MESSAGE FROM
WHL COMMISSIONER Last year, during the Western Hockey League’s 50th season, we were privileged to reflect on our rich history and honour the many distinguished builders and alumni who have helped to make the WHL the finest junior hockey league in the world today. As we open the 2016-17 WHL season, the same ideals that fostered the growth our great League still serve as its foundation – a commitment to providing our players with a world class experience from both a hockey and education standpoint. The WHL and our 22 member Clubs take great pride in providing our players with the best possible environment in which to succeed both on and off the ice. On the ice, our high calibre of coaching and arena facilities continue to offer an ideal setting to grow and develop as a player. Off the ice, the WHL Scholarship remains the most comprehensive hockey scholarship in North America with a WHL record of over 350 graduates utilizing their WHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across the continent last year alone, representing an investment of over $2 million by WHL Club ownership.
Ron Robison Commissioner Western Hockey League
The WHL Scholarship is one of many commitments WHL Club ownership makes to ensure the success of our players. The WHL Players First support services program expanded last year with the addition of a League-wide WHL Security Network and Police Impact Program which engages local police officers in a liaison capacity with all of our teams to ensure our players are in a safe and respectful environment at all times. This year, the WHL has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to launch the Talk Today program with all of our WHL member Clubs. Talk Today is a proven and important mental health initiative that will help our players and team staff identify and address mental health issues. The development opportunities the WHL provides on the ice and the assistance offered off the ice to our players through the WHL Scholarship and WHL Players First support services programs would not be possible without the support of our great fans as well as our corporate partners, broadcasters and media. The 2016-17 WHL season promises to be another highly entertaining campaign and we look forward to supporting our players and all of our WHL Clubs as they continue to set the standard for development both on and off the ice.
Seattle thunderbirds 2016-17 ROSTER AS OF 10/22/16 NO.
FORWARDS
POS
S
HT
WT
HOMETOWN
D.O.B.
15-16 SEASON
LEAGUE
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
DRAFT
C
L
5’9
185
Englewood, CO
Jan. 3/96
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
55
12
30
42
59
Free Agent
PRONUNCIATION
8
Eansor, Scott
11
Brown, Elijah*
C
L
5’9
160
Edmonton, AB
Jan. 5/00
SSAC Midget AAA
ABMHL
32
15
28
43
32
12
Gropp, Ryan
LW
L
6’3
205
Kamloops, BC
Sept. 16/96
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
66
34
36
70
40
15
Bensmiller, Layne
RW
R
6’0
193
RockyMtnHouse, AB
Jan. 9/97
Calgary/Prince Albert
WHL
74
11
19
30
18
Eligible 2017 BENS-miller
16
True, Alexander
C
L
6’4
199
Copenhagen, DEN
July 17/97
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
65
14
18
32
26
Eligible 2017 True
17
Wight, MacKenzie*
RW
R
6’0
177
Chilliwack, BC
Feb. 4/99
Fraser Valley Thunderbirds
BCMML
36
23
19
42
67
Eligible 2017 White
18
Moilanen, Sami*
RW
L
5’08
182
Sipoo, FIN
Jan. 21/99
Jokerit U20
SM-liiga
38
21
14
35
20
Eligible 2017 SAH-mi MOY-lin-nen
19
Neuls, Donovan
RW
L
5’11
183
Grenfell, SK
Oct. 24/97
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
71
14
25
39
27
Eligible 2017 Niles
20
Andrusiak, Zack*
RW
L
5’11
177
Yorkton, SK
July 10/98
Kamloops Storm
KIJHL
32
32
19
51
40
Eligible 2017 AN-drew-z-ak
21
Wedman, Matthew
C
L
6’3
196
Edmonton, AB
May 25/99
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
70
6
8
14
24
Eligible 2017 WED-man
22
Hamaliuk, Dillon*
LW
L
6’1
165
Red Deer, AB
Oct. 29/00
Leduc Oil Kings Midget
AMHL
34
6
3
9
34
Eligible 2019 HAM-a-luck
23
Ormsby, Luke*
RW
R
5’10
181
Monroe, WA
Feb. 14/99
Phoenix Jr Coyotes
T1EHL
32
14
6
20
30
Eligible 2017 OR-mms-bee
26
Volcan, Nolan
LW
L
5’09
191
Edmonton, AB
July 4/98
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
59
16
15
31
32
Eligible 2017 Voll-kun
27
Briscoe, Ian *
C
L
5’10
172
Winnipeg, MB
Feb. 6/99
Winnipeg Wild Midget
MMHL
44
19
22
41
30
Eligible 2017 BRIS-coe
28
Kolesar, Keegan
RW
R
6’2
223
Winnipeg, MB
Apr. 8/97
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
64
30
31
61
107
NO.
