The Evansville Thunderbolts are excited to announce the return of four players from the 2016-17 inaugural season.  Brandon Lubin, Cory Melkert, Al Graves and Nick D’Avolio will return to play for the Thunderbolts when the puck drops on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Ford Center.

“This is a good start to what we are trying to build and the message we are sending,” said Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Pyle.  “We finished strong last year and over the next couple of weeks we will be signing our protected players and new players we feel fit in to our plan.”

•Brandon Lubin — The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward from Commerce, MI played 21 games with the Thunderbolts last season before getting called up to the ECHL to play for the Utah Grizzlies.  “I was excited to get Lubin back,” said Pyle.  “He is a solid 2-way defenseman that is going to have a great year if he doesn’t crack an ECHL line up.”

•Cory Melkert — The Kenmore, ONT native’s 6-foot-4, 211-pound frame made a big impact for the Thunderbolts’ defense last season.  Melkert played 31 games with the Thunderbolts last year, earning 2 goals, 8 assists and 55 PIM.  “Melkert was a big tough defenseman the can bring a little of everything and is very versatile,” said Pyle.  “He was a great fit for our locker room.”

•Al Graves — The 6-foot-1, 211-pound defenseman from King of Prussia, PA was a fan favorite for his 49 PIM, 4 goals and 4 assists in 23 games with the Thunderbolts.  “Al Graves proved to be a very special player for us and I think him coming back is huge for us,” said Pyle.  “He hits like a truck and commands respect on the ice.  As he got more comfortable in the systems he played better and better.  The guys loved him!”

•Nick D’Avolio — D’Avolio made his mark on the ice when he joined the Thunderbolts near the end of the regular season.  In just 5 games, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound North Riverside, IL native earned 2 goals and 2 assists and instantly put himself in the role of playmaker for the team.  “Getting Nick D’Avolio at the end of the year was a blessing also,” said Pyle.  “A young kid who is full of talent and energy and with his speed can create so much offensively.”

Melkert, Graves and D’Avolio were placed on the team’s protected player list in May.

“These guys coming back for a second year will make it easier to send the message from the first day of camp,” said Pyle.  “The next focus will be to get all the protected guys done in the next couple of weeks and then work on a couple free agent guys.  I like the look of the team at the moment.”  

Season tickets are as low as $11 per game.  To order your tickets for next season, call 812-422-BOLT.

About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team.  The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com