Duda Back for Record 9th Season With Thunder

(Courtesy of the Wichita Thunder)
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder today announced the signing of their all-time leading goal-scorer, veteran forward Jason Duda. A 29-year-old native of Sexsmith, Alberta, Duda finished third on the Thunder this past season with 66 points in 55 games and led the team with 13 power play goals. Duda stepped it up a notch in the playoffs, leading the Thunder with a team-high seven assists and 10 points. He is the all-time Thunder postseason leader with 32 assists and ranks second only to Ron Handy with 50 points.

Wichita's most durable player in the 21st century, Duda played in a franchise-record 225 straight games, before finally suffering a hand injury last season, that caused him to miss nine games. His consecutive games played streak is the third longest in CHL history. Now fully recovered, Duda will enter the 2004-05 season with perfect vision for the first time in his career, following successful Lasik surgery at the TLC Laser Eye Center in Tulsa, which improved his vision to 20/15.

"I am ecstatic to return to the Thunder especially after the tremendous success we had last season", said Duda. "I feel very confident not only in the team we will put on the ice, but in the contributions I will be able to make this season as well."

Over his eight-year career, Duda has amassed a franchise-record 215 goals. He ranks second to his longtime friend and linemate Travis Clayton in assists (307), points (522), games played (441), power play goals (60), shorthanded goals (15) and game-winning goals (24), making them one of the greatest duos in CHL history.

Duda also continues to climb the CHL's all-time scoring charts, moving into seventh in CHL history with 217 goals. He also ranks among the top 15 in assists, points and games played.

"I am very happy that Jason has decided to continue his career in Wichita", said Thunder head coach Derek Laxdal. "We are very fortunate to have two cornerstones like Jason and Travis, who have devoted their entire careers to the organization."

Duda came to the Thunder in December of 1996 from the Oklahoma City Blazers in a trade for Dave Shute. Prior to turning pro, he was a standout in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey league (SJHL), piling up a league-record 141 points in 1996 with the Melfort Mustangs. Duda is the eighth player under contract for the 2004-05 season.

| Back to index...

Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
June 2002
May 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
October 2001
September 2001
July 2001
May 2001
February 2000