Misplaced Pages

#872127

54-803: The Seattle Thunderbirds are a major junior ice hockey team based in the city of Kent, Washington . They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Conference in the Western Hockey League . Founded in 1971 as the Vancouver Nats, the team arrived in Seattle in 1977 and played as the Breakers until 1985, when they adopted the Thunderbirds name. The team played in Seattle for three decades before moving to

108-584: A director with the Czech Ice Hockey Association , felt that Junior-aged players were enticed to play in North America before maturation, with a negative effect on the development of the player and the European system. He stated that of the 527 Czech Republic players who went to North American Junior hockey, only 22 of them played more than 400 NHL games. He sought to establish a European system that

162-507: A national champion, as the Pats won their first President's Cup WCHL championship and fourth Memorial Cup in 1974. Wilson sold his interest in the team in 1980, the same year the team won its second President's Cup. The team remained competitive in the early 1980s, losing the WHL final in 1982 and 1984. In 1977, the team moved from Exhibition Stadium to the adjacent and brand-new Agridome, since renamed

216-692: A professional team, and are used by professional teams to develop their own prospects. One example of this is the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden or the Minor Hockey League in Russia . The lack of an amateur draft in Europe means that the onus is on the teams to sign the most talented young players they can get, and the presence of an affiliated junior team provides a place for young players who are not yet ready for

270-659: A renovation plan for its home arena, and by 1990 began playing some of its games at the larger Seattle Center Coliseum . New management promised to spare no expense and to turn the team into a contender. This included hiring Russ Farwell as manager and Barry Melrose as coach—the two had been instrumental in the Medicine Hat Tigers ' 1988 Memorial Cup championship. However, despite the scoring exploits of Glen Goodall —Goodall set new league records for goals (262) and points (573) and had his number 10 jersey retired when he turned professional in 1990—it would be twelve years before

324-629: A significant concentration of teams in the central and southwestern parts of the United States, although the league began to expand to east coast as of 2015. In October 2016, the Tier III United States Premier Hockey League , a league predominately located on the east coast, applied to USA Hockey for approval of a Tier II league to begin in the 2017–18 season, however, the league was denied that December and decided to operate its Tier II league independently. The NAHL, like

378-799: Is currently the only Tier I league in the country, consisting of teams in the central and midwestern United States. The USHL provides an alternative to the Canadian Hockey League, which pays its major junior hockey players a stipend, for players who wish to maintain NCAA eligibility for later in their career. While playing in the USHL, all player expenses are paid for by the team; no membership or equipment fees are charged. Unlike major junior teams, free-college stipend does not exist. Historically, professional leagues have drafted less directly from USHL teams, although this trend has shifted in recent years, coinciding with

432-426: Is the current general manager and Brad Herauf is the head coach, following the retirement of John Paddock in 2023. Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL top scorer) Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL player of the year) Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL top defenceman) Del Wilson Trophy (WHL top goaltender) Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL rookie of the year) Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL coach of

486-511: The COVID-19 pandemic , the Thunderbirds again emerged as a contender in the 2021–22 season. That season, the team returned to the finals and faced the Edmonton Oil Kings to contest the first league playoff title since 2019. Seattle lost the final in six games. The following season was the best in Thunderbirds' history with the team posting 54 wins and 111 points. In the playoffs, the eliminated

540-920: The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) : The championship teams from each league, as well as a pre-selected host team, compete for the Memorial Cup in a round-robin tournament to determine a national champion. Major Junior players were historically deemed ineligible to play college hockey in the United States , because they were considered to be professionals by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Major Junior players retain their eligibility for Canadian universities however, and all three leagues have scholarship programs for players. The NCAA changed its position and decided that CHL players were no longer ineligible as of

594-597: The Clarence Schmalz Cup which was first awarded in 1938. The Ontario Junior C playoffs are played for between six of the Province's seven different regional leagues. In Quebec and West of Manitoba, Junior C hockey tends to be an extension of the local minor hockey system and is sometimes called Juvenile or House League. In Ontario, Manitoba, and the Maritimes, Junior C is run independently of minor hockey systems, though with

