T-Birds Select Mathew Barzal First Overall in 2012 WHL Bantam Draft
May 3, 2012 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
The Seattle Thunderbirds selected center Mathew Barzal with the first overall pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft Thursday morning in Calgary, Alberta.
"We are very excited to add Mathew Barzal to our team today," said Thunderbirds General Manager Russ Farwell from the draft in Calgary. "Mathew has true star potential and will be a very exciting player for our fans to watch develop. He has a style all his own and plays the game at a pace that is truly fun to watch. He has been a dominant player for a number of years and his package of skill and winning attitude will have a tremendous influence on our team from top to bottom."
Barzal, from Coquitlam, British Columbia, is 5'10 and 160-pounds and played with the Burnaby Winter Club Bantam A team last season. In 35 regular season games Barzal had 39 goals and 68 assists for 107 points. In 17 playoff games this past season he had 46 points on 16 goals and 30 assists. He is a right-hand shot and was born March 26, 1997.
The T-Birds also have the 20th overall selection in the first round. The team acquired this pick from the trade of Marcel Noebels to the Portland Winterhawks at the January 10 trade deadline.
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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