Latest news with #SpringfieldThunderbirds
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunderbirds reveal 2023-24 home game schedule
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) -The Springfield Thunderbirds season may be over, but plans for the next season are already underway. The team announced 6 guaranteed home game dates at the MassMutual Center for next season. The franchise will kick off its 10th anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 11, for opening night. Along with multiple other dates, including November 7th, December 6th, and January 10th. The team says more events for this historic season will be announced later this summer. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free Families First FEST being held at Brightwood Elementary School in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A free family event will be held at Brightwood Elementary School in Springfield on Saturday, May 10th. A fun-filled day with live entertainment, face painting, and family activities. Performance by the magic of Jason Purdy will be located in the cafeteria from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and a meet and greet with Boomer from the Springfield Thunderbirds will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The first 80 people who complete the scavenger hunt win a LEGO set! Visit Brightwood Elementary School located at 255 Plainfield Street in Springfield from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunderbirds raise nearly $40K for Rays of Hope Foundation
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Thunderbirds announced a donation of $38,300 to the Rays of Hope thanks to proceeds from the live jersey auction and accompanying fundraising elements during the T-Birds' 8th Annual Pink in the Rink game on March 8. Thunderbirds President NathanCosta, Vice President of Sales & Strategy Todd McDonald, and Managing Partner Paul Picknelly presented a check to the Rays of Hope earlier this month inside the MassMutual Center. This year's Pink in the Rink game, the eighth annual centerpiece of the T-Birds' community calendar, raised another tremendous total through auction sales of the T-Birds' pink-themed, game-worn jerseys. The MassMutual Center also continued its 'Pink' sellout streak, as the crowd reached its maximum capacity of 6,793 fans for an eighth straight Pink in the Rink. 'Pink in the Rink has truly grown into one of Springfield's most powerful and uplifting traditions,' Costa said. 'Thanks to our incredible partnership with Baystate Health and the Rays of Hope Foundation, this night continues to unite our community in hope, strength, and support. To see our eighth consecutive sellout is a testament to the heart of our fans and the importance of this cause. 'The energy in the Thunderdome is always palpable, the stories are deeply moving, and the courage of the survivors continues to inspire us all. We can't wait to build on this momentum next season — and we hold onto hope for the day a cure is finally found.' Established in T-Birds' inaugural season in 2016-17, 'Pink in the Rink' celebrates the commencement of the Rays of Hope fundraising efforts each March to shine a light on breast cancer awareness outside of the traditional October awareness month. Every year, the fundraising efforts culminate in the annual Rays of Hope Walk & Run in October in downtown Springfield. Since the establishment of this staple night, the Thunderbirds have generated more than $175,000 for the Rays of Hope Foundation, all of which stays local in Western Massachusetts in pursuit of a cure. 'Rays of Hope is very fortunate to have the support of the Springfield Thunderbirds and their fans,' said Baystate Health Foundation Director of Annual Giving and Events Kathy Tobin. 'Thanks to their efforts, Pink in the Rink makes this disease visible and reminds the community that breast cancer is a year-round fight for too many. The generosity of our pink partners allows us to fulfill our mission of ensuring that, through research, medical intervention, and healthy programs, thousands of local survivors receive the care they deserve.' Since its inception in 1994, Rays of Hope has raised over $17.7 million to support the women and men living in Western Massachusetts touched by breast cancer. Funds also support vital research at the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research. The T-Birds Foundation was established in 2018 to serve the Springfield community and the Pioneer Valley beyond every win and loss by focusing on providing and supporting initiatives in health and wellness, youth enrichment, and civil service. During the 2024-25 season, the T-Birds Foundation raised more than $115,000 for charitable causes in Western Massachusetts. This year's Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer will be held on Sunday, October 19. For more information, visit or call 413-794-8001. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Community Health Fair in Springfield to link residents to essential services
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Local organizations are holding a Community Health Fair in Springfield at the Central Library Rotunda on State Street. Springfield Thunderbirds prepare for Calder Cup Playoffs The second annual Community Health Fair is free and is meant to connect people to much-needed health care. They're highlighting free, local services available for Springfield residents. Some of the participating organizations include the Gándara Center, Health Care for the Homeless, Greater Springfield Senior Services, Healthy Air Network, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line, Narcotics Anonymous, Open Door Social Services, Pathways to Friendship, Square One, and Tapestry Health. Springfield Public School's Home City Families and Springfield City Library will also be co-hosting a Great Play Date for children and caregivers in the Children's Room at theCentral Library at the same time as the fair. The events will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All visitors will receive a prize for visiting the fair, while supplies last. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Springfield Thunderbirds prepare for Calder Cup Playoffs
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield Thunderbirds are getting ready for the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, where they'll take on the Providence Bruins. 10 without a home after fire on Phoenix Street in Springfield The Thunderbirds will visit Providence for their first playoff game in a series of three against the Bruins, marking the teams' first ever playoff meeting, but it is their fifth post-season meeting, nodding to this New England rivalry. Springfield took the win in each of the first three series against Providence, while the Bruins were out for payback, and clinched a five-game series win in the division semifinals in 2014. Looking to this series, the T-Birds are coming home to the MassMutual Center for game two in the best of three series. 'The crowd's great in the regular season, it's always loud, it's a good home ice advantage for our team with the energy and for playoffs it's up another notch,' said Steve Konowalchuk, the Head Coach of the Springfield Thunderbirds. During the regular season, the T-Birds posted a record of seven wins, three losses, and two shootout losses against the bruins, including wins at four of their last five match ups. Konowalchuk says the team plans to use the same game plan they used all season against the Bruins, adding the excitement of the playoffs and of course, the providence rivalry. If the Thunderbirds defeat the Bruins in the series, they would meet the two-time defending Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
