Thunderbirds announce leadership group for 2026-2027 season

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. –The Twin City Thunderbirds, proud members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL), have officially announced their leadership group for the 2026-2027 season. Forward Zach White has been named the organization's new Captain, while forwards Nate Keeley and Gus Ford, along with veteran forward/defenseman Jiri Pestuka, have been selected as Alternate Captains.

The announcement comes as the Thunderbirds prepare to begin their tenth season of professional hockey in Winston-Salem, with a leadership group featuring four familiar faces who have made significant contributions to the organization. The group brings together professional hockey experience, championship history, individual league honors, and an established connection to the Thunderbirds organization.

White assumes the captaincy following the departure of longtime Captain Jon Buttitta from the playing roster. Buttitta, who wore the captain's "C" for the previous four seasons, was named the Thunderbirds' new Head Coach in April after six seasons with the franchise. White, who previously served as an Alternate Captain, was also appointed Player Assistant Coach during the offseason and will continue in that capacity while taking on the additional responsibilities of team Captain.

The selection of White, Keeley, Ford, and Pestuka places the organization's leadership responsibilities in the hands of four players with extensive experience representing the Thunderbirds. Combined, the four recorded one hundred and eighty-three points during the 2025-2026 regular season. Their appointments also maintain continuity between the franchise's established veterans and the coaching staff as the Thunderbirds enter a new season under Buttitta's direction.

The appointments represent the organization's leadership selections for the upcoming season and are separate from immediate game availability. White will be the only member of the announced leadership group included on Twin City's opening-night roster, while Keeley, Ford, and Pestuka will not be part of the lineup for the season opener.

Zach White, 30, a forward from Milford, Connecticut, will wear the captain's "C" for the Thunderbirds after an impressive 2025-2026 campaign in which he scored twenty-seven goals, recorded thirty-nine assists, and totaled sixty-six points in fifty regular-season games. White finished second among Thunderbirds players in total points and tied for the team lead in goals during the season. His sixty-six points marked another productive year in Winston-Salem after he registered twenty-five goals and twenty-six assists for fifty-one points in just thirty-three games during the 2024-2025 campaign. Across those two seasons, White has accumulated fifty-two goals and sixty-five assists for one hundred and seventeen points in eighty-three games with the organization. Prior to his time with the Thunderbirds, White built an extensive professional resume that included more than one hundred and ninety games in the ECHL, with stops in Iowa, Worcester, Greenville, Fort Wayne, and Greensboro. During the 2021-2022 season, White recorded eighteen goals and thirty-three assists for fifty-one points in fifty-two games with the Iowa Heartlanders. He also appeared in five games for the Greensboro Gargoyles during the 2025-2026 season, scoring three goals and adding an assist. In April, the Thunderbirds appointed White as Player Assistant Coach, recognizing his experience and ability to contribute beyond his responsibilities as an active player. In that role, White assists with game preparation, communication between players and coaches, and the execution of the team's systems. His appointment as Captain places him in a central leadership position within the organization, working alongside Buttitta to establish expectations and maintain accountability throughout the season. White becomes the latest player entrusted with the captaincy of a franchise that has established a tradition of strong veteran leadership during its first decade in the FPHL.

Nate Keeley, 28, a forward from Nanton, Alberta, Canada, has been named an Alternate Captain following three consecutive seasons with the Thunderbirds. Since joining the organization ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign, Keeley has developed into one of the team's most consistent and dependable players, appearing in one hundred and sixty-two regular-season games over the past three seasons. During the 2025-2026 campaign, Keeley recorded eleven goals and seventeen assists for twenty-eight points in fifty-three games, establishing a new personal best in regular-season points. He previously registered twelve goals and fourteen assists for twenty-six points in fifty-four games during the 2024-2025 season. Keeley began his professional career with the Thunderbirds in 2023-2024, appearing in fifty-five of the team's fifty-six regular-season contests and contributing ten goals and fifteen assists for twenty-five points. During that inaugural season, he frequently played alongside current Head Coach and former team Captain Jon Buttitta, gaining experience within the organization's established leadership structure. Through his first three FPHL regular seasons, Keeley has accumulated thirty-three goals and forty-six assists for seventy-nine points. His time in Winston-Salem has also included consecutive appearances in the Commissioner's Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025, giving him experience in the league's most important postseason games. Keeley's appointment recognizes his sustained contributions to the organization, familiarity with the Thunderbirds' expectations, and the responsibilities he has earned through three seasons of professional hockey in Winston-Salem. His experience and established relationships within the organization provide continuity as the Thunderbirds begin a new chapter under Buttitta's direction. As an Alternate Captain, Keeley will be counted upon to help reinforce the standards established within the organization and provide leadership to both returning veterans and players joining the Thunderbirds for the first time.

