1996–97 Wichita Thunder season
The 1996–97 Wichita Thunder season was the fifth season of the CHL franchise in Wichita, Kansas.
Regular season
Division standings
| Western Division | |||||||
| y-Oklahoma City Blazers | 66 | 48 | 12 | 6 | 307 | 200 | 102 |
| x-Fort Worth Fire | 66 | 43 | 16 | 5 | 279 | 210 | 95 |
| x-Tulsa Oilers | 66 | 30 | 32 | 4 | 286 | 284 | 64 |
| x-Wichita Thunder | 66 | 25 | 31 | 10 | 279 | 324 | 60 |
| e-San Antonio Iguanas | 66 | 26 | 36 | 4 | 261 | 326 | 56 |
Note: y - clinched league title; x - clinched playoff spot; e - eliminated from playoff contention
Awards
Transactions
The Thunder were involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.;Trades
| December 19, 1996 | To Oklahoma City Blazers: Dave Shute | To Wichita: Jason Duda |