Calvin Pickard/Photo: David Pitcher/Seattle Thunderbirds

According to a Seattle Thunderbirds news release, Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team is one of two under-18 teams that Hockey Canada assembles during each season. Calvin is also one of two players from Manitoba, and one of 7 players from the WHL to make the team. The other Manitoba player is Quinton Howden from Oakbank, who plays for the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL). The other WHL players are: Mark Pysyk (Edmonton Oil Kings); Alexander Petrovic (Red Deer Rebels); Brad Ross (Portland Winter Hawks); Brett Connolly (Prince George Cougars); and Jordan Weal (Regina Pats).

The team is coached by Bob Boughner from the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) and assisted by Chris DiPiero (Oshawa Generals - OHL) and Mark Holick (Kootenay Ice - WHL). Click here for the complete roster.

Calvin wrapped up a stellar rookie season with the T-Birds. He notched a 23-16-1-4 record and had 3 shutouts as a 16 year old. He ended with an impressive save percentage of .896. This season, he will share goaltending duties with Jacob DeSerres.

To read more about what makes Calvin Pickard tick, click here for a link to an interview he did with us last season.

Now, some more info about T-Birds' ticket sales and the upcoming season, courtesy of Ian Henry, Director of Public and Media Relations:

The T-Birds will take on the Everett Silvertips on Friday, September 18, at 7:35 p.m. in their first game of the season. They will host the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday, September 19, at 7:05 p.m. Both games are at ShoWare Center in Kent.

T-Birds single game tickets for the 2009-10 season will go on sale on Wednesday, August 19, at 10 a.m. online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com and at the ShoWare Center box office.

The T-Birds tentative schedule will become final on August 10.

T-Birds season tickets for the 2009-10 season are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825. You can also get more information by going to www.seattlethunderbirds.com.