Ryan Jasinsky played in before coming to the Thunder and now in Major Jr.

06/01/09   Thunder sign Netminder Alexander DiFazio from Cherry Hill, N.J.

05/28/09   The Thunder sign Forward Jadyn Bolt from Phoenix, Arizona.