Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Calvin Pickard has been named to Hockey Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team.

This team will represent Canada at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia from August 11 to August 15.

Last season was Pickard’s first with the T-Birds. He finished his rookie campaign with a 23-16-1-4 record with three shutouts. He had a goals against average of 3.05 and a save percentage of .896.

Pickard is one of two players from Manitoba and one of seven players from the WHL on the 22-player roster.

Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team is one of two under-18 teams that Hockey Canada assembles during each season.

The T-Birds will take on the Everett Silvertips on Friday, September 18, at 7:35 p.m. in their first game of the season. They will host the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday, September 19, at 7:05 p.m. Both games are at ShoWare Center in Kent.

T-Birds single game tickets for the 2009-10 season will go on sale on Wednesday, August 19, at 10 a.m. online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com and at the ShoWare Center box office.

The T-Birds tentative schedule will become final on August 10.

T-Birds season tickets for the 2009-10 season are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.