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Date: 10/11/2022
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Thunderbirds enjoyed meteoric success during the 2021-2022 season as they finished as finalists for the Calder Cup. President of the Thunderbirds Nathan Costa believes the team is primed to build off last year’s success – both on and off the ice.
“Last year’s success was just unbelievable across the board,” said Costa in an interview with Reminder Publishing. The 2021-2022 season marked a long-awaited return for the Thunderbirds after the team decided to sit out of the shortened 2020-2021 American Hockey League (AHL) season due to concerns around the coronavirus pandemic.
Costa shared that the team’s return came with some unique challenges as several coronavirus case spikes occurred due to the arrival of new COVID-19 variants like omicron. By the end of the season, the Thunderbirds were able to reincorporate several of their staple events while hosting festive block party celebrations during their playoff run.
Reflecting on the playoff run, Costa expressed pride in the Thunderbird’s ability to not only succeed on the ice, but also serve as a positive component of Springfield’s downtown economy.
“All of us here take a lot of pride in the fact we played 11 extra home games in Springfield. That’s 11 extra nights of economic activity, driving people to the bars and restaurants. It felt so good, and I think we are just on the cusp of a lot of positive stuff coming up in the future,” said Costa.
The playoff run served as an important catalyst for the Thunderbirds’ growth. Costa shared that the team ranks number one in the AHL in new season ticket holders. The AHL also recognized the Thunderbirds as their team of the year via their President’s Award over the summer.
“Our number continues to grow and it’s a cool thing. People want to be a part of what we are doing. I think we always thought we would get to this point, and it’s really gratifying for myself and ownership to see that this can not only be a viable market, but really one of the standard-bearers of the league now,” said Costa.
The 2022-2023 season brings a mixture of new and returning faces. The team’s National Hockey League (NHL) affiliate, the St. Louis Blues, hired General Manger Kevin Maxwell on Aug. 1 to manage the Thunderbirds. Maxwell takes over for former General Manger Kevin McDonald – who now operates as the assistant general manager for the NHL team the Colorado Avalanche.
Costa offered praise of Maxwell and the ample experience he brings to the team. Maxwell previously served for 14 years as the New York Rangers’ director of professional scouting.
“He has a ton of AHL experience, he’s been in our league for a long time … We have a lot of confidence there that things aren’t going to deviate too much,” said Costa.
The Blues also added Martin Frk from the Ontario Reign to their AHL affiliate. Frk was the AHL’s leading goal scorer during the 2021-2022 AHL with 40 goals across 58 games. Frk joins a roster that includes 18 returning players, including team captain and defensemen Tommy Cross. Costa expressed enthusiasm in how the roster is shaping up.
“We’re really excited … we got a good, strong veteran core that we know is going to be here, which is the key to having success at this level where you have that blend of a really strong AHL veteran presence with a really good core of young players,” said Costa.
Off the ice, Costa aspires for the team to continue its growth as an economic fixture in Springfield. The team president expects a sense of normalcy after dealing with COVID-19 impacts throughout the 2021-2022 season, which will include players returning to their roles as active community representatives and the inclusion of several key community entities for group seating.
Costa said the team is also looking to build on the last season’s growth by evolving their business practices. This season will include the return of several signature events, like the Springfield Isotopes game, along with new celebrations, such as the unveiling ceremony of the team’s 2021-2022 conference championship banner.
“We’re doubling down on the business side. We feel the success, so we’re investing in the business and investing in growth … it’s been gradual from the start, but we’re not taking the foot off the gas by any means,” said Costa.
Looking ahead to opening night on Oct. 15, Costa said the team has one goal in mind.
“We didn’t get the job done completely [last year], so now the goal is to make that happen,” said Costa.
Readers can learn more about the Thunderbirds’ 2022-2023 season at https://www.springfieldthunderbirds.com/.