Thunderbolts

Emptying my notebook of some off-ice stuff:

• The Thunder is returning to a more traditional look with its jerseys this year, GM Joel Lomurno said. Colors are black and royal blue. If you want a preview, check out the road jerseys of the Buffalo Sabres; that was the style the Thunder used as a model. The front of the uniforms will have the player’s number on the right chest – it’s been several years since that was a feature – along with the team logo. Also, the purple has been removed from the Thunder’s logo and replaced with silver.

• Last year’s highlight video, unveiled at the new arena and played during pregame, was a big hit. So it’s good news that Squid Ink Creative (is there a better business name in Wichita?) has signed on to do another one. The only problem, according to Lomurno, is that there is a lack of highlights to use, given that so few players are returning from last season.

• As of last week, details were still sketchy about the ceremony to retire Jason Duda’s jersey number during the home opener on Saturday. Lomurno wasn’t sure who would introduce Duda, or whether Duda would speak. (I’m sure he will.) A funny idea I saw on one of the message boards: A video message from former Oklahoma City coach Doug Sauter, who traded away Duda as a rookie. That won’t happen, but how about one from longtime linemate Travis Clayton?