Seattle Thunderbirds

Last updated

Seattle Thunderbirds
Seattle Thunderbirds logo.svg
City Kent, Washington
League Western Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionU.S.
Founded1971
Home arena accesso ShoWare Center
ColorsNavy blue, green, white
   
General manager Bil LaForge
Head coach Matt O'Dette
Website chl.ca/whl-thunderbirds/
Franchise history
1971–1973 Vancouver Nats
1973–1977 Kamloops Chiefs
1977–1985Seattle Breakers
1985–presentSeattle Thunderbirds
Championships
Playoff championships Ed Chynoweth Cup
2 (2017, 2023)
Conference Championships
4 (2015–16, 2016–17, 2021–22, 2022–23)

The Seattle Thunderbirds are a major junior ice hockey team based in the city of Kent, Washington. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Conference in the Western Hockey League. Founded in 1971 as the Vancouver Nats, the team arrived in Seattle in 1977 and played as the Breakers until 1985, when they adopted the Thunderbirds name. The team played in Seattle for three decades before moving to the accesso ShoWare Center in nearby Kent in 2008. The Thunderbirds are two-time WHL champions, with their most recent title coming in 2023.

Contents

History

Foundations

The team was founded in 1971 as the Vancouver Nats of the Western Canada Hockey League, but moved to Kamloops, British Columbia, after just two seasons to become the Kamloops Chiefs in 1973. [1] In 1977, the team moved again, this time to Seattle, and was renamed the Seattle Breakers. [1] The move came just years after the city narrowly missed out on securing a National Hockey League franchise. [2] The Breakers began play in 1977–78, and played out of the Seattle Center Arena. Through eight seasons, the Breakers finished with a regular season record of 225 wins, 319 losses, and 32 ties; and playoff record of 11 wins and 21 losses, twice advancing as far as the West Division finals. [3] The team nearly folded in 1982 when, under owner John Hamilton, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This reality, combined with novel promotions like honoring unused Seattle Seahawks tickets at the gate, boosted attendance at Breakers games. [4] This was also helped by on-ice success. Despite the off-ice challenges, the team, under coach Jack Sangster, swept the Victoria Cougars in the playoffs to advance to the Division finals. There, they faced the rival Portland Winter Hawks, dropping the series to the eventual champions 4 games to 2. [4]

The Thunderbirds

After the 1984–85 season, the Breakers were sold to new owners and renamed the Seattle Thunderbirds as part of an extensive re-branding. [5] Along with the new name, the team changed its color-scheme from orange, blue, and white, to green, blue, and white, announced a renovation plan for its home arena, and by 1990 began playing some of its games at the larger Seattle Center Coliseum. [5] [6] New management promised to spare no expense and to turn the team into a contender. This included hiring Russ Farwell as manager and Barry Melrose as coach—the two had been instrumental in the Medicine Hat Tigers' 1988 Memorial Cup championship. [7] However, despite the scoring exploits of Glen Goodall—Goodall set new league records for goals (262) and points (573) and had his number 10 jersey retired when he turned professional in 1990 [8] —it would be twelve years before the Thunderbirds broke through to their first league final. Led by star forward Patrick Marleau, the Thunderbirds faced the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the 1997 championship series, which they lost in a sweep. [9] Although the Thunderbirds would win their first and second regular season Division titles in 2002–03 and 2004–05, the eighteen seasons after their first finals appearance would see the team advance past the second round of the playoffs just once.

The Thunderbirds hosting the Spokane Chiefs in a 2012 game. Thunderbirds ShoWare Center.JPG
The Thunderbirds hosting the Spokane Chiefs in a 2012 game.

