On the second day of the NHL entry draft, multiple current (and former) Seattle Thunderbirds waited with anticipation to hear their names called by one of the 31 NHL franchises so they may take their next step living their hockey dreams.
The first round saw multiple top-end talent players selected from the Western Hockey League, including the likes of Kirby Dach, Bowen Byram, Dylan Cozens, and Peyton Krebs. The second day had still many, many WHLers left to have their names called.
In the middle of the second round, the first (former) Seattle Thunderbird was selected. Dillon Hamaliuk, — now a member of the Kelowna Rockets — was picked by the San Jose Sharks at 55th overall. Hamaliuk was an offensive stalwart to begin the season for Seattle, picking up 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 31 games. Unfortunately, Hamaliuk suffered a season ending knee injury midway through the season. Hamaliuk was dealt to the Kelowna Rockets on May 2nd, along with defenseman Jake Lee and goaltender Cole Schwebius, for the 10th overall pick in the 2019 bantam draft, a 2021 second round pick, and a 2022 first round pick. Seattle also acquired overage forward Conner Bruggen-Cate in the trade.
Seattle had to wait three more rounds before hearing another name called. In the fifth round, the Florida Panthers announced the selection of Thunderbirds forward, Henrik Rybinski at 136th overall. Rybinski, a native of Vancouver, BC, was picked up by the Thunderbirds on January 4th in a trade with the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for Aidan Brook, a 2019 second round pick, and a 2020 third round pick. Rybinski was hugely instrumental in the Thunderbirds’ turnaround during the second half of the season. He appeared in 33 games, compiling 7 goals and 28 assists. Fun fact — Henrik was in the middle of his driver’s test at the time he was drafted, and had to rush to Rogers Arena to take photos and meet with Panthers executives and coaches.
The sixth round saw another key part and possibly the catalyst for Seattle’s impressive second half surge –goaltender Roddy Ross — selected by the Philadelphia Flyers 169th overall. Ross, who was signed to a Standard Player Agreement on January 1st , met Seattle in Brandon while the Thunderbirds were on their East Division road trip and made his presence felt instantly. After making his first appearance against the Wheat Kings, his first WHL start came not long after against the Regina Pats. Ross appeared in 23 more games for Seattle (25 total), posting a final record of 16-5-1-2, a 2.76 GAA, and an impressive 0.919 SV%.
The final T-bird taken off the board was center Matthew Wedman. In the seventh round of the draft, the Florida Panthers once again looked to the Pacific Northwest to bolster their prospect pool when they picked Wedman 199th overall. There was some uncertainty surrounding Wedman headed into the draft. He will be entering his overage season with Seattle, and typically players of his age are signed as free agents. However, Florida saw something in him this season that could not be overlooked. Wedman enjoyed a career year with Seattle, potting 40 goals (the most by a Thunderbird in a single season since Prab Rai scored 41 times in 2009-2010) and 37 assists for 77 points. His selection should be an affirmation for any young hockey player that hard work, dedication, and diligence pays off. Wedman has seen improvements to his game each season since joining Seattle, and is expected back for his last year of eligibility in the WHL. He will be a leader for a young roster headed into 2019-2020.
