The name, logo, and ownership of the new professional hockey team in western Massachusetts were announced Wednesday.
The unveiling of the Thunderbirds name and logo for Springfield’s new AHL team came at a public event at the MassMutual Center, where the team will play its home games starting in October.
Springfield developer Paul Picknelly heads a group of more than two dozen local business owners who have invested in the new team.
" Hockey is back in Springfield and it is here to stay," declared Picknelly to loud cheers.
When the Springfield Falcons left for Arizona at the end of last season, the local investment group quickly purchased the Portland Pirates and moved that franchise to Springfield.
