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Seattle Thunderbirds
Seattle Thunderbirds logo.svg
City Kent, Washington
League Western Hockey League
Conference Western
Division U.S.
Founded 1971
Home arena accesso ShoWare Center
Colors Navy blue, green, white
              
General manager Bil LaForge
Head coach Matt O'Dette
Championships Ed Chynoweth Cup
2 (2017, 2023)
Conference Championships
4 (2015–16, 2016–17, 2021–22, 2022–23)
Franchise history
1971–1973 Vancouver Nats
1973–1977 Kamloops Chiefs
1977–1985 Seattle Breakers
1985–present Seattle Thunderbirds

The Seattle Thunderbirds are a major junior ice hockey team based in the city of Kent, Washington, south of Seattle. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Conference in the Western Hockey League. They play their games at home at Accesso ShoWare Center.

History

The team was founded in 1971 as the Vancouver Nats of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) but moved to Kamloops, British Columbia, to become the Kamloops Chiefs in 1973.

In 1977 the team moved to Seattle and was renamed the Seattle Breakers. The Breakers played in the Seattle Center Ice Arena, which had a seating capacity of 4,141 for ice hockey. Through eight seasons, the Breakers finished with a regular season record of 225 wins, 319 losses, and 32 ties; and playoff record of 11 wins and 21 losses, although they twice played in the West Division Finals.

Modern era

After the 1984–85 season, the Breakers were sold to new owners and renamed the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The 1986–87 season saw the addition of Glen Goodall, who remained with the team through 1990. Goodall set the Western Hockey League career records for most games played (399), goals scored (262), assists (311) and points (573). He is still the Thunderbirds leader in goals, assists and points. His jersey, number 10, was the first one to be retired by the Thunderbirds.

The 2015–16 season was a breakout season for the Thunderbirds, and was one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. During the season, the Thunderbirds clinched the U.S. Division after a 4–1 win over the Spokane Chiefs on March 15. This was Seattle's third division championship in team history and first since the 2004–05 season. Seattle also finished the regular season with the second most wins in team history (45). In the quarter-final round of the 2015–16 WHL Playoffs, the Thunderbirds swept the Prince George Cougars, 4 games to 0, and advanced to the semi-final round against the Everett Silvertips, where the Thunderbirds dominated the Silvertips, winning the series 4 games to 1. With the win, they advanced to the Western Conference Finals against the Kelowna Rockets, the defending WHL Champions. Once again, the Thunderbirds continued their dominant playoff run, as they swept the series against the Rockets, 4 games to 0. The series-clinching win came in a double-overtime thriller as rookie Matt Wedman scored the game-winning goal halfway through the second overtime to give the Thunderbirds the 5–4 overtime victory, clinching the Western Conference championship. With the win, the Thunderbirds advanced to the WHL Championship for the first time since 1996–97. The Thunderbirds faced the Brandon Wheat Kings in the league final and lost the series 4–1.

The Thunderbirds did not have to wait long for their next shot at a league championship. Although they did not repeat as division champions the following season, Seattle finished the regular season with the second most wins in team history (46), topping their record from the previous season. In the quarter-final round of the 2016–17 WHL playoffs, the Thunderbirds swept the Tri-City Americans, 4 games to 0, and advanced to the semi-final round for a rematch with the Everett Silvertips. The Thunderbirds continued their postseason domination of the Silvertips, sweeping the series 4 games to 0 to advance to the Western Conference Finals and yet another rematch with Kelowna Rockets. Although this series did not end in a sweep in Seattle's favor like the previous year, the Thunderbirds still prevailed over the Rockets, 4 games to 2. With the win, the Thunderbirds advanced to the WHL Championship for the second straight year, this time against the Regina Pats. Unlike their previous two league final appearances, the Thunderbirds broke through and won their first-ever league championship, taking the series 4–2. The series-clinching win in Game 6 at the Brandt Centre came in an overtime thriller after the Thunderbirds rallied from a late two-goal deficit to force overtime with 2:54 remaining in the third period. Alexander True scored the game-winning goal midway through the first overtime period to give the Thunderbirds the 4–3 victory, clinching the Championship and sending the team to their second Memorial Cup appearance in team history and first as WHL champions.

Following their 2017 championship, the Thunderbirds lost many of their top players to AHL and NHL contracts. After several years of rebuilding, consisting mainly of early playoff exits, Seattle broke through in 2022. They finished only fourth in the Western Conference standings, but went on an impressive postseason run. Against the fifth-seeded Kelowna Rockets, Seattle took their first-round series in just five games. And after several recent playoff meetings with the Everett Silvertips|, this time Seattle faced their other archrival, the Portland Winterhawks. It was the first postseason meeting since 2015 and eighth overall.

