Thunderbirds Sign Joe Gramer
Published on January 7, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, Wash. - The Seattle Thunderbirds have signed defenseman Joe Gramer to a standard WHL Player Development and Education agreement. Gramer will join the team in Lethbridge and will be available for their game tonight against the Hurricanes.
Gramer, from Moorhead, Minnesota, has spent the past two seasons playing at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He is no stranger to the Thunderbirds organization though, having attended one training camp four years ago.
"He was on our protected list when he was younger. We had hoped to sign him back then," said general manager Bil LaForge. "We are happy that he has chosen now to continue his development with us. He had many options"
Gramer fills the last open 20-year-old spot on the T-Birds roster. "Having played two years at the NCAA level, we are looking forward to the added poise and leadership he brings to our team," added LaForge.
Gramer is the older brother of John Gramer. The Thunderbirds obtained the rights to the younger Gramer Monday in a trade with the Swift Current Broncos.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2026
- Wheat Kings Blanked on Home Ice by Rebels - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Acquisition of 2007-Born Forward Benson from Kelowna Rockets - Wenatchee Wild
- Rockets Move Benson to Wenatchee - Kelowna Rockets
- Cougars Acquire Kaeson Fisher from Everett Silvertips - Prince George Cougars
- Silvertips Acquire Picks for Seidl, Fisher - Everett Silvertips
- Broncos Acquire Brendan Rudolph and Draft Picks from Seattle - Swift Current Broncos
- Thunderbirds Add Noah Kosick - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Game Preview: Cougars vs. Vees: 01/07/25 - Prince George Cougars
- Silvertips Acquire Defenseman Kayd Ruedig in Trade with Kamloops - Everett Silvertips
- Kamloops Blazers Acquire Two Draft Picks in 2028 for Kayd Ruedig - Kamloops Blazers
- Hurricanes Trade Cozens to Tigers for Heger - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Tigers Acquire Cozens from Lethbridge in Exchange for Heger - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Calgary Hitmen Acquire Ottawa Senators Prospect Blake Vanek - Calgary Hitmen
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Trade with Calgary Hitmen - Wenatchee Wild
- Thunderbirds Sign Joe Gramer - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Game Preview: Vees at Cougars - Penticton Vees
- Broncos Release Caleb Potter - Swift Current Broncos
- Vees Take Top Spot in BC Division - Penticton Vees
- Pats to Bring Back Fan-Favourite Skills Competition, Presented by Flaman Fitness - Regina Pats
- Oil Kings Open Three-Game Road Trip in Swift Current - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Cougars Drop Fourth Straight in 5-2 Loss to Penticton - Prince George Cougars
- Preview: Americans at Rockets - January 7, 2025 - Tri-City Americans
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.
Other Recent Seattle Thunderbirds Stories
- T-Birds Earn Critical Point in Playoff Chase
- T-Birds Go Overtime to Beat Portland
- T-Birds Shut out in Spokane
- T-Birds Blank the Royals
- T-Birds Fly Past Tri-City
