RPI's Dovar Tinling signs with ECHL's Thunder

The 23-year-old forward joins the Glens Falls-based professional hockey team.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:39pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in motion, with sharp planes of muted blues, greens, and grays, conveying the transition from amateur to professional sports.A young hockey player's journey from college to the pros takes shape in a cubist-inspired illustration.Glens Falls Today

Dovar Tinling, a 23-year-old forward who recently completed his college hockey career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), has signed with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL, a professional minor league. Tinling made his pro debut with the Thunder over the past weekend.

Why it matters

The ECHL is a stepping stone for many young hockey players looking to make the jump to the higher-level American Hockey League (AHL) or National Hockey League (NHL). Tinling's signing with the Thunder provides him an opportunity to showcase his skills and potentially earn a contract with an AHL or NHL organization in the future.

The details

Tinling, a native of Potsdam, New York, spent the past four seasons playing for the RPI Engineers hockey team in the NCAA Division I level. During his college career, he recorded 31 goals and 41 assists in 136 games. The Adirondack Thunder, based in Glens Falls, New York, compete in the ECHL, which is one level below the AHL.

  • Tinling recently completed his college hockey career at RPI.
  • Tinling made his professional debut with the Adirondack Thunder over the past weekend.

The players

Dovar Tinling

A 23-year-old forward who recently completed his college hockey career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

Adirondack Thunder

A professional hockey team that competes in the ECHL, a minor league that is one level below the American Hockey League (AHL).

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The takeaway

Tinling's signing with the Adirondack Thunder represents an important step in his hockey career, as he looks to transition from the college game to the professional ranks and potentially earn a contract with a higher-level AHL or NHL organization in the future.