Category Archives: Bloomington Thunder

Flying Aces to delay home opener due to arena work

Flying Aces to delay home opener due to arena work

The Central Illinois Flying Aces announced on Tuesday that its home-opening weekend on Oct. 13-14 will be rescheduled to allow for upgrades to the dasher board and glass system at Grossinger Motors Arena.MORE

3 Thunder players selected at NHL Draft

3 Thunder players selected at NHL Draft

Three players who have suited up for the Bloomington Thunder were selected over the weekend at the second day of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center.MORE

Thunder GM Jewell accepts college coaching job

Thunder GM Jewell accepts college coaching job

By Eric Stock BLOOMINGTON – One month after the Bloomington Thunder promoted Dan Jewell to general manager, he’s taking a coaching job in the Division One college ranks. Jewell has been named as assistant coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York. Jewell was also an assistant coach on the Thunder staff and…MORE

Thunder introduce new head coach and GM

Thunder introduce new head coach and GM

by Marc Strauss BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Thunder introduced a new head coach and general manager on Thursday. Mike Watt takes over the bench after two years as one of the team’s assistants under Dennis Williams. “It means a lot to myself and my family. It’s a very important position and my family and I…MORE

Thunder names new coach, GM after Williams departure

Thunder names new coach, GM after Williams departure

By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Thunder will have a new head coach and general manager for their fourth season in the USHL, but it will be two familiar faces serving in those positions. Mike Watt, an assistant coach for the Thunder for the last two seasons, has been appointed the second head coach…MORE

Thunder start USHL Draft with 10 Phase I selections

Thunder start USHL Draft with 10 Phase I selections

By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Thunder completed Phase I of the 2017 USHL Draft on Monday, drafting 10 total prospects, including Jake Braccini with the sixth overall pick. “It was a very successful draft. I thought [Assistant General Manager] Dan Jewell did a really good job of orchestrating it and preparing for it,”…MORE

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…