For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds have signed forward Mekai Sanders to a WHL standard player contract.

Sanders, from Gig Harbor, was selected by the T-Birds in the ninth round, 186th overall, at the 2018 Bantam Draft in Red Deer, Alberta on May 3.

“Mekai is a very exciting player and we know we are very lucky to have been able to add him late in the draft like we did,” said Russ Farwell, T-Birds vice president of hockey operations. “This is the first local player with the potential to develop into one of our top players we have had since moving to Kent. All of our hockey staff were impressed with him and this is a big day for us as we build our team for the future.”

Sanders had six goals and 12 assists for 18 points in 20 games with the Detroit Compuware 14U team last season. Sanders took part in the team’s spring camp in Edmonton, Alberta, June 1-3.

“It feels amazing to sign with the Thunderbirds. I remember going to games when I was a kid and telling my parents I want to be like the players when I grow up,” Sanders said. “Knowing what I’ve worked for has finally come and I get to play for the team that I always watched as a kid, it’s pretty awesome.”

Prior to joining Compuware, Sanders played two years with the Seattle Junior Hockey Association and two years with the Sno-King Hockey Association.