The WHL Bantam Draft goes down tomorrow and you can watch it in Real Time at www.whl.ca. Alan Caldwell's blog is also an excellent place to find information.
The Saskatoon newspaper did a Mock Draft and made a interesting projection for the Thunderbirds. They are projecting (keep in mind... this isn't exactly the NFL draft we're talking about) that Seattle will select RW Shane McColgan from the Los Angeles Junior Kings midget AAA. If that actually became true (doubtful) it would be an interesting selection considering that Seattle is looking for and hoping another Los Angeles player (but playing for the LA Selects, different team) Brandon Carlson will come to the WHL next season.
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4.30.2008
4.24.2008
Holloway now signs with L.A. Kings
This deal has been much rumored for days now and has finally been made official. The three-year entry-level contract likely ends his Thunderbird career as he will be eligible to play in the AHL for the Manchester Monarchs as a 20 year old next season.
A big blow to Seattle's scoring power for next season, Seattle will now likely have two 20 year old spots available next year.
Official press release by the Thunderbirds can be found here.
Some other items....
Tbirds held a "topping off" ceremony at the new KEC last week and a "video blog" of the BJ Shea Morning Experience from when Coach Rob Sumner and Bud Holloway visited during the 2nd round of the playoffs.
I will post videos in subsequent postings.
A big blow to Seattle's scoring power for next season, Seattle will now likely have two 20 year old spots available next year.
Official press release by the Thunderbirds can be found here.
Some other items....
Tbirds held a "topping off" ceremony at the new KEC last week and a "video blog" of the BJ Shea Morning Experience from when Coach Rob Sumner and Bud Holloway visited during the 2nd round of the playoffs.
I will post videos in subsequent postings.
4.15.2008
Holloway signs with Manchester
Bud Holloway has signed a tryout deal with the Manchester Monarchs (AHL team for the LA Kings) and will be playing in their upcoming playoff series with the Providence Bruins. Holloway signs with fellow WHL player Oscar Moller of the Chilliwack Bruins (don't be confused).
4.12.2008
More season ending thoughts...
- Fans can talk all they want about the officiating in the series and the entire playoffs (and believe me I have some of the same thoughts) but you must be able to kill those penalties, whether they are legitimate calls or not you simply cannot give up Power Play goals at a rate of 50% and expect to win games, much less a series against the team with the #1 overall record in the league. Give Tri-City a lot of credit for having a very good Power Play and creating chances and goals when they got those opportunities.
-For Ian McKenzie, Benn Olson and Scott Jackson it is the end of the road. I know Benn Olson and Scott Jackson are likely headed somewhere and my guess is after the outstanding playoffs McKenzie had, he will be headed somewhere as well. Without a doubt the hardest part about being a Junior Hockey fan is watching the growth of these kids into young men and watching them leave after their 20 year old year. Best of luck to all three... I think I speak for all Tbird fans when I saw they will be missed.
-Was Riku Helenius hurt? I wasn't really shocked to see Jake DeSerres in net last night for Game 5, but I was a little surprised and now I hear from one devoted fan that Riku might have been banged up in Game 3. We saw the return of Thomas Hickey last night and saw a few guys take what I thought were some high hits on him early in the game. For good or for bad, it is part of the game and I'm sure Hickey was expecting it to happen. Prab Rai did not play and that was to be expected after suffering concussion like symptoms after Game 4.
-Seattle lost only 6 games in regulation at Key Arena in the regular season and wound up 2-4 at home in the playoffs. Not exactly what the Tbirds were looking for, but the Key does not provide the type of playoff intense atmosphere that most buildings can and I would bet we see that intense crowd feeling next year in the new Kent Events Center.
-Let the speculation begin on what this team might look like next year. We know from previous seasons that things tend to change a lot more than we ever expect. We know the 20's won't be back. My gut tells me that both Holloway and Hickey will be back, Riku Helenius almost certainly will not and Seattle will have one 20 year old spot to fill. I wouldn't be surprised to see some deals made on some guys that didn't really develop enough this year to expect that they will be back.
-Last but not least I wasn't to thank everyone who has read and (hopefully) enjoyed the blog this year. It was an exciting first year blogging about the team, I had a lot of fun doing it and I hope that I can continue to get better as a writer/blogger as we move into a new era of Thunderbirds hockey next season. Thanks to everyone who helped click on my ads.... I almost raised enough money to buy a beer at the Key next season haha. Keep checking in on the blog as I will still be doing as many Tbird stories and news items as I can over the summer.
-For Ian McKenzie, Benn Olson and Scott Jackson it is the end of the road. I know Benn Olson and Scott Jackson are likely headed somewhere and my guess is after the outstanding playoffs McKenzie had, he will be headed somewhere as well. Without a doubt the hardest part about being a Junior Hockey fan is watching the growth of these kids into young men and watching them leave after their 20 year old year. Best of luck to all three... I think I speak for all Tbird fans when I saw they will be missed.
-Was Riku Helenius hurt? I wasn't really shocked to see Jake DeSerres in net last night for Game 5, but I was a little surprised and now I hear from one devoted fan that Riku might have been banged up in Game 3. We saw the return of Thomas Hickey last night and saw a few guys take what I thought were some high hits on him early in the game. For good or for bad, it is part of the game and I'm sure Hickey was expecting it to happen. Prab Rai did not play and that was to be expected after suffering concussion like symptoms after Game 4.
