November 22, 2008 KENT — Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell today announced the team has signed Colin Jacobs to a WHL Contract.

Jacobs, a 6’2, 190-pound power forward from Coppell, Texas, was a fourth round selection, 67th overall, by the T-Birds in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. He currently plays for the Dallas Stars U-16 Midget AAA team.

“Colin is one of the top 1993 born players in the United States and his commitment is a major addition for the Thunderbirds future,” said T-Birds Director of Player Personnel Colin Alexander. “There is no doubt he would have gone very high in last year’s WHL Bantam Draft. But sometimes recruiting American born players is not always assured, so we were fortunate to be able to select him in the fourth round.”


“Colin is a very focused and driven player and he joins the Thunderbirds with a very clear set of goals and expectations towards his career. We are excited to have him commit to the Thunderbirds and join us for next season,” said Farwell.

“I am extremely happy and very overwhelmed to sign with the T-Birds,” said Jacobs from his home in Coppell. “It’s an honor to say that I am a Seattle Thunderbird. It was a very long decision. We looked at all our options, including touring the US National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. I went to WHL games, watched games on the Internet and talked to current players in the league and I felt that major-junior was the right route for me.”

Murray Kuntz, from CAA Sports is Jacobs agent. Kuntz had this to say about his client’s signing with the T-Birds: “Colin is a highly sought after prospect. We took the time to look at every option. Colin and his family felt that with the team’s history of developing players and their coaching staff, Seattle was a perfect fit. Seattle handled things very professionally. They gave Colin the necessary time to make the decision and everything worked out for the best in the end.”

“I think more and more top end American players are realizing that major junior hockey provides them the best route to continue their development at the highest level through their junior years. It’s more than just the exposure they receive by NHL scouts. Players in the WHL play with and against the top juniors in North America in an environment that helps them learn and develop a pro style game, which will help them transition into pro hockey more seamlessly,” continued Alexander.


The Dallas Stars (NHL) website did an extensive story on Jacobs in December of 2007 that can be found by going to this web address: http://stars.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=347510&page=NewsPage&service=page