Thunderbirds Ink Defenseman Reko Alanko
Published on July 14, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, Wash. - The Seattle Thunderbirds have signed Utah Mammoth prospect Reko Alanko to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Alanko was selected by Seattle in the second round of the 2026 CHL Import Draft earlier this month.
The Helsinki, Finland native played primarily with FinU20 Jokerit during the 2025-26 campaign but also spent time with Jokerit's Liiga team. Liiga is the top tier professional league in Finland.
Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette called Alanko a great fit for the team. "He is a mobile defenseman for his size and is affective at both ends of the ice. He also brings a level of physicality to his game and is very difficult to play against."
The 6'6" defenseman was selected by Utah in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and recently attended the Mammoth's development camp.
Western Hockey League Stories from July 14, 2026
- Madden Daneault Eligible to Play Up to 34 Games with Rockets During 2026-27 Season - Kelowna Rockets
- Thunderbirds Ink Defenseman Reko Alanko - Seattle Thunderbirds
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- Americans' Ben Oliverio Invited to Hockey Canada U17 Camp - Tri-City Americans
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- Wenatchee Forwards Miles, Brown Named to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence - Wenatchee Wild
- Warriors' Goaltending Prospect Mingo Named to Canada's U17 Summer Selection Camp Roster - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Giants Rookies Holowaychuk & Mateychuk Invited to Hockey Canada U-17 Development Camp - Vancouver Giants
- Three Oil Kings Prospects Named to World Under-17 Challenge Camp - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Meyer Invited to Team Canada U17 Development Camp - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Prospects Logan Henry and Cruz Nicolay Invited to Hockey Canada National Under-17 Development Camp - Regina Pats
- Vees Sign Dominik Drabek - Penticton Vees
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Trade with Tri-City Americans - Wenatchee Wild
- Tri-City Americans Acquire Forward Owen Kraft from Wenatchee Wild - Tri-City Americans
- Royals Sign Marek Peroutka to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement - Victoria Royals
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