Ahead of Friday night’s home game against the Port Huron Prowlers, the Carolina Thunderbirds are proud to announce that with the pre-sold tickets the Thunderbirds are now in sole possession of the highest recorded total attendance for a single Federal Hockey League regular season. The previous record was held by the now-defunct Danbury Whalers, who set the mark during the 2012-2013 season with a total of 51,484 throughout 27 home games. The Thunderbirds, who play their 24th of 30 home games on Friday have 51,491 total attendance.
The entire staff, team, and organization would like to thank the tremendous passion, energy, commitment, and enthusiasm for hockey which has allowed the Thunderbirds to be so successful in this inaugural season. The corporate partners who commit their time, energy, and resources to helping to grow hockey in our community are an equal part in this milestone achievement. Thanks are also due to the city of Winston-Salem and the men and women who work to run the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex. For Mayor Allen Joines and the City Council who worked with the organization to make the dream of professional hockey’s return to the triad a reality. For Robert Mulhearn and his staff at the Fairgrounds Annex for making the Thunderbirds feel at home. And for the community of the City of Winston-Salem and the Triad at large, who have flocked out to Thunderbird games in record numbers.
Including Friday night’s contest, the Thunderbirds have 7 home games remaining in the regular season and sit in 3rd place in the Federal Hockey League standings, a playoff position if the season ended today. The Thunderbirds look forward to more great crowds and exciting atmosphere to wrap up the regular season before heading into one of the most exciting times in all of sports, the playoffs!
The Chamber’s Keep it Local initiative promotes community support for local business ventures. Spending locally creates a strong economy and a sense of place which gives our town its unique lifestyle. The Keep it Local campaign will feature a different segment of businesses each month in 2018. March is Sports Month.