Wichita acquires, signs ECHL All-Star Crandall

Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and AHL's Bakersfield Condors, announced that the team has acquired forward Justin Crandall from the Reading Royals for the rights to defenseman Nolan Zajac. Crandall has also been signed to a contract for the 2017-18 season.

Crandall comes to the Thunder after playing the last two seasons for the Royals. The Lakeville, Minn. native finished second on the team in scoring with 58 points (22g-36a) last season. He represented Reading at the 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic and was selected as an alternate captain. In his first two years as a pro, Crandall has recorded at least 50 points, netting 55 (17g-38a) during his rookie campaign in 2015-16. Overall, he has 116 points (40g-76a) in 124 ECHL games.

Prior to turning pro, the 25-year-old played a four-year career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. During the 2013-14 season, he tied for the team-lead in goals (14), tied for second in points (27), led the team in shooting percentage (18.4%), power play goals (6), plus/minus (+8) and was selected to the WCHA/NCHC All-Academic Team. He served as an alternate captain during his senior season in 2014-15. Overall, he collected 79 points (40g-39a) in 145 career games for the Bulldogs.