Jon Buttitta is coming back to Carolina

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- The Carolina Thunderbirds, proud members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, announced forward Jon Buttitta has re-signed with the team for the 2020-2021 season.

“We’re are very happy to re-sign Jon. He was a big asset last season and I am sure he will be a difference-maker this year,” said head coach Andre Niec.

Buttitta, a native of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, was the FPHL’s leading scorer (18g, 20a, 38p) with Mentor until he was loaned to the SPHL’s Quad City Storm.

“I’m excited to come back to Winston-Salem for the upcoming season. The team, the fans and the city are very welcoming and I can’t wait to get the year started,” said Buttitta.

While on loan, Buttitta was traded from Mentor to Delaware for the rights to Egor Kostiukov.

After scoring six points (3g, 3a) with Quad City, Carolina acquired Buttitta in a free-agent signing.  

“Having Buttitta back means having a high-energy guy on and off the ice, and he definitely knows how to keep the locker room light when the boys need it the most,” said general manager Kelly Curl.

Buttitta averaged 2.1 points-per-game with the Thunderbirds, scoring 8 goals and adding 7 assists in only 7 games played before the league’s season was cancelled due to the novel coronavirus.

Prior to his professional career, Buttitta played four years with the Kent State University Golden Flashes ACHA program. In juniors, Buttitta played 14 games in Wake Forest, N.C., with the East Coast Eagles and in 2011 he led the NA3HL’s Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks in points (57).

While with Cleveland, he was teammates with current Thunderbirds forward George Holt.

The Carolina Thunderbirds office remains closed during this time to the public, however, there will be staff members in the office weekdays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. to take phone calls and emails only.

The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds box office remains closed until further notice, season tickets holders received an email regarding the new proposed payment schedule. No charges will be made to anyone’s card without first receiving notification from the Thunderbirds.

If you would like to purchase season tickets, please fill out the interest form on the team website. One of the Thunderbirds ticketing staff will contact you to complete the order and get your seats reserved.

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