The St. Louis Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds introduced the extension of their affiliation settlement by way of the top of the 2030-31 season.
The deal additional solidifies the long-term way forward for the American Hockey League in Springfield, one of many league’s constitution cities.
And Blues coach Drew Bannister, who has been coach with the Thunderbirds (2021-24) earlier than taking up the Blues on Dec. 12, 2023, feels the connection has been optimistic because the Blues had their partnership with the San Antonio Rampage finish when the Rampage have been offered to the Vegas Golden Knights and relocated to Henderson, Nev.
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“Going from Texas from Springfield actually fast-tracked a few of our gamers, not solely within the period of time we have been capable of spend on the ice with our gamers as a result of our journeys, we had Hartford half-hour away, Bridgeport’s an hour and a half, Windfall is an hour,” Bannister mentioned. “You at all times had extra time to apply, extra expertise days, extra break day in the identical sense. Guys spent nearly all of their nights in their very own mattress the place after we have been in Texas, we have been consistently in an airplane, within the air. Our days off have been journey days. It was robust and that is the place I believed Springfield, the group, the possession there was excellent and it was an actual optimistic step for the event of our gamers.”
Springfield has vastly benefitted from the wedding.
“We’re thrilled to proceed our richly rewarding long-term partnership with the St. Louis Blues,” Thunderbirds president Nathan Costa mentioned in an announcement. “The Blues and Thunderbirds share related core values relating to participant and workers improvement and sustaining a deep dedication to their communities. Our collaboration has enabled us to develop our franchise each on the ice and all through the area. We can’t wait to see the following era of Blues stars hone their skills in Springfield in entrance of one of the best followers within the AHL.”
Within the first three seasons because the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Thunderbirds have skilled super success on and off the ice. In 2022, the crew captured the Richard F. Canning Trophy as Jap Convention Champions, reaching the Calder Cup Closing for the primary time in membership historical past. The T-Birds acquired the AHL President’s Award as Workforce of the Yr that very same 12 months.
“On behalf of our native possession group, we’re proud to announce an extension of our affiliation settlement with the St. Louis Blues. I wish to thank Blues chairman Tom Stillman, common supervisor Doug Armstrong and the Blues workers, in addition to our president Nate Costa and his crew, for constructing a tradition of cooperation and success that’s unparalleled throughout the AHL. This settlement will be sure that AHL hockey has a house in Springfield for a few years to come back,” Thunderbirds managing proprietor Paul Picknelly mentioned in an announcement.
The membership constructed upon their success final season, posting a franchise-record 20 sellout video games, together with a 14-game sellout streak to finish the marketing campaign. 2023-2024 additionally marked the T-Hen’s eighth consecutive season of attendance development (6,321 followers per recreation).
For the reason that begin of the partnership, the Blues have additionally promoted a number of Springfield workers members to the mum or dad membership in St. Louis. Bannister turned the primary T-Birds coach to earn a promotion to an NHL bench
“Springfield gives a first-class atmosphere for gamers within the Blues group to develop on and off the ice and proceed their progress towards the NHL in a well-established, supportive market with robust, skilled management,” Blues assistant GM Ryan Miller mentioned in an announcement.
Along with Bannister’s rise to the NHL, 26 gamers have skated in video games for each the Thunderbirds and the Blues, together with Jake Neighbours, Zack Bolduc, Matthew Kessel, Joel Hofer, Scott Perunovich, and Zach Dean.
“That is an thrilling day for each the St. Louis Blues and the Springfield Thunderbirds organizations,” Thunderbirds GM Kevin Maxwell mentioned in an announcement. “This settlement gives stability for our gamers and workers, and it’ll proceed to supply our followers the prospect to establish with our prospects and observe their careers as they graduate onto the Blues.”
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