Seattle Thunderbirds center Matthew Rempe has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers.

Rempe was selected by the Rangers in the sixth round, 165th overall, in the 2020 NHL Draft. In three seasons with the T-Birds in the Western Hockey League, Rempe has played in 65 games and has 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points. Seattle plays home games at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent.

“We are very excited for Matt and his family,” said T-Birds general manager Bil La Forge in a Nov. 3 press release. “Matt is an example of a player that was not selected in the WHL Prospects Draft, continued to persevere and play his way onto the NHL radar. The best part about Matt is that he knows the work he began with us at 15, with the Spruce Grove Saints at 16 and in Seattle since, is just the beginning.

“He has a very bright future going forward. I would also like to congratulate our coaches and the skill development of our skills coach, Steven Goertzen, on their work with Matthew. The Rangers have locked up a very good player and an even better person.”