Thunderbirds prospect Eric Fawkes loaded with potential
Aug 23, 2017, 12:39 PM
KENT — The Seattle Thunderbirds kicked off training camp Wednesday morning with a lot of new faces on the ice.
The WHL Champs have lost six of its core players from last year’s squad and are in many ways, a team in transition. One young player who could have a future impact on the team’s success is prospect Eric Fawkes from Winnipeg.
Fawkes was Seattle’s second-round selection in the 2016 Bantam Draft and is a big, strong, power-forward who possesses a ton of offensive skill. In Wednesday’s early sessions he helped Team Blue earn victories in their first two scrimmages of camp.
“We’re 2-0, the Blue Team, so I’m happy about that,” he said Wednesday morning. “I think we’re playing well as a team. The camp has been really good so far.”
This is Fawkes second camp with the Thunderbirds as he attended last fall as a 15-year-old. He wasn’t eligible to play for Seattle then, but has a chance to make the club this year. After camp last year he returned to Winnipeg to play for the Winnipeg Wild’s Midget club. With the Wild he scored 10 goals while adding 31 assists in 40 games.
Fawkes has the look of a power-forward, but one that is more than just a physical presence.
“I like to use my body and make plays,” he said about his style of play. “I think I have some skill but I can use my body as I need to down low.”
While a Winnipeg Jets fan, Fawkes likes the way Buffalo Sabres’ star Jack Eichel plays the game and tries to model his play after the former number two overall NHL pick.
Fawkes has yet to officially sign with the Thunderbirds but will use his experience in camp to help make up his mind about which route is the best for his hockey future.
“I think I’m going to see, as camp progresses, how I do against the older guys,” he said. “If I feel ready I’ll make the decision.”
One thing that has helped is already having one year of training camp under his belt.
“It’s been a lot easier,” he said about his second camp. “Just knowing the area and knowing the rink. More familiar with the guys, it’s starting to feel like home.”
The T-Birds are hoping that it does become home for Fawkes as they have only one draft pick from the 2016 class signed. Defenseman Jake Lee was Seattle’s top pick in 2016 and he has signed. Nakodan Greyeyes, who is a skilled center, was Seattle’s sixth-round draft pick in 2016 and is also unsigned but is in camp this week.
While these players won’t make up for the loss of players like Mathew Barzal, Ryan Gropp and Keegan Kolesar this season, they have the potential to make up a strong nucleus for the Thunderbirds’ future.