Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the re-signing of forward Isaac Chapman for the 2025-26 season. The Thunderbolts will raise their President’s Cup Championship banner prior to their 2025-26 home opener at Ford Center on Saturday, October 25th against the Quad City Storm.
Chapman joined the Thunderbolts from Alvernia University just after the mid-way point of the 2024-25 season and made an immediate impact in his jump to the professional ranks, scoring 8 goals and 13 points in 24 regular season games, before adding a goal and 4 points in the President’s Cup Playoffs. The native of Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia played three seasons of junior hockey in the MJAHL with the Pictou County Crushers in 2018-19 and Edmundston Blizzard between 2019-2021, scoring 58 goals and 105 points in 119 games. Chapman enrolled at Norwich University in 2021-22, where he played one season before transferring to Alvernia University. In 75 total collegiate games between 2021-2025, Chapman scored 27 goals and 58 points in 75 games.
Looking back at joining the Thunderbolts during the 2024-25 season, Chapman commented: “The experience was awesome, I just wanted to come in here and do what the team needed, and I was treated like a professional from the moment I walked in. Between the other players, the staff, and the fans, I saw how great the organization is. Winning a championship is always special, but there was something sweeter about doing it as an underdog. Being such a close group and being treated so well played a huge part in bringing the championship to Evansville.” On preparing for his first full professional season, Chapman kept his focus simple, saying: “I think I just need to stick to my process, don’t get too far ahead, focus on one day at a time. I want to be a player who is trusted to play in any situation.” Entering training camp, Chapman concluded by saying: “I’m super excited for this season, there is going to be a huge buzz in the city coming off last season’s championship. I think it’ll be huge for us to ride that momentum into the season and come out swinging.”
On re-signing Chapman, Head Coach Jeff Bes commented: “Isaac came in last year and gave us the adrenaline boost we needed. He is just a top notch guy that gelled instantly with our group. He can score goals and make plays, but it’s also what you don’t see that he does well; getting pucks out, backchecking, blocking shots, and the great energy he provides on the bench. We know he will build and grow his game even more this season.”
