Keeping Up with Valley Commerce: Bridgeport Sound Tigers Hopeful for Upcoming Hockey Season

By: Anna De Simone

Bridgeport Sound Tigers player, Colin McDonald (#13) (far left), interacting with his teammates, published on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (Photo Credit: Bridgeport Sound Tigers/Facebook)

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – In spite of the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-2020 hockey season, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers are gearing up for a successful return next season –with exciting news in-store for fans.

“We are very excited about the upcoming season,” says Bridgeport Sound Tigers Director of Group Sales, Dan Tamburro, “because it is the Sound Tigers 20th Anniversary and we will have some exciting announcements about that coming out over the next few months.”

Upon the commencement of the 2020-2021 season, Sound Tigers fans should anticipate notable changes such as a brand-new Season Membership Program. Membership incentives include the ability to sit in any available location within the arena, exclusive member gifts, free parking, invitations to exclusive member events with the Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena and tickets to a New York Islanders home game –just to name a few perks, according to Tamburro.

Aside from the Sound Tigers players preparing for the 2020-2021 season by training from their homes across North America and Europe, Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Sound Tigers director of broadcasting and communications, said the front office is also working hard toward a successful return. Fuehring stated that he is preparing for the next season as he normally would --from outlining potential promotional schedules, to brainstorming new theme night ideas, to building new community initiatives.

“We are currently waiting to hear when the 2020-2021 season will officially begin,” Fuehring said, “but I imagine the American Hockey League will have several plans in place to get going as soon as it is safe.”

​A majority of the actions that the Bridgeport Sound Tigers make are determined by the schedules of the New York Islanders and the National Hockey League, according to Fuehring. Both organizations did not cancel the remainder of their seasons despite the COVID-19 outbreak. The National Hockey League is resuming its season in August following a brief training camp in late July.

A Facebook post published by the official Bridgeport Sound Tigers account on Monday, May 11, 2020. (Photo Credit: Bridgeport Sound Tigers/Facebook)

A significant aspect of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers that is continuously being given the recognition it deserves: the loyal Sound Tigers fan base. According to Tamburro, the team staff has been remaining in contact with current clients and fans and reaching out to many new and prospective customers. The reasoning? To check in with them and see how they are holding up throughout this time.

“We want to make sure that everyone is doing well through everything that has gone on over the past few months, said Tamburro. “It is actually very similar to the work we would be doing at this time of year anyway, and we will be ready so that when the schedule and plans for the 2020-2021 season [is released], we can happily contact all of our fans to provide them with the good news that hockey is back.”

Keeping the Sound Tigers’ social media accounts “fresh and interactive” is a priority for Fuehring, who said meetings are held several times a week in order to develop creative ideas for the various platforms. At least one Facebook, Instagram and Twitter post is published per day on each platform, including interactive content such as trivia questions, crossword puzzles, word searches, etc.

A “virtual autographs” segment was one of the most successful ideas, said Fuehring. Sound Tigers fans were invited to send pictures of themselves or their kids with a Sound Tigers player or the mascot. The photographs were then “autographed” by Sound Tigers players on an iPhone and reposted to social media.

“The most important message for our fans is that we want them to know we are all in this together, and that everyone’s health and safety is our top priority,” said Tamburro. “We love seeing the continued support and engagement our fans have shown over the last four months, and we cannot wait until we are back together with them safely for the start of the 2020-2021 season.”

An uncontestable decision to cancel the remainder of the 2019-2020 Sound Tigers season stemmed disappointment for both Tamburro and Fuehring. With that said, they also argued that the American Hockey League and its Board of Governors were just in their decision to suspend the season before ultimately deciding to cancel the season on March 12.

“The health and safety of our players, coaches, staff –and most importantly, fans—is paramount,” said Tamburro. “Our hope is that there is an opportunity to begin our 20th season in early October and that fans are able and willing to gather inside Webster Bank Arena as before, and return to a sense of normalcy.”


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