Thunder Add Toughness with Signing of Lizon, Boogaard
 
Wichita, KS (July 27th) –  The Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League added toughness to their line-up on Friday, re-signing forward Erick Lizon and agreeing to terms with forward Aaron Boogaard for the 2012-13 season.
 
Entering his seventh season as a pro, Lizon returns to Wichita after recording six points and racking up 159 penalty minutes last year. The Kitchener, ONT native was voted as Best Fighter in the Heavyweight Division in last year's Best-of-the-Best Poll. Overall, Lizon has accumulated 914 penalty minutes in 315 games as a professional.
 
"I enjoyed my time last year in Wichita," said Lizon. "Making it as far as we did feels like there is unfinished business for me in Wichita along with the fans, staff, and players in the dressing room. I am looking forward to October and hope we can bring home a title."
 
The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder had a career-high 208 penalty minutes in only 48 games in 2010-2011 with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors while also contributing seven points. Lizon also spent time with the Oklahoma City Blazers and the Laredo Bucks in the CHL and received a call-up to the Worchester Sharks of the AHL in 2010-11. He played his junior hockey with the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL and the Streetsville Derbys of the OPJHL, where he racked up 292 penalty minutes in 122 games.
 
The Thunder also agreed to terms with forward Aaron Boogaard. A sixth-round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, Boogaard enters his sixth season of professional hockey. Boogaard has spent the last two years in the CHL. He was traded from Laredo to rival Rio Grande Valley at the beginning of the 2011-12 season. Prior to his time in the CHL, he has spent parts of three seasons with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins of the AHL and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Overall, Boogaard has compiled 17 goals, 23 assists and 600 penalty minutes in 242 career games as a pro.

“When Wichita showed interest in bringing me in for this upcoming season, I jumped at the opportunity,” commented Boogaard. “They have been a premier team the past few years with a great coach and I am very much excited to wear the Thunder jersey and a part of the organization.”

The Regina, Saskatchewan native has ties to Kansas as his sister, Krysten played basketball at the University of Kansas. His older brother, Derek, played for Minnesota and the New York Rangers of the NHL.

“Having these two individuals in our dressing room is going to be very important for us next season,” stated Head Coach Kevin McClelland. “Lizon was a fan favorite and is hungry to win a title. Having a guy like Boogaard is key for us as well. Both guys bring a physical presence and work hard every night. I am looking forward to both Erick and Aaron being a part of our organization.”