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Thunderbirds alternate captain Pilling commits to University of St. Thomas

Kent, Wash.- Seattle Thunderbirds alternate captain Nathan Pilling has announced his commitment to the University of St. Thomas.

The 20-year-old will join the Tommies for the 2025-26 season after wrapping up his final WHL campaign.

“I’m very excited to announce my Commitment to the University of St. Thomas next year,” Pilling said. “I’d like to thank my coaches, management, teammates and billets for all the support they’ve given me in my career.”

Pilling, from Calgary, Alta., has set new career highs in his second season with the Thunderbirds.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound winger has 20 goals (including two game-winners) and 17 assists for 37 points in 42 games, highlighted by his first WHL hat trick against Tri-City on October 8, 2024, and a two-goal, two-assist effort to down the Vancouver Giants on January 21, 2025.

“Nathan has completed his Western Hockey League eligibility and is looking for his next challenge in the game,” Thunderbirds General Manager Bil La Forge said. “He has been a tremendous Thunderbird and we look forward to following him into his next chapter.”

Pilling was listed by the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2021 and spent parts of two seasons in the Friendly City before being acquired by the Edmonton Oil Kings ahead of the 2023 WHL Trade Deadline. He joined the Thunderbirds in 2023-24 and has since embraced a leadership role on the squad while finding a new gear in his offensive game.

He’s scored 53 goals and 43 assists for 96 points in 187 regular-season WHL games.

Pilling will try to get closer to the century mark as the Thunderbirds (16-27-2-1) open a three-game homestand against the cross-border rival Vancouver Giants (23-17-6-0) on Friday, January 31 at 7:05 p.m. PST.

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