Will the playoff drought come to an end? That is what a lot of Wichita Thunder fans are asking entering the 2024-25 ECHL season as the team has not made the playoffs since the Covid shortened 2020-21 campaign, and they have been in the post-season just one time in the last six seasons.

Thet last three campaigns have been disheartening to say the least. Two last places (including last year) and a fifth-place finish has soured the Thunder faithful, but a new season brings a new sense of optimism and there is a lot to be optimistic about. This promises to be the best possible season the team has had in a decade thanks to three goaltenders who, should they remain with the team, very well could lead this team to a deep playoff run.

The Challenges Between the Pipes

Goaltending has been at the center of the problem that last three seasons. The 2020-2021 combination of Evan Buitenhuis and Evan Weninger had been brilliant, but Weinenger headed for Europe and Buitenhuis soon followed. He played in 31 games before heading for greener pastures. Jake Theut was solid, but was not able to dominate. The Edmonton Oilers were of little help, sending Olivier Rodrigue for just 15 games, and his numbers were not earth-shattering (3.57, 7-7-1).

Buitenhuis returned for the 2022-23 season and played very well (2.90, 13-13-3), but it was not long before Europe caught his attention once again. That left the team struggling to find a consistent netminder to fill the void. San Jose Sharks prospect Strauss Mann (2.51, 9-3-1) was outstanding, but was with the team for only a limited amount of time. Over the final two months, six goaltenders tried to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. Trevor Gorsuch nearly was the savior, going 3-1-1 with a 2.73 GAA in his five games with the team, but the deficit proved to be too much to overcome.

Last season, the cupboard looked full. Gorsuch returned and the team brought in Beck Warm, who had played well at the AHL and ECHL levels. Plus, the Sharks were poised to add some help. This looked like the goaltending combination Thunder Head Coach Bruce Ramsay had been hoping for, but it did not come to fruition. Warm (3.78, 10-14-1) was a disappointment, and the combination of Eetu Makiniemi (3.39, 1-2-0), Magnus Chrona (2.94, 0-1-1), and Georgy Romanov (4.00, 3-3-1) came from the Sharks to make just 12 total starts. That dropped the bulk of the goaltending duties onto Gorsuch (3.41, 13-15-7), who was solid but could not help this team to reach the playoffs.

Fall Springs Optimism?

It would be easy for a Thunder fan to sink his or her head into the sand over the next eight months, but this promises to be a season where the goaltending comes together for the Thunder. Gorsuch will be back, but he will be fighting for playing time as former NHL netminder Aaron Dell and University of Vermont standout Garbriel Carriere join the club.

Aaron Dell

Many will be wondering how long Dell will even be in Wichita. He played in the NHL as recently as 2022-23 (San Jose Sharks) and has produced solid numbers at the top level, going 50-50-3 with a 2.92 GAA and a .905 save percentage. Last season, Dell was with the Ontario Reign (AHL), where he posted a 2.57 GAA. He has tools and may not be around in Wichita for long.

However, the Sharks are fairly loaded at the goaltending position throughout their system, so his stay may be longer than anyone may believe. Regardless of if he is in Wichita for 10 or 50 games, he will have an impact. Look for him to a great leader in the locker room, a positive influence on the culture of the team, and an incredible tutor for his fellow netminders. Carriere should really benefit from the time with the NHL vet.

Gabriel Carriere

Carriere was undrafted coming out of the University of Vermont. He appeared in one game for the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) last year, and will be given a real shot to prove that he has a future with the organization. Should Dell move up or move on, look for Carriere to be the guy carrying much of the load.

The numbers for the Thunder goaltender are impressive. Carriere posted sub-3.00 goals against averages in all four seasons at Vermont. In fact, his junior league career was quite impressive as well, especially in 2019-20, when he went 21-8-2 with a 2.57 GAA for Waterloo (USHL).

Trevor Gorsuch

Gorsuch may not have the numbers or hype of the other two, but there is one thing he does better than any other – battle. Gorsuch is a survivor. He is the one who finds a way to keep getting onto the ice. He is the kind of player that a team loves battling for because they know he is putting it on the line with every save.

Gorsuch has split time between the ECHL and SPHL in each of his six professional seasons. The 3.41 goals against average last season was the worst of his career, but that was more a product of an inexperienced defense playing in front of him. It will not be surprising to see his numbers improve with Dell as a mentor.

Do We Dare Say…

Wichita Thunder fans have not had a lot to cheer about over the last six seasons, but that may be different this year. The roster does not look deep offensively, but they have a solid defensive corps, and what could be a top three goaltending corral.

That should be enough to get this team into the playoffs where a hot goaltender makes all the difference. We could be looking at playoff hockey in Wichita, Kansas come May 2025.