The Seattle Thunderbirds, shown here in preseason action, open the Western Hockey League regular season Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Wenatchee Wild. The T-Birds home opener is Saturday, Sept. 30 against Portland at the accesso ShoWare Center. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds

The Seattle Thunderbirds, shown here in preseason action, open the Western Hockey League regular season Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Wenatchee Wild. The T-Birds home opener is Saturday, Sept. 30 against Portland at the accesso ShoWare Center. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds

Kent-based Thunderbirds open WHL season on the road at Wenatchee Wild

Opener Sept. 23 followed by home debut Sept. 30 against Portland at ShoWare Center

The Kent-based Seattle Thunderbirds open the 2023-2024 season on the road Saturday, Sept. 23 against the Wenatchee Wild, the newest member of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

The T-Birds home opener is at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 against the Portland Winterhawks at the accesso ShoWare Center. As of Sept. 19, the game was close to a sellout.

Seattle lost to Quebec in the Canadian Hockey League Memorial Cup champi0nship series last season, just the third time the franchise had advanced to the Memorial Cup, which the T-Birds have yet to win. Many of the players from that team won’t be back as they are too old for the league that features players ages 16 to 20.

But Seattle has a strong group of young players who are expected to keep the team competitive.

Wenatchee joined the WHL this season as the Winnipeg (Manitoba) Ice franchise was sold and relocated to Central Washington. The T-Birds beat Winnipeg in the WHL Championship Series last season.

Wenatchee has joined the U.S. Division that includes Seattle, Everett, Tri-Cities, Spokane and Portland.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Ben Ray / The Reporter
Quarterback Jayden Saelee warming up.
NPSL All-League Football Teams announced

Kentwood’s Jabez Tuaoa named Defensive Player of the Year.

Courtesy Photo
Kentlake Male Athlete of the Week: Makoa Planesi

Planesi is off to a great first week of practice and was student of the quarter at Kentlake

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Female Athlete of the Week: Ella Wick

Wick is a leader on and off the court and epitimizes what it means to be a Falcon

t
Kent’s Christmas Rush Fun Run and Walk coming up Dec. 9

41st year of event; course starts at Hogan Park on Russell Road

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Sage Vincioni

Vincioni placed fifth overall in the league tournament in his first competitive season.

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Claire Eaton

Eaton is an all-around great student athlete, works hard in the pool and has a 4.0 GPA

Senior midfielder Jayda Sparks (left) signed to Eastern Washington University and forward/defender Ella Schug (right) committed to Cal State University at Bakersfield. (Photo provided by John Flanigan)
Two Kentridge soccer players commit to Division 1 schools

Schug and Sparks have been momumental in the girls soccer playoff run.

Around the Sound Sports podcast is hosted by Ben Ray. Email benjamin.ray@soundpublishing.com.
Fall state playoff action | Around the Sound Sports podcast

In this week’s episode, we take a look at district soccer and football around the NPSL. Kentridge girls soccer advances to the state playoffs for the first time since 2018 in a huge 6-0 win over Rogers. Decatur football’s historic season comes to a close in a 13-6 loss to Woodinville at home. Auburn falls to Lincoln at the Lincoln Bowl, ending the Trojans’ 2023 campaign. Auburn Riverside football wins against Juanita 28-9 and is going to state for the first time in school history.

Hayden Rallo controls the ball at Kentlake practice. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentlake girls soccer team breaks 13-year state playoff drought

The Falcons are on their way to state for first time since 2010 on the back of a 4-0 win

Team photo after the win against Rogers. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer is back in the state tournament

The Chargers are in the big dance for the first time since 2018, snapping a four-year drought.

t
Marleau gets hero’s welcome in Kent as No. 12 raised to rafters | Photos

Seattle Thunderbirds retire number at ShoWare Center

Federal Way’s Sione Kongaika stiff-arms a defender. (Ben Ray/Sound Publishing)
Prep football playoffs: Week 10 matchups in South King County

Dates, analysis and the last time the two teams faced each other.