The Kent-based Seattle Thunderbirds wrapped up their 2024 training camp over Labor Day weekend at the accesso ShoWare Center.
Camp included their annual round-robin tournament, held Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, in which all camp invitees were divided into four teams, culminating in the awarding of the “Doc Blue Memorial Trophy” hoisted by Team White. Team White was led by Scott Ratzlaff, returning veteran goaltender and Buffalo Sabers prospect, and rookie forward Brendan Rudolph.
Four of the top 10 scorers for the tournament were rookies including Kai Richards, Colton Gerrior, Matthew Hilderman and Rudolph. Second-year forward Nishaan Parmar was the tournament’s overall top scorer with three goals and six assists for 9 points.
Recently drafted Matthew Hilderman was named the first star of the Prospects game on Sunday, scoring three goals and an assist to lead White to a 7-4 win over the Blue team. Across from Hilderman, on the Blue team, was fellow draftee Marcus Laraque, who also recorded a hat trick during the game.
Then the main event of the day, and to wrap up the week, was the annual Blue vs. White game where rostered players were split up into two teams in one final showdown. Team White, coached by newly hired Assistant Coach Taylor Makin, won the game 8-1.
Preseason starts
The T-Birds begin their Western Hockey League preseason at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 against the Spokane Chiefs at in Everett’s Angel of the Winds Arena. They play the Everett Silvertips at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 and play the Portland Winterhawks at noon Sunday, Sept. 8, also in Everett.
On Wednesday Sept. 11, the T-Birds host the Victoria Royals at 7:05 p.m., their only preseason home game at the ShoWare Center.
The final game of the preseason is Thursday, Sept. 12 vs. the Silvertips at 7:05 p.m. in Everett.
The T-Birds begin the 2024-2025 regular season on the road Friday, Sept. 21 in Vancouver. The T-Birds will host their home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 against the Wenatchee Wild.
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