Thunderbirds add top draft pick to roster

Ryan Gropp, Seattle’s first-round selection, sixth overall, in the 2011 Bantam Draft has joined the Thunderbirds, general manager Russ Farwell announced today.

Gropp had started this season with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.

“We are very excited to add Ryan Gropp to our team at this time,” Farwell said. “When we selected him in the Bantam Draft he was one of the top forwards in Western Canada in his age group. Because of his ability to make plays at top speed he is going to be a great addition to our team.”

“I am really excited to be joining the T-Birds,” Gropp said. “I have been having this feeling of joining the T-Birds for a while and it is better to make this decision sooner rather than later. The team is off to a good start and it is good to come and be a part of that. I am looking forward to getting started and joining the team.”

Gropp appeared in 10 games with the Vees this season and had three goals and five assists for eight points. Last season with the Vees Gropp played in 50 games and had 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points.

The T-Birds travel to Kamloops to face the Blazers at 7 p.m. Wednesday. It is not know at this time if Gropp, who is from Kamloops, will be in the lineup Wednesday night.

The T-Birds are back home at ShoWare Center for back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. They play the Prince George Cougars at 7:35 p.m. Friday and the Swift Current Broncos at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

For tickets, visit tickets.seattlethunderbirds.com.

The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.