For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds will have three games broadcast live on Root Sports’ “Friday Night Ice” this season.

Those games are:

• Friday, Feb. 7, vs. Spokane, ShoWare Center

• Friday, Feb. 21 at Everett

• Friday, March 7 at Portland.

The three appearances are part of an eight-game broadcast package Root Sports and the Western Hockey League announced today. It is the fifth year of the partnership between the network and the league.

The broadcast schedule features all five U.S.-based WHL clubs – Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans.

WHL on Root Sports begins Tuesday, Jan. 28 with the Kamloops Blazers hosting the Spokane Chiefs.

“The Western Hockey League is very pleased to continue our broadcast partnership with Root Sports,” said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Our ‘Friday Night Ice’ broadcasts on Root Sports allows the WHL to showcase the great rivalries in our U.S. Division with hockey fans throughout the Pacific Northwest and other regions of the United States.”

“The WHL has a very loyal and dedicated fan base. We are pleased to continue our partnership and the opportunity to showcase the league’s talent to our viewers across the Northwest,” said Mark Jorgensen, senior vice president/general manager of Root Sports.

The WHL on Root Sports features the play-by-play of Ian Furness with analysis provided by former WHL and NHL player Kevin Sawyer.

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2013-14 WHL on Root Sports broadcast schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 28 – Spokane at Kamloops, 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31 – Tri-City at Edmonton, 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7 – Spokane at Seattle, 7:35 v

Friday, Feb. 14 – Portland at Kamloops, 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 21 – Seattle at Everett, 7:35 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 28 – Tri-City at Everett, 7:35 p.m.

Friday, March 7 – Seattle at Portland, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, March 14 – Tri-City at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.