Las Vegas Thunderbirds

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 and Lifeguard Arena.

Las Vegas Thunderbirds
CitySummerlin South, Nevada
LeagueUnited States Premier Hockey League
DivisionPremier-Pacific
Founded2019
Home arenaCity National Arena
ColorsBlack, gold
   
Owner(s)John Marks
Corey St. Germain
General managerAdam Bonaldi
Head coachCory Ward / Matt Oberling
AffiliateOgden Mustangs
Championships
Division titles1 (2022-23)

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
SeasonGPWLOTWOTLPtsGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
WSHL
2019–205126222183[lower-alpha 1]1941466053rd of 5, Western
11th of 20, WSHL		Playoffs cancelled
USPHL-Premier
2020–21402414—25019614910282nd 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
2021–22442914—1592131928572nd of 6, Pacific
20th of 64, USPHL-Premier		Won Div. Semifinal, 2-0 Lake Tahoe Lakers
Lost division finals, 0-2 vs. Fresno Monsters
2022-234634943712781488812nd of 7, Pacific
12th of 69, USPHL-Premier		Won Div. Semifinal, 2-0 Ontario Jr. Reign
Won Division Finals, 2-0 vs. Fresno Monsters
Advance to National Finals
Seeding Rd L, 2-5 Metro Jets & L, 2-4 Tampa Bay Jrs
Advance to Premier Finals
L, 3-6 Richmond Generals

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  1. The WSHL awarded 3pts for a win, 2pts for an overtime win, and 1pt for an overtime loss.

References
  1. "Las Vegas adds Thunderbirds hockey team". Western States Hockey League. February 14, 2019.
  2. "WSHL returning to Las Vegas with new Thunderbirds franchise". California Rubber Magazine. March 26, 2019.
  3. "Las Vegas Thunderbirds to play at SoBe Ice Arena in 2019-20". Vegas Hockey. February 22, 2019.
  4. "Force Coach John Marks Announces Retirement". United States Hockey League. April 14, 2015.
  5. "United States Premier Hockey League Adds Eight New West Coast Member Organizations". USPHL. April 17, 2020.
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