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Last GameThunderbirds: 9 Next Game
Vancouver North East Chiefs |
 High Percentage of T-Birds Alumni Play in BCHL and WHLSouth Island Thunderbirds, December 10, 2009The odds keep getting better. The South Island Thunderbirds team has only been in operation since the 2005-06 season but has already sent a total of 25 of its former players to play in the BCHL and/or WHL, 21 of them full-time, and 16 of them still active at those levels. This is out of a total population of 59 players who have been on the Thunderbirds’ roster in the team’s first 4 years (7 of whom are still with the Thunderbirds in this 5th season), meaning that 46% of the team’s 52 graduates have made the jump. Of the remaining players in the group, there are still a significant number currently in the VIJHL who have legitimate aspirations of reaching the Junior A ranks so that success rate is likely to move well past the 50% level.
Here is the overall list of T-Birds alumni who have progressed to the WHL and BCHL since the South Island team began operations (listed in alphabetical order): Steve Axford – Powell River Kings (BCHL) – 2007-08 T-Birds Cam Braes – Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) – 2006-07 T-Birds Cody Bremner – Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) – 2005-06 T-Birds Josh Bryan – Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 2008-09 T-Birds (affiliate, currently with Peninsula Panthers of VIJHL) Nick Buchanan – Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 2007-08 T-Birds Colin Fredrickson – Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) – 2005-06 T-Birds (currently with Phoenix Polar Bears in the Western States Hockey League) Brandon Glover – Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) – 2008-09 T-Birds Joel Gordon – Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) – 2008-09 T-Birds (affiliate, currently with Kerry Park Islanders of VIJHL) Jordan Grant – Powell River Kings (BCHL) – 2005-06 T-Birds Sam Grist – Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 2009-10 T-Birds (named to South Island roster, then called up to Grizzlies in September) Chase Kaiser – Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) – 2007-08-09 T-Birds Tyler Matheson – Kelowna Rockets (WHL) – 2005-06 T-Birds Wade Murphy – Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 2008-09 T-Birds (affiliate, currently with Saanich Braves of VIJHL) Wes Myron – Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 2007-08-09 T-Birds Taylor Pears – Cowichan Valley Capitals – 2006-07-08 T-Birds (currently with Kerry Park Islanders in VIJHL) Kevin Philp – Merritt Centennials (BCHL) – 2005-06 T-Birds Sam Rice – Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) – 2007-08-09 T-Birds (affiliate, currently with Victoria Cougars of VIJHL) Mike Scarborough – Red Deer Rebels and Regina Pats (WHL) -2005-06 T-Birds (currently with Peninsula Panthers in VIJHL) Greg Simpson - Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) - 2005-06 T-Birds Kiefer Smiley – Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) – 2005-06 T-Birds Justin Sotkowy – Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL) – 2005-06 T-Birds (currently with Victoria Cougars in VIJHL) Jamie Tucker – Vancouver Giants (WHL) – 2007-08 T-Birds Simon Witt – Red Deer Rebels (WHL) – 2007-08 T-Birds Josh Wyatt – Powell River Kings (BCHL) – 2007-08 T-Birds (currently with Victoria Cougars in VIJHL) Jason Yee – Powell River Kings (BCHL) – 2005-06-07 T-Birds It is a very impressive group and demonstrates that the South Island’s entry in the BCMML is doing very well in achieving its primary player development objective, which is to prepare elite players to move up to and succeed at the top junior levels. As the list continues to grow, it is also expected to yield its first NCAA and professional players within the next year or two.
Clearly, there is no better route for aspiring players to take than the one that goes through the Thunderbirds’ program. |
| South Island Thunderbirds Major Midget Hockey Team 430 – 730 View Street Victoria, BC V8W 3Y7 Ph: (250) 978-6606 email: info@sithunderbirds.com |
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