The Lethbridge Hurricanes have acquired 2004-born forward Jordan Gustafson from the Seattle Thunderbirds. In exchange, Seattle receives 2004-born forward Hayden Pakkala, a fifth-round draft pick in 2025, a third-round draft pick in 2026 and a third-round draft pick in the 2028 WHL Prospects Draft.
Gustafson, 20, was originally drafted in the first-round (eighth overall) in the WHL Draft by the Thunderbirds. The skater from Ardrossan, Alberta has appeared in 154 regular season games in the WHL, securing 127 points, along with 56 penalty minutes.
Gustafson has appeared in 34 career playoff games, notching 20 points, along with eight penalty minutes. He helped Seattle win the 2023 Ed Chynoweth Cup. He added three points in five Memorial Cup games in 2023.
“We are thrilled to be able to add Jordan to our group,” says Hurricanes general manager Peter Anholt. “His experience having played in two WHL finals, winning in 2023 and his ability to produce at our level is something we coveted and are really happy to be able to add him to our forward group.”
Gustafson was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the third-round (79th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft and was signed to a three-year entry-level contract in November 2023.
He served as captain for the Thunderbirds and skated in 32 regular season games in 2023-2024, collecting 28 points and 16 penalty minutes. Gustafson had a career-high 52 points during the 2021- 2022 season. The overage forward has appeared in two WHL Championship Series, in 2022 and 2023.
