Veteran forward Gronick joins Seattle Thunderbirds

Kent, Wash.- The Seattle Thunderbirds have acquired 2004-born forward Kyren Gronick from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for an eighth-round pick in the 2028 WHL Prospects Draft.

“We are very excited to add Kyren to our team,” Thunderbirds General Manager Bil La Forge said. “He is an experienced 20-year-old forward that will help our young players continue to adjust to the league. We like that he plays the style of game and think he will fit in well with our existing group.”

The move comes after 19-year-old Calgary Flames prospect Jaden Lipinski was returned to the Giants from the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers on October 16, forcing Vancouver to make some tough decisions about its three 20-year-old slots.

“This is the most difficult part of junior hockey,” Giants General Manager Barclay Parneta said. “Kyren was a reliable player for us and he grew into a leader during his time as a Giant. He was a popular teammate and we are glad he is able to continue playing in the Western Hockey League.”

Gronick, a 5-foot-10, 192-pound centreman, has one goal and six assists for seven points and a +2 rating through 11 games in 2024-25.

The Regina, Sask. product is closing in on major WHL milestones, having put up 27 goals and 56 assists for 92 points in 194 regular-season games.

Seattle (5-9-1-0) kicks off a five-game homestand at the accesso ShoWare Center on Friday, November 1 as the team takes on the Edmonton Oil Kings (6-5-1-1).