SECTION 10

#1732851808873

648-788: The Coupe Dodge in Quebec , the Don Johnson Cup in the Atlantic Provinces , and the Keystone Cup that represents all of Western Canada, from British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario . Junior C (Junior A in Québec ) generally consists of local competitions, but is considered competitive in some regions, and serve as seeding or farm-teams for Junior B teams. Ontario Junior C Hockey has six rounds of best-of-seven playoffs (up to 42 games per team) for

702-661: The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League has operated as an independent league in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The league widely recruits players from outside of North America. In late 2016, the United States Premier Hockey League , an organization composed of several USA Hockey Tier III Junior as well as many youth hockey leagues, applied for a Tier II league. The Tier II status was denied in December 2016 but

756-498: The North American 3 Hockey League Some Junior ice hockey leagues operate outside the framework of governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey , typically due to disagreements with governing bodies over player recruitment policies and finances. These leagues are sometimes referred to as 'unsanctioned', 'rogue' or 'outlaw' leagues due to their lack of sanctioning or oversight from an outside governing body. Since 2006,

810-522: The Tri-City Americans , Spokane Chiefs , Wenatchee Wild , and Everett Silvertips . The Thunderbirds have built an enduring rivalry with the Portland Winterhawks , dating back to the 1980s. Everett is the closest team to Seattle and a natural rival; and the two teams have met regularly in the playoffs, including a three-year stretch between 2016 and 2018 where the winner of the series between

864-597: The US . In 2023, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew from the Hockey Canada framework, and thus became an independent league. In response, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework, which included an opportunity for some Junior B teams (styled "Junior A Tier 2" by BC Hockey) to be promoted to Junior A (styled "Junior A Tier 1" by BC Hockey) and eventually seek membership with

918-773: The West Toronto Nationals 2–0 in 1930. The Pats played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1946 to 1948, the Western Canada Junior Hockey League from 1948 to 1956, and then the revived Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1956 to 1966. During the 1960s, the club was an affiliate farm team for the Montreal Canadiens . Del Wilson, a scout for the Canadiens, became the Pats general manager in 1955; in 1966, Wilson and

972-584: The accesso ShoWare Center in nearby Kent in 2008. The Thunderbirds are two-time WHL champions, with their most recent title coming in 2023. The team was founded in 1971 as the Vancouver Nats of the Western Canada Hockey League, but moved to Kamloops , British Columbia , after just two seasons to become the Kamloops Chiefs in 1973. In 1977, the team moved again, this time to Seattle, and

1026-463: The 2025–26 season. The decision was made after a class action was filed on behalf of a player who was declared ineligible after having played two exhibition games in the OHL when he was 16 years old. The CHL places a cap of three 20-year-old players per team, and allows up to four 16-year-olds on each roster. While 15-year-old players were formerly permitted to play a limited number of games per season at

1080-646: The Brandt Centre. The team's last game at Exhibition was a 4–3 overtime win over the Swift Current Broncos in front of 2,200 fans; they opened the new arena with a 8–4 victory over the Saskatoon Blades before a crowd of 4,200. In 2014, John Paddock joined the team as its coach and manager. The 2016–17 season , the Pats' 99th, saw the team post its first ever 50-win season and capture its second Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions;

1134-582: The CHL level, they are now permitted to play only if they are deemed exceptional by Hockey Canada . As of 2024 , nine players have qualified under this rule: centre John Tavares in 2005, defenceman Aaron Ekblad in 2011, centre Connor McDavid in 2012, defenceman Sean Day in 2013, centre Joe Veleno in 2015, centre Shane Wright in 2019, forward Connor Bedard in 2020, forward Michael Misa in 2022, and defenceman Landon DuPont in 2024. CHL teams are currently permitted two "imports" (players from outside Canada and

