Amazing Goal by Colin Jacobs on Tuesday Night

Earlier this week, Seattle Thunderbirds and Dallas Native Colin Jacobs showed why he's starting to gain NHL attention being a possible first round draft pick next summer in Minnesota.

He scored an amazing backhand goal in the 2nd period against the Red Deer Rebels which includes one of the top players in the class of 2011 in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Here's the Goal which was featured on a NHL Draft Video Blog earlier this week.

Colin Jacobs Goal VS. the Red Deer Rebels

Western Hockey League Season Gets Underway this week

The Western Hockey League will get underway this Friday Night as the 72 Game Season gets underway and with Coppell Native Colin Jacobs getting ready for his NHL Draft Season.

He looks to lead what will hopefully be a much improved Seattle Thunderbirds team as they will start the season with a 3 game in 3 night weekend as the Thunderbirds will take on the Portland Winterhawks in the team's home opener on Saturday Night, in addition to the Winterhawks, they will take on follow US Division Foes Everett Silvertips & Tri-City Americans this weekend as well.

In addition to Jacobs, another player that could make his WHL Debut this season is Connor Hutchins who was selected by the Portland Winterhawks in the 6th Round of the WHL Bantam Draft back in May.

He's expected to be with the Honeybaked team which is in Detroit for most of the season, but perhaps be called up late in the season as he as been known for being very mature for his age and playing very well.

He's moved back to Texas to play for the Dallas Stars Midget Minor U16 Team this season, for the U16's, their Tier 1 Season gets underway this weekend as they will head to Ohio to open up the season as they will play 4 games this weekend.

In case you forget, their's 22 teams in the Western Hockey League divided into Eastern & Western Conference. 12 teams play out East which are divided into 2 six Team Divisions which makes up the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba, while the Western Conference is divided into 2 five team Divisions which is made up of the Pacific Northwest of the United States and the province of British Columbia.

Here's the WHL Player Profiles of the Southwest Players.

Colin Jacobs (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Connor Hutchins (Portland Winterhawks Prospect)



Here's the Conference Set Up

Eastern Conference

East Division: Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos

Central Division: Calgary Hitmen, Edmonton Oil Kings, Kootenay Ice, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, Red Deer Rebels


Western Conference

B.C. Division: Chilliwack Bruins, Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Prince George Cougars, Vancouver Giants

U.S. Division: Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Tri-City Americans


This Weekends Schedule (All Start Times are CDT)

9/24

Regina Pats VS. Brandon Wheat Kings 7:30 PM

Lethbridge Hurricanes VS. Calgary Hitmen 8:00 PM

Red Deer Rebels VS. Edmonton Oil Kings 8:00 PM

Swift Current Broncos VS. Moose Jaw Warriors 8:00 PM

Prince Albert Raiders VS. Saskatoon Blades 8:05 PM

Prince George Cougars VS. Kamloops Blazers 9:00 PM

Chilliwack Bruins VS. Vancouver Giants 9:30 PM

Seattle Thunderbirds VS. Everett Silvertips 9:35 PM


9/25

Calgary Hitmen VS. Kootenay Ice 8:00 PM

Saskatoon Blades VS. Prince Albert Raiders 8:00 PM

Lethbridge Hurricanes VS. Medicine Hat Tigers 8:30 PM

Edmonton Oil Kings VS. Red Deer Rebels 8:30 PM

Moose Jaw Warriors VS. Swift Current Broncos 8:30 PM

Chilliwack Bruins VS. Kamloops Blazers 9:00 PM

Vancouver Giants VS. Everett Silvertips 9:05 PM

Prince George Cougars VS. Kelowna Rockets 9:05 PM

Portland Winterhawks VS. Seattle Thunderbirds 9:05 PM

Spokane Chiefs VS. Tri-City Americans 9:05 PM


9/26

Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Regina Pats 3:00 PM

Seattle Thunderbirds VS. Tri-City Americans 7:05 PM

Colin Jacobs Q&A

This is a part of an ongoing series of offseason Q&A's, Coppell, Texas Native Colin Jacobs was asked a series of questions about how he's enjoying the offseason, his thoughts of Mike Modano leaving Dallas and going to Detroit and the importance of this upcoming season as he will start getting ready for the NHL Draft next summer.

He will be looking to continue to bring the physicality, but at the same time, increase his scoring ability where he scored 26 points (13G 13A) in all 72 games played last year and looking to improve his NHL Draft Stock for the 2011 Draft, some experts possibly having him go in the 1st Round.

