Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell today announced left wing Ryan Gropp has joined the T-Birds. Gropp was the T-Birds first round selection, sixth overall, in the 2011 Bantam Draft, and had started this season with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.

PHOTO CREDIT - SeattleThunderbirds.com

Seattle - October 15, 2013 - Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell today announced left wing Ryan Gropp has joined the T-Birds.

Gropp was the T-Birds first round selection, sixth overall, in the 2011 Bantam Draft, and 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," said Farwell. "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," said Gropp. "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 Wednesday night at 7pm. 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 on Friday at 7:35pm and the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday at 7:05pm.