Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds forward Mathew Barzal has been named the WHL Player of the Month for February 2017.

Barzal, a 19-year-old product of Coquitlam, BC, registered 33 points (2G-31A) in 14 games to help the Seattle Thunderbirds go 10-3-0-1 during the month of February.

In February, the veteran pivot put forth 10 multipoint performances, including four contests with four points or more. On Wednesday, February 8, he posted four assists in a 5-4 win at Victoria, before exploding with a six-point effort (1G-5A) on Saturday, February 11, in an 8-5 win versus Portland. Barzal closed out the month with back-to-back four-point outings on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26. In a 5-3 win versus Kelowna, he notched four assists, before collecting a goal and three assists the next day in a 6-1 win versus Everett. The crafty centreman was only held off the scoresheet on two occasions during the month of February.

Averaging 2.36 points per game and 2.21 assists per game during the month of February, Barzal earned first star honours three times and second star recognition three times.

The 6-foot, 187-pound centre is tied for first on the Thunderbirds in scoring, with 71 points (9G-62A) in 37 contests this season.

A first round pick (16th) of the New York Islanders at the 2015 NHL Draft, Barzal began the 2016-17 season with the Islanders, skating in two contests before returning to Seattle.

The shifty captain of the Thunderbirds represented Canada at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, serving as an alternate captain and helping his nation to a silver-medal finish, tallying eight points (3G-5A) in seven games.

Originally taken by the Seattle Thunderbirds with the first overall pick at the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Barzal has logged 270 points (62G-208A) in 198 career WHL regular season contests.

WHL Player of the Month

September/October: Sam Steel, Regina Pats

November: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

December: Tyler Wong, Lethbridge Hurricanes

January: Matteo Gennaro, Calgary Hitmen

February: Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds