PRE-SEASON: Tickets for our pre-season fixtures on Saturday 16th September and Wednesday 20th September are available online HERE, by calling 0161-926-8782 or in person at the Planet Ice Box Office!

Manchester Storm are delighted to announce the addition of Evan Weninger, most recently of Nice (Ligue Magnus). 

The Saskatoon native will join an ever-growing list of NCAA alumni at the Storm. The 26-year-old netminder spent four years at the prestigious Nebraska-Omaha university alongside several current NHL players. Weninger played on 115 occasions for the university – posting a respectable .905 SV% and 3.14 GAA. 

The transition from college hockey into the professional game would be somewhat impacted by the pandemic after debuting with Florida Everblades (ECHL) in 2019. 

In 2019-2020, the netminder started with Allen Americans before being traded to Wichita Thunder (both ECHL). By February, the goaltender decided to take his talents to Europe, for the first time, when he signed with Manglerud (Norway). An impressive seven-game stint, in Oslo, saw Weninger finishing with a 2.59 GAA and .921 SV%.

In 2020-21, the shotstopper returned to Wichita Thunder (ECHL) and was named within the ECHL All-Rookie Team. In 31 appearances, Weninger had a remarkable .923 SV% and 2.74 GAA. 

This standout performance led to multiple suitors from Europe chasing his signature. Ultimately, Selber Wölfe (DEL2) would win the race. Although, with an ailing defence the netminder left Germany after 11 matches to join HC Banska Bystrica in Slovakia. This change in scenery brought about a change in fortune, as Weninger regained his dominance between the pipes – posting a career best .925 SV% and 2.30 GAA.

For the 2022-23 campaign, Weninger made the decision to join Nice (France) despite some interest from the arena clubs within the Elite League. Typically, a franchise that struggles in Ligue Magnus, 2022-23 was no different for Nice. However, Weninger remarkably maintained a sub 3 GAA (2.88) and .911 SV%. – whilst making over 1,000 total saves on the year.

Head Coach, Matt Ginn, had this to say about his new starting netminder: “Evan is a very athletic goalie that will give us a chance to win every night. He never gives up on a puck and his compete level is through the roof. It is important to build from the net out and Evan is a goalie that the guys will be able to play with a ton of confidence in front of, knowing he will make the saves he’s supposed to and some of the ones he shouldn’t. He’s a very well liked teammate and I’m thrilled to add Evan to our group.”

Evan Weninger commented on his move to Manchester: “I’m really excited to join the Storm, we’ve got a great group of guys who I believe can win any given night and I can’t wait to get things going!”

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP: If you’re interested in sponsoring a Manchester Storm player or member of the coaching staff for the 2023/24 Elite League season, please contact RF@storm-office.com for more information!