Former Wichita Thunder star named team’s newest head coach

Former Wichita Thunder star named team’s newest head coach

The video above aired in December 2025.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Wichita Thunder named Travis Clayton as its 15th head coach on Tuesday, following his second year as the team’s assistant coach.

Clayton played 11 seasons with the Thunder, nearing the top of every offensive category, including first in shorthand goals, first in game-winning goals, and first in plus/minus.

He became one of only five players in the franchise’s history to have their numbers retired, joining Ron Hady, Bobby Desjardin, Rob Weingartner, and Jason Duda.

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Following his stint with the Thunder, Clayton finished his career, playing two seasons with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, and winning his first President’s Cup Trophy during the 2010-11 season.

“Wichita has always been home. My wife is from here, I spent 11 seasons playing for the Thunder, and it’s where we started our family,” Clayton said in a press release. “To have my first professional coaching opportunity in the ECHL right here is a true full-circle moment. I’m incredibly grateful to Joel and the Steven Brothers for their trust, and I can’t wait to get to work building a championship team for this community.”

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Clayton began his coaching career with the Western States Hockey League’s Dallas Snipers in 2012-13. He led the Lloydminster Bobcats U18 AAA for three seasons and coached the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Whitecourt Wolverines during the 2021-22 season.

“I’m very excited to give Travis this opportunity to take the Thunder to a higher level,” Thunder General Manager Joel T. Lomurno said in a press release. “Travis was a hard-working player who never took a shift off. The last two years, he has put in long hours to learn the business and prepare for the next step in his career.  Travis and I are on the same page about what we want to see out of the Thunder on the ice next season, and we cannot wait to get started and come out of the gates hard in October.”

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2026-27 season. For more information, visit the Wichita Thunder .