In 2006, the Thunderbirds announced their intention to move to a brand new arena being constructed in Kent, south of Seattle. [10] The purpose-built arena was a major attraction for the team. [11]

2015 marked the beginning of the most successful period in team history, as the Thunderbirds advanced to the finals four times in eight seasons, twice capturing the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions. Led by the likes of Matthew Barzal, Ethan Bear, and Keegan Kolesar, the 2015–16 season saw the Thunderbirds capture their first Division title since 2005 and make their deepest playoff run since 1997 when Matthew Wedman's game four overtime goal sent the Thunderbirds past the Kelowna Rockets and into the championship final. [12] They lost the final in five games to the Brandon Wheat Kings. [13] The following season, the Thunderbirds returned to the final, where they faced the Regina Pats. They defeated the Pats in six games, with Alexander True scoring the title-winning goal in overtime of game six to secure Seattle's first championship. [14] With the win, Seattle advanced to the 2017 Memorial Cup tournament, where they were eliminated after three straight losses in the preliminary round. [15]

After two straight first-round exits and two years without playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thunderbirds again emerged as a contender in the 2021–22 season. That season, the team returned to the finals and faced the Edmonton Oil Kings to contest the first league playoff title since 2019. Seattle lost the final in six games. [16] The following season was the best in Thunderbirds' history with the team posting 54 wins and 111 points. [17] In the playoffs, the eliminated the Memorial Cup-host Kamloops Blazers in the Western Conference championship, moving on to face the Winnipeg Ice in the title series. [18] They defeated the Ice in five games to earn a berth in the 2023 Memorial Cup tournament. [19] There, led by Dylan Guenther and goaltender Thomas Milic, the Thunderbirds advanced to the tournament final, which they lost to the Quebec Remparts. [20]

Rivals

The Thunderbirds are one of five teams based in Washington, along with the Tri-City Americans, Spokane Chiefs, Tri-City Americans, and Everett Silvertips. The Thunderbirds have built an enduring rivalry with the Portland Winterhawks, dating back to the 1980s. [6] [21] Everett is the closest team to Seattle, and the two teams have met regularly in the playoffs, including a three-year stretch between 2016 and 2018 where the winner of the series between the two made it all the way to the championship series. [22]

Season-by-season record

Matthew Barzal played for the Thunderbirds between 2013 and 2017. Matthew Barzal.jpg
Matthew Barzal played for the Thunderbirds between 2013 and 2017.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Calvin Pickard played for the Thunderbirds between 2008 and 2012. Calvin Pickard.jpg
Calvin Pickard played for the Thunderbirds between 2008 and 2012.
SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPointsFinishPlayoffs
Seattle Breakers
1977–78 72322812–359316764th WestDid not qualify
1978–79 72214011–299334534th WestDid not qualify
1979–80 7229412–297364603rd WestLost West Division final
1980–81 7226460–318393523rd WestLost West Division semifinal
1981–82 7236342–339310743rd WestLost West Division final
1982–83 7224471–319418494th WestLost West Division semifinal
1983–84 7232391–350379654th WestLost West Division semifinal
1984–85 7225443–320416535th WestDid not qualify
Seattle Thunderbirds
1985–86 7227432–373413564th WestLost West Division semifinal
1986–87 7221474–328430465th WestDid not qualify
1987–88 7225462–313436525th WestDid not qualify
1988–89 7233354–315276705th WestDid not qualify
1989–90 7252173–4442951072nd WestLost West Division final
1990–91 7242264–319317883rd WestLost West Division semifinal
1991–92 7233345–292285714th WestLost West Division final
1992–93 7231383–234292654th WestLost West Division quarterfinal
1993–94 7232373–283312674th WestLost West Division semifinal
1994–95 7242282–319282863rd WestEliminated in round-robin
1995–96 7229367–255281655th WestLost West Division quarterfinal
1996–97 7241274–311249862nd WestLost Final
1997–98 7231356–286278686th WestLost West Division quarterfinal
1998–99 72372411–279236853rd WestLost West Division semifinal
1999–00 72342783250221793rd WestLost West Division semifinal
2000–01 72303381262299696th WestLost West Division semifinal
2001–02 72214065235313534th U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2002–03 72442233280224941st U.S.Lost Western Conference final
2003–04 72243189192198655th U.S.Did not qualify
2004–05 72432423204144911st U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2005–06 72353115186211762nd U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2006–07 723721311209186883rd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2007–08 72422352241179913rd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2008–09 72353214222234753rd U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2009–10 72194175172255505th U.S.Did not qualify
2010–11 72293733219285645th U.S.Did not qualify
2011–12 72254511173292525th U.S.Did not qualify
2012–13 72243873210286584th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2013–14 72412524238249882nd U.S.Lost Western Conference semifinal
2014–15 72382545218201853rd U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2015–16 72452340228186941st U.S.Lost Final
2016–17 72462042253206982nd U.S.Won Ed Chynoweth Cup
2017–18 72342882250258785th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2018–19 68312962231245705th U.S.Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2019–20 63243243175240554th U.S.Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 231012016782213rd U.S.No playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 68441842271179943rd U.S.Lost Final
2022–23 685411123001551111st U.S.Won Ed Chynoweth Cup

