Thunderbirds announce two roster moves ahead of the weekend

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- The Carolina Thunderbirds, proud members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and 2019 Commissioner’s Cup champions, are excited to announce a couple of roster moves for this weekend’s three-game set.

Carolina has signed forward Vincent D’Andrea to play on Thanksgiving night vs. Battle Creek.

“Vinny is a local kid who has played for us before and we’re excited to have a hometown guy on the team this weekend,” said head coach Andre Niec.

D’Andrea played two games for the Thunderbirds in the 2017-2018 inaugural season and notch a goal and an assist. He suited up for Mentor last season for a single game, but did not score.

On Saturday night, the Thunderbirds announced that former NHL-er Steve MacIntyre will return to the roster.

MacIntyre has played in 14 Thunderbirds games in his career thus far, scoring two goals and logging five assists, all of those coming during the 2017-2018 season.

In the second period of last Saturday’s game vs. Columbus, MacIntyre dropped Nick Wright with a hard left-hook that sent Carolina fans into a frenzy.

“He got to experience what it was like to take on a real tough guy,” said Niec of Wright after Saturday’s game, “he lost the battle. [MacIntyre] is here to play hockey, we don’t put him in to fight, we put him in to play shifts and play hockey.”

MacIntyre played 91 games in five seasons in the NHL, splitting time between Edmonton, Florida and Pittsburgh respectively.

The Thunderbirds will play their first three-game set of the season vs. Battle Creek between Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are still available in limited quantities for all three games, but they are flying away fast.

Carolina will have specialty themed promotions for Thanksgiving and Black Friday on Thursday and Friday respectively. On Saturday, the Thunderbirds will honor and remember those who have served in the United States armed forces as Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services presents Veterans Night.