T-Birds partner with This TV to broadcast 8 games

The Seattle Thunderbirds and Tribune Broadcasting Seattle announced Tuesday a partnership to broadcast eight games between the T-Birds and the rival Portland Winterhawks during the 2016-17 Western Hockey League season.

September 14, 2016 4:22 pm
The Thunderbirds’ Donovan Neuls scores on Winterhawks goalie Cole Kehler during WHL action on March 19. Seattle came back from a three-goal deficit in front of a sellout crowd of 6
The Thunderbirds’ Donovan Neuls scores on Winterhawks goalie Cole Kehler during WHL action on March 19. Seattle came back from a three-goal deficit in front of a sellout crowd of 6

The Seattle Thunderbirds and Tribune Broadcasting Seattle announced Tuesday a partnership to broadcast eight games between the T-Birds and the rival Portland Winterhawks during the 2016-17 Western Hockey League season.

The eight games can be seen locally on This TV, Channel 13.2 and on Comcast Cable Channel 357.

The eight games include the T-Birds’ season-opening game on Saturday, Sept. 24, in Portland and the home opener on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the ShoWare Center.

“We are looking forward to a long term partnership with This TV and Tribune Broadcasting,” said Colin Campbell, T-Birds vice president. “Having eight games with our biggest rival broadcast locally is going to be a great opportunity for us to connect with more fans and share the excitement of T-Birds hockey.”

“We are pleased to bring the excitement of live, local hockey to Seattle fans,” said Pam Pearson, SVP/general manager, Q13 FOX/JOEtv. “Our channels are known as the home of local sports and we are thrilled to add another team to our roster.”

Eight game broadcast schedule

• Saturday, Sept. 24, Seattle at Portland, 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 1, Portland at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 19, Seattle at Portland, 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 4, Seattle at Portland, 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 11, Portland at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 18, Portland at Seattle, 6:05 p.m.

• Saturday, March 11, Seattle at Portland 6 p.m.

ª Saturday, March 18, Portland at Seattle, 7:05 p.m.

Notes

Todd Vrooman will be the play-by-play voice for the first two broadcasts. Veteran WHL play-by-play voice Ian Furness will have the call for the last six broadcasts. … There is the possibility that one or more of these games could be broadcast on JOEtv Channell 22/Cable 110. … T-Birds single-game tickets are on sale. Fans can purchase them online or at the ShoWare Center box office. … Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.