WHL Western Hockey League

Seabrook: Blueline Star Shines Bright

Published on October 7, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Defenceman Brent Seabrook may only be 19 years old, but he's already built himself a hockey resume that any player would be proud of.

With a trophy cabinet filled with national team medals and various awards, being picked high in the NHL draft (14th overall, Chicago, 2003), playing in all-star games, and wearing the "C" for his team several times throughout his career, it's difficult for Seabrook to pinpoint his most cherished hockey moment.

"I've had a lot of really great hockey moments," says the 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Tsawwassen, B.C. "Getting drafted by the Blackhawks, playing my first NHL exhibition game, playing my first game in the WHL as a 16-year-old, making the world junior team...the list goes on and on."

Seabrook is in his fourth season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League, and his third season as team captain. In his first season in 2001-02, Seabrook set a Hurricanes franchise record for points by a rookie defenceman with 39 and was voted the teams' top rookie. His leadership abilities on and off the ice led the Hurricanes to name him team captain in 2002-03 making him the youngest captain in the history of the franchise.

Since making the jump to the WHL, Seabrook has led the ‘Canes defence in scoring each year – topping the 40-point mark the last two seasons. He played for Team Cherry in the 2003 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, and was also on Team WHL for last year's CHL Canada-Russia challenge and is a good bet to be on the team this year.

In addition to his WHL accomplishments, Seabrook has been a regular fixture in Canada's national team program. In 2002, Seabrook won a Silver medal with Team Pacific in the World U-17 Challenge in Manitoba. Later that year, he won a Gold medal with Canada's U-18 team at the Eight-Nations' Cup in Slovakia. The Following year, Seabrook struck Gold again as an assistant captain for Canada at the 2003 IIHF U-18 World Championship in Russia. He was also named the tournament's top defenceman and was named to the all-star team. Seabrook was also a member of Canada's Silver medal-winning world junior team in Finland in 2004.

Despite such an impressive list accomplishments already to his credit, Seabrook is quick to point that there are still a few items on his to-do list that he needs to take care of.

"The first thing is to get the (‘Canes) into the playoffs," says Seabrook, who would like to add a WHL championship ring to his collection of hardware.

Seabrook also says there's some unfinished business when it comes to the national junior team.

"We're not happy with the Silver...we were a bit unlucky the way it ended," Seabrook says of the heartbreaking loss to the United States in 2004. "This year, we're not going to rely on luck. Hopefully I can be a part of it, make better strides, and bring home that Gold."

Described as a solid, two-way defenceman who can play a physical, stay-at-home game, join the rush, move and shoot the puck well, and quarterback the power-play, Seabrook's talents should lead him to a fine professional career.

Hockey talent seems to run in the Seabrook blood, at least that's what the Calgary Hitmen are hoping. Brent's brother Keith, also a defenceman, is a Hitmen prospect and recently got his first taste of the WHL at this year's Hitmen rookie camp.

"He's a great player," Seabrook says about his younger brother who, at 15, isn't yet eligible to play full-time in the league. "I think he's good enough to be playing in the league now."

However, Seabrook, having gone through the rigors of rookie camp and trying to make a strong impression, didn't have any special tips or advice for Keith saying his brother is more than capable of handling the pressure.

"He's pretty good at handling those situations," Seabrook says. "He's seen me grow up with it. He handles himself pretty well, he's strong, and he can definitely take care of himself."

This season, Seabrook will once again be the cornerstone on the Hurricanes' blue line and he'll certainly play a major role in trying to help his team get back to the post-season. So far, he likes what he sees in this year's edition of the team.

"I think, given the opportunity, guys like (Jesse) Dudas and (Neil) Kodman can excel," notes Seabrook of the two freshmen Hurricanes. "Guys like that, if they keep working hard, will turn out to be good players."

As far as his personal expectations for this year go, Seabrook remains grounded.

"Just play hard every shift," he says. "The (‘Canes) will need me to be a strong leader. I want to be consistent and not give the junior team a reason to cut me. The same goes for the Blackhawks."

