SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Thunderbirds will start their 2025-26 campaign at home against the defending Eastern Conference champion Charlotte Checkers on Saturday at 6:05 p.m.
But before the Thunderbirds unlock their doors for their sixth consecutive season opener inside the MassMutual Center, fans are welcome to attend the annual pregame block party at MGM’s Plaza from 3-5 p.m.
The event will feature live music by Moonlight Saints, as well as food and drinks to kick off their 10th anniversary season. The occasion will also include a memorabilia banner and magnet schedule giveaway. And once that is concluded, the team has requested that those in attendance locate their seats before the game by 5:45 p.m.
“Ten years have gone by very fast,” Thunderbirds president Nathan Costa said. “I always thought it would be a possibility that we would still be here after 10 years, because being driven by pure failure is a special thing. From my end, I took over a team that was last place in attendance. But there was a business plan in mind that the ownership had to help make things super successful, as it has been.”
Though Providence eliminated Springfield during the first round of last year’s postseason, Thunderbirds coach Steve Konowalchuk remained proud of his team’s effort in his first year behind the bench.
“Overall, unless you win the whole thing, I don’t think you’re ever satisfied,” Konowalchuk said. “The first season was a development since we were probably in the top three or four for having the youngest team in the league. I think we were right there, though, against a good team in Providence.”
Though that early postseason exit wasn’t the result most around the organization had envisioned. Konowalchuk remained excited to see some familiar faces succeed for the St. Louis Blues, with whom the team agreed to an affiliation agreement through the end of the 2030-31 season.
“I love to see how some of our players have had good training camps with the Blues,” Konowalchuk said. “Some of those players include Dalibor Dvorský, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, Otto Stenberg, and Hunter Skinner. I know I’m missing some guys, but that’s what you want to see because to me, that’s part of the success.
“As a coach, our first job is to make guys better and play the right way. And when you teach them those traits, that gives them a chance to win down here, but also an opportunity to play in the NHL.”
Konowalchuk will be accompanied on the bench alongside assistant coaches Jaroslav Modry and Chad Wiseman, while Dan Stewart will also serve as the goaltending development coach. Dylan Schoen and Julia Snow, meanwhile, will serve as Springfield’s video coach and head athletic trainer.
The Thunderbirds’ hockey operations list can be found here.
“The relationship between Konowalchuk and I has been fantastic,” Costa said. “And I think it’s been really exciting to watch some of our younger guys begin to flourish in this league. Whether you’re the head coach or the general manager in this league, it’s never going to be easy because you’re juggling a lot of things.”
The Thunderbirds’ roster was recently finalized with opening night around the corner. At the forward position, some familiar faces will include Hugh McGing, Matthew Peca, Sam Bitten, Dylan Peterson, Kale Kessy, and Dvorský.
Fans can view the complete roster here.
On the defensive side, meanwhile, Springfield will lean on Corey Schueneman, Leo Lööf, Samuel Johannesson, Hunter Skinner, Marc-Andre Gaudet, Anthony Kehrer, Michael Buchinger, Quinton Burns, and Theo Lindstein.
On Monday, though, the Buffalo Sabres claimed former Thunderbirds starting goaltender Colten Ellis off waivers from the Blues, according to the American Hockey League.
This move, however, will allow Ellis a clearer path to competing on the next level alongside Alex Lyon, especially since Buffalo also placed its third potential goalie, Alexandar Georgiev, on waivers.
The 25-year-old posted a 22-14-3 record with an impressive 2.63 GAA and a .922 save percentage (ranked fourth in the AHL), including three shutouts in 42 regular-season games last season. Ellis also achieved a 2.32 GAA and a .933 save percentage in Springfield’s previous first-round series.
Regardless, though, it remains an unfortunate loss for Springfield. But from a team perspective, the decision makes sense, especially since Ellis was ranked behind St. Louis’ top-goalie tandem in Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer. So it’s essential for him to earn an opportunity in the prime of his career.
Konowalchuk couldn’t be happier for his former netminder.
“It’s exciting because that’s what we’re here for,” Konowalchuk said. “The players played hard in front of him last year, and (Ellis) was one of the MVPs of our team last year. And it’s exciting to see him get rewarded for that because it’s all about the next guy stepping up.”
But when one door closes, another one opens. And that fruition has become a reality, as Will Cranley, Vadim Zherenko, and Georgi Romanov will work together as the Thunderbirds’ newest goalie trio.
Last season, Zherenko earned a record of 12-17-3 in 32 appearances, to go along with a 3.44 GAA and .897 save percentage. Cranley, meanwhile, allowed six goals and made 39 saves in two appearances. That also marked his first game in the AHL since he played for the Utica Comets in the 2021-21 season.
“(Zherenko) is going to get a good opportunity,” Konowalchuk said. “I already spoke to him because I want him to be that guy next year, if not sooner. It’s exciting, and this is what the league is all about.”
According to St. Louis Blues president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong, the team agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with Romanov on Wednesday afternoon.
The 25-year-old posted a record of 11-6-3 to go along with a 3.10 GAA and .905 save percentage in 21 regular-season appearances for the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda last year. Romanov has also earned a 3.53 GAA and .888 save percentage in 10 career NHL regular-season games for the San Jose Sharks.
After Springfield’s home season opener is concluded, the Thunderbirds will begin a four-game road trip in Hershey (two games), Hartford (one), and Providence (one) before they compete in their second home game against the Wolf Pack on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 6:05 p.m.
One thing is for sure, though, Konowalchuk and company can’t wait to be reunited with the same hometown faithful who recorded a franchise record 20 sellouts last season, including 14 consecutive games. That impressive figure marked Springfield’s eighth consecutive season of attendance growth.
“This is a great environment,” he said. “It’s a good building that is loud during the whole game. Even walking around the city in this area, everybody knows the team, and it carries into the game. So it’s fun to be a part of that.”
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