Springfield, MA – The Springfield Thunderbirds are pleased to introduce their first-ever jersey designs, as well as the team's mascot, "Boomer." The newest pieces of Thunderbirds' first-year history were unveiled Tuesday evening at Uno Pizzeria & Grille in Springfield. "Boomer" was selected after receiving the highest number of votes in the Thunderbirds' "Name the Mascot" contest.

The Thunderbirds' jerseys, seen below, will feature similar colors to those of the Florida Panthers, Springfield's NHL affiliate.

"We wanted our jerseys to be distinctly unique to Springfield and the new Thunderbirds' brand, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome," said Thunderbirds Executive Vice President Nathan Costa. "Even though we were on an extremely short timeline during the acquisition of the franchise, we were able to work with the league office and our great partners at Reebok-CCM, to narrow down literally hundreds of designs to choose the uniforms that the Thunderbirds will take to the ice wearing this season."

In keeping with the theme of paying homage to military personnel, the Thunderbirds' jerseys will feature an American flag patch adorned on the right shoulder. The flag patch is reversed in much the same way military members adorn the flag on their uniforms, suggesting that the flag is flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.

The Thunderbirds will wear the white jerseys on home ice until the Christmas break, per AHL rules. Springfield will then wear the red jerseys during home games at the MassMutual Center following the holiday break. 

Due to the accelerated timelines since acquiring the franchise, the Thunderbirds' jerseys will be available for retail sale in October. The team will wear the jerseys for the first time on Oct. 15 in the Thunderbirds' first game on the road against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Springfield will wear a different jersey design for a pair of preseason home games on Oct. 7-8 at the MassMutual Center.

The Thunderbirds begin the next era of professional hockey in Springfield on Saturday, Oct. 22 against the St. John’s Ice Caps. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. ET at the MassMutual Center. Fans can also see the Thunderbirds in action for pre-season matchups on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8, at the MassMutual Center. Single game ticket information will be available in the coming weeks.

Springfield Thunderbirds fans are encouraged to learn more about Thunderbirds Season Ticket Memberships. Packages start at $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including an inaugural commemorative jersey. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625).  

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