DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Wichita Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda, announced on Wednesday that the organization has signed University of Dubuque men's hockey forward Nikita Borodaenko to an amateur tryout contract (ATO). Borodaenko will play his first game tonight in Coralville, Iowa against the Iowa Heartlanders at 7:00 p.m. from Xtream Arena. 

The Wichita Thunder play in the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League). The Thunder are a (AA) minor league affiliate with the San Jose Sharks of the NHL (National Hockey League) and San Jose Barracuda of the (AHL) American Hockey League.

Dubuque has been a home for Borodaenko for quite some time now as it all started when he played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints out of the USHL (United States Hockey League). He played for the saints for one year before playing collegiate hockey at Division I Merrimack College on the east coast. When UD started their hockey program a few years ago, Borodaenko would later enter the transfer portal and decided to come back to Dubuque to play for the University of Dubuque men's hockey program. 

In his two seasons with the Spartans, Borodaenko played in all 50 games, recording 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists). This past season Borodaenko tied for the seventh most points (35) in Division III and was one of the premier forwards in the country. He was also a four-time NCHA Star of the Week throughout his time at UD and was named on the UW-Superior Showdown All-Tournament team each of the last two season, while earning MVP of the tournament this past season.

"Upon the start of recruiting Nikita in the summer of 2024, it wasn't easy, he entered the transfer portal out of one the most powerful leagues in Division 1 hockey, he could have transferred to any Division III program in the country and some other Division 1 schools, but life is about timing, he understood the process for UD hockey and himself" mentioned UD men's hockey head coach Seamus Gregory.

"He has been a pillar for us over the last two seasons and can now take the next step in his hockey journey. We are very proud of his accomplishments both on the ice and in the classroom. Hockey is a game, sometimes life comes full circle, there are many factors that brought Nikita back to the City of Dubuque and the University of Dubuque, he will graduate from here and be an alumni - that was the game plan, once a Spartan always a Spartan."

Borodaenko will be playing in his first game tonight against the Iowa Heartlanders at 7:00 p.m. from the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.