Thunderbirds like their new icy roost in Kent

Thunderbirds' rookie Brad Haber and Silvertips Kyle Beach

Thunderbirds' rookie Brad Haber and Silvertips Kyle Beach

Greg Scott noticed a big difference between the ShoWare Center and KeyArena as soon as he arrived to play for the Seattle Thunderbirds in their debut Saturday night at the city of Kent’s new facility.

“We pulled up to the rink and there was a buzz around the rink,” said Scott, a left wing in his fourth season with the team. “There were no parking spots at about 4:45 at the main lot. It was way different than the KeyArena vibe.”

The T-birds beat the Everett Silvertips 4-3 before a sold-out crowd of 6,125 in their inaugural game at the ShoWare Center. The T-birds moved to Kent from the KeyArena in Seattle.

“That’s crazy what we just witnessed,” said Scott after the game. “I love it. I think everyone was excited. Every single guy on our team was excited. It was a great day.”

T-Bird players were thrilled with the $84.5 million arena, their new home ice.

“It was unreal,” said T-bird center Brenden Silvester, who scored the first goal at the ShoWare Center. “It’s a great facility. It looked a lot better than the Key, which looks a little empty. Being in this rink, it’s more packed and more loud.”

The T-bird players entered the ice through a ring of fire during player introductions, with an onslaught of cheering from the fans.

“Those flames were hot,” Silvester said.

Players were pumped to play in front of a sold-out crowd.

“I can’t tell you how great of an arena this is,” Scott said. “The atmosphere was the best I’ve been in for a while. We fed off the fans’ energy, and they fed off of ours.”

The intimacy of the ShoWare Center – which is a smaller venue than KeyArena – proved to be a big positive for the players.

“The Key’s always been a little bit rowdy,” Silvester said. “But out here, it’s nice and compact and everything’s great. It’s perfect.”

T-bird coach Rob Sumner expects the team’s new home could help his players win more games.

“It’s an advantage because we saw it tonight,” Sumner said. “There’s a heck of an atmosphere out there. We’re excited to play here. But just because you’re playing at home doesn’t mean it gets easier. There’s the advantage of the crowd, but we still have play the games, and play to win.”

Players were excited even before the game to carve up the ice at their new home.

“The whole dressing room, everybody had smile on their faces,” Scott said.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

David Warner holds up his jersey for the Seattle Orcas. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Seattle Orcas cricket team hosts fan fest at Marymoor Park

Orcas players, coaches and owners joined fans to celebrate the start of the third year of MLC.

Kent-Meridian athlete of the year nominees. Photo provided by Robby Mullikin.
Kent-Meridian’s Samuel Doma and Riley Gardner named Athletes of the Year

In the second annual Athlete of the Year event, Kent-Meridian sweeps the competition.

t
Ex-Kentwood High star Vandersloot to miss rest of WNBA season

Chicago Sky point guard suffers torn ACL in June 7 game

Marcella Jones gives a smile a top the podium. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent-Meridian High School’s Marcella Jones shines on state stage

Kentwood’s Unified program takes second place in state track and field championships.

Jo Thompson swarmed after hitting a walk-off double. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge fastpitch goes 1-2 in districts

Chargers walk-off Battle Ground, but fall to Puyallup the next day.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Judy Chen (Sr.) tennis and Richard Calkins (Sr.) judo are this weeks winners.

Anthony Diaz celebrates the game’s winning goal. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent-Meridian soccer survives and advances

Royals down Federal Way 2-1 for second win this season over Eagles.

Riley Lambarena pitched four innings against Kennedy. Ben Ray / The Reporter
West Central District baseball tournament preview

Breakdown and analysis for the first round of the playoffs.

Jozi Thompson pitching against Interlake. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Fastpitch district tournament preview

Kentridge, Auburn Riverside and Auburn Mountainview begin quest for the state tournament.

Jo Thompson pitches against Auburn Riverside. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge has five-game win streak snapped vs. Auburn Riverside

Chargers now turn eyes to the postseason as they nab the No. 4 seed in districts.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentlake

Raiden Renggli (Sr.) soccer and Taylor Le (Fr.) track and field take home this weeks awards.

Jack Coleman delivers a pitch for Kentwood against Auburn Riverside. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood baseball just misses the postseason cut

Kentwood drops series to Auburn Riverside and misses playoffs for the first time since 2019.