Bear, Harsch, Holowko, Osterman and Wight sign WHL Standard Player Agreements

KENT, August 28, 2014 — Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell today announced the team has signed five players to WHL Standard Player Agreements.

The five players are right wing Wyatt Bear, defenseman Reece Harsch, right wing Nick Holowko, right wing Luke Osterman and center Mackenzie Wight. All five players took part in the recently concluded T-Birds training camp.

All five players are eligible to play in the T-Birds first preseason game on Friday against the Tri-City Americans at the Everett Silvertips Holiday Inn Preseason Classic at Comcast Arena. Game time is 11:30am.

Bear, from Hodgson, Manitoba, was the T-Birds’ fifth round selection, 102nd overall, in the 2014 Bantam Draft. Last season he played 33 games with the Interlake Lightning in the Winnipeg Bantam Division 1 and had 18 goals and 33 assists for 51 points.

“Wyatt had a very good camp and has huge potential to be an impact player in the WHL. His skill set combined with a big physical frame gives him a great platform to develop into a very good player,” said Farwell.

Harsch, from Grand Prairie, Alberta, was the T-Birds’ eighth round selection, 170th overall, in the 2014 Bantam Draft. Last season he played 33 games with Grand Prairie in the AMBHL and had two goals and 12 assists for 14 points.

“Reece might have been our most pleasant surprise at camp this year. He played with poise and real good common sense and we are excited about his potential to be a very good defenseman for us in the future,” said Farwell.

Holowko, from Burnaby, British Columbia, was an invite to T-Birds Training Camp prior to the 2012-13 season. He was added to the team’s 50-player protected list after that Training Camp. Last season he played 33 games with North Delta in the PaJHL and had two goals and nine assists for 11 points.

“Nick has been a very loyal and committed player for us since we listed him two years ago. He has never varied in his desire to play for the Thunderbirds and with his hard work this summer has shown he is now ready to challenge for a job,” said Farwell.

Osterman, from Stillwater, Minnesota, was the T-Birds’ eighth round selection, 161st overall, in the 2012 Bantam Draft. Last season he played 20 games for Omaha in the NAPH16 League and had six goals and seven assists for 13 points. Osterman is the seventh member of the 2012 draft class to sign with the T-Birds. He joins Mathew Barzal (1st round-1st overall), Keegan Kolesar (1-20), Ethan Bear (2-25), Logan Flodell (3-47), Lane Pederson (5-91) and Donovan Neuls (8-157).

“Luke has made an impressive conversion from defense to forward since coming to training camp last year. He is a driven and focused player who brings a real physical style to every shift he plays. He has earned his spot and will add grit to our team for years to come,” said Farwell.

Wight, from Burnaby, was the T-Birds’ seventh round selection, 148th overall, in the 2014 Bantam Draft. Last season he played for the Burnaby Winter Club in the PCAHA.

“Mackenzie had a very good camp and has proven to be a very good prospect to play in the WHL in the future. He plays a physical, agitating style and can add offense as well. We are excited to bring him on board as a Thunderbird for the future,” said Farwell.

The Thunderbirds have a seven-game preseason schedule. The T-Birds will play in the Everett Silvertips Holiday Inn Preseason Classic at Comcast Arena. The first game will be Friday, August 29, at 11:30 a.m. against the Tri-City Americans. Classic play will continue with games on Saturday, August 30, at 3 p.m. against the Victoria Royals. The Classic concludes Sunday, August 31, at 3 p.m. against the Spokane Chiefs.

The T-Birds next preseason appearance will be in Kennewick at the Red Lion Hotels’ Preseason Tournament at the Toyota Center. The T-Birds will play the Spokane Chiefs on Thursday, September 4, at 3:00 p.m. and face the Everett Silvertips on Friday, September 5, at 11:00 a.m.

The T-Birds close out the preseason schedule with a home-and-home series against the Everett Silvertips. The T-Birds visit Everett on Friday, September 12, for a 7:35 puck drop against the Silvertips. The T-Birds then make their only pre-season appearance at ShoWare Center on Saturday, September 13 for a 7:05pm contest against the Silvertips. Single game tickets for the home preseason game are currently on sale online.

The T-Birds home opener for the 2014-15 regular season is Saturday, September 20 against the Everett Silvertips at ShoWare Center at 7:05pm.

T-Birds single game tickets for the 2014-15 season are currently on sale and can be purchased online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm, Saturday game days at 10:00am and Sunday game days at noon.

T-Birds season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.