SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – For the seventh consecutive season, the Springfield Thunderbirds will have a sellout crowd for the team's home-opener.

Some 6,793 fans are expected for Saturday night's game against the Hartford Wolf Pack.

A recent report also shows the team's success has managed to extend beyond seats filled at the MassMutual Center. According to the UMass Donahue Institute, the Thunderbirds have generated $126 million for the local economy since 2017. The study included concessions sales, interviews with local business owners and other metrics.

Everyone from front office staff to the players are excited to hit the ice again.

"It's a real feather in our cap to say that we've sold out opening night every year of our existence, which some people thought in the beginning of our franchise was a really lofty goal to set for ourselves," said Ryan Smith, the Thunderbirds' media and community relations manager.

Smith feels the team has established its will to become a must-see attraction for hockey lovers, as well as a reliable provider of family-friendly entertainment.

"There's something in it for everybody, and I think the support our fans have shown us over the past seven years certainly goes to show that none of this is possible without them, first and foremost," Smith said.

The Thunderbirds have also improved the amount of wheelchair-accessible parking spaces for fans. Additionally, on opening weekend, the team will be offering free shuttle services for people with disabilities from the Springfield Parking Authority lot.

As the team opens its season, it will also do so with an important cause in mind. The Thunderbirds are partnering with the American Legion to give more exposure to its 'Be the One' campaign, which aims to prevent veteran suicide.

Through destigmatizing mental health support and providing peer-to-peer support and more, the campaign hopes to spark meaningful progress in what is currently the number one issue facing the veteran community.

"The American Legion is something we've partnered with for a long time, so any time we can show our support to our veterans, it's something we always take a chance to do," Smith said.

The 'Be the One' campaign urges any veteran struggling with their mental health or contemplating suicide to call the 988 hotline and press 1, or text 838255.