SECTION 20

#1732851808873

1188-732: The CJHL. The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024—25 season. Junior B (Junior AA in Québec ; Tier 2 in British Columbia ) was created in 1933, to differentiate between teams eligible for Memorial Cup competition and those who were not. The major championships across Canada are the Sutherland Cup in Southern Ontario , the Barkley Cup in the Ottawa District ,

1242-582: The Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew its membership with Hockey Canada and became an independent league. In 2024, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL beginning in the 2024-25 season. In Europe, Junior teams are usually associated with

1296-742: The Memorial Cup-host Kamloops Blazers in the Western Conference championship, moving on to face the Winnipeg Ice in the title series. They defeated the Ice in five games to earn a berth in the 2023 Memorial Cup tournament. There, led by Dylan Guenther and goaltender Thomas Milic, the Thunderbirds advanced to the tournament final, which they lost to the Quebec Remparts . The Thunderbirds are one of five teams based in Washington, along with

1350-627: The Memorial Cup. Because of this, the Pats returned to a once-more revived Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in 1968. In 1970, CAHA reorganized junior hockey in Canada and finally recognized the WCHL as a legitimate major junior league, and the Pats returned to the league, which was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1978, for good. Wilson, who purchased the Pats in 1970, helped turn the team back into

1404-585: The Pats became central in establishing a new major junior league for western Canada, the Western Canada Hockey League . Although the impetus for the new league was creating more even footing for western teams to compete with teams in eastern Canada for the Memorial Cup, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) regarded the new league as an "outlaw league" and, ironically for WCHL members, banned its teams from competing for

1458-476: The Thunderbirds broke through to their first league final. Led by star forward Patrick Marleau , the Thunderbirds faced the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the 1997 championship series, which they lost in a sweep. Although the Thunderbirds would win their first and second regular season Division titles in 2002–03 and 2004–05, the eighteen seasons after their first finals appearance would see the team advance past

1512-510: The Thunderbirds returned to the final, where they faced the Regina Pats . They defeated the Pats in six games, with Alexander True scoring the title-winning goal in overtime of game six to secure Seattle's first championship. With the win, Seattle advanced to the 2017 Memorial Cup tournament, where they were eliminated after three straight losses in the preliminary round. After two straight first-round exits and two years without playoffs due to

1566-571: The Tier III level pay a fee or tuition, commonly ranging from $ 4,000 to $ 9,500. This is for all accounts and purposes an amateur level, although some players go directly to NCAA Division I schools. Most Tier III players are looking to increase their skills in hopes to move up to Tier II or I, while other players go directly to NCAA Division III , ACHA and CHF schools. Prior to July 2011, USA Hockey split Tier III into Junior A and B divisions. USA Hockey currently has one sanctioned Tier III league,

1620-478: The US) each. Up until 1970, the leagues that were classified as Major Junior and "Junior A" today were both part of Junior A. In 1970 they were divided into "Tier I Junior A" or "Major Junior A" and "Tier II Junior A". In 1980, the three Major Junior A leagues opted for self-control over being controlled by the branches of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and became Major Junior hockey, Tier II Junior A became

1674-496: The USHL, provides young players an alternative to major junior hockey, although the skill level is considered significantly lower than major junior hockey and typically filled with those who would not or did not make the roster of a Tier I team. Unlike Tier I, the NAHL does not pay for all players' expenses, such as room and board, but there is no tuition cost to the player as in Tier III. In addition to paying for room and board, players at

Seattle Thunderbirds - Misplaced Pages Continue

1728-510: The USNTDP moving to the USHL in 2009-10. In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft , 17 of the 44 players drafted out of the USHL played for the USNTDP. Those 44 draft picks were 16 more than any of the three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League, and included 9 first round picks (8 of which came from the USNTDP) and 7 second round picks. For most of its existence the USHL was considered inferior in quality of play to

