Community | Springfield Thunderbirds

The Springfield Thunderbirds are proud to be heavily involved members of the Springfield, Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts communities.

Below, check out some of the highlights from the 2016-17 season and the traditions that were established during a memorable inaugural year!

To request player or mascot appearances at your event, organization, or charitable cause, please fill out the form below:

You can also inquire about how to have the Thunderbirds' inflatable slap shot game at your company or charity event!

To inquire about donation requests for your company or charity's event, please click here for our donation request form.

Pink in the Rink: The Springfield Thunderbirds partnered with Baystate Health/Health New England and the Rays of Hope Foundation to put together an unforgettable evening last March. In front of a sold-out crowd, the T-Birds honored breast cancer survivors in a pregame ceremony on the pink ice surface, the first time in Springfield hockey history such a display occurred.

Thanks to the sellout crowd and postgame jersey auction, the T-Birds raised over $10,000 for the Rays of Hope Foundation. Watch The Future - Past and Present below to see more from the first ever Pink in the Rink game in Springfield!
Pucks N' Paws: Another first in Springfield hockey history occurred on March 31, 2017 as the pups were allowed inside the MassMutual Center for Pucks N' Paws Night. The night also provided for a wonderful cause, as "dog tickets" directly benefited the Foundation for TJO Animals, in conjunction with the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center.
Teddy Bear Toss: A hockey tradition throughout much of North America, the Teddy Bear Toss made its first appearance in Springfield hockey history on December 3, 2016 when Sena Acolatse scored early on in the Thunderbirds' overtime win over the Providence Bruins. You can re-live the storm of stuffed animals in Ep. 3 of The Future - Moves Forward.

The bears collected on the ice that night went to underprivileged children throughout the Pioneer Valley for the holiday season, including stops at Square One, the YMCA, Ronald McDonald House, and more!
Stick to Reading: Boomer and the Thunderbirds were big fans of area school students who participated in the Stick to Reading program. Elementary students who completed their school's reading "goals" for the season were rewarded with a free ticket to a Thunderbirds game!

To inquire about how to get your school involved in the Stick to Reading program, click here!