“Sell out, Sell out,” the hit song by Reel Big Fish can be used in correlation with the new hockey team in Delaware, called the Delaware Thunder. They took the State of Delaware by storm this past season. The team they call the “Thunder” are part of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. They played their games in the Town of Harrington, Delaware, before the season was shutdown due to the Coronavirus. Approximately 700 people on game day (A sell out crowd) would see this ferocious team in the Thunder play.
The Thunder had many unknowns when the team was first founded last year. First and foremost, how would the community embrace this team? Boy!!! The people of the “First State” come out in full force for their new found hockey team. Selling out the first game, and many other games after that. Owner, President, and General Manager, Charles Pens Sr. believed a packed house on a nightly basis would make it a tough place to play against, and he was right as the Thunder played competitive hockey for the majority of the season. Fight after fight would ensue on most nights, at times it was like Good Ole’ Fashioned pond hockey with the “Broad Street Bullies” on the ice.
Their were some heroes behind the scenes for the Thunder, now that their season has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Without these three individuals game day would be very confusing for all parties involved, and for that matter the fans might have received silence while watching the games on live stream, or if fans were in attendance for the games.
Gary Schofield
Schofield was voted as the third best announcer in the FPHL earlier this season. He has been in broadcast and radio for a number of years, but this was his first time announcing games. Who would’ve thought that right? Not I, Gary developed a voice similar to Jim Jackson of the Flyers in just his first season at the helm.
The way Schofield describes plays as they are happening, getting boisterous at times, he just had so much passion and love for this team you could really hear it in his voice. Schofield really sounded like a person who had at least twenty years experience as a play by play announcer.
Mike Basile
Basile is the Director of Hockey Operations for the Thunder. He worked side by side with Schofield, and the two really became loved by the viewers in Delaware. Basile would also partake in player interviews following the games, and do pre/post game interviews with Charlie Pens Sr.
His other duties include situating gameday credentials, making sure the press area is neat and tidy, and ensuring that the proud Thunder fans are taken care of and happy. I’m sure Basile went through three cell phones this past season, while having fun in doing such.
Tom Schultz
Tom is a genuine person, not just because he does a great job as a public address announcer, but he really cares about people. Schultz has a unique voice, whether it be the mic he speaks into, or in person, Schultz was just phenomenal for the Thunder (Much like Lou Nolan is for the Flyers).
Schultz had a loud iconic voice. He had to be loud as the proud Thunder fans (Thunda Packs) would ring Cowbells, and also chant loudly in the small confined area. Schultz would get animated at times following a big goal, or announcing the players following a huge fight. Simply put, Schultz did a great job in his first year with the Thunder.
Of course, like any new business or sports team for that matter. The Thunder underestimated the “Early” overall success of the team, especially in regards to selling tickets. However, the people of the “First State” have spoken, and it appears they love ice hockey. Who would of thought? The small Town of Slower Lower Delaware would become the face of the first state in just the first season of Thunder hockey. One thing’s for certain, good things are in store for this franchise.
FPHL Notes:
A former Thunder player Ryan ‘Magic’ Marker was named Rookie of the Year for the FPHL yesterday. He had an insane season, as he finished with 76 points (42g,34a) in just 42 games played. Moreover, Marker tallied 11g,10 in 12 games with the Watertown Wolves following the trade from the the Thunder. This honor is a well deserved one for him.
