Nine T-Birds Taking Part In NHL Development Camps

Eight NHL teams have T-Birds attending camps

KENT, July 2, 2015 — The Seattle Thunderbirds have nine players taking part in NHL team summer Development Camps.

Center Mathew Barzal was selected by the New York Islanders the first round, 16th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft. He will be taking part in the Islanders Development Camp from July 6 to July 14 at Twin Rinks at Eisenhower Park on Long Island.

Barzal, an 18-year-old from Coquitlam, British Columbia, just finished his second season with the T-Bird and had 57 points on 12 goals and 45 assists. He had four goals and four assists in six playoff games. In two seasons with the T-Birds Barzal has 111 points on 26 goals and 85 assists in 103 games.

The New York Rangers selected left win Ryan Gropp in the second round, 41st overall, in the Draft. Gropp is taking part in the Rangers Development Camp from June 29 to July 3 at the MSG Training Center in New York.

Gropp, an 18-year-old from Kamloops, British Columbia, has played two seasons with the T-Birds. Last season Gropp had 30 goals and 28 assists to lead the T-Birds in scoring with 58 points. In his rookie season Gropp had 18 goals and 24 assists for 52 points. In six playoff games he had a goal and seven assists.

The Columbus Blue Jackets selected right wing Keegan Kolesar in the third round, 69th overall, in the Draft. Kolesar is taking part in the Blue Jackets Development Camp from June 29 to July 2 at Blue Jackets practice facility, the OhioHealth Ice Haus.

Kolesar, an 18-year-old form Winnipeg, Manitoba, finished last season with 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 64 games. He did not play in the playoffs due to an injury. Kolesar had two goals and six assists for eight points in 60 games in his rookie season.

The Edmonton Oiler selected defenseman Ethan Bear in the fifth round, 124th overall, in the Draft. Bear will be taking part in the Oilers Development Camp from July 1 to July 6 at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

Bear, an 18-year-old from Ochapowace, Saskatchewan, just finished his second season with the T-Birds and had 38 points on 13 goals and 25 assists. He had a goal and two assists in six playoff games. In two seasons with the T-Birds Bear has 57 points on 19 goals and 38 assists in 128 games.

Defenseman Jerret Smith has been invited to the Rangers Development Camp. He will be joining Gropp at the MSG Training Center from June 29 to July 3.

Smith, a 20-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, played all 72 games last season and had 38 points on 11 goals and 27 assists.  Smith had two goals and four assists for six points in six playoff games.

Defenseman Turner Otttenbreit has been invited to the Development Camp of the Washington Capitals, which takes place from July 7 to July 11 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia.

Ottenbreit, an 18-year-old from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, had three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 70 games last season. Ottenbreit had a single assist in six playoff games.

Center Scott Eansor has been invited to the Development Camp of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple
Leafs Development Camp takes place from July 7 to July 12 in Toronto and Collingwood, Ontario.

Eansor, a 19-year-old from Englewood, Colorado, played in all 72 games and had 14 assists and 23 assists for 37 points. In the playoffs Eansor had four goals and an assist for five points.

Center Lane Pederson has been invited to the Development Camp of the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks camp takes place July 1 to July 6 at THE RINKS – Anaheim Ice.

Pederson, a 18-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, had eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 63 games last season. Pederson played in all six playoff games but did not register a point.

Right wing Jamal Watson has been invited to the Development Camp of the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens Development Camp (PDF) takes place July 5 to July 9 at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, Montreal.

Watson, a 20-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, had 26 goals and 28 assists for 54 points with the Lethbridge Hurricanes last season. Watson was acquired on May 14 from the Hurricanes for Corey Millette.

The T-Birds announced their 2015-16 regular season schedule on June 24. They open the season in Vancouver against the Giants on Friday, September 25, at 7:30pm at Pacific Coliseum.

The T-Birds home opener for the 2015-16 season is Saturday, October 3, against the Prince George Cougars at 7:05pm at ShoWare Center.

T-Birds single game tickets for the 2015-16 season will go on sale Wednesday, August 26, at 10am. Fans will be able to purchase single game tickets online or at the ShoWare Center box office.

T-Birds 2015-16 season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.