The Seattle Thunderbirds have signed defensemen Tyrel Bauer and Luke Bateman to WHL standard player agreements.
Bauer was the T-Birds’ second-round selection, 41st overall, and Bateman was taken in the fourth round, 85th overall, at the 2017 Bantam Draft in Calgary, Alberta, on May 4.
The Thunderbirds signed their top pick, right wing Payton Mount, on Tuesday.
“Ty is a very solid all-round defenseman who skates very well and has a very impressive presence on the ice in all situations,” said general manager Russ Farwell. “He plays to impact the game every shift and will be a leader on our team in the future.”
Bauer played last season with the Airdrie Extreme Bantam AAA team and had three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 36 games. Bauer, who is 6 foot 1 and 189 pounds, is from Cochrane, Alberta.
“It’s great to sign with the T-Birds, and I am really excited for the future,” Bauer said. “I feel I am a solid stay at home defenseman that has a personal motto of I won’t be outworked on the ice. I’ll jump into the play if I see the opportunity.”
Bauer took part in the T-Birds Summer Development Camp in Calgary over the first weekend in June.
“The team’s summer development camp in early June was great. It was organized and fun and the coaches were awesome,” he said. “It was great to interact with all the players there.”
Bateman played last season with the Thompson Zone 1 Bantam team in Thompson, British Columbia. Bateman had three goals and 23 assists for 26 points in 57 games. Bateman, who is 6-3 and 177 pounds, is a left-hand shot from Kamloops, British Columbia.
“We were excited to get Luke in the fourth round because he had such a good tournament on the final weekend in British Columbia,” Farwell said. “He has the size and temperament to be a dominate defender with good skills and very good vision.”
Bateman added: “I am very happy to sign with the T-Birds and join a very good organization. I am working out this summer and attending a few hockey camps where I will work on my shot and skating to get ready for next season.”
By signing a WHL standard player agreement, Bauer and Bateman are guaranteed a WHL Scholarship for every year they play in the WHL. A player is able to attend any career enhancing institution of his choice, including universities, colleges, technical institutes, trade schools, or any other institution which 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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