The Seattle Thunderbirds Have Many Connections SaskatoonIncluding defenseman Kevin Korchinski.
Korczynski was born, raised, and played underage Hockey in Bridge City until being drafted by the Thunderbirds in 2019.
To end the trip and the team’s Western Canada road trip, Korczynski scored a goal on January 14 in a 4–2 loss to the Blades.
“I’ve never played in the WHL in Saskatoon. I’m really looking forward to it. I have a lot of family and friends in the sport who have never seen me play live,” said Korczynski.
Korczynski’s mother, Stacey Patenaud, said that more than 30 family members came out to the game to cheer on Korczynski.
“The dates on the calendar have been circled ever since the schedule arrived. It is very special to us. We never saw him playing for Seattle in Saskatoon,” Patenoud said.
Kevin’s teammate, goalkeeper Scott Ratzlaff, also has Saskatoon ties. His father and grandfather are from the city of Rostern, Sask, which is about 45 minutes north of Saskatoon on Highway 11.
“I love the support. Looking forward to it. I know there will be a lot of Ratzlaff family in the stands for the game. Appreciate all the support,” Ratzlaff said.
It was also Ratzlaff’s first time playing in Saskatoon. His father, Gordon, said that his grandfather had seen him in Saskatoon and Prince Albert. They share a special bond, as his grandfather was also a goalkeeper.
“I think it’s pretty exciting, especially for his grandfather. He’s very close to his grandfather. He’s growing up there and these days when he’s playing he’s got a chance to visit or see Scott Don’t get it,” said Gordon Ratzlaff.
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Both had also won gold medals last year. Ratzlaff won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky event and Korczynski won gold at the World Junior Championships.
“He’s a great goaltender, Ratzy. We’re incredibly grateful to have him in net because we know he’ll make the saves when we need him. He’s a great teammate too,” said Korczynski.
“He (Kevin) is a great leader on the ice and in the dressing room,” Ratzlaff said. “It is great that he is one of our captains who leads by example every day. He cares for his teammates.”
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The Thunderbirds were loaded with talent at the WHL’s most recent trade deadline in mid-January, allowing them to claim the top offensive team in the Western Conference and the top defensive teams in the league.
Ratzlaff and Korchinsky are aiming to take this team to the promised land and rewrite the script on how last season ended after losing to Edmonton in the WHL finals.
And not only that but lead this team to Memorial Cup victory.
Brady Ratzlaff of Global News is Scott Ratzlaff’s cousin. ,
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