Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Las Vegas Thunderbirds | |
---|---|
City | Summerlin South, Nevada |
League | United States Premier Hockey League |
Division | Premier-Pacific |
Founded | 2019 |
Home arena | City National Arena |
Colors | Black, gold |
Owner(s) | John Marks Corey St. Germain |
General manager | Adam Bonaldi |
Head coach | Dave Hrysky |
The Las Vegas Thunderbirds are a junior ice hockey team in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The Thunderbirds play their home games at City National Arena.
History[]
The Las Vegas Thunderbirds were announced by the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) as an expansion team on February 14, 2019.[1][2] They began play in the 2019–20 season.[3]
Team ownership includes Corey St. Germain, while its president is former NHL player John Marks. A first-round selection (ninth overall) in the 1968 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, Marks has coached at the junior level as well as professional hockey. He retired from coaching in 2015 after four seasons leading the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League.[4]
In 2020, the Thunderbirds left the WSHL after one season and joined another independent junior hockey league, the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), at the Premier (Tier III) level.[5]
Season-by-season records[]
Season | GP | W | L | OTW | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019–20 | 51 | 26 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 83[a] | 194 | 146 | 605 | 3rd of 5, Western 11th of 20, WSHL |
Playoffs cancelled |
2020–21 | 40 | 24 | 14 | — | 2 | 50 | 196 | 149 | 1028 | 2nd of 5, Pacific 28th of 62, USPHL-Premier |
Won Div. Semifinal game, 4–0 vs. Anaheim Avalanche Lost Division Championship game, 2–7 vs. Fresno Monsters |
- ^ The WSHL awarded 3pts for a win, 2pts for an overtime win, and 1pt for an overtime loss.
References[]
- ^ "Las Vegas adds Thunderbirds hockey team". Western States Hockey League. February 14, 2019.
- ^ "WSHL returning to Las Vegas with new Thunderbirds franchise". California Rubber Magazine. March 26, 2019.
- ^ "Las Vegas Thunderbirds to play at SoBe Ice Arena in 2019-20". Vegas Hockey. February 22, 2019.
- ^ "Force Coach John Marks Announces Retirement". United States Hockey League. April 14, 2015.
- ^ "United States Premier Hockey League Adds Eight New West Coast Member Organizations". USPHL. April 17, 2020.
External links[]
- Sports in the Las Vegas Valley
- Sports teams in Las Vegas
- Ice hockey teams in Nevada
- Ice hockey clubs established in 2019
- 2019 establishments in Nevada