Defenseman bolts Thunder for K.C.

Tim Graham

Tuesday, July 29, 1997 | 10:13 a.m.

On a gloomy day when storm clouds passed through the valley, Jeff Serowik's booming shot split with the Thunder and blew out of town.

After 1 1/2 seasons bolstering the Las Vegas power play, Serowik signed with the Kansas City Blades as a free agent. The defenseman's deal is for two years.

"I really enjoyed the town and liked playing for Vegas, but I had a better opportunity in Kansas City," Serowik said Monday from his Massachusetts home. "I just like the commitment Kansas City made to me, and they'd been trying to trade for me the last couple of years."

Serowik, known as having one of the hardest shots in the International Hockey League, played in only 42 games last season due to a ruptured chest muscle and a strained groin. He managed five goals and 19 assists with 34 penalty minutes.

"After my injuries, I think (the Thunder) had a sour feeling about me," Serowik said. "Kansas City was very high on me, and they made it an easy decision.

"I'm a durable player. Last year was the first year I was really ever injured. I'm going to light it up this year."

Serowik, 30, was an unrestricted free agent, preventing the Thunder from having the opportunity to match the Blades' offer. According to general manager Bob Strumm, the Thunder would have passed regardless.

"You have a priority list of guys you want to bring back to maintain continuity on your hockey club, but we felt Jeff struggled a little bit last year with us," Strumm said. "Unfortunately, he had injury problems and that impacted his performance. The financial aspect also entered into it.

"We're trying to build a Thunder core and didn't think, long term, he'd be a part of it."

Serowik came to the Thunder from the Indianapolis Ice in 1995-96, a campaign in which he recorded 27 goals (17 on power plays), 29 assists and 104 penalty minutes in 82 games.

In 1994-95, Serowik scored 28 goals for Providence, tying a 59-year-old American Hockey League record for goals by a defenseman.

"His offensive numbers over the years certainly catch your eye," Blades vice president and general manager Doug Soetaert said. "He should be a huge piece in our power-play puzzle, an area that needs improvement over last season."

Serowik said he also considered offers from Chicago, Houston and Long Beach.