There’s little doubt the reason the Seattle Thunderbirds are poised for another run at a Western Hockey League title is the team captain that hasn’t always been around.
Mathew Barzal spent the season’s first six weeks with the New York Islanders, had a winter stint with Team Canada’s juniors and missed the opening round of the WHL playoffs following a bout with the mumps. But the 19-year-old center from Coquitlam, B.C., returned for Round 2 against the Everett Silvertips and — as he has all season when actually in a Thunderbirds uniform — lifted his team when most needed.