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WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Take Center With First Pick In Bantam Draft

May 1, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


Seattle - The Seattle Thunderbirds selected center Connor Sanvido from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, with their first pick, 14th overall, in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft today in Calgary, Alberta.

T-Birds Director of Player Personnel Colin Alexander had this to say about Connor: "He is a dynamic player with prolific scoring ability. His speed makes him a threat whenever he is on the ice."

Sanvido, born September 26, 1993, played this past season with the Ridge Meadows Bantam AAA team and had 84 goals and 43 assists for 129 points. He is a right-handed centerman and is 5'9 and 165 pounds. In the second round the T-Birds selected defenseman Tanner Muth from Calgary, Alberta, with the 36th overall pick.

Alexander had this to say about Muth: "Tanner is a good open ice hitter. He is a confident, puck moving defenseman that comes from the same program that developed Thomas Hickey."

Muth, a right-handed defenseman born May 3, 1993, had 8 goals and 27 assists in 32 games with the Calgary Royals Gold Bantam AAA team this past season. He is 5'11 and 165 pounds.

With their third round pick, 58th overall, Seattle selected defenseman Ryan Armbruster from Neudorf, Saskatchewan. Armbruster is 6'3 and 180 pounds.

"Ryan is a rugged physical, defenseman with raw skills that we look forward to seeing develop in the upcoming years," said Alexander.

Armbruster was born February 15, 1993, and played last season with the Melville Millionaires Bantam AA team. He had two goals, four assists and 73 penalty minutes in 26 games played.

Seattle had two selections in the fourth round of the draft. With the first pick in the fourth round, 62nd overall, the T-Birds selected center Colin Jacobs from Coppell, Texas.

"Colin is a prototypical NHL style player that combines exceptional size and skill. We are excited to add a top first round quality player at this point in the draft," said Alexander.

Coppell, a right-handed center at 6'1 and 185 pounds, was born January 20, 1993.

With their second selection in the fourth round, 80th overall, the T-Birds selected right wing Robbie Newton from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Alexander has this to say about Newton: "Robbie is a big guy that skates well and is projected to be a power forward in our league."

He played for the Saskatoon Generals Bantam AA team this past season and had 33 goals, 26 assists and 114 penalty minutes in 47 games played. Newton is 6'2, 180 pounds and was born May 30, 1993.

The T-Birds also had two fifth round selections and took left wing Mitch Elliot with the 91st overall pick. Elliott, from Prince George, British Columbia, is 6'3 and 175 pounds and was born June 15, 1993.

"Mitch is a big player that skates well. He really started to establish himself when he was moved to forward part way through this past season," said Alexander.

Elliot played for the Prince George Bantam AA team this past season.

The second fifth round selection was right handed defenseman Zach Walker from Saltcoats, Saskatchewan. Walker, taken 102nd overall, is 5'11 and 140 pounds and was born June 4, 1993.

He played for the Melville Millionaires this past season and had 11 goals and 18 assists with 12 penalty minutes in 25 games played.

"Zach is smart, puck moving defenseman. He showed good offensive instincts on the power play. He is also a real competitor in his own end," said Alexander.

The T-Birds selected Tyler Alos from Spokane, Washington, with their sixth round selection. Alos is a right wing taken 124th overall and was born January 27, 1993.

"Tyler is a high energy player that has good skills. He has grown up watching the Western Hockey League," said Alexander.

Alos, at 5'10 and 170 pounds, played with the Spokane Bantam AA team this past season. He had 42 goals and 57 assists with 48 penalty minutes in 42 games.

In the seventh round, 146th overall, the T-Bird selected right wing Seth Ambroz from New Prague, Minnesota. Ambroz was born April 3, 1993, and is 6'2 and 190 pounds.

"Seth is a NHL style power forward that drives to the net and uses his speed and size effectively," said Alexander.

The T-Birds headed back to Texas for their final pick in the draft. They took defenseman Trey Keenan from Argyle in the ninth round, 196th overall. Keenan is 6'5 and 190 pounds and was born August 2, 1993.

"Trey is a big defenseman that isn't afraid to use his size. He also plays forward and showed decent touch around the net," said Alexander

T-Birds season tickets are currently on sale for the 2008-09 season. Fans can reserve their priority seat by calling 206-448-PUCK (7825) or at www.seattlethunderbirds.com.

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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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