T-Birds acquire three draft picks from Kelowna for Wedman

Seattle has back-to-back games in Victoria this weekend

December 6, 2019 9:30 am
Matthew Wedman. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, T-Birds
Matthew Wedman. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, T-Birds

The Seattle Thunderbirds have acquired a first-round draft pick in 2023, a second-round draft pick in 2022, and a fifth-round draft selection in 2020 from the Kelowna Rockets for center Matthew Wedman.

“Wedman is a great T-Bird, and we are really proud of his development,” said general manager Bil La Forge. “It is tough to move our captain, but to add the three draft picks at this time is important for our team moving forward.”

Wedman has six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 19 games this season. In five seasons with the T-Birds, Wedman has played 275 games and has 175 career points on 75 goals and 100 assists. In 49 career playoff games, he has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points. Wedman was a member of the 2017 WHL championship T-Birds team.

The Florida Panthers selected Wedman in the seventh round, 199th overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft. Wedman attended the Panthers development camp this past summer and training camp at the start of the season.

‘Tip is now a T-Bird

The T-Birds have acquired center Max Patterson from the Everett Silvertips for a fourth-round pick in the 2020 Bantam Draft.

“Patterson is a center that can play in all situations,” La Forge said. “He is a big guy who moves well, and we are looking forward to seeing him in a T-Bird uniform. He will wear jersey number 28.”

Patterson has three goals and nine assists for 12 points in 24 games this season with the Silvertips. Patterson has played 286 career games and had 41 goals and 59 assists for 100 points over five seasons with the Silvertips, the Swift Current Broncos and Kootenay Ice.

On ice this weekend

The T-Birds have back-to-back game this weekend in Victoria against the Royals. The two teams play on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

The T-Birds’ next home game is against Spokane at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. It is a Chick-fil-A 2-for-Tuesday game. All tickets, popcorn, hot dogs and select beverages have special two-for-one prices. Single-game tickets are on sale online and at the accesso ShoWare Center box office.

The T-birds holiday premium voucher package is available. Twelve flexible vouchers are valid for any home game, from Jan. 11 to March 21, at $23 apiece. There are no service charges or other fees to purchase the package. Fans can contact the T-Birds at 253-239-PUCK (7825) to purchase a voucher or purchase the package online.