2019-20 Rookie of the Year – Conner Roulette
Left wing Conner Roulette had 19 goals and 20 assists for 39 points in his rookie season as a T-Bird. The 16-year old from Winnipeg was third on the team in scoring this past season.
“Conner had a stellar rookie campaign for the T-Birds. He was able to represent Canada at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, registering 2 goals in 4 games for Canada Red. As an avid learner, his thirst to improve everyday helped him go from four points and a -2 in his first 14 WHL games to 35 points and a +15 over his final 40 games. Conner has a fantastic work ethic, skill set, and love for the game, and it showed this season. At just 16-years old, Conner finished second on the team in points per game and led the team in plus/minus by 8. The Thunderbirds organization is proud of all that Conner accomplished this season,” said T-Birds Assistant Coach Castan Summer.
Roulette scored his first career WHL goal on October 2 at Kamloops.
Roulette registered his first hat trick, in only sixth career game, on October 5 against Victoria in a 5-3 win. Roulette’s third goal clinched the win for the T-Birds and came in unusual fashion. Victoria goalie Brock Gould was on the bench for an extra attacker and Roulette got to a loose puck in the neutral zone and headed up ice on a breakaway. Roulette was pulled down from behind on the breakaway with the net empty and the referees awarded him the goal.
On October 16 general manager Bil La Forge announced Roulette, along with Kai Uchacz and Thomas Milic, had been selected to play for Team Canada at the 2019 U-17 World Hockey Challenge. On November 2 Roulette was named an assistant captain for Team Black at the tournament.
Conner Roulette has been named an assistant captain for Team Canada Red at the World U17 Challenge.
Congratulations Conner! https://t.co/tOfOSemq5w
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) November 2, 2019
Roulette had two goals in four games played at the tournament for Team Black.
Roulette scored the teddy bear toss goal on January 11 against Everett in the annual Fred Meyer Teddy Bear Toss presented by WARM 106.9 FM. Roulette knocked the puck out of midair and past Everett goalie Dustin Wolf.
GAME RECAP | T-Birds Toss Tips https://t.co/Mk8AoMI1FF pic.twitter.com/ivoU6aZ78M
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) January 12, 2020
On March 21 Roulette was named the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council Male Athlete of the Year. Roulette received the award during Sport Manitoba’s Night of Champions.
📺 Conner Roulette has been named the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council (MASRC) male athlete of the year.
👀 🔗 https://t.co/jrxu7YM0cL pic.twitter.com/7clt5kSFXn— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) March 23, 2020