1782-730: The USPHL moved forward with the new league anyway, creating the National Collegiate Development Conference. In response, the USPHL has removed all their junior level leagues (the NCDC and the Tier III-level Premier and Elite Divisions) from USA Hockey sanctioning since the 2017–18 season. In 2022, the Eastern Hockey League , which was operating two Tier III leagues, also left USA Hockey sanctioning. In 2023,

1836-526: The West Division finals. The team nearly folded in 1982 when, under owner John Hamilton, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy . This reality, combined with novel promotions like honoring unused Seattle Seahawks tickets at the gate, boosted attendance at Breakers games. This was also helped by on-ice success. Despite the off-ice challenges, the team, under coach Jack Sangster, swept the Victoria Cougars in

1890-479: The advent of inter-provincial junior championships. The Pats have appeared in more Memorial Cup tournaments than any other team, winning four times and finishing as the runner-up ten times. They have hosted the Memorial Cup tournament, solely or jointly, seven times: 1947 , 1955 , 1957 , 1969 , 1980 , 2001 , and 2018 . Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points Alan Millar

1944-571: The championship game. Although the 2018 outdoor game was ultimately moved indoors due largely to weather and ice concerns, the Pats did host the Calgary Hitmen at Mosaic as part of the 2019 Heritage Classic festivities; the game, dubbed the "Prairie Classic", saw Calgary win 5–4 in overtime. The Pats have been western Canadian junior hockey champions fourteen times, including twelve Abbott Cup and two President's Cup victories. The Pats were also Saskatchewan junior hockey champions in 1918 before

1998-555: The departure of its only Junior A league . Its three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were re-styled as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to promote some to "Junior A Tier 1" following an independent evaluation. It was expected that those teams promoted to "Junior A Tier 1" would eventually apply for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), an association of Junior A leagues governed by Hockey Canada and its regional branches . BC Hockey expected

2052-531: The evaluations to be completed during the 2024-25 season. Before the process was completed, the VIJHL announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) beginning in the 2024-25 season. Major Junior is the highest level of Junior ice hockey in Canada. There are three Major Junior leagues that collectively make up

2106-680: The granddaughter of Queen Victoria and daughter of the Governor General, the Duke of Connaught . The team name also associates Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry –Pats sweaters bear the regimental badge and "PPCLI" flash as a shoulder patch. Today, the team plays in the East Division of the Western Hockey League 's Eastern Conference. The Pats host games at the Brandt Centre and games are broadcast on 620 CKRM radio. The Pats are one of

2160-412: The likes of Matthew Barzal , Ethan Bear , and Keegan Kolesar , the 2015–16 season saw the Thunderbirds capture their first Division title since 2005 and make their deepest playoff run since 1997 when Matthew Wedman's game four overtime goal sent the Thunderbirds past the Kelowna Rockets and into the championship final. They lost the final in five games to the Brandon Wheat Kings . The following season,

2214-413: The major junior levels. But it continued to improve and as of 2019 about 21 percent of NHL players had played USHL in their career. Between 80 and 90 percent of USHL players continued into NCAA hockey. Currently, the North American Hockey League is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the United States. The NAHL consists of teams spread across the western two thirds of the United States with

Seattle Thunderbirds - Misplaced Pages Continue

2268-436: The most successful junior hockey franchises. They have made a record sixteen appearances at the Memorial Cup tournament, and a record fourteen appearances in the tournament final. The teams' four Memorial Cup championships are the third most in history. The team was founded in 1917 and named after the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, a Western Canadian regiment founded during the First World War . The Memorial Cup

2322-425: The playoffs to advance to the Division finals. There, they faced the rival Portland Winter Hawks , dropping the series to the eventual champions 4 games to 2. After the 1984–85 season, the Breakers were sold to new owners and renamed the Seattle Thunderbirds as part of an extensive re-branding. Along with the new name, the team changed its color-scheme from orange, blue, and white, to green, blue, and white, announced

