Welcome to the Springfield Jr. Thunderbirds
The Springfield Jr. Thunderbirds provide a competitive hockey experience for boys and girls players at all age levels. Offering structured hockey development programs, the Jr. Thunderbirds’ rosters include players from over 20 states and Canada.
We are a Tier 1 National Bound program. Our teams play in the highly competitive E9 and Boston Hockey Leagues; widely considered one of the top leagues in New England.
The Jr. Thunderbirds, formerly known as the Springfield Rifles, partnered up with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds on Feb. 9, 2022.
For information on becoming a Jr. T-Bird, email us by clicking Here
#1 Hockey Camp in New England! 2025 Jr. TBIRDS TRAINING CAMP AT OLYMPIA ICE CENTER IN WEST SPRINGFIELD
Join us for the best hockey camp in New England! Led by co-directors Ryan (Washington Capitals) & John Leonard (Charlotte Checkers), this 4-day camp is packed with fun, skill development, and top-tier instruction to get you ready for the upcoming hockey season.
The 2025 TBirds Training Camp fee is $395 per registrant before July 15, 2025, and $450 after July 15, 2025. It will be held at Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield. Each group will have two 50 minute skates, broken up by a 10 minute zamboni break. Every camper receives a jersey and hat.
Camp runs Monday, August 18th-Thursday, August 21st. Spots are limited-don't miss out!
Ages: mites thru midgets!
Mites 9:00am-10:50am
Squirts 10:00am-11:50am
Peewee 11:00am-12:50pm
Bantam 12:pm-1:50pm
Midgets 1:00pm-2:50pm
Ice cuts between sheets
Instructors details coming soon!
The 2025 JR Thunderbirds Fall Invitational
The 2025 JR Thunderbirds Fall Invitational will take place at Olympia in West Springfield and other Western Massachusetts rinks on Sept. 13 and Sept. 14. Cost is $2,400 per team and teams can pat up front online or choose the pay by check option available in this registration form - teams must still register if they choose to pay by check.
Three game preliminaries + semis and finals per each division. This year there is an expanded format, including PeeWee majors:
The divisions are:
- PW Major (2013)
- Bantam Minor (2012)
- Bantam Major (2011)
- U15
- U16
- U18/19
Teams participating will play a minimum of three games. No Gate fee! Fans are FREE!
Player openings!
- 2009 2 skaters 1 goalie
- 2010 2 skaters 1 goalie
- 2015 2 skaters
- 2016 2 skaters
- MITES
- 2017 2 skaters
- 2018/19 3 skaters
- MITE DEVELOPMENT 5 players
please contact Cory Chianciola cchianciola@comcast.net
Registrations
Payment Portal
Roster of Teams: 2025-2026 Season
Jr. Tbirds & Springfield Rangers News
Coaches have been set! Athletes have been working hard on & off the ice..25-26 season we are ready!
Interested in becoming a Jr. T-bird or Springfield Rangers?
Contact Cory Chianciola
Quick Links
Congrats, Jr. Thunderbirds Hockey School Co-Director Matt Foley!
Jr. Thunderbirds Hockey School Co-Director Matt Foley and his Belfast Giant teammates won the prestigious Challenge Cup trophy yesterday in Belfast defeating the Fife Flyers 8-3 in the Championship game.
The Springfield Jr. T-Birds are one of the fastest growing youth hockey organizations in New England. This growth, based in the success of our players, was formed in the “T-Bird Way” - balancing both hockey development and competition.
Thank You!
I just wanted to reach out and thank everyone for coming to TBirds training camp last week. T-Birds camp is something I look forward to every year and helping develop youth hockey players is something I really enjoy doing. My hope is that I was able to teach each athlete a few things that they can continue to work on and bring into this upcoming season. In addition I hope every player had as much fun as us coaches. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents that helped get each player to the rink and on the ice on time. Thank you players for coming to the rink each day ready to work and learn. Lastly, thank you for asking questions and being as engaged as you all were. As coaches that’s something we really appreciate and did not go unnoticed.
Thank you all again for such a fun week!
I wish everyone the best of luck with your upcoming seasons and hope to see you around the rink soon
John Leonard
2025 INFO
Former Jr. Thunderbirds John Leonard (Arizona Coyotes), Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), Peter Crinella (Guildford Flames), and Matt Foley will instruct the training camp alongside active collegiate and professional hockey players and coaches.
"This training camp has always been a great experience. It means a lot to work with kids who play for the same teams as we did at their age. We take a lot of pride in developing our favorite concepts and training techniques, learned from all the places our careers have taken us, and bringing them back home for camp." - John Leonard
"What makes TBirds Training Camp unique is that it really is a training camp. It falls right before the season and the ice sessions are run accordingly. Getting the participants back in hockey shape, sharpening their skills, and building good habits, allows them to hit the ice running. Feeling 100% right from the start really benefits them throughout the entirety of the season." - Matt Foley
BREEDING SUCCESS
WALL OF FAME: PRO
Congrats to former JR TBird Ryan Leonard! 8th overall pick by the Capitals in 2023 NHL Draft
2025 TBirds Training Camp Registration is OPEN
Registration opened on April 5! We are still finalizing details but grab a spot TODAY.
Camp fee is $395 before July 15 and $450 after. Camp runs Monday, August 18-Thursday, August 21. REGISTER HERE
Congrats to Pope Francis Prep: 2022-23 MA State Champs!