Update on International Player Availability

The Twin City Thunderbirds would like to take a moment to address an important situation affecting our organization and several other teams throughout the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL).

The league is currently navigating ongoing immigration processing delays involving international players. These delays have presented challenges for teams across the FPHL, including the Thunderbirds, as we work to assemble our roster and prepare for the start of another exciting season.

For international players to compete professionally in the United States, certain federal immigration and employment authorization requirements must first be satisfied. This process involves the review of necessary documentation and approvals by the appropriate government agencies. Each player's circumstances can be different, and while we remain hopeful that these matters will be resolved as soon as possible, the timing of those decisions is not something our organization or the league can guarantee.

We understand that many of our fans have been looking forward to seeing familiar faces return to Winston-Salem, along with the new players we have welcomed into the Thunderbirds family throughout the offseason. As the team opens the season on the road next weekend, you may notice some familiar faces not in the lineup. We want to reassure our fans that a player's absence from our initial opening night roster does not necessarily mean that he is no longer part of our plans this season.

We also recognize that this situation is particularly difficult for the players themselves. These are individuals who have dedicated countless hours to preparing for another season, many of whom are eager to return to their teammates, their fans, and the communities they have come to call home. We value what our international players have contributed to this organization, and to professional hockey in Winston-Salem, and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome those awaiting clearance as soon as they are eligible to join us.

In the meantime, our focus remains firmly on the work ahead. Head Coach Jon Buttitta and our hockey operations staff are committed to preparing the players currently available, evaluating additional opportunities to strengthen our roster, and putting together a team that will compete every night. Training camp represents an opportunity for players to earn their place, establish themselves within our organization, and demonstrate what it means to wear a Thunderbirds sweater.

We want to emphasize that the initial opening night roster is a starting point, not necessarily the final picture of what our team will look like as the season progresses. Rosters naturally evolve throughout a professional hockey season, and we anticipate continued adjustments as training camp unfolds and additional players become available.

Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, we will not be discussing the details of individual immigration cases or speculating on when specific players may receive clearance. We will continue to follow all applicable requirements and share confirmed roster updates when appropriate.

To our fans, we sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support. We know how much Thunderbirds hockey means to this community, and we share the excitement of getting another season underway. Your passion is what makes Winston-Salem such a special place to play, and that support means a great deal to the players and everyone involved with our organization.

While circumstances beyond our control may affect the timing of certain players joining the team, they do not change our expectations, our preparation, or our commitment to representing Winston-Salem with pride.

We look forward to dropping the puck next Friday in Danbury, CT, and most importantly, welcoming the Thunderbirds family back to Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena for our home opener on November 7^th.