Carolina Thunderbirds P.O. Box 1781 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1781 336.774.4625

7/23/18 – For Immediate Release THUNDERBIRDS 2018-19 SCHEDULE RELEASED

Winston-Salem N.C.- The Federal Hockey League has unveiled the full 174 game schedule for its six teams in 2018-19. All teams will play 58 games this year in an unbalanced home-away split.

The Carolina Thunderbirds, now in their second season, will start their season at home in the Winston- Salem Fairgrounds Annex hosting the on October 26. The season will also conclude at home hosting the Danville Dashers on April 6.

Additionally, Carolina will take part in one of two neutral site games the FHL is putting on in Battle Creek, Michigan. Carolina will play as the road team against Danville on Friday, February 1 at The Rink at Battle Creek.

Thunderbirds President/GM Scott Brand – “I think we are all excited that we finally have a schedule and our fans can plan their fall, winter and spring. We worked hard to provide game dates that will enable our fans to enjoy Thunderbirds hockey on Fridays and Saturdays. We congratulate the league on putting this schedule together, especially working with the addition of two new markets.”

Carolina will also be hosting marquee games on both Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. The will make their first ever trip to the Annex on turkey day, while Danville comes to town on December 31. New Year’s Eve is also the only time the Thunderbirds will play on a Monday.

The Thunderbirds have the most home games of any FHL team this season with 32 home dates on the schedule. The home ice advantage will be something the Thunderbirds hope to capitalize on as the team tries to improve upon their third-place regular season finish in 2017-18.

Carolina Thunderbirds Head Coach Andre Niec - “I love the schedule and I love the amount of home games. We have the best fans in the league and they have always had our backs, to play in front of them 32 times is huge. The travel in this league is hard for sure, and sleeping in your own bed is a big help and we look forward to that for sure”

Carolina will have 14 Friday night home games and 15 Saturday night home games at the Annex this season giving fans a lot of different opportunities to see the team on their schedules.

Thunderbirds President/GM Scott Brand – “Our current season ticket holders are the winners, we went into the summer thinking we would have 28 home games, and we picked up an additional 4 more home for a total of 32 plus we are very honored to announce that our full season ticket holders will receive a pass for the seven (7) Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League Championships. That’s 39 games for the same pricing! Get your season tickets now before we raise the price!”

All Thunderbirds games, home and away, can be heard on the Thunderbirds flagship WTOB (980AM and 96.3FM) in Winston-Salem. Join Zak DeBeaussaert all season long for those broadcasts and tune in Tuesdays during the season for the Andre Niec coach’s show returning to WTOB in a few months.

Full Carolina schedule

DATE SITE HOME AWAY Friday, October 26, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Port Huron Saturday, October 27, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Port Huron Friday, November 2, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Elmira Saturday, November 3, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Elmira Friday, November 9, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Danville Saturday, November 10, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Danville Friday, November 16, 2018 Elmira Carolina Saturday, November 17, 2018 First Arena Elmira Carolina Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Mentor Civic Ice Arena Mentor Carolina Thursday, November 22, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Saturday, November 24, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Friday, November 30, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Port Huron Saturday, December 1, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Port Huron Friday, December 7, 2018 First Arena Elmira Carolina Saturday, December 8, 2018 Watertown Arena Watertown Carolina Friday, December 14, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Elmira Saturday, December 15, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Elmira Friday, December 21, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Danville Saturday, December 22, 2018 David S Palmer Arena Danville Carolina Wednesday, December 26, 2018 Mentor Civic Ice Arena Mentor Carolina Thursday, December 27, 2018 McMorran Arena Port Huron Carolina Friday, December 28, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Saturday, December 29, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Monday, December 31, 2018 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Danville Friday, January 4, 2019 First Arena Elmira Carolina Saturday, January 5, 2019 Watertown Arena Watertown Carolina Friday, January 11, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Danville Saturday, January 12, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Danville Friday, January 18, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Watertown Saturday, January 19, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Watertown Friday, January 25, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Saturday, January 26, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Sunday, January 27, 2019 Mentor Civic Ice Arena Mentor Carolina Friday, February 1, 2019 The Rink (Battle Creek) Danville Carolina Saturday, February 2, 2019 David S Palmer Danville Carolina Friday, February 8, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Watertown Saturday, February 9, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Watertown Sunday, February 10, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Watertown Friday, February 15, 2019 Mentor Civic Ice Arena Mentor Carolina Saturday, February 16, 2019 Mentor Civic Ice Arena Mentor Carolina Sunday, February 17, 2019 McMorran Arena Port Huron Carolina Friday, February 22, 2019 Watertown Arena Watertown Carolina Saturday, February 23, 2019 Watertown Arena Watertown Carolina Sunday, February 24, 2019 First Arena Elmira Carolina Friday, March 1, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Port Huron Saturday, March 2, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Port Huron Friday, March 8, 2019 First Arena Elmira Carolina Saturday, March 9, 2019 First Arena Elmira Carolina Sunday, March 10, 2019 First Arena Elmira Carolina Friday, March 15, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Saturday, March 16, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Mentor Friday, March 22, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Elmira Saturday, March 23, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Elmira Friday, March 29, 2019 McMorran Arena Port Huron Carolina Saturday, March 30, 2019 McMorran Arena Port Huron Carolina Sunday, March 31, 2019 David S Palmer Arena Danville Carolina Friday, April 5, 2019 David S Palmer Arena Danville Carolina Saturday, April 6, 2019 Winston-Salem Fairground Annex Carolina Danville

⚡-THUNDERBIRDS-⚡ The Carolina Thunderbirds are proud members of the Federal Hockey League, now in its ninth season. Carolina will be starting its second season of play looking to build on the success of its inaugural season where the Thunderbirds posted an 87-point season with a record of 25-5-2-24 (W-OTW-OTL-L). The Thunderbirds also set an FHL record with over 65,000 fans through the doors in their first season. Season tickets are on sale now by calling 336-774-GOAL (4625).