Modica returns for next season

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- The Carolina Thunderbirds, defending league champions and proud members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, have announced goaltender Nick Modica has re-signed for the 2020-2021 season.

“Nick has shown to be a competent goaltender in this league, with some time and experience he will certainly be core part of the Thunderbirds,” said Thunderbirds general manager Kelly Curl, a former goaltender himself.

Modica made 96 saves over the course of four games with the Thunderbirds at the end of February through the beginning of March before the novel coronavirus forced the FPHL to cancel the remainder of the season. He logged his first home win in the final game of the season, a 9-3 drubbing of the Columbus River Dragons.

“He is a very good goaltender with the right attitude and passion to win games,” said head coach Andre Niec.

Modica posted a professional career-high 36 saves in his league debut, a controversial 2-1 shootout loss at Watertown on Feb. 28. He has a .889 save percentage and a 2.88 goals against average.

“The first time I saw him was in Watertown… he plays a big game. He proved that size doesn’t matter,” continued Niec. Modica is only listed at 5-9.

The Suffern, N.Y.-native finished his collegiate career at SUNY-Cortland in February. In 20 games with the Red Dragons this season, Modica notched a 3.02 GAA and a .922 save percentage.

SUNY-Cortland head coach Joe Cardarelli described Modica as, “a battler in the net.”

Prior to college, Modica skated with the Jersey Hitmen of the USPHL. In his final season, he allowed fewer than two goals per game (1.94) and had a .939 save percentage, a top-ten mark in the league.

Modica is the first goaltender the Thunderbirds have announced is returning this season.

The Thunderbirds have season-ticket plans on sale now. You can get yours by filling out the interest form on the top of the team webpage and waiting for one of our season ticket representatives to contact you.

The Carolina Thunderbirds office is still closed to the public due to COVID-19, however, office members are available to take your calls from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and are available by email.