The Seattle Thunderbirds have a long friendship and partnership history with the Muckleshoot Tribe and Muckleshoot Casino.
When our home, the accesso ShoWare Center, opened in January of 2009, Muckleshoot Casino became a suite owner. At the start of the 2012-13 season Muckleshoot Casino became the Exclusive Casino partner of the Thunderbirds and accesso ShoWare Center.
Fans see Muckleshoot’s presence at the accesso ShoWare Center in many exciting ways. The most unique way though is the Muckleshoot Casino poker chip at both bottom of the accesso ShoWare Center scoreboard. This casino chip on the bottom of the scoreboard is an exciting way to promote our partnership that we are very proud of.
T-Birds players have made appearances at the Muckleshoot Health and Wellness Center over the years giving presentations on Anti-Bullying, Goal Setting and Responsibility.
Ethan Bear and Justin Hickman Visit Muckleshoot Health & Wellness Center
Ethan Bear, Mitch Elliot, Evan Wardley, and Justin Hickman Visit Muckleshoot Health & Wellness Center
The T-Birds feel it is very important to support our players heritage and their involvement in their home communities. On November 10, 2015, the team stopped at the home rink of Ethan Bear in Ochapowace, Saskatchewan, during our six-game road trip to the Eastern Division. The rink is located on the Ochapowace First Nation Reserve. The team held a practice that was open to the public, a Skate with the Players event and a team autograph signing. Ethan and the Ochapowace First Nation presented general manager Russ Farwell with a T-Birds themed blanket during a blanket ceremony.
T-Birds Visit Ochapowace First Nation
Ethan was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft and is currently in his rookie season with the Oilers and is an early favorite for the NHL Rookie of the Year award.
Ethan Bear Interview at 2015 NHL Draft
Ethan Bear 2017 WHL Defenseman of the Year