Nine T-Birds Attending NHL Training Camps
September 9, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, September 9, 2015 - The Seattle Thunderbirds have nine players attending NHL team Training Camps.
Center Mathew Barzal was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft. He will be leaving for the Islanders Training Camp on September 9. Islanders Training Camp starts September 10 and their Main Camp starts September 17.
Barzal, an 18-year-old from Coquitlam, British Columbia, had 57 points on 12 goals and 45 assists last season. He had four goals and four assists in six playoff games. In two seasons with the T-Birds Barzal has 111 points on 26 goals and 85 assists in 103 games. Barzal attended the Islanders Development Camp this summer.
The New York Rangers selected left win Ryan Gropp in the second round, 41st overall, in the Draft. Gropp is leaving September 9 the Rangers Training Camp.
Gropp, an 18-year-old from Kamloops, British Columbia, had 30 goals and 28 assists to lead the T-Birds in scoring with 58 points last season. In six playoff games he had a goal and seven assists. In his rookie season Gropp had 18 goals and 24 assists for 52 points. Gropp attended the Rangers Development Camp this summer.
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected right wing Keegan Kolesar in the third round, 69th overall, in the NHL Draft. Kolesar is attending the Blue Jackets Training Camp starting September 10. Kolesar will play for the Blue Jackets at the Traverse City Rookie Tournament from July 11 to July 15. The Blue Jackets Main Camp starts September 18.
Kolesar, an 18-year-old form Winnipeg, Manitoba, finished last season with 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 64 games. Kolesar had two goals and six assists for eight points in 60 games in his rookie season. Kolesar attended the Blue Jackets Development Camp this summer.
The Edmonton Oiler selected defenseman Ethan Bear in the fifth round, 124th overall, in the NHL Draft. Bear will be taking part in the Oilers Training Camp starting September 10 in Penticton, British Columbia. Bear will play for Edmonton in the Young Stars Tournament.
Bear, an 18-year-old from Ochapowace, Saskatchewan, had 38 points on 13 goals and 25 assists last season. He had a goal and two assists in six playoff games. In two seasons with the T-Birds Bear has 57 points on 19 goals and 38 assists in 128 games. Bear attended the Oilers Development Camp this past summer.
Gustav Olhaver was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the seventh round, 191st overall, in the NHL Draft. Olhaver leaves September 12 for the Avalanche Training camp.
Olhaver, from Angelholm, Sweden, was selected by the T-Birds in the first round, 44th overall, in the 2015 CHL Import Draft. Last season with the Rogle J20 team had had six goals and six assists for 12 points in 41 games.
Defenseman Jerret Smith and Turner Ottenbreit have been invited to the Rangers Training Camp. They will be joining Gropp as they both leave September 9 for Training Camp.
Smith, a 20-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, played all 72 games last season and had 38 points on 11 goals and 27 assists. Smith had two goals and four assists for six points in six playoff games.
Ottenbreit, an18-year-old from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, had three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 70 games last season. Ottenbreit had a single assist in six playoff games.
Smith attended the Rangers Development Camp this summer while Ottenbreit attended the Development Camp of the Washington Capitals this summer.
Center Scott Eansor has been invited to the Training Camp of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs Training Camp starts September 10 in Toronto. The Maple Leafs Main Camp starts September 17.
Eansor, a 19-year-old from Englewood, Colorado, played in all 72 games last season and had 14 assists and 23 assists for 37 points. In the playoffs Eansor had four goals and an assist for five points. Eansor attended the Maple Leafs Development Camp this summer.
Right wing Jamal Watson has been invited to the Training Camp of the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens Training Camp starts September 10. Watson will play in a rookie tournament in London, Ontario, from September 11 to September 13.
Watson, a 20-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, had 26 goals and 28 assists for 54 points with the Lethbridge Hurricanes last season. Watson was acquired on May 14 from the Hurricanes for Corey Millette. Watson attended the Canadiens Development Camp this summer.
The T-Birds next preseason appearance will be in Kennewick at the Red Lion Hotels' Preseason Tournament at the Toyota Center. The T-Birds will play the Kootenay Ice on Friday, September 11, at 3pm and face the Tri-City Americans on Saturday, September 12, at 7:05pm
The T-Birds will conclude their preseason schedule with a home game against the Victoria Royals on Friday, September 18, at 7:35pm at ShoWare Center.
The T-Birds open the 2015-16 season in Vancouver against the Giants on Friday, September 25, at 7:30pm at Pacific Coliseum.
The T-Birds home opener for the 2015-16 season is Saturday, October 3, against the Prince George Cougars at 7:05pm at ShoWare Center.
T-Birds single game tickets for the 2015-16 season are available online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.
T-Birds season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.
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