SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds will be at the epicenter of the battle against cancer throughout the month of November with a series of events and activities leading up to the first ever Hockey Fights Cancer™ Night at the MassMutual Center on Saturday, Nov. 24, when the Thunderbirds host the Syracuse Crunch.

 

Founded in 1998 by the National Hockey League® and the National Hockey League Players' Association, Hockey Fights Cancer™ (HFC) unites the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families. The initiative gets an assist from players, coaches, officials, equipment managers, front office staff, corporate partners, and fans. Together, the hockey family looks to inspire hope and courage for those who are living with, going through and moving past cancer.

 

“Cancer is something that has affected just about everybody, and we wanted to rally our players and fans to make a meaningful impact in the fight during the month of November,” said Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa. “The T-Birds Foundation is committed to being a pillar of this community, and we are looking forward to a memorable month in support of the Hockey Fights Cancer™ initiative.”

 

For the first time, the Thunderbirds will join in this battle during November of 2018. Just like the NHL clubs, the Thunderbirds will have a special lavender dasherboard rinkside at the MassMutual Center, and all Thunderbirds players will have lavender Hockey Fights Cancer™ stickers on their helmets throughout November. This lavender color symbolizes an awareness of all types of cancer.

 

Springfield Thunderbirds players will also get into the act to spread awareness. Team participants will get their facial hair shaved down completely on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at Sport Clips (360A Cooley St, Springfield.) This event, entitled "Down 2 the Dusters", will serve as the kickoff for a full month of beard and mustache growing for Thunderbirds players.

 

Thunderbirds fans will also have the opportunity to donate to the T-Birds Foundation in support of their favorite player’s facial hair beginning on Thursday, Nov. 1, with more details to follow on www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com. The Thunderbirds official website will also get into the spirit of cancer awareness, as various components of the digital home of the T-Birds will turn lavender in November.

 

The players’ participation and fans’ donations will all serve as a build-up to a very special evening on Saturday, Nov. 24 when the Thunderbirds host the Syracuse Crunch for the first ever Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Springfield. The T-Birds will wear specialty lavender jerseys, which will be auctioned post game with funds being raised for cancer awareness. Fans in attendance that evening will have the ability to fill out a placard in memory of those affected by cancer in their lives. Those cards will line various walls of the MassMutual Center to show a collective unity in the fight against the dreaded disease.

 

Following the conclusion of Hockey Fights Cancer™ Night, Thunderbirds players will participate in a shave-down event at the end of November at MGM Springfield to signify the conclusion to the month-long mustache and beard growing campaign. Details on this event will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Fans interested in making a donation to the T-Birds Foundation in the days leading up to the kickoff of Hockey Fights Cancer™ Month on Thursday can do so by clicking here.