With the offseason now completely in the rear-view mirror, the Evansville Thunderbolts will once again hit the ice for their 10th Anniversary Season, starting in Knoxville this Friday before returning to Ford Center on Saturday in a rematch against the Ice Bears.
The Week Ahead:
The Thunderbolts will open the season in Knoxville against the Ice Bears this Friday night, opening face-off at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum set for 6:30pm CT. Fans can watch online on FloHockey or listen for free on the Thunderbolts Mixlr Channel. Back on Ford Center ice this Saturday, the Thunderbolts will again face the Ice Bears for Opening Night presented by CenterPoint Energy, opening face-off at 7:00pm CT. The Thunderbolts will raise their 2025-26 President’s Cup Championship banner to the Ford Center rafters in a special pregame ceremony, and the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica President’s Cup Championship banner. In addition, there will be a Party on the Plaza outside Ford Center starting at 4:00pm, and to commemorate 10 seasons of Evansville Thunderbolts hockey, the Thunderbolts will wear specialty jerseys similar to the ones worn in the 2016-17 season, which will be auctioned off after the game.
Coming Soon:
On Saturday, October 24th, the Thunderbolts will bring Octoberfest vibes to the Ford Center as they host the Quad City Storm for Hocktoberfest Night, featuring a Party on the Plaza Biergarten starting at 4:00pm! Fans can purchase a ticket and get a custom Hocktoberfest beer stein (while supplies last) for $30 using this link: bit.ly/4dyvOYf . Any remaining beer steins not pre-ordered will be available for purchase on the night of the game on a first-come, first-serve basis!
Scouting the Opponent:
- Knoxville Ice Bears:
- 2025-26 Record: 27-26-5, 59 Points, 7th Place
- Leading Returning Goal Scorer: Ryan Kuzmich (20 Goals)
- Leading Returning Point Scorer: Tim Kent (33 Points)
- Primary Goaltender: Stephen Mundinger (2025-26: 14-11-4, .928 Save %)
- Thunderbolts 25-26 Record vs KNX: 3-2-0
The Ice Bears, who advanced to the President’s Cup Semifinals this past season for the second year in a row before bowing out to the Peoria Rivermen in five games, played a single preseason game in Birmingham this past Saturday, falling in overtime.
Call-up Report
- Matthew Hobbs (Worcester Railers – ECHL)
- 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 0 PIM
Single game and season tickets for the 2026-27 season are on sale now. Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.