Eligible 2018 BROWN NYR 15
CBJ 2015 DRAFT
GROPP
KOHL-ah-sar
POS
S
HT
WT
HOMETOWN
D.O.B.
15-16 SEASON
LEAGUE
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
3
Bishop, Anthony
D
L
5’11
181
Kelowna, BC
April 1/98
Saskatoon Blades
WHL
40
0
2
2
21
Eligible 2017 BISH-up
4
Ottenbreit, Turner
D
L
6’4
200
Yorkton, SK
July 9/97
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
69
5
11
16
88
Eligible 2017 OTT-in-bright
5
Tyszka, Jarret
D
L
6’3
191
Langley, BC
Mar. 15/99
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
48
3
3
6
14
Eligible 2017 TISH-ka
6
Allbee, Bryan
D
L
6’0
196
Prince George, BC
July 11/97
Kootenay Ice/Seattle T-Birds
WHL
65
8
10
18
32
Eligible 2017 ALL-bee
7
Harsch, Reece*
D
R
6’3
194
Grand Prairie, AB
Jan. 7/99
Grand Prairie Storm Midget
AMHL
34
1
6
7
26
Eligible 2017 Harsh
24
Schuldhaus, Brandon
D
L
6’4
197
Calgary, AB
Feb. 23/98
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
57
2
4
6
28
Eligible 2017 SH-ULD-house
25
Bear, Ethan
D
R
5’11
205
Ochapowace, SK
June 26/97
Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL
69
19
46
65
33
NO.
DEFENSEMEN
EN-zor
EDM 2015
Bear
POS
S
HT
WT
HOMETOWN
D.O.B.
15-16 SEASON
LEAGUE
GP
MP
GA
SO
AVE
Stankowski, Carl*
G
L
5’9
159
Calgary, AB
Mar. 9/00
Anaheim Jr. Ducks
T1EHL
16
839
29
2
1.87
Eligible 2018 STAN-cow-ski
29
Berlin, Matt*
G
L
6’3
195
Edmonton, AB
Jan. 20/98
Spokane Chiefs
WHL
6
233
17
0
4.38
Eligible 2017
31
Toth, Rylan
G
L
6’2
201
Saskatoon, SK
May 31/96
Red Deer Rebels
WHL
44
2385
106
5
2.67
Free Agent
1
GOALTENDERS
* Rookie Russ Farwell Cal Filson Steve Konowalchuk Matt O’Dette Tyler Alos Ian Gordon Phil Varney Trevor Heinzerling Brent Seidel
General Manager Director of Player Personnel Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Goaltender Coach Athletic Trainer Equipment Manager Hockey Operations Assistant
DRAFT
PRONUNCIATION
PRONUNCIATION
TOHTH
EVERY GAME. EVERY TEAM.
