SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – The Springfield Thunderbirds now know who they will face when the puck drops to start the 100th year of hockey in the city.

The Laval Rocket will travel south to take on the T-Birds on opening night, which will be held Saturday, October 10 at 6:05 p.m.

The new season will mark a return for Steve Ott, who will begin his first full season as head coach. The former St. Louis Blues associate coach joined Springfield in January and led them to a 19-13-2-0 record and put them in playoff contention. They knocked off the Charlotte Checkers in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs and then also defeated the Providence Bruins in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. However, the chase for the Calder Cup came to an end after losing their Atlantic Division Finals series against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in five games.

While the full 2026-2027 Thunderbirds schedule isn’t expected to be released until Thursday, season ticket memberships and game packs are already on-sale via the Thunderbirds website or calling 413-739-GOAL (4625).

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