Gus Ford, 30, a forward from Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, has been selected as an Alternate Captain and remains one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. Ford is the organization's all-time leader in goals, assists, and points, having recorded one hundred and eighty-nine goals and two hundred and forty-seven assists for four hundred and thirty-six points during his Thunderbirds career. Since making his debut with the organization during the 2021-2022 season, Ford has established himself as one of the most productive offensive players in the FPHL. During the 2022-2023 campaign, Ford led the league in scoring with forty-six goals and sixty-eight assists for one hundred and fourteen points in fifty-four regular-season games, earning the FPHL's Most Valuable Player Award. He followed that performance with another exceptional season in 2023-2024, scoring forty-two goals and adding forty-six assists for eighty-eight points in forty-three games. His production earned him the FPHL's Forward of the Year Award and further established his standing among the league's elite offensive players. Ford continued his success during the 2024-2025 campaign, recording thirty-one goals and fifty-two assists for eighty-three points in forty-eight games. During the 2025-2026 season, Ford registered twenty-seven goals and forty assists for sixty-seven points in forty-one games with Twin City before a transaction sent him to the Athens Rock Lobsters. As part of that agreement, Ford's playing rights were set to return to the Thunderbirds following the conclusion of the season. Before joining the organization, Ford played professionally in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) with the Peoria Rivermen, Macon Mayhem, and Quad City Storm, following four collegiate seasons at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Ford's selection as an Alternate Captain recognizes his accomplishments with the franchise and the experience he has accumulated throughout his professional career. His individual honors, franchise scoring records, and contributions to multiple Thunderbirds postseason runs have made him one of the most recognizable players in the organization's history. His appointment provides the Thunderbirds with another experienced veteran in their leadership structure as the franchise prepares for its tenth season.

Jiri Pestuka, 32, a forward/defenseman from Prostejov, Czech Republic, has been named an Alternate Captain, continuing a remarkable association with the Thunderbirds that dates back to the organization's inaugural 2017-2018 season. Pestuka is among the longest-tenured players in franchise history and has represented the organization in each of its first nine seasons. He has appeared in three hundred and forty-three regular-season games and thirty-eight postseason contests for the Thunderbirds, totaling three hundred and eighty-one appearances with the franchise. During his regular-season career with the organization, Pestuka has registered one hundred and ten goals and one hundred and fifty-six assists for two hundred and sixty-six points, placing him among the Thunderbirds' most productive players historically. Pestuka was a member of the franchise's 2018-2019 Commissioner's Cup championship team, helping the Thunderbirds capture their first league title with a series victory over the Elmira Enforcers. His contributions have extended well beyond that championship campaign. During the 2022-2023 season, Pestuka earned FPHL Defenseman of the Year honors, sharing the recognition with Binghamton's Jake Schultz. His ability to contribute at both forward and defense has made him a versatile presence throughout his professional career. During the 2024-2025 season, Pestuka scored twenty goals and added twenty-three assists for forty-three points in forty-four games as the Thunderbirds advanced to another Commissioner's Cup Final. He followed that campaign with eight goals and fourteen assists for twenty-two points in forty-one games during the 2025-2026 season. Before arriving in Winston-Salem, Pestuka developed in the Czech junior hockey system and represented his country at the youth international level before continuing his career in North America with the El Paso Rhinos. Having experienced the franchise's inaugural season, its 2019 championship, multiple appearances in the Commissioner's Cup Finals, and its evolution into the Twin City Thunderbirds, Pestuka brings an understanding of the organization's history that few players can match. His appointment as an Alternate Captain recognizes his extensive service to the team and his role in maintaining the traditions and standards established throughout the franchise's history. As one of the few remaining connections to the Thunderbirds' championship roster, Pestuka provides valuable continuity between the organization's past accomplishments and its expectations for the future.

The Thunderbirds will begin their tenth anniversary season on Friday, October 23rd, in a road matchup against the Danbury Hat Tricks at Danbury Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The teams will meet again on Saturday, October 24th, at 7:00 p.m. ET to conclude the opening weekend series. Twin City's 2026-2027 home opener is scheduled for Saturday, November 7th, when the Thunderbirds welcome the Blue Ridge Bobcats to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET.

Single game tickets for all Twin City Thunderbirds regular season home games at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased online at tcbirds.com, wsfairgrounds.com, ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena Box Office at (336) 774-8880. For Season Ticket and Group Ticket information, contact Holli Carmin at (336) 774-8882 or hcarmin@tcbirds.hockey.