Having narrowly missed another title, Seattle geared up for another championship run in the 2022–23 season. It paid off, with the team enjoying its greatest-ever season. Seattle quickly asserted themselves, climbing to the top of the Western Conference. They finished the regular season with the most wins (54) and most points (111) in franchise history, thus earning the top seed in the Western Conference. Seattle also allowed a WHL-fewest 155 goals. In a rematch of 2022, the Thunderbirds opened the playoffs against the Kelowna Rockets. All four games were close, but Seattle won all four. Round two was easier as the Thunderbirds swept away the Prince George Cougars 4 games to 0, outscoring them 25–5. Then in another rematch, Seattle faced the Kamloops Blazers in the conference finals. Seattle won the first two games, setting the franchise record for most consecutive wins to open a postseason (10). The Blazers proved a much tougher challenge than the previous two, but the Thunderbirds won the series in six games and returned to the final. In a battle of the league's top two seeds, Seattle faced the Winnipeg Ice in the Championship Series. And despite losing the opening game, the Thunderbirds finished the job this time. Seattle won the next four straight contests, ending at home in game 5. In the final game, Nico Myatovic scored a penalty shot 2:27 into the third period. It became the game-winning goal, as Seattle won 3–1 to secure the title. The team therefore earned its third-ever trip to a Memorial Cup, in which they performed far better than in 2017. They won two of their three round-robin games with victories over the OHL champion Peterborough Petes and host Kamloops. However, despite then winning the semi-final game against Peterborough, they ultimately lost in the final to the QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts.

Arenas

The Thunderbirds originally played at Mercer Arena, then split time with the Seattle Center Coliseum beginning in the 1989–90 season. When the Coliseum was renovated into KeyArena, the Thunderbirds returned. In 2009, the Thunderbirds moved to ShoWare Center, 20 miles south in Kent.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
1977–78 72 32 28 12 – 359 316 76 4th West Did not qualify
1978–79 72 21 40 11 – 299 334 53 4th West Did not qualify
1979–80 72 29 41 2 – 297 364 60 3rd West Lost West Division final — Defeated by Victoria Cougars 4–0
1980–81 72 26 46 0 – 318 393 52 3rd West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Portland Winterhawks 4–0
1981–82 72 36 34 2 – 339 310 74 3rd West Lost West Division final — Defeated by Portland Winterhawks 4–2
1982–83 72 24 47 1 – 319 418 49 4th West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Portland Winterhawks 4–0
1983–84 72 32 39 1 – 350 379 65 4th West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Kamloops Blazers 5–0
1984–85 72 25 44 3 – 320 416 53 5th West Did not qualify
1985–86 72 27 43 2 – 373 413 56 4th West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Kamloops Blazers 5–0
1986–87 72 21 47 4 – 328 430 46 5th West Did not qualify
1987–88 72 25 46 2 – 313 436 52 5th West Did not qualify
1988–89 72 33 35 4 – 315 276 70 5th West Did not qualify
1989–90 72 52 17 3 – 444 295 107 2nd West Lost West Division final — Defeated by Kamloops Blazers 5–1
1990–91 72 42 26 4 – 319 317 88 3rd West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Spokane Chiefs 5–1
