The Thunder has lost a star performer – this one off the ice.
General manager Joel Lomurno’s off-season, already challenging given the team’s poor play the past two years, became even tougher with the recent departure of key staffer Joe Greene, who had been with the team for three seasons. Greene was the director of group sales, and under his leadership the Thunder was among the best in the CHL in that department.
Greene is moving to the CHL expansion team in Independence, Mo. He will be assistant GM.
“It’s a big loss,” Lomurno said. “He’s known throughout the league as one of the best salesmen in the league. Joe is going to help start a new franchise, and he thought this would be best for him and his family. We wish him the best.”
Jeremy Mock has been promoted to director of group sales.
“He’s got big shoes to fill, but he learned under Joe and he has a lot to work with,” Lomruno said.
Duda won’t do surgery: Veteran Jason Duda, who struggled with a sore back much of the season, has elected to rehab the injury rather than have surgery. Lomurno said the team will know in about a month if the rehab has worked, or if surgery will be required.
Scott Rozendal (knee), Jason Tessier (hand) and Pascal Bedard (shoulder) have also had surgery since the season ended.
Boron update: Goalie Tim Boron had surgery on one hip toward the end of the season. He has having surgery on the other hip this week. “It’s going to be a big injury to come back from,” Lomurno said.