Seattle finished 9th in the Western Conference where they missed the playoffs by a huge margin with one of the youngest teams not only in the WHL, but in the entire Canadian Hockey Leagues last season.

Before we get to Collin Jacobs Questions, here's several other Players that had Q&A's at different parts of the offseason.

Branden Troock Q&A

Scott Ramsay Q&A

Tyler Alos Q&A

Brenden Silvester Q&A


Collin Jacobs Profile

Here's the Q&A from the Seattle Thunderbirds.

ST: How would you describe your first season with the Seattle Thunderbirds? And in the Western Hockey League?

CJ: My first season with the T-Birds was a blast to say the least. Even though our record wasn't the best it was a big learning year for all of us. It was a great experience playing against all the top players in North America.


ST: How did playing in the playoffs in the 2008-09 season help prepare you for your first full season in the WHL?

CJ: Playing in the Playoffs helped me prepare quite a bit because I had a little taste of what I was about to get into. I think it helped me quite a bit in the long run.


ST: Do you remember the details of your first Goal with the T-Birds? What did it feel like to get that first goal?

CJ: Yes, I remember like it was yesterday. The Puck was bouncing around in front of the net and I hit it in. It was the biggest goal that I scored during that year and it definitely the most exciting.


ST: What activities have you been doing, besides hockey this summer?

CJ: Just like all the other guys, I have been hanging out with friends, working out, and hanging out by the pool.


ST: What has your workout routine entailed this summer? Are you getting much ice time?

CJ: My workout schedule consists of workouts from Monday through Friday and I'm on the skating treadmill twice a week.


ST: Growing up a hockey player in Texas, you probably saw Mike Modano play a few times. Do you think he will end up with the Stars or play for another NHL Team in 2010-2011?

CJ: As a Dallas Fan, I would love to see Modano stay another year but I think he might end up somewhere else.


ST: How would you rate the season overall last year?

CJ: On a team basis I think all of us young guys learned the little parts of the game which will help us succeed this year and beyond. As an individual I had an alright season at best. I had a few moments but to me last year was more of an learning experience.


ST: Last season you played a lot on a line with two other 16 year olds, Mitch Elliot and Tyler Alos. It looked like you three really started to gel in the 2nd half of the season, was that the case? And are you looking forward to teaming up with them again this upcoming season?

CJ: I am not sure as to why we clicked so soon, but they are solid players and can play the game.


ST: What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

CJ: My personal goals are to be a more dependable player on both sides on the ice and to be a dominate player on every shift I get.


ST: What did you think the biggest challenge is for this next season for both you and the team?

CJ: I think the biggest challenge for our team would have to be, being ready to play our very best each and every night. For me, it would be playing a bigger role on the team then being a first year rookie.


ST: Who do you see the T-Birds biggest competition this season?

CJ: I think our biggest competition this year will be the Everett Silvertips because of all the off-season deals and returning players makes them a solid team all around.


ST: What do you see your role on the team being this season?

CJ: I want to have a bigger role this year. I want to be a key part of the team and help this team win a championship.


ST: Think you again for taking time to sit down with us and tell about your first season in the WHL. I know a lot of fans are looking forward to the coming season, We'll see you at training camp.

ST: Thanks a lot! See everyone soon.

Seattle Thunderbirds Tentative Schedule

With a huge year for Collin Jacobs coming up as he will get looked for the 2011 NHL Draft, the Seattle Thunderbirds Tentative Schedule is now out as the home games are now scheduled while they waiting on the road games and any last minute changes due to media engagement to make the schedule final for the 2010-2011 season which begins in late September.

Last year, Jacobs had a decent year with 13 goals and 26 points in all 72 games played last year in his first full year of Juniors in the Western Hockey League. Currently, he's the only Southwest player in the Western Hockey League, however, 2 other players have WHL Rights with one who's planning to be a long term player in Seth Jones who's going to be with the USNTDP in the USHL, his rights are with Seattle's Local Rival Everett Silvertips

Also Connor Richards who was selected by the Portland Winterhawks who is going to at least play most of this season with the Detroit Honey Baked team which plays Travel Hockey in Michigan, don't be surprised if he may get some playing time later in the season.

Seattle opens the season with a 3 game weekend with a home game against Portland, plus road games against the defending Western Conference Champion Tri-City Americans and the Everett Silvertips.

Here's the Tentative Schedule, the Full Schedule should be out on August 10.

