The Springfield Thunderbirds are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League that began play for the 2016-2017 season as the affiliate of the National Hockey League Florida Panthers. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Thunderbirds will play all of their home games at the Mass Mutual Center. In May, 2016, following the relocation of the Springfield Falcons to Tucson, Arizona Coyotes, the AHL’s Portland Pirates were sold to a Springfield based group who intended to relocate the franchise for the 2016-2017 season.
There is a group of 30 owners that consists of local business who were interested in keeping hockey in Springfield. Owners include the likes of Paul Picknelly, owner of the Springfield Marriott and member of the family owning Peter Pan Bus Lines, as well as several local hotel owners.
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In doing so, some cities, “have highlighted historical events or even mythical and fictional associations to compete in an increasingly symbolic place economy” (Smith, A., & Stewart, B., 2007).