THUNDERBOLTS CHARGE INTO THE NEW SEASON AS REIGNING CHAMPIONS

After years of hard-fought battles, the Evansville Thunderbolts reached the pinnacle of success last spring, capturing the SPHL Championship and etching their names in franchise history. But for Head Coach Jeff Bes, the focus now shifts from celebration to continuation—a new season, new challenges, and the familiar fire that drives champions to do it all over again.

From Hunters to Hunted

When asked what it feels like to return to the ice as reigning champions, Bes’ tone carries both pride and perspective. “Obviously winning the championship last year has impacted our returning players, but we need to focus on this year and the goals ahead,” he says. The excitement of last season’s success lingers, but the veteran coach understands that the title also brings new pressure. “Certainly, the experience and winning the championship and hoisting the cup over our heads was fantastic; however, now we’re going to have a target on our back so to speak because you are now the hunted and you’re not the hunter.”

That shift, from chasing the top to defending it, demands a different kind of discipline. The team’s off-season was shorter than usual, the expectations higher, and the community energy electric. Evansville fans, who have long stood behind their Thunderbolts, are now rallying behind a team with championship pedigree.

Building the Foundation for Greatness

When it comes to what made last year’s championship possible, Bes doesn’t credit sweeping roster changes or dramatic overhauls. Instead, he highlights the strength of consistency and commitment. “I wouldn’t say there were too many specific changes,” he explains. “We didn’t have a lot of movement as per previous seasons. I think last season we stuck with our guys. We worked with them throughout the course of the season.”

That stability, combined with a culture of trust, became the backbone of the Thunderbolts’ success. Through injuries, call-ups, and setbacks, the team grew tighter, not weaker. “By the end of the season though, our guys were really focusing on what we needed to do, buying into the program and the systems that we needed to do to be successful, and it showed,” says Bes. “We hit the plateau and the peak at the perfect time, and it was a great experience for us to do. We had the belief that, yes, when we work hard and do the right things, you will be rewarded.”

In many ways, that belief became the Thunderbolts’ trademark. They weren’t the flashiest team in the league, but they were one of the most united. Every shift, every blocked shot, every battle along the boards was part of something larger—a collective pursuit that culminated in a historic win.

A Team Effort, Every Night

Bes is quick to emphasize that last year’s triumph wasn’t about a single standout player. While individual performances shone throughout the playoffs, the magic was in the group’s total buy-in. “Every single player impacted the championship last season on each and every night,” he insists. “I believe our guys had such a belief in each other and working for each other and doing whatever it took that, everyone stood out, and everyone did what was needed to do to be successful, and that’s how you win.”

That team-first mentality defined the Thunderbolts’ identity, and it’s what Bes hopes to preserve moving forward. “Any given night someone is going to step up, and that’s what happened. It was a great feeling, a great energy and that was something these guys had. It was belief.”

The Next Chapter

As the 2025 season unfolds, the Thunderbolts are not just defending a title, they’re reinforcing a legacy. The roster is a blend of returning veterans and eager newcomers, all buying into the culture that Bes and his staff have built. The Ford Center ice, once a stage for hopefuls, is now the home of champions, and that energy radiates through every practice and game.

Still, Bes knows that repeating success in professional hockey is one of the toughest tasks there is. Every opponent now circles the Evansville Thunderbolts on their calendar.

Every game feels like a test of resilience, preparation, and pride. But in true Evansville fashion, this team thrives on challenge.

Fans who packed the stands last season will find plenty to cheer for again—hard-nosed hockey, blue-collar effort, and a team that plays with the same heart and grit that defines their city. The Thunderbolts may be the hunted now, but with the lessons of last season and the leadership of Jeff Bes behind the bench, they’re more than ready to defend their crown.