EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to “Thunderbirds Thursday,” South King Media’s new weekly column celebrating the Seattle Thunderbirds hockey team and their impact on the local sports scene. Each week we’ll bring you the latest news, game highlights, upcoming events, and community stories from one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier junior hockey clubs.

The Seattle Thunderbirds are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kent, competing in the Western Hockey League’s U.S. Division.

Founded in 1971 as the Vancouver Nats and later known as the Seattle Breakers, the franchise adopted the Thunderbirds name in 1985 and has been a fixture of top tier junior hockey in this region ever since. The club has played its home games at accesso ShoWare Center in Kent since 2008 and wears navy blue, green and white.

In their history, the Thunderbirds have captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup, awarded to the WHL playoff champion, twice, with titles in 2017 and most recently in 2023. They have also claimed multiple conference championships and produced a number of players who have gone on to professional careers, including National Hockey League veterans.

Each season the T-Birds draw strong local support as they develop future hockey talent and compete against top junior teams from across Western Canada and the United States. The club’s presence has helped build interest in ice hockey throughout the Puget Sound region, and the ShoWare Center regularly hosts enthusiastic crowds for home games.

“Battle of the Sound” is Friday, Jan. 31 at Climate Pledge

One of the region’s most anticipated events is the annual “Battle of the Sound,” pitting the Thunderbirds against their I-5 rivals, the Everett Silvertips. In 2026 this marquee matchup will take place on Friday, Jan. 31 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the home ice of the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken. The “Battle of the Sound” has grown into a major showcase for junior hockey in the Pacific Northwest, attracting thousands of fans and highlighting the deep rivalry between the two clubs.

Buy ‘Battle of the Sound’ Tickets Here

The Thunderbirds’ 2025-26 Western Hockey League regular season continues through March 2026, with home games at accesso ShoWare Center in Kent and marquee matchups across the league. Fans can catch the T-Birds at home throughout January, February and into mid-March, including upcoming games against teams such as the Kelowna Rockets, Brandon Wheat Kings and Tri-City Americans, with tickets available online through the Thunderbirds’ official ticket portal at:

Buy Thunderbirds Tickets Here

We’ll be here every Thursday with updates on the Thunderbirds’ schedule, key performances, standout players and community activities that matter to fans in South King County and beyond.