2376-465: The rigours of the professional game to develop. However, not all players on a European junior team are necessarily property of their professional club, and may elect to sign elsewhere. At the World Hockey Summit in 2010, nations in Europe expressed concern about the number of junior players leaving to play in North America, despite the improved talent level and the increasing popularity of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships . Slavomir Lener,

2430-462: The same mostly recreational purpose. Junior ice hockey in the United States is sanctioned by USA Hockey . The top level is Tier I, represented by the United States Hockey League . Tier II is represented by the North American Hockey League . There are several Tier III and independently sanctioned leagues throughout the country. Some US-based teams play in Canadian leagues outside of the USA Hockey framework. The United States Hockey League (USHL)

2484-444: The second round of the playoffs just once. In 2006, the Thunderbirds announced their intention to move to a brand new arena being constructed in Kent, south of Seattle. The purpose-built arena was a major attraction for the team. 2015 marked the beginning of the most successful period in team history, as the Thunderbirds advanced to the finals four times in eight seasons, twice capturing the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions. Led by

2538-399: The team would advance to its first championship final since 1984, which it lost to the Seattle Thunderbirds . The 2017–18 season marked the 100th anniversary for the Pats, and the team held celebrations throughout the year. In addition to announcing an outdoor game at Mosaic Stadium against the rival Moose Jaw Warriors , the Pats hosted the 2018 Memorial Cup —they would go on to lose in

2592-502: The top tier of hockey in the CAHA and became Junior A hockey. Junior A (Junior AAA in Québec ; Tier 1 in British Columbia ) hockey is one level below Major Junior. It is governed by the respective regional branches of Hockey Canada . The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of nine Junior A leagues: The national championship is the Centennial Cup . Unlike Major Junior players, Junior A players retain their NCAA eligibility and may go on to play college hockey in

2646-531: The two made it all the way to the championship series. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Several National Hockey League players started with the Thunderbirds: Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL player of the year) Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL rookie of the year) Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL top defenceman) Del Wilson Trophy (WHL top goaltender) Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL coach of

2700-563: The year) Doc Seaman Trophy (WHL scholastic player of the year) Brad Hornung Trophy WHL Playoff MVP Junior ice hockey There are four levels of Junior hockey in the Canadian Club System: 1. Major Junior, 2. Junior A, 3. Junior B, and 4. Junior C. Not all teams playing in Canadian Junior leagues are based in Canada . As of 2024 , there were approximately twelve US-based teams playing in various Major Junior and Junior A leagues in Canada. In 2023, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework following

2754-461: Was competitive enough to deter players from entering into the CHL Import Draft . Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Regina, Saskatchewan . Founded in 1917, the Pats are the world's oldest continuously operating major junior hockey franchise in its original location and using its original name. The team was originally named the Regina Patricia Hockey Club , after Princess Patricia of Connaught ,

SECTION 50

#1732851808873

2808-411: Was founded as a tribute to Canadian war veterans, and the Pats earned the right to contest the first ever Memorial Cup championship in 1919, which they lost to the University of Toronto Schools. The team's first home was at Regina Arena, which opened in 1910 and could seat approximately 2,000. In 1920, the team moved to the Regina Stadium , which they would call home until 1977. In 1923, the team's name

2862-410: Was renamed the Seattle Breakers. The move came just years after the city narrowly missed out on securing a National Hockey League franchise. The Breakers began play in 1977–78 , and played out of the Seattle Center Arena . 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, twice advancing as far as

2916-401: Was shortened to the Pats. In 1925, the team secured its first Memorial Cup title with a victory over Toronto Aura Lee . For the 1927–28 season, the Pats merged with the Regina Falcons and called themselves the Regina Monarchs. The team went on to win the Memorial Cup that year before reverting to the Pats nickname in 1928–29. The Pats would win one more Memorial Cup title in this era, defeating

#872127