Thunderbirds’ Barzal signs with NHL’s Islanders

Published 12:09 pm Thursday, September 10, 2015

Seattle Thunderbirds center Mathew Barzal has signed a three-year entry level contract with the New York Islanders.

The Islanders signed Barzal in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft.

“We are very happy for Mathew and this is a huge accomplishment in his career,” said T-Birds general manager Russ Farwell. “He is one of those players fans love to watch, and it will be fun seeing him develop as his career continues to unfold over the next few years. We wish him all the best as he heads off to the Islanders training camp this week.”

Barzal, an 18-year-old from Coquitlam, British Columbia, had 57 points on 12 goals and 45 assists last season. He had four goals and four assists in six playoff games. In two seasons with the T-Birds, Barzal has 111 points on 26 goals and 85 assists in 103 games.

Barzal won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the Under-18 World Championships in Zug and Lucerne, Switzerland, in April.