Keltie Jeri-Leon will play his last WHL game when Thunderbirds take on Spokane on Sunday

Keltie Jeri-Leon will play his last WHL game for the Thunderbirds on Sunday night. (Brian Liesse)

KENT – Seattle Thunderbirds forward Keltie Jeri-Leon stayed on the bench Saturday night after his team lost a 4-1 game to Everett Silvertips. The 20-year-old wasn’t injured, it took a moment. Saturday was Jeri-Leon’s 270th WHL game – regular season and playoffs – and Sunday will be the 271st and last he will play in junior hockey.

“I hate to lose, I’m really competitive,” said Jeri-Leon of his post-game moment. “One of those who beat our rivals for sure, but I was just trying to take it all in and enjoy it.”

Seattle is the fourth stop Jeri-Leon has made in his five-year career, but as Thunderbird he’s played his best hockey and has finally found a home.

A 2019 New Years deal brought him to the Thunderbirds and he made himself a valuable player to the organization on the ice and a vital leader.

“He was an incredible T-Bird,” said head coach Matt O’Dette on Saturday. “I can’t say enough about him. From day one he was just a high quality person and turned into a fucking hockey player. Developing his game into an elite goalscorer is just one testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft. He got to work, rubbing off the young people and helping to move our culture in the right direction. He influenced everyone in our locker room. “

Jeri-Leon flourished with the Thunderbirds last season.

He found chemistry with Henrik Rybinski and Connor Roulette and helped create a real goal line that the Thunderbirds badly needed. After not being a goalscorer, he worked on his shot and became a sniper who fired wrist shots at will and found the tight corners in the net. Jeri-Leon scored 23 goals and 41 points to reach career highs and was the only obsolete player in Seattle to come into the season to improve on his numbers.

Boy does he have.

On the way to the final on Sunday Jeri-Leon has 16 goals – including his third half, in which he did not score on Saturday evening – and 25 points. He averages 1.14 points per game, almost doubling his career best. At this rate he would collect 78 points in a normal full season.

Playing a shortened season of 23 games isn’t ideal, but Jeri-Leon made the most of his last chance this year.

“I have prayed and hoped to get another chance here to see what I can do,” he said.

He was a big part of the Thunderbirds attack that year and has teamed up with Rybinski again. Since players were injured or unable to compete in international tournaments, he was the glue. He was a leader and mentor to Seattle’s young roster, just as he was last season.

The season ends with no playoffs and no proper farewell, but Jeri-Leon can skate from ice skating on Sunday knowing he made an impression.

“It is unfortunate that last season is over and that this year is not a full season. This is not how your last year should go,” said O’Dette. “If you don’t get a playoff run, you’re playing the hand that was given to you and he came into the season with high expectations and high goals and he achieved it. He came out with the right attitude and delivered. “

The Thunderbirds posted a video on the team’s social media showing Jeri-Leon running off the ice after his last training session with the team on Friday afternoon. As he stepped off the ice, he glanced over his shoulder at the empty Accesso ShoWare Center.

He’s going to step on that ice one more time on Sunday to complete his career, a career that feels like it’s just beginning.

“It’s crazy how quickly five years go by,” said Jeri-Leon. “Everyone says enjoy it while it lasts, and it couldn’t be more truer. I am grateful for the last five years to have been able to play in this league, to be a regular in this league. Now I’m playing my last game in the league. You usually don’t know when the end is coming, so it’s different … it’ll be emotional. “

It’s also the team for Jeri-Leon’s last game of the season.

The young Thunderbirds have had a lot to do in this short season and will try to end it on a positive note. Jeri-Leon has dragged the team through its ups and downs this year and for the rest of the squad Sunday will be a huge strain to get another win.

“We played so hard all year,” said O’Dette. “We have a lot of character and a lot of perseverance. We’re competitors and we’re proud of the work we’ve done, and it’s about finishing it the same and the right way. We’ll let it all hang out. “

Seattle ends its season on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Accesso ShoWare Center.