The Seattle Thunderbirds are an American professional ice hockey team that began playing in 1977. They currently play in the Western Hockey League. They play their home games in Kent, Washington, south of Seattle, at the ShoWare Center. They were known as the Vancouver Nats from 1971 to 73, the Kamloops Chiefs from 1973 to 77, and the Seattle Breakers from 1977 to 85. 