Seabrook's undeniable talent, natural leadership abilities, and his ‘team-first' attitude have taken him far in his young career. If he stays the course, he'll no doubt have plenty more great hockey memories awaiting him down the road.

Jesse Watts whl.ca

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WHL KEY PERFORMERS

G Bryan Bridges, Seattle Thunderbirds - Posted a 2-1 record in his last three starts, including back-to-back shutouts against Vancouver and Portland, allowing only two goals on 78 shots. Click here for goaltender leaders.

C Clarke MacArthur, Medicine Hat Tigers – Scored three goals and five assists and was plus four in Medicine Hat's last three games. Click here for scoring leaders.

LW Roman Wick, Red Deer Rebels – Swiss rookie scored five goals, including winner against Saskatoon on Tuesday, and added two assists for seven points over the Rebels' last five games. Click here for rookie leaders.

D Shea Weber, Kelowna Rockets – Notched two goals and four assists in Kelowna's last two games – both wins. Had a hand in all four Rockets goals (1g, 3a) in win over Tigers on Wednesday. Click here for defence leaders.

G Taylor Dakers, Kootenay Ice – Posted 2-0 record and a shutout in his two starts for Kootenay. Turned away 58 of 59 shots over the two games. Click here for goaltender leaders.

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THE PLAYER'S PERSPECTIVE

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Ryan Stone has enjoyed a great start to his fourth season in the Western Hockey League. The 19-year-old product of Calgary, AB tallied four goals and three assists to help the Wheaties win their first three games of the season - an effort that earned him the season's first Greyhound WHL Player of the Week award.

Stone, a second-round pick (32nd overall) of the Pittsburg Penguins in 2003, was also one of 25 WHL players to get an invite to Hockey Canada's national junior team summer development camp in Calgary in August.

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Ryan Stone's Perspective

On his personal and team goals...

"First of all, I want to help the team win more games than we lose. Hopefully we can go on a run in the playoffs, the third round or better would be nice. I'd like to put up some good numbers and get the call for the national team. I want to do more for the community of Brandon than in years before."

On the Flames' playoff run...

"It was great. I went to three games during the playoffs and it was pretty crazy. The Red Mile was pretty cool."

On the Wheat Kings' fresh faces...

"I like (Tyler) Plante in net. Up front, Tyler Dittmer has some great hands and good wheels, Ryan Reaves is gonna be good, too."

On his hockey idol...

"My first real hockey hero was Paul Kariya. But now it's (former Kamloops Blazer) Jarome Iginla after what he did in the playoffs."

On life in Brandon versus life in Calgary...

"You know a lot more people in Brandon. People recognize you more. Here (in Brandon), I do stuff like watch movies, hang out with the guys on the team...it's not as busy here as it is in Calgary."

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WHL THIS WEEK – RADIO EDITION

A brand new episode of "WHL This Week – Radio Edition" is now available.

On this week's show, host Terry Doyle talks with Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Kevin Nastiuk.

Doyle also chats with Saskatoon Blades' Director of Marketing Mike Jenkins about the team's involvement in "Project Face-off", a partnership aimed at raising youth awareness about substance abuse.

In this week's feature interview, Terry talks with Kootenay Ice head coach Cory Clouston about the team's hot start to the season.

To listen, just click on the "WHL This Week – Radio Edition" icon.

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RAIDERS SHOW PROFIT FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – At the Annual General Meeting of the Prince Albert Raiders held last week, President Joe Barczai announced that the club realized a profit of $17,196 for the 2003-04 Western Hockey League season. This represents the second straight year that the community owned franchise has realized a profit.

The 2003-04 number does not include monies usually realized by the team from the National Hockey League as the result of the Entry Draft. With the NHL's current lock out situation, Canadian Hockey League franchises did not receive money for players taken in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

"We are now confident we have stabilized the financial situation of our organization' commented Vice President Craig Mitchell. "We now will work hard to ensure that continues."

"The positive results are thanks to our fan support, business community involvement and our great volunteers, who remain the life blood of the organization" Mitchell continued. "As well the increased interested created as a result of the highly successful Bring Back the Magic campaign also aided the organization."

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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