-Seattle lost only 6 games in regulation at Key Arena in the regular season and wound up 2-4 at home in the playoffs. Not exactly what the Tbirds were looking for, but the Key does not provide the type of playoff intense atmosphere that most buildings can and I would bet we see that intense crowd feeling next year in the new Kent Events Center.
-Let the speculation begin on what this team might look like next year. We know from previous seasons that things tend to change a lot more than we ever expect. We know the 20's won't be back. My gut tells me that both Holloway and Hickey will be back, Riku Helenius almost certainly will not and Seattle will have one 20 year old spot to fill. I wouldn't be surprised to see some deals made on some guys that didn't really develop enough this year to expect that they will be back.
-Last but not least I wasn't to thank everyone who has read and (hopefully) enjoyed the blog this year. It was an exciting first year blogging about the team, I had a lot of fun doing it and I hope that I can continue to get better as a writer/blogger as we move into a new era of Thunderbirds hockey next season. Thanks to everyone who helped click on my ads.... I almost raised enough money to buy a beer at the Key next season haha. Keep checking in on the blog as I will still be doing as many Tbird stories and news items as I can over the summer.
4.11.2008
Tbirds season ends in a thud
Seattle loses tonight 4-0 and is shutout on 32 shots by Chet Pickard as the Tri-City Americans win the best of 7 series 4 games to 1.
Tbird Jim O'Brien clanked one off the post early on and Seattle was just never able to break through on Pickard while the Americans again converted on 2 of 4 Power Play chances in the victory.
It was a great season for the team, despite ending up short of the ultimate goal and I will have more thoughts and season ending thoughts in the next couple of days.
Tbird Jim O'Brien clanked one off the post early on and Seattle was just never able to break through on Pickard while the Americans again converted on 2 of 4 Power Play chances in the victory.
It was a great season for the team, despite ending up short of the ultimate goal and I will have more thoughts and season ending thoughts in the next couple of days.
Hickey is warming up...
but he also warmed up before Game 2 as well.
Jake DeSerres is also in net again for Seattle.
Jake DeSerres is also in net again for Seattle.
Season on the line tonight in Game 5
Unlike Game 3 of the first round where the series technically could not end... tonight is all about survival.
It doesn't matter how you get it done... physical play, finesse and speed, Power Play, Shorthanded, etc. Tonight the Tbirds have to get it done in Kennewick or the season is over.
My gut tells me that Thomas Hickey will play and Prab Rai will not, but I wouldn't be shocked to see the Captain out of the lineup again tonight and hope for a return to Game 6 back at home.
A loss tonight and the season is obviously over... but a win tonight and Seattle has a chance to take back momentum of the series. Change the momentum and win Game 6 and anything can happen in Game 7, no matter where the game is played.
Seattle must improve their PK tonight in order to win. I don't care one bit about what calls the officials are making or aren't making, the team still has to kill the penalty and too many times in this series they haven't been able to do that.
Players who have been great all year or in the first round must find that magical touch again tonight. Greg Scott is due, David Richard is due, Bud Holloway is kind of due. All of these guys must play their best game of the season tonight to get things done.
I have no idea who is starting in the pipes tonight for Seattle but my gut again would tell me that Riku Helenius is back. Jake didn't start Game 4 because of anything Riku did in Game 3 and Riku starting tonight would have nothing to do with anything Jake did in Game 4.
7:05 from the Toyota Center tonight... its time to open the proverbial gas tank and see how much is left.
It doesn't matter how you get it done... physical play, finesse and speed, Power Play, Shorthanded, etc. Tonight the Tbirds have to get it done in Kennewick or the season is over.
My gut tells me that Thomas Hickey will play and Prab Rai will not, but I wouldn't be shocked to see the Captain out of the lineup again tonight and hope for a return to Game 6 back at home.
A loss tonight and the season is obviously over... but a win tonight and Seattle has a chance to take back momentum of the series. Change the momentum and win Game 6 and anything can happen in Game 7, no matter where the game is played.
Seattle must improve their PK tonight in order to win. I don't care one bit about what calls the officials are making or aren't making, the team still has to kill the penalty and too many times in this series they haven't been able to do that.
Players who have been great all year or in the first round must find that magical touch again tonight. Greg Scott is due, David Richard is due, Bud Holloway is kind of due. All of these guys must play their best game of the season tonight to get things done.
I have no idea who is starting in the pipes tonight for Seattle but my gut again would tell me that Riku Helenius is back. Jake didn't start Game 4 because of anything Riku did in Game 3 and Riku starting tonight would have nothing to do with anything Jake did in Game 4.
7:05 from the Toyota Center tonight... its time to open the proverbial gas tank and see how much is left.
4.10.2008
I've seen the Olson penalty...
and wow that is a bad call.
That would have been a horrible call if it were a 5 goal game in the 2nd period in November, much less with 22 seconds left in a pivotal playoff game that is tied and going into overtime.
I still say that you can't put the blame on officials for losing.... but that is just an indefensible call by any referee, much less the one that was awarded the WHL's top award for officials last year.
That would have been a horrible call if it were a 5 goal game in the 2nd period in November, much less with 22 seconds left in a pivotal playoff game that is tied and going into overtime.
I still say that you can't put the blame on officials for losing.... but that is just an indefensible call by any referee, much less the one that was awarded the WHL's top award for officials last year.
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