Seattle Thunderbirds Name Leadership Group For Remainder Of 2024-25 Season

At long last, the Seattle Thunderbirds name their leadership group for the 2024-25 season. Forward Braeden Cootes and defenceman Sawyer Mynio will co-captain, while forwards Nathan Pilling, Coster Dunn, Simon Lovsin, as well as goaltender Scott Ratzlaff will don the title of assistant captains.

“We are very excited to announce our leadership group,” said head coach Matt O’Dette. “It is a tremendous honor to wear a letter on a Thunderbirds jersey. These players are well deserving, and we are confident that they are the right players to lead our team not only on the ice, but also in the community.”

Cootes, a product of Sherwood Park, Alta. has spent his whole WHL career with Seattle, spanning 93 total games. The 2025 NHL Draft prospect has put up 22 goals and 35 assists in that span.

Currently in his fourth full season as a Thunderbird, Mynio wore an "A" in 2023-24 and has gathered 112 points over 193 career games. The Kamloops, BC native is also being considered in some circles for the 2025 World Junior Team Canada roster.

More of a traveler than the two captains, Pilling enters just his first full campaign in Seattle. The 2004-born forward was acquired by the Thunderbirds during the 2023-24 season from the Edmonton Oil Kings, and also beginning his career with a stint in Moose Jaw with the Warriors.

Dunn is a constantly improving player, on pace to shatter his career high of 20 points. The Edmonton product got his start with the AJHL's Spruce Grove Saints, then midway through the 2021-22 season made the move to Seattle and didn't look back.

Also a former Saint, Lovsin did his time just one season after his older teammate. After just four WHL games in 2022-23, he potted 16 goals in 52 games the following year and is also en route to setting a new career high.

Last but certainly not least, Scott Ratzlaff.

Now in his second-to-final WHL season, the netminder is seeing major discussion for the 2025 World Juniors. The 2023 Buffalo Sabres draft pick is having a bit of a down year statistically, but has backstopped the Thunderbirds to a WHL Championship, taking the title in 2023. Ratzlaff is more of an "honorary captain" as goaltenders are not permitted to wear letters on their jersey.

THN Editor's Note: The reason I save Ratzlaff for last is simply because (this is not just a WHL thing) if a team is going to name a goalie captain, or an assistant, they should be allowed to wear the corresponding letter on their jersey. The current rule is that goalies cannot cross their own blue line unless a timeout is called, and a captain's job is (normally) to convene with officials at centre ice, but a netminder with a letter should be granted an exception.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

THN Predicts: Eight WHL Players Make 2025 Canadian World Juniors Roster

Calgary Hitmen Acquire Tanner Howe From The Regina Pats

Royals' Cole Reschny: "Tough Night" In Return To Action

WHL's Everett And Prince George Highlight CHL Top Ten

Standouts From Week 9 Of The 2024-25 WHL Season