ALL NEW WHL LIVE - NEW enhanced video player with quad-view and picture in picture - Applications for iPad, iPhone and Android
www.WHLlive.com
Kelowna Rockets 2016-2017 WHL Roster NO. 3 8 10 11 14 15 16 17 19 20 24 27 28 29 NO. 4 5 6 7 21 22 25 NO. 30 31
FORWARDS Stadel, Riley Cowell, Jack* Merkley, Nick Borstmayer, Jordan Kryski, Jake Soustal, Tomas Lind, Kole Southam, Rodney 'C' Dube, Dillon Bruggen-Cate, Conner* Topping, Kyle* Thurkauf, Calvin Mattson, Leif* Foote, Nolan* DEFENCE Ballhorn, Gordie Belcourt, Konrad* Smart, Jonathan Johansen, Lucas Stephens, Devante Chizen, Braydyn Foote, Cal GOALIES Herringer, Michael Salmond, Brodan
POS LW LW C RW LW C/RW RW C/RW C LW C LW RW LW POS D D D D D D D POS G G
SH L L R R L R R R L L L L R L SH L R L L L R R SH L L
HT 5'10 6'2 5'10½
5'11½ 5'11½ 6'2½ 6'1 6' 5'11 6'1 5'11 6'1½ 6' 6'2½ HT 6'½ 5'11 6' 6'1½ 6'1½ 6'6¼ 6'4 HT 6'½ 5'11½
WT 184 170 185 174 188 199 173 177 186 189 185 203 200 177 WT 194 157 195 179 176 196 210 WT 175 187
HOMETOWN D.O.B Surrey, BC Jan. 16/96 Winnipeg, MB May 2/99 Calgary, AB May 23/97 St. Brieux, SK Jan. 9/98 Vancouver, BC Mar. 8/98 Unicov, Czech Rep. Feb. 15/97 Shaunavon, SK Oct. 16/98** Saskatoon, SK Aug 9/96 Cochrane,AB July 20/98 Langley, BC Sept. 13/99 Salt Spring Island, BC Nov. 18/99** Zug, Switzerland June 27/97 Stonewall, MB July 23/99 Englewood, CO Nov. 29/00** HOMETOWN D.O.B Wetaskiwin, AB Sept. 2/97 Sherwood Park, AB Apr 5/00 Kelowna, BC June 1/99 Port Moody, BC Nov. 16/97** Surrey, BC Jan. 2/97 St. Albert, AB May 9/98 Englewood, CO Dec. 13/98** HOMETOWN D.O.B Comox, BC Jan. 26/96 Calgary, AB Oct. 8/98**
*Rookie **Late Birthday Affects NHL Draft Status
President/General Manager: Bruce Hamilton Asst. GM/Dir. Player Personnel: Lorne Frey Head Coach:Jason Smith Assistant Coach: Kris Mallette Assistant/Goalie Coach: Travis Crickard Athletic Therapist/Strength & Conditioning Coach: Scott Hoyer Skills Development: Kim Gellert Video/Development Coach: Adam Brown Skating Instructor: Evan Marble Equipment Manager: Chaydyn Johnson
15-16 SEASON Kelowna Rockets Vincent Massey Trojans Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Kamloops Blazers Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Cowichan Valley Kelowna Rockets St. Albert midget AAA Colorado T-Birds U16 15-16 SEASON Kelowna Rockets Sherwood Park Kings Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets 15-16 SEASON Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets
LEAGUE WHL WPG HS WHL WHL WHL WHL WHL WHL WHL WHL BCHL WHL AMHL T1EH LEAGUE WHL AMHL WHL WHL WHL WHL WHL LEAGUE WHL WHL
GP 56 6 43 61 67 58 70 60 65 10 53 61 30 50 GP 59 30 44 69 72 45 71 GP 44 7
G A PTS PIM NHL STATUS 2 6 8 108 Over Age 3 5 8 Eligible 2017 17 31 48 44 ARZ '15 3 2 5 4 Eligible 2017 12 27 39 34 Eligible 2017 20 26 46 64 Eligible 2017 14 27 41 54 Eligible 2017 8 15 23 80 Over Age 26 40 66 50 CGY '16 0 0 0 2 Eligible 2017 5 7 12 36 Eligible 2018 18 27 45 54 CBJ '16 12 13 25 20 Eligible 2017 31 32 63 24 Eligible 2019 G A PTS PIM DRAFT 3 6 9 56 Eligible 2017 0 10 10 53 Eligible 2018 2 5 7 20 Eligible 2017 10 39 49 20 WSH '16 2 9 11 58 BUF '15 1 1 2 40 MIN '16 8 28 36 36 Eligible 2017** MP GA SO AVE DRAFT 2450 130 1 3.18 Over Age 331 19 0 3.44 Eligible 2017**
MEMBER CLUBS OF THE
'WESTERN HOCKEY LEADUE
A80UT THE
WESTERN CONFERENCE B.C. Division
U.S. Division
EASTERN CONFERENCE East Division
Central Division
Kamloops Blazers Kelowna Rockets Prince George Cougars Vancouver Giants Victoria Royals
Everett Silvertips Portland Winterhawks Seattle Thunderbirds Spokane Chiefs Tri-City Americans
