WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fans have waited months for this weekend’s 2026-27 home opener. But no one is as excited for this Saturday as Hugh McGing.
McGing, who signed with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the offseason, will not only be playing his first game in a Penguins uniform. He’s pumped up for the opponent: his old club, the Springfield Thunderbirds.
“I’m excited for that one,” McGing said with a big smile. “It’s going to be weird seeing all those guys right off the bat. You know, I spent five years of my life there, so I’m excited for it. Hopefully, we can get the win against those guys.”
McGing spent the past five seasons skating for Springfield. In that time, he played in 323 regular-season games and 34 playoff contests. Both figures are the most in franchise history. He also tops the Thunderbirds’ record books with 12 shorthanded goals and ranks second in team history with 112 assists and 177 points.
Now, “Mr. Thunderbird” is a bird of a different feather.
A Penguin, to be specific.
“Wilkes-Barre, they knocked us- well, Springfield out last year. So I’m familiar with their style of play, and I liked it. I know what [the Penguins] are all about. I felt it would be a good fit for me.”
By putting pen to paper, the Penguins showed they felt the same way, too.
Over the past five years battling against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, coaches and management were able to see McGing’s fleet-footed play first-hand. The 28-year-old from Chicago, Illinois has shown that he can thrive in all situations, score in big moments, and be an off-ice leader.
Things like shorthanded goals are easily read on a boxscore, but over the course of those five years in Springfield, McGing believes he sharpened a skill that isn’t so readily apparent.
“I’d say consistency is a huge part of my game,” he said. “You know exactly what you’re going to get every night, every shift. You can count on it. And if you don’t know it, you find out game one.”
Thunderbirds fans know that well. Penguins fans are about to experience it this season.
McGing has a long way to go before he can take Tom Kostopoulos’ claim for the most games played in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton history (658), but it’s a poetic way to start his time in Black and Gold by taking on the franchise he covered in his fingerprints.
HOW DO I GET READY FOR OPENING NIGHT?
• The puck drops on Opening Night presented by AMP Global Strategies at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.
• There will be a pregame, outdoor festival starting at 3:00 p.m., including live music, outdoor games, inflatables, face painting, and a selection of concessions for purchase. The pregame festivities will also feature the March of the Penguins player walk, where players will arrive at the arena and be greeted by fans prior to their showdown with Springfield.
• Penguins rally towels will be provided for 7,000 fans in attendance on Saturday.
• Opening weekend continues the following day, Sunday, Oct. 4, with a 5:05 p.m. tilt against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Sunday’s game will also feature a pregame Car Show and Jeep MeetUp. More information and registration can be found here: https://t.co/rJWRsibWNk
• Fans can buy tickets for both opening weekend games at wbspenguins.com, the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza box office, or by calling the team’s front office directly at (570) 208-7367.
By providing a telephone number, e-mail address, and submitting this form, you are consenting to be contacted by e-mail & SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging. See our privacy policy for more information.