1991–92 72 33 34 5 – 292 285 71 4th West Lost West Division final — Defeated by Kamloops Blazers 4–2 : Lost 1992 Memorial Cup Semi-Final to Kamloops Blazers 8–3
1992–93 72 31 38 3 – 234 292 65 4th West Lost West Division quarterfinal — Defeated by Kamloops Blazers 4–1
1993–94 72 32 37 3 – 283 312 67 4th West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Kamloops Blazers 4–2
1994–95 72 42 28 2 – 319 282 86 3rd West Eliminated in round-robin — Eliminated in round-robin 0–4
1995–96 72 29 36 7 – 255 281 65 5th West Lost West Division quarterfinal — Defeated by Kamloops Blazers 4–1
1996–97 72 41 27 4 – 311 249 86 2nd West Lost Final — Defeated by Lethbridge Hurricanes 4–0
1997–98 72 31 35 6 – 286 278 68 6th West Lost West Division quarterfinal — Defeated by Portland Winterhawks 4–1
1998–99 72 37 24 11 – 279 236 85 3rd West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Tri-City Americans 3–1
1999–00 72 34 27 8 3 250 221 79 3rd West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Prince George Cougars 3–0
2000–01 72 30 33 8 1 262 299 69 6th West Lost West Division semifinal — Defeated by Spokane Chiefs 3–0
2001–02 72 21 40 6 5 235 313 53 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal — Defeated by Kootenay Ice 4–0
2002–03 72 44 22 3 3 280 224 94 1st U.S. Lost Western Conference final — Defeated by Kelowna Rockets 4–1
2003–04 72 24 31 8 9 192 198 65 5th U.S. Did not qualify
2004–05 72 43 24 2 3 204 144 91 1st U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal — Defeated by Kelowna Rockets 4–3
2005–06 72 35 31 1 5 186 211 76 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal — Defeated by Portland Winterhawks 4–3
2006–07 72 37 21 3 11 209 186 88 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal — Defeated by Vancouver Giants 4–1
2007–08 72 42 23 5 2 241 179 91 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal — Defeated by Tri-City Americans 4–1
2008–09 72 35 32 1 4 222 234 75 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal — Defeated by Spokane Chiefs 4–1
2009–10 72 19 41 7 5 172 255 50 5th U.S. Did not qualify
2010–11 72 29 37 3 3 219 285 64 5th U.S. Did not qualify
2011–12 72 25 45 1 1 173 292 52 5th U.S. Did not qualify
2012–13 72 24 38 7 3 210 286 58 4th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal — Defeated by Kelowna Rockets 4–3
2013–14 72 41 25 2 4 238 249 88 2nd U.S. Lost Western Conference semifinal — Defeated by Kelowna Rockets 4–0
2014–15 72 38 25 4 5 218 201 85 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal — Defeated by Portland Winterhawks 4–2
2015–16 72 45 23 4 0 228 186 94 1st U.S. Lost Final — Defeated by Brandon Wheat Kings 4–1
2016–17 72 46 20 4 2 253 206 98 2nd U.S. Won Ed Chynoweth Cup over Regina Pats 4–2 : Lost 2017 Memorial Cup in Round Robin
2017–18 72 34 28 8 2 250 258 78 5th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal — Defeated by Everett Silvertips 4–1
2018–19 68 31 29 6 2 231 245 70 5th U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal — Defeated by Vancouver Giants 4–2
2019–20 63 24 32 4 3 175 240 55 4th U.S. Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 23 10 12 0 1 67 82 21 3rd U.S. Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 68 44 18 4 2 271 179 94 3rd U.S. Lost Final — Defeated by Edmonton Oil Kings 4–2
2022–23 68 54 11 1 2 300 155 111 1st U.S. Won Ed Chynoweth Cup over Winnipeg Ice 4–1 : Lost 2023 Memorial Cup finals to Quebec Remparts
2023–24 68 27 38 2 1 191 260 57 5th U.S. Did not qualify

