As the days of summer drag on, we all grow anxious for the beginning of what has brought us together – Seattle Thunderbirds hockey. However, like the players, it is important to cherish your time away from the rink and give yourself permission to relax and fill your heart and soul with love and companionship. I’ll cop to the fact that, over the past month, I have been missing in action save for an infrequent tweet every so often. But, I can assure you, it has been time well spent with those I care most about, and I hope the same can be said for you as well. Anyway, I started this list, and by god, I plan to finish it. So, let’s jump back in with #7: Victor Gervais.
I suppose it isn’t too hard to believe that a team that dominated much of the mid and late 80s has so many entries on my list, and we aren’t even finished with this era of Tbirds hockey. Gervais’ legacy in Seattle is clear, and his inclusion on this list was automatic.
Gervais was born in Prince George, British Columbia, on March 3, 1969. Gervais got his first taste of the Western Hockey League in 1986, as he suited up for Seattle in one game after his season with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the PCJHL concluded. His true rookie season was in 1986-1987 with Seattle, when Gervais played in 66 games, contributing an impressive 13 goals and 30 assists for 43 total points. What made this more impressive was his small stature, which did not appear to be an impediment for the young Gervais. Entering his sophomore year, there were expectations for him to take another step forward in his development.
Victor followed up his impressive rookie season, by more than doubling his goal total in 1987-1988 — scoring 30 — and adding 46 assists to go along with it for 76 total points. While his increase in offensive production was the highlight of his season, Gervais also showed that he wouldn’t be pushed around, compiling an impressive 134 penalty minutes. Gervais had only just scratched the surface of his potential to this point, and the following two seasons cemented his legacy in Seattle.
1988-1989 was a defining season for Victor. It was the first and only time in his WHL career where he played an entire 72 game schedule. On the way, Gervais became a premier offensive weapon for the Thunderbirds. Over the course of the season, Gervais obliterated his previous offensive highs, scoring 54 goals and adding 65 assists for 119 points. In that year’s NHL entry draft, Gervais was selected by the Washington Capitals in the ninth round at 187th overall. Gervais still had one more year to wow Seattle fans though.
1989-1990 was Victor’s final season in the WHL and as a member of the Seattle Thunderbirds. The small, speedy forward appeared in 69 regular season games for Seattle, and he dominated. Victor scored 64 goals and added 96 helpers for a career high 160 points. Gervais appeared in 13 playoff games that postseason for Seattle, scoring 8 goals and 9 assets for 17 points.
Gervais spent parts of the next seven years between the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, and the International Hockey League. In 1997-1998 Gervais found a permanent home in the DEL, playing for the Frankfurt Lions until 2002-2003. His playing career ended in 2006. Additionally, Gervais played inline hockey from 1993 to 1998 with the Anaheim Bullfrogs.
Since his playing career has ended, Gervais has held multiple coaching and front office jobs in junior hockey. He was the head coach and general manager of the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL, and as recently as last season, he was an assistant coach for the Westshore Wolves of the VIJHL.
