BLOOMINGTON - With his team mired in a lengthy slump, first-year Bloomington PrairieThunder coach Jarrod Skalde continued his recent roster shake-up Tuesday by waiving veteran center Leo Thomas.

The release of Thomas, the team's second-leading scorer last season, followed last week's signing of veteran center Marty Standish. Thomas, a sixth-year pro from Toronto, had four goals and two assists in nine games this season.

"It's a tough decision," Skalde said. "I thought when we started the year off it would be an upgrade when (Thomas) became available. It was just tough to find a place for him to fit in after picking up Marty Standish and the fact we need some defensemen.

"I need that veteran spot available and the roster spot. Leo's a good player, but something has to happen around here."

Thomas' departure leaves one opening on Bloomington's 21-man roster ahead of Thursday's 7:35 p.m. home game against Kalamazoo. The Thunder (5-8-0) has lost six of its last seven games to fall into last place in the International Hockey League.

Skalde hopes to sign a defenseman by Thursday to replace recent acquisition Geoff Patton, who will be sidelined for two weeks after separating his shoulder in Friday's 5-0 loss at Kalamazoo. Bloomington followed the Kalamazoo loss by suffering a 9-5 shellacking at Muskegon the following night.

"Defense is something where I've known we've been thin on the back end," Skalde said. "It's a process of trying to find a D-man or two to come in here and do the job. The challenge is most minor pro teams are looking for D-men.

"Everybody's competing for the same players and nobody wants to give up a D-man. We were fortunate to get Patton in here. It's still a daily thing."

Booras gets call-up

Thunder center Jon Booras has been called up to Peoria of the American Hockey League and will be in the lineup for the Rivermen's game Wednesday night at Milwaukee.

Booras, who didn't play in an earlier call-up this season with the Rivermen, is the Thunder's second-leading scorer with eight goals and 10 assists.

"It's always exciting," the 26-year-old Booras said after practicing with the Rivermen on Tuesday. "That's what you play for and work hard for, that hope to get called up.

"All you can do is give it everything you've got and showcase what you can do as a player. Hopefully you can have some success and it will build and you stay up here."

Skalde said Booras could be back with the Thunder for Thursday's game. Standish would fill Booras' spot on the top line with Don Parsons and Brett Holmberg.

"For Jon's sake, he's worked hard," Skalde said. "He hasn't played his best the last few weeks, but he's still competing every night. This is a shot in the arm for him and a shot in the arm for our players."