Seattle Thunderbirds have signed defenseman Spencer Penner to a Western Hockey League standard player agreement with the team.
Penner, from Blumenort, Manitoba, was the T-Birds’ second-round selection, 29th overall, in the Bantam Draft on May 2 in Red Deer, Alberta.
“We were very fortunate to select Spencer, who we believe is a first-round talent, early in the second round,” general manager Bil La Forge said Wednesday. “He compliments our other early defenseman selection as he is the right shot to go with the left shot (of Kevin) Korchinski. Spencer has the ability to contribute at both ends of the rink.”
Penner had 14 goals and 26 assists in 35 games with the Eastman Selects Bantam AAA team last season.
“It’s an honor to be selected and signed by the T-Birds,” Penner said. “I want to play in the WHL, and my family and I thought this was the best development route for me. I am looking forward to getting started.”
Earlier, the T-Birds signed Korchinski and center Jordan Gustafson.
By signing WHL standard player agreements, players are guaranteed WHL scholarships for every year they play in the league. A player is able to attend any career-enhancing institution of his choice, including universities, colleges, technical institutes, trade schools, or any other institution that will help the player achieve his academic and career goals.
For each season played in the WHL, a player receives a one-year post-secondary scholarship, which includes tuition, compulsory fees and required textbooks.
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