Monday, Seattle got a boost when it was announced by general manager Bil La Forge that overage forward Matthew Wedman had been returned to Seattle by the Florida Panthers organization. The 40-goal scorer from just a season ago was also named the 36th captain in franchise history. Joining Wedman in the leadership group will be Conner Bruggen-Cate and Tyrel Bauer. Additionally, there will be one more rotating “A” on a game-by-game basis.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019. Seattle (1-1-0-0) will play their first road game of the season, when they head north to face the Kamloops Blazers (2-3-0-0). The Thunderbirds defeated the Blazers on September 21st on opening night by a score of 4-1, mostly off the strength of a 50-save night from Roddy Ross. Kamloops has won their last two games after getting off to a rough start against the U.S. Division, dropping all three of their contests over opening weekend.
Friday, October 4, 2019. The Thunderbirds will make their first trip east of the cascades where they will meet a division foe, the Spokane Chiefs (1-1-1-0). Spokane, much like Seattle, got a boost to their lineup recently as well. Tuesday evening, it was announced that Ty Smith had been reassigned to the Chiefs by the New Jersey Devils. Already the toast of the division, Spokane just became that much better with the return of the former first-round NHL pick. Friday will be Seattle’s toughest test on the young season.
Finally, Saturday, October 5, 2019. The Tbirds will end their weekend in the friendly confines of the Accesso ShoWare Center, when they play host to the visiting Victoria Royals (2-1-0-0). The Royals spent much of the offseason moving players, signaling a rebuild for the former perennial B.C. Division contender. It is their first year without stalwart goaltender Griffin Outhouse. However, Seattle will be familiar with the new starter, Shane Farkas, who spent the past few seasons in Portland.
Seattle acquires Gottfried
? ? TRADE | T-Birds Acquire Ryan Gottfried From @Rebelshockey https://t.co/3Q01weKbeI pic.twitter.com/VYO2mNJq2u
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) October 2, 2019
With Cade McNelly out long term, Seattle went out and acquired a seventh defenseman that is eligible to play for the whole season. They traded a seventh-round pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft and the rights to Noah Barlage for 2001-born blue liner Ryan Gottfried.
The Winnipeg native played in 46 games last season. He had recently been released from the Rebels active roster.
Injury report:
#3 Cade McNelly, D, upper body, indefinite
#14 Tyler Carpendale, F, upper body, indefinite
#15 Mekai Sanders, F, lower body, indefinite
#32, Matthew Rempe, F, lower body, indefinite
