Halifax, It's Time to Feel the Thunder
Dec 4, 2019
HALIFAX - IT’S TIME TO FEEL THE THUNDER
Proudly bringing professional lacrosse to Nova Scotia, The Halifax Thunderbirds are kicking off their inaugural season in the National Lacrosse League. Their home opener will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Centre on December 7th, squaring off against the New York Riptide.
Great seats are still available online, by visiting HalifaxThunderbirds.com/singlegame, or by visiting the Scotiabank Centre Box Office
STYRES AND ACCURSI READY FOR THE SEASON DEBUT
After canoeing for three months and arriving in Halifax with both style and tradition, Curt Styres will be leading the Thunderbirds in their debut as both team owner and general manager. Along with Styres, five-time NLL champion Mike Accursi is preparing for his first game as head coach of the Halifax Thunderbirds. Formerly the assistant coach for the franchise for the last two seasons, Accursi is an accomplished NLL Hall of Famer. He played 17 seasons in the National Lacrosse League (1988-2014), Accursi played seven seasons in Rochester and still ranks fifth in assists (222), points (364), and ninth in goals (142). Accursi has introduced new staff to the franchise and is ready to tackle the first franchise season in Halifax.
THE WHO’S WHO OF THE HALIFAX THUNDERBIRDS
His former teammate, Cody Jamieson, is embarking on his 10th year in the league as a forward for the Thunderbirds. Hailing from Six Nations, ON, Jamieson has had an eventful NLL career, named 2014’s League MVP with 255 goals in the regular season over the course of his professional career. Last year he posted 87 points in 18 games and collected 197 penalty minutes. On the left side of the floor, Jamieson is accompanied by find Kyle Jackson, a forward to look out for. Last year, Jackson scored 30 goals in 18 games, posting 62 points. Ryan Benesch, who signed a three-year franchise player tag in the offseason, will be a key piece to the Thunderbirds success.
Returning on the right side from last season are the likes of Austin Shanks, Mike Burke and a healthy Stephen Keogh. Two-time NLL defensive player of the year, Graeme Hossack, is also gearing up for the upcoming season, having played in all 18 games last year, tallying 164 LB, ranking him fifth in the franchise in a single season.
Alongside Hossack will be Markham, ON native Scott Campbell. A veteran of the franchise, Campbell was traded mid-season last year to Saskatchewan, signing back with the franchise in the offseason as a free agent, prior to being traded Campbell was the captain of the franchise. In his 2012-2014 seasons he helped the franchise start a run of three straight championships.
Highlighting these seasons rookies at training camp was stand out, 20-year-old Nonkon Thompson. Thompson is heading onto the turf ready to learn from the veteran defensive dominants like Hossack and Campbell. Before being drafted 38th overall in the 2019 NLL Entry Draft, Thompson spent four seasons playing for the Akwesasne Indians. Playing in 48 games, collecting 25 goals and 40 assists for a total of 65 points. In 2016 Thompson won silver at the Junior Lacrosse World Championship while apart of the Iroquois Nationals.
UP NEXT FOR THE THUNDERBIRDS
Catch the Thunderbirds back on the turf in the first of three matchups against the Rochester Knighthawks. This will take place at the Thunderbirds home arena, the Scotiabank Centre. The game is slated for 7:00 p.m. against their rivals, surely not one to miss. Purchase a Rivalry Pack, with tickets starting at just $21 per ticket for a three game pack against, Division Rivals, Rochester, Toronto, and Buffalo.
Stay up to date on all Thunderbirds events and news at www.halifaxthunderbirds.com or by following them on social media @HFXThunderbirds.