The Seattle Thunderbirds are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kent, Washington, in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team has a storied history, marked by name changes, arena moves, and evolving jersey designs that reflect their identity and success.
Early Years as the Seattle Breakers
Founded in 1971 as the Vancouver Nats, the team moved to Kamloops, British Columbia, in 1973 and became the Kamloops Chiefs. In 1977, the team relocated to Seattle and was renamed the Seattle Breakers. The Breakers played out of the Seattle Center Arena and sported a color scheme of orange, blue, and white. During their eight seasons, the Breakers achieved a regular-season record of 225 wins, 319 losses, and 32 ties, with a playoff record of 11 wins and 21 losses.
Despite facing financial challenges, including filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982, the Breakers managed to boost attendance through novel promotions and on-ice success. In one memorable playoff run, coached by Jack Sangster, the team swept the Victoria Cougars to advance to the Division finals.
Rebranding and the Birth of the Thunderbirds
After the 1984-85 season, the Breakers were sold to new owners and underwent an extensive re-branding, becoming the Seattle Thunderbirds. Along with the new name, the team changed its color scheme from orange, blue, and white to green, blue, and white.
New management promised to spare no expense and turn the team into a contender. This included hiring Russ Farwell as manager and Barry Melrose as coach. By 1990, the team began playing some of its games at the larger Seattle Center Coliseum.
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Despite the scoring exploits of Glen Goodall, who set new league records for goals (262) and points (573) and had his number 10 jersey retired in 1990, it would be twelve years before the Thunderbirds broke through to their first league final.
Evolution of the Jersey Design
The Seattle Thunderbirds' jerseys have evolved over the years to reflect the team's identity and success. The original Thunderbirds jerseys featured a green, blue, and white color scheme. Over time, the team has experimented with different designs and logos, but the core colors have remained consistent.
The current Thunderbirds jerseys feature the team's primary logo on the front, with the player's number on the sleeves and back. The jerseys also include the WHL logo on the shoulder. The team has also introduced alternate jerseys over the years, featuring different colors and designs.
Relocation to Kent and Modern Success
The team played in Seattle for three decades before moving to the accesso ShoWare Center in nearby Kent in 2008. This move revitalized the franchise and the city. 2015 marked the beginning of the most successful period in team history, as the Thunderbirds advanced to the finals four times in eight seasons, twice capturing the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions.
Led by players like Matthew Barzal, Ethan Bear, and Keegan Kolesar, the 2015-16 season saw the Thunderbirds capture their first Division title since 2005 and make their deepest playoff run since 1997. They lost the final in five games to the Brandon Wheat Kings. In the following season, the Thunderbirds returned to the final, where they faced the Regina Pats and won their first WHL Championship.
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After two straight first-round exits and two years without playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thunderbirds again emerged as a contender in the 2021-22 season. That season, the team returned to the finals and faced the Edmonton Oil Kings to contest the first league playoff title since 2019. In the 2022-23 season, the Thunderbirds won their second WHL title, defeating the Winnipeg Ice.
| Season | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2015-16 | Division Title, WHL Finals |
| 2016-17 | Ed Chynoweth Cup (WHL Champions) |
| 2021-22 | WHL Finals |
| 2022-23 | Ed Chynoweth Cup (WHL Champions) |
The Seattle Thunderbirds are one of five teams based in Washington, along with the Tri-City Americans, Spokane Chiefs, Wenatchee Wild, and Everett Silvertips.
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The Thunderbirds continue to be a prominent force in the WHL, with a dedicated fan base and a commitment to developing young talent. They have a rich history and are poised for continued success in the future.
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