Lost 2023 Memorial Cup final

2023–24 68273821191260575th U.S.Did not qualify

Championship history

WHL Championship finals

Memorial Cup results

Players

Current roster

Updated May 30, 2024. [23]

# Nat Player Pos S/G AgeAcquiredBirthplaceDrafted
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Arjun Bawa LW L19 2024 Richmond, British Columbia Undrafted
44 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Owen Boucher D L20 2023 Bonnyville, Alberta Undrafted
91 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Samuel Charko LW L17 2022 Whitecourt, Alberta Eligible 2025
86 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Braeden Cootes C R17 2022 Sherwood Park, Alberta Eligible 2025
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ashton Cumby D L18 2024 Bonnyville, Alberta Undrafted
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Hyde Davidson D L18 2021 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2024
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Coster Dunn RW R18 2020 Edmonton, Alberta Undrafted
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jordan Gustafson  ( C ) C L20 2019 Ardrossan, Alberta 2022, 79th Overall, VGK
27 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kaleb Hartmann D L16 2022 Langley, British Columbia Eligible 2025
85 Flag of Germany.svg Luca Hauf RW L20 2023 Krefeld, Germany Undrafted
24 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Brayden Holberton RW R16 2022 Fernie, British Columbia Eligible 2025
22 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Simon Lovsin RW R18 2021 Qualicum Beach, British Columbia Eligible 2024
89 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Antonio Martorana RW R16 2022 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2025
77 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kazden Mathies LW L17 2022 Martensville, Saskatchewan Eligible 2025
26 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nico Myatovic C L19 2019 Prince George, British Columbia 2023, 33rd Overall, ANA
43 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sawyer Mynio  ( A ) D L19 2020 Kamloops, British Columbia 2023, 89th Overall, VAN
81 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nishaan Parmar RW R18 2021 Surrey, British Columbia Eligible 2024
29 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nathan Pilling C L19 2023 Calgary, Alberta Undrafted
33 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Scott Ratzlaff G L19 2020 Irma, Alberta 2023, 141st Overall, BUF

NHL alumni

Several National Hockey League players started with the Thunderbirds:[ citation needed ]

Retired numbers

#PlayerYearRef
10 Glen Goodall 1990 [8]
12 Patrick Marleau 2023 [24]

Team records

Individual player records for a single season [25]
StatisticPlayerTotalSeason
Most goals Glen Goodall 76 1989–90
Most assists Victor Gervais 961989–90
Most pointsGlen Goodall1631989–90
Most penalty minutes Mitch Wilson 436 1981–82
Most saves (goalie) Calvin Pickard 2,443 2010–11
Best GAA (goalie) Bryan Bridges 1.79 2004–05
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played
Career records [25]
StatisticPlayerTotalCareer
Most goalsGlen Goodall2621984–1990
Most assistsGlen Goodall3111984–1990
Most pointsGlen Goodall5731984–1990
Most penalty minutesPhil Stanger9291980–1983
Most games (goalie) Danny Lorenz 2241986–1989
Most saves (goalie)Calvin Pickard7,7272008–2012
Most shutouts (goalie)Bryan Bridges202003–2006