Seattle Thunderbirds Website

Seattle Thunderbirds Schedule

Collin Jacobs Profile

Seattle Thunderbirds on Twitter

New Segment coming soon: 5 Questions

We got a new segment that's going to make it's debut here pretty soon and it's asking the tough questions and getting to know players and coaches in different leagues better. It's called 5 questions and it's about asking questions about different parts of their career. It's going to be 5 questions divided into 3 parts.

The first question is about something in their past like how they started to get into the game or a certain part like coaching or the first time they thought they had superstar potential. Questions 2 and 3 are about what they are doing currently in their careers, teams or if like they are a free agent, how that is coming up. The final 2 questions are about their futures. Like if it's a junior player for instance, it's about their chances to play in college and the pros, or if it's like a coach, about their chances to move up from being an assistant to a head coach or the Junior to the Pro levels.

Last night, I sent the questions to Seattle Thunderbirds Forward Colin Jacobs and when he gets a chance to answer. I will post them here and on American Junior Hockey.

Here's the questions that I asked him.

1. How did you get started playing hockey in the D/FW Area?

2. What are the biggest changes about playing hockey in D/FW and in Seattle?

3. What needs to happen to turnaround the slow start to the Seattle Thunderbirds season?

4. What do you need to work on the most to have a shot to play for the national team at the U18 & U20 World Championship teams?

5. What would be your dream team or players to play for or with in the NHL?

I will also add some quick hits to ask him questions away from the ice. Hopefully to get a chance to get to know them better.

Look for his answers soon and I hope to get to do more questions to more players and coaches in different levels.

D/FW Area Players to Watch for 2009-2010 Season

This year in the D/FW Area, they will be 4 main players that I know of right now that I'm going to follow this season and provide updates throughout the season on how their doing.

Austin Smith

Back in the 2007 NHL Draft, he was the 1st Dallas Area player to be selected by the Dallas Stars which was taken midway through the NHL Draft. He's start playing his 2nd season for Colgate University which is located in Upstate New York. Despite a less then stellar season for the Colgate Raiders, Austin Smith still had a strong season by scoring 17 goals and coming up with 14 assists in 37 games last season.

To find out more info on Smith and the Colgate Raiders: www.gocolgateraiders.com/index.aspx?path=mhock

Chris Brown

Entering his first season with Wolverines, he's the first player from Texas ever to make the Michigan roster as the Wolverines are looking forward to start the season on October 3 with a couple of preseason games against the USNTDP U18 Team and then the next day, a huge challenge with the defending OHL and Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires. Prior to being drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2nd round of the NHL Draft back in June.

For more info on the Michigan Wolverines: www.mgoblue.com

Colin Jacobs

Jacobs is the newest player on the radar this season, the 16 year old is playing his first full season for the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds where he's expected to play a big role in the teams offense. The 16 year old saw some time for the T-Birds near the end of last year by playing a couple of games near the end of the regular season and some time in the playoffs before they were eliminated in the Western Conference Quarterfinal against the Spokane Chiefs where did score 2 goals in those games.

Over the weekend in the WHL Opening weekend, the T-Birds played 3 games where they went 1-2 with a 4-3 win over the Everett Silvertips, then 2 losses against a Portland Winterhawks team that's looking to make a big jump after being down for the last couple of years where they lost 5-0, then on Sunday night, a 4-2 loss in Vancouver against the Vancouver Giants.

As for Jacobs last weekend, he scored 2 goals and added 2 assists in the 3 games. In addition to his scoring ability, he's also looking to use his 6'2" 194 lb frame to start bringing some physical aspects to the game.

To see more info on the Western Hockey League and the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Log on to these websites: www.whl.ca www.seattlethunderbirds.com

Nick Lazorko

For the Winkler Flyers Forward, this will most likely be as final season for the Flyers as he approaching his 2o year old season. During his 2 seasons in Winkler, Manitoba, he's been very strong scoring threat by putting in a very impressive 159 points in his 2 previous seasons. (84 G, 75 A) during the regular season, during the playoffs in 10 games last year, he was able to score twice and add 8 assists during the teams playoff run before losing to the Selkirk Steelers in 6 games during the league Quarterfinals, who later got to the MJHL Championship before losing to the Portage Terriers for the MJHL Championship.

During the first 4 games of the Winkler Flyers season, Lazorko has 1 goal and 3 assists. He scored his 1st goal of the season during the Flyers home opener against the Winnipeg Saints back on September 18.

For more on the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Winkler Flyers.

Manitoba Junior Hockey League: www.mjhlhockey.ca

Winkler Flyers: www.winklerflyers.com