(Team Release) - The Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League (CHL) proudly announced today that left wing Jason Duda will return for the 2007-08 season, his 12th straight season in Thunder blue. A 32-year-old native of Sexsmith, Alberta and now year-round Wichita resident, Duda is coming off another solid season in which he led the Thunder with 48 assists and 75 points. Duda also finished tied for second on the team with 27 goals, while picking up a career-high 106 penalty minutes.

Announced CHL Player Signings for 2007-2008

Duda broke into the CHL in 1996 with the Oklahoma City Blazers, but was traded to the Thunder that December for Dave Shute, in what turned out to be one of the best trades in CHL history. Duda notched 15 goals and 30 points with the Thunder that season and scored the overtime game-winner to give the Thunder a first round upset of the Blazers in the 1997 CHL playoffs.

A three-time CHL All-Star, Duda has led the Thunder in scoring two of the last three seasons and four times in the last seven. His best season came in 2004-05 when he led the CHL with 96 points, including a career-high 66 assists, and was a runner-up for the CHL MVP Award.

Duda has ranked among the top two Thunder scorers in seven of the last eight seasons, helping him compile the all-time franchise record for assists (476), overtime goals (7) and hat tricks (11). A two-time Thunder MVP, Duda also ranks second in franchise history with 303 goals and 784 points, while his 640 total games played rank second in CHL history.

This past season Duda added another milestone to his impressive resume, notching his 300th pro goal with a hat trick on March 2nd versus Oklahoma City. The three goals came in a Thunder record span of just 2:36. The sticks used by both Duda and long time teammate Travis Clayton - who also recorded his 300th pro goal with a hat trick just 10 days before Duda - were requested by and are now on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.

Duda now sits at 305 career goals, just seven shy of former Thunder star Paul Jackson for second place in CHL history. Clayton and Duda also expect to join Joe Burton and Doug Lawrence this season as the only 800-point scorers in CHL history. Only Duda and Don Margettie (who finished last season with the Laredo Bucks) have played in the CHL since 1996.

One of the best leaders in CHL history, Duda will serve as team captain for the fourth straight season; his seventh season overall. The all-time franchise leader in the postseason with 47 assists and 72 points in 66 games, Duda has earned that impressive nod from three different Thunder coaches.

“Bringing back Jason as team captain has always been an easy decision”, said Thunder head coach Mark French. “Jason has natural instincts as a leader and has been well-respected by his teammates for as long as he’s been a member of this organization.”

Duda’s signing brings the current Thunder roster to 11. Other signings include defensemen Daniel Tetrault, Todd Paul and Tyler Hanchuck; forwards Kris Wiebe, Stan Yanchishyn, Bruce Richardson, Tyler Liebel and Travis Clayton; and goaltenders Sebastien Laplante and Jon Horrell.