Former Seattle Thunderbirds junior hockey star Mathew Barzal became one of just seven players in NHL history to score 20 goals and record 60 assists in a rookie season.
Barzal, of the New York Islanders, became the first rookie to accomplish the feat since Sidney Crosby had 39 goals and 63 assists for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2005-2006 season. Barzal is a contender for top rookie honors this season in the NHL.
The Islanders play Thursday against the New York Rangers and wrap up the season Saturday, April 7, against Detroit.
Barzal, 20, played four seasons with the T-Birds and helped lead them to the Western Hockey League championship last season. He was the WHL Playoff MVP after scoring 25 points on seven goals and 18 assists in 16 games. The T-Birds play at Kent’s accesso ShoWare Center.
The Islanders picked Barzal in the first round (16th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Barzal also was featured recently on the fashion pages of the New York Times.
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