Awards

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL player of the year)

Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL rookie of the year)

Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL top defenceman)

Del Wilson Trophy (WHL top goaltender)

Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL coach of the year)

Doc Seaman Trophy (WHL scholastic player of the year)

Brad Hornung Trophy

WHL Playoff MVP

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References

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  2. ↑ Goldberg-Strassler, Jesse (December 20, 2018). "Seattle Hockey History: From Metropolitans to NHL Expansion". Arena Digest. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Seattle Breakers". seattlehockey.net. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Dougherty, Gary (April 13, 2007). "A look back at the Seattle Breakers". The Seattle Times . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Dreyfuss, Glenn (December 15, 2023). "THN Archive: 1985 "Rejuvenation" Of Seattle Thunderbirds Franchise". The Hockey News . Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Pepple, Randy J. (January 22, 1990). "Move To Coliseum Gives Thunderbirds Big, Happy Crowds". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ Lapp, Richard M.; White, Silas (1993). Local Heroes: A History of the Western Hockey League . Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. p. 177. ISBN   1-55017-080-5.
  8. 1 2 Pierce, Laura (September 23, 2010). "Thunderbirds legend Glen Goodall opens the T-Birds' first home game of the season Saturday". Kent Reporter. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  9. ↑ "WHL Title Goes To Lethbridge". The Spokesman-Review . Associated Press. May 1, 1997. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  10. ↑ Riley, Jim (December 1, 2006). "T-birds moving to Kent in 2008". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ Wixey, Bill (October 18, 2018). "10 years later, Thunderbirds' move to Kent has revitalized the franchise - and city". Fox 13 Seattle . Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  12. ↑ Riley, Jim (April 27, 2016). "Seattle Thunderbirds sweep Kelowna with double-overtime victory, advance to WHL finals". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016.
  13. ↑ Riley, Jim (May 13, 2016). "Brandon Wheat Kings down Seattle ThunderBirds, 8-4, to take WHL trophy". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Seattle Thunderbirds beat Regina in OT to take WHL title". The Seattle Times. May 14, 2017. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017.
  15. ↑ "WHL champion Thunderbirds eliminated from Memorial Cup". Kent Reporter. May 23, 2017. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Oil Kings oust Thunderbirds in WHL final, earn berth in Memorial Cup". Sportsnet . Canadian Press. June 14, 2022. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  17. ↑ Carol, Schram (May 20, 2023). "Seattle Thunderbirds defeat Winnipeg Ice to win WHL Championship". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Seattle Thunderbirds advance to WHL championship". The Seattle Times. May 8, 2023. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  19. ↑ Crabtree, Curtis (May 19, 2023). "Thunderbirds win second WHL title, beat Winnipeg 3-1 in Game 5 to win Ed Chynoweth Cup". Fox 13 Seattle. Fox Sports. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  20. ↑ Wheeler, Scott (June 4, 2023). "Quebec Remparts defeat Seattle Thunderbirds to claim 2023 Memorial Cup". The Athletic . The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Portland Winterhawks get rare playoff shot at rival Seattle Thunderbirds". The Oregonian. May 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ Baker, Geoff (March 29, 2019). "With NHL's arrival looming, Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips in local junior hockey golden era". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  23. ↑ WHL Network, Western Hockey League, retrieved May 30, 2024
  24. ↑ "Kent-based Thunderbirds to retire Marleau's number 12 in November". Kent Reporter. July 28, 2023. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  25. 1 2 "Records". Seattle Thunderbirds. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
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