T-Birds Sign Sawyer Mynio
Defenseman was selected in third round of 2020 Bantam Draft
KENT, August 24, 2020 — Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Bil La Forge announced today defenseman Sawyer Mynio has signed a WHL Standard Player Agreement with the team.
Mynio, from Kamloops, British Columbia, was selected by the T-Birds in the third round, 63rd overall, in the 2020 Bantam Draft.
“Sawyer is a smooth skating, puck moving defenseman who has the potential of being a quality player for us in the future,” said T-Birds senior scout Jag Bal. “He sees the ice well and plays with skill and has a high compete level. Sawyer has all the attributes that we look for when drafting a player and he is an exciting addition to the T-Birds.”
Mynio played for the Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep team last season. He had four goals and 19 assists for 23 points in 23 games.
“I am super excited to join such a great organization,” said Mynio. “They have a great coaching staff and I have heard nothing but great things about the team.”
“It means a lot to me to be able to play in the WHL. This is something I have dreamed about and today is a special day. My parents and all the coaches I have had along the way all deserve a lot of credit for getting me to this point.”
Mynio becomes the fourth member of the 2020 Draft class to sign with the team. First round pick Sam Oremba signed with the T-Birds on April 28. Right wing Brayden Dube, the 29th overall selection, signed with the team on April 30. Goalie Scott Ratzlaff, the 43rd overall selection, signed with the team on May 1.
By signing a WHL Standard Player Agreement, Mynio 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.
