T-Birds Sign Scott Ratzlaff
Goalie was selected in second round of 2020 Bantam Draft
KENT, May 1, 2020 — Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Bil La Forge announced today goalie Scott Ratzlaff has signed a WHL Standard Player Agreement with the team.
Ratzlaff, from Irma, Alberta, was selected by the T-Birds in the second round, 43rd overall, in the 2020 Bantam Draft.
“The signing of Scott Ratzlaff ensures that we are set at the goaltending position for a long time,” said T-Birds director of player personnel Cal Filson. “Scott has everything that you look for in a goaltender. Size, mobility, vision and rebound control.”
Ratzlaff played for the Lloydminster Bobcats Bantam AAA team last year and had a record of nine wins, five losses and two shutouts with a goals against average of 2.41 and a save percentage of .899.
The T-Birds select goalie Scott Ratzlaff in the second round of the #WHLBantamDaft
👀 📊 👉 https://t.co/r8MD4AFPzm pic.twitter.com/mNXkoaA7EH— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) April 22, 2020
“Signing with the T-Birds was one of the easiest decisions I’ve had to make,” said Ratzlaff. “As soon as I saw my name come up on the T-Birds pick I was so excited and I knew I wanted to play there.”
“It has always been a dream of mine to play in the WHL and now that I have a chance I couldn’t say no. Seattle picking me in the second round was a huge part, as I felt they were very interested and I would have a good chance of playing. All of the staff that I have had a chance to talk with have been so welcoming,” continued Ratzlaff.
“I’d like to thank my parents for all the driving they have done and supported any decision that I have made. My sister for showing up to games and cheering me on. And my coaches that I have had for the past few years- Darryl, Cal, Kyle, Ambrose, and my goalie coach Gavin Armstrong and his brother Martin, and my advisor Chris Moulton.”
Ratzlaff becomes the third member of the 2020 Draft class to sign with the team. Right wing Brayden Dube, the 29th overall selection, signed with the team on April 30. First round pick Sam Oremba signed with the T-Birds on April 28.
By signing a WHL Standard Player Agreement, Ratzlaff is guaranteed a WHL Scholarship for every year he plays in the WHL. A player is able to attend any career enhancing institution of his choice, including universities, colleges, technical institutes, trade schools, or any other institution which will help the player achieve his academic and career goals.
For each season played in the WHL, a player receives a one-year post-secondary scholarship, which includes: Tuition, Compulsory Fees and Required Textbooks.
The WHL provides the top young hockey talent in western Canada and the United States with the opportunity to develop their skills on the ice at the highest possible level, without compromising their academic goals.
The WHL is committed to recognizing academic excellence. In the fall of the 2019-20 academic year, a WHL-record 391 graduate players accessed their WHL Scholarship. Since 2009-10, WHL Clubs have awarded 3,868 WHL Scholarships, representing a contribution in excess of $22 million by WHL ownership to WHL graduates. The WHL is the leading supplier of scholarships in Western Canada and offers one of the most comprehensive scholarships in North America.