Brandon Wheat Kings Moose Jaw Warriors Prince Albert Raiders Regina Pats Saskatoon Blades Swift Current Broncos
Calgary Hitmen Edmonton Oil Kings Kootenay Ice Lethbridge Hurricanes Medicine Hat Tigers Red Deer Rebels
'WHL
The Western Hockey League started with just seven teams based in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1966. The WHL now has representation in all four Western Canadian provinces and the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. The WHL now consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 based in Canadian markets and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The WHL is a member of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) whose membership is comprised of three major junior hockey leagues: the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL). At the conclusion of each league's playoffs, the CHL hosts the MasterCard Memorial Cup, a national championship tournament involving each of the three league champions and the tournament host. The WHL is regarded as one of the finest development leagues in the world today. Each season the WHL is one of the top leagues from which players are selected from in the NHL Draft. Currently over 20% of all NHL players are graduates of the WHL. The WHL is also a leading provider of post-secondary scholarships with over 325 scholarships awarded each year to current and graduate WHL players, more than any other league in North America.
Welcome to Kent …and to the Western Conference Champion Seattle Thunderbirds 2016-2017 season as the T-Birds pursue a return to the WHL Championship! This season starts with an exciting celebration at the first home game of the season as the T-Birds will raise a U.S. Division Champions Banner and a Western Conference Champions Banner. Ethan Bear, Keegan Kolesar and Scott Eansor, leading scorers for the T-Birds last season, return this year as the T-Birds defend their Western Conference Championship. Also returning are Nolan Volcan, Donovan Neuls, Alexander True, Turner Ottenbreit and the hero of Game 4 of the Western Conference Championship, Matthew Wedman. Watch for new Finnish forward Sami Moilanen, who the T-Birds selected in the annual Import Draft, and center Elijah Brown, the 2015 first overall Bantam Draft pick, to do big things. Returning this year is the T-Birds’ popular 2-for-Tuesday promotion, where fans can enjoy 2-for-1 tickets along with $2 concession specials! The very popular Pub Nights, Turkey Shoot and Ham Shoot are always fun nights. If you’re a new visitor to ShoWare Center, you should know we are very proud of this 8 year-old state-ofthe-art arena. The 6,125 seats, 20 suites, and incredible Heritage Club seating section have unmatched hockey sightlines throughout. While you’re in town, grab a bite at Kent Station, a contemporary, open air urban village with a variety of options for pre and post-game gatherings, but don’t leave your car there during an event as they will be towed. Walk a couple blocks south of the Center to discover the charm of historic downtown Kent where even more entertainment and dining choices await you. Go Birds!
Suzette Cooke Mayor, City of Kent
Make a big career move without leaving Seattle. Your next big move could be right here in Seattle. At University of Phoenix, we shape our curriculum around the skills employers are actively seeking, so your studies can prepare you for a brighter future. Get started at our local campus and see how far you can go.
Visit phoenix.edu/washington or call us at 425.572.1600. Š 2013 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. | REG-02637
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