The Springfield Thunderbirds announced Friday that the franchise has signed a five-year affiliation agreement with the NHL Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues.
The agreement will begin with the 2020-2021 season and run through the 2024-2025 season.
“We are pleased to announce our affiliation agreement with the St. Louis Blues,” Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa said. “Our two organizations share a commitment to community, fan engagement, and putting a first-rate product on the ice. With this partnership, we believe the future is bright for professional hockey in Springfield.”
The St. Louis Blues currently sit in first place in the Western Conference.
“We are excited to announce our deal with Springfield and close our search for a new affiliate,” said Blues general manager Doug Armstrong. “Springfield is a strong franchise in a city with a rich hockey history. Our partnership will allow us to continue to develop our players and further strengthen our franchise as a whole.”
The Thunderbirds began play in the AHL in the 2016-17 season as the affiliate of the Florida Panthers. The team will maintain their affiliation with the Panthers for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season.
“The Panthers have been a truly great partner over these past four seasons and we look forward to finishing this season strong,” Costa said. “We want to thank their front office, players, coaches, and staff for all they have done to help us build and grow our franchise.”
The Thunderbirds franchise is owned by a broad-based group of local investors.
“As an ownership group, we felt it was extremely important to enter into a long-term partnership in order to ensure that the Thunderbirds remain an institution in Springfield for years to come,” said Paul Picknelly, managing owner of the Thunderbirds. “We are excited to report that our five-year agreement with the Blues will do exactly that.”