Springfield, MA – The Florida Panthers, the NHL affiliate of the Springfield Thunderbirds, made another roster transaction on Tuesday, as President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon announced that the Panthers have acquired forward Brody Sutter from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forwardConnor Brickley.

 

A native of Viking, Alberta, the 25-year-old Sutter played 70 games in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers in 2015-16, where he registered 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists). Sutter played under the direction of then-Charlotte assistant coach and current Thunderbirds head coach Geordie Kinnear.

 

Sutter comes from one of the most hockey-rich families in NHL and AHL history. His father, Duane, played in 731 NHL games and also served as the Panthers head coach for parts of the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.

 

Springfield plays its first-ever AHL game on Saturday, Oct. 15 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown, Pa. at 7:05 p.m. ET. Coverage can be heard on NewsRadio 560 WHYN as well as on AHL Live. 

 

The Thunderbirds will open MassMutual Center play on Saturday, Oct. 22 for Opening Night presented by MGM Springfield against the St. John's Ice Caps. Preceding the game is the T-Birds Tailgate from 4-6 p.m. at Court Square, adjacent to the MassMutual Center. 

Opening Night packs are available, courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts, for the first regular season home game in Thunderbirds history. Packages start at $75 and feature two Opening Night tickets, four ticket vouchers, a commemorative puck, and a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.

Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Springfield Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships start as low as $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including a commemorative jersey. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).