The Adirondack Thunder, the East Coast Hockey League affiliate of the NHL Calgary Flames, announced the 35th Anniversary of Adirondack Hockey campaign for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
The Adirondack Thunder is the sixth team to call the Glens Falls Civic Center home and will honor the area’s history throughout the season.
The 35th anniversary season, presented by Ramada Queensbury/Lake George, will celebrate the rich history and tradition of hockey in the area, highlighted by championships, playoff runs, Hockey Hall of Fame members and community involvement.
It will include a souvenir 35th anniversary publication, a 35th anniversary merchandise line, selection of an “All-Time Adirondack Team” and a “bracketology” aspect for fans to vote for their favorite players in Adirondack hockey history, team officials said.
On Oct. 26, as the Thunder take on the Florida Everblades, Adirondack players will wear a special 35th anniversary jersey, which will pay homage to the six teams who have called the Glens Falls Civic Center home over the past 35 seasons. The Thunder will also host the annual Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 25, which will honor alumni and builders of hockey in the region who have paved the way for 35 years of hockey in the Adirondacks.
Officials said Friday home games will be deemed “Flashback Fridays,” where the Thunder will honor Adirondack hockey history at each of the seven Friday home dates, beginning on Dec. 2.
This historical season will also include the 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the second all-star event to be played at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Adirondack Frostbite previously hosted the 2005 UHL All-Star Game.
“The Thunder franchise is proud to highlight the powerful tradition of hockey in our area over the past five decades,” team President Brian Petrovek said. “As we bring Thunder hockey into a second season that is sure to be even more exciting than the first, we look to honor our past and create new memories through the 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, which will be a one-of-a-kind event for the region.”
The Thunder are also using the 35th anniversary program to reinforce their commitment to the local community, as the team has pledged to commit 350 hours to community service during the 2016-17 season, officials said. The hours will be spent amongst Thunder players, coaches and staff and will impact a variety of charitable partners throughout the Adirondack Region.
Hockey in Glens Falls began in 1979 with the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings, who called the Civic Center their home for 20 seasons. The Wings were followed by UHL hockey, as the Adirondack Ice Hawks played five seasons, followed by two seasons of the re-branded Adirondack Frostbite. In 2009, the Adirondack Phantoms brought AHL hockey back to the market for a five-year tenure, followed by the Adirondack Flames in 2014.
In 2015, the Thunder brought the ECHL to Glens Falls, ensuring that the Civic Center would see its 35th season of professional hockey.
The team kicks off its 2016-17 home schedule on Saturday, Oct. 22 against the Manchester Monarchs. Ticket packages are available now for the 2016-17 season at just $13 per seat, a savings of 34 percent off of 2015-16 pricing. Call 480-3355, ext. 1 for information.