WHL championship history

  • 1996–97: Loss, 0–4 vs Lethbridge
  • 2015–16: Loss, 1–4 vs Brandon
  • 2016–17: Win, 4–2 vs Regina
  • 2021–22: Loss, 2–4 vs Edmonton
  • 2022–23: Win, 4–1 vs Winnipeg

Ed Chynoweth Cup overall record: 11–15
Ed Chynoweth Cup series record: 2–3

Memorial Cup results

1992 Memorial Cup (host)

  • Win, 5–3 vs Verdun Collège Français
  • Loss, 3–4 vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
  • Loss, 1–3 vs Kamloops Blazers
  • Loss, 3–8 vs Kamloops Blazers
  • Eliminated in semi-finals

2017 Memorial Cup

  • Loss, 2–4 vs Erie Otters
  • Loss, 1–7 vs Windsor Spitfires
  • Loss, 0–7 vs Saint John Sea Dogs
  • Eliminated in round-robin

2023 Memorial Cup

Memorial Cup overall record: 4–8
Memorial Cup series record: 0–3

Current roster

Updated March 1, 2024.

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Drafted
28 Canada Alarie, EricEric Alarie LW L 21 2023 Winnipeg, Manitoba Undrafted
44 Canada Boucher, OwenOwen Boucher D L 20 2023 Bonnyville, Alberta Undrafted
91 Canada Charko, SamuelSamuel Charko LW L 17 2022 Whitecourt, Alberta Eligible 2025
86 Canada Cootes, BraedenBraeden Cootes C R 17 2022 Sherwood Park, Alberta Eligible 2025
3 Canada Cumby, AshtonAshton Cumby D L 18 2024 Bonnyville, Alberta Undrafted
5 Canada Davidson, HydeHyde Davidson D L 18 2021 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2024
9 Canada Dunn, CosterCoster Dunn RW R 18 2020 Edmonton, Alberta Undrafted
7 Canada Gustafson, JordanJordan Gustafson (C) C L 20 2019 Ardrossan, Alberta 2022, 79th Overall, VGK
4 Canada Hanzel, JeremyJeremy Hanzel (A) D L 21 2019 Coquitlam, British Columbia 2023, 187th Overall, COL
27 Canada Hartmann, KalebKaleb Hartmann D L 16 2022 Langley, British Columbia Eligible 2025
85 Germany Hauf, LucaLuca Hauf RW L 20 2023 Krefeld, Germany Undrafted
24 Canada Holberton, BraydenBrayden Holberton RW R 16 2022 Fernie, British Columbia Eligible 2025
36 Canada Lovsin, OscarOscar Lovsin C L 17 2024 Calgary, Alberta Eligible 2025
22 Canada Lovsin, SimonSimon Lovsin RW R 18 2021 Qualicum Beach, British Columbia Eligible 2024
89 Canada Martorana, AntonioAntonio Martorana RW R 16 2022 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2025
77 Canada Mathies, KazdenKazden Mathies LW L 17 2022 Martensville, Saskatchewan Eligible 2025
1 Canada Michnik, SpencerSpencer Michnik G L 17 2021 Sylvan Lake, Alberta Eligible 2025
26 Canada Myatovic, NicoNico Myatovic C L 19 2019 Prince George, British Columbia 2023, 33rd Overall, ANA
43 Canada Mynio, SawyerSawyer Mynio (A) D L 18 2020 Kamloops, British Columbia 2023, 89th Overall, VAN
81 Canada Parmar, NishaanNishaan Parmar RW R 17 2021 Surrey, British Columbia Eligible 2024
8 Canada Pickford, BryceBryce Pickford D R 18 2021 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2024
29 Canada Pilling, NathanNathan Pilling C L 19 2023 Calgary, Alberta Undrafted
18 Canada Popowich, SamSam Popowich (A) C R 20 2018 Camrose, Alberta Undrafted
33 Canada Ratzlaff, ScottScott Ratzlaff G L 19 2020 Irma, Alberta 2023, 141st Overall, BUF

NHL alumni

Several National Hockey League players started with the Thunderbirds:

  • Glenn Anderson
  • Doug Barrault
  • Mathew Barzal
  • Ethan Bear
  • Matt Berlin
  • Rick Berry
  • Zdenek Blatny
  • Lonny Bohonos
  • Landon Bow
  • Jim Camazzola
  • Shawn Chambers
  • Ben Clymer
  • Ken Daneyko
  • Kimbi Daniels
  • Brenden Dillon
  • Peter Dineen
  • Steve Dykstra
  • Craig Endean
  • Shane Endicott
  • Brennan Evans
  • Brent Fedyk
  • Zack Fitzgerald
  • Wade Flaherty
  • Aaron Gagnon
  • Steven Goertzen
  • Stanislav Gron
  • Dylan Guenther
  • Barrett Heisten
  • Riku Helenius
  • Chris Herperger
  • Matt Hervey
  • Thomas Hickey
  • Bud Holloway
  • Jan Hrdina
  • Tim Hunter
  • Jamie Huscroft
  • Scott Jackson
  • Chris Joseph
  • Mike Kennedy
  • Alan Kerr
  • Jon Klemm
  • Rob Klinkhammer
  • Samuel Knazko
  • Keegan Kolesar
  • Kevin Korchinski
  • John Kordic
  • Brent Krahn
  • Greg Kuznik
  • Brooks Laich
  • John Lilley
  • Danny Lorenz
  • Dwayne Lowdermilk
  • Brian Lundberg
  • Jamie Lundmark
  • Stewart Malgunas
  • Patrick Marleau
  • Glenn Merkosky
  • Tomas Mojzis
  • David Morisset
  • Petr Nedved
  • Jim O'Brien
  • Chris Osgood
  • Mark Parrish
  • Ed Patterson
  • Lane Pederson
  • Calvin Pickard
  • Jame Pollock
  • Deron Quint
  • Errol Rausse
  • Jeremy Reich
  • Matt Rempe
  • Scott Robinson
  • Cody Rudkowsky
  • Oleg Saprykin
  • Cory Sarich
  • Chris Schmidt
  • Andy Schneider
  • Corey Schwab
  • Brent Severyn
  • Mike Siklenka
  • Trevor Sim
  • Matthew Spiller
  • Turner Stevenson
  • Austin Strand
  • Garret Stroshein
  • Rob Tallas
  • Shea Theodore
  • Nate Thompson
  • Denis Tolpeko
  • Alexander True
  • Lindsay Vallis
  • Wayne Van Dorp
  • Ryan Walter
  • Joe Ward
  • Chris Wells
  • David Wilkie
  • Mitch Wilson
  • Brendan Witt
  • Dody Wood
  • Brad Zavisha
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