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Seabrook consistent with Lethbridge
Written by: Aaron Vickers on 11/07/2004 
And he's put on some pretty prestigious jerseys.
In June of 2003, Seabrook heard his name echo through the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee, as the Chicago Blackhawks came calling on him as part of an effort to rebuild their storied franchise. As one of the top defensemen coming out of the Western Hockey League, Seabrook heard his name called surprisingly early, at 14th overall.
"I was just thrilled," an enthused Seabrook recalled this past weekend. "Going that high, I didn't expect it. I just felt great, and was really excited and really pleased to pull that jersey over my head."
Going to such a storied franchise wasn't lost on the youngster, either.
"With the jersey they have and the background they have with guys playing over the years, just some great guys in the past and the present. Just to be drafted to that organization, an original six team, it’s a great honor."
Pulling on the familiar Blackhawk logo over his head was one memory that the 6'3, 220lb Seabrook said soon wouldn't escape his mind, but it was when the conversation turned to the Canadian Maple Leaf, not the Blackhawk, that Seabrook seemed most excited.
The Seabrook residence boasts a collection of Team Canada jerseys that is matched by only a few of this country's elite junior hockey players. Seabrook, who skates with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League, has collected national jerseys, and international recognition, at every stage of his young career.
It was Seabrook in 2002 who captained his Canadian squad in the 8 Nations Tournament, a series of games that saw Team Canada defeat the Czech Republic for the Gold Medal. Many months after that, it was Seabrook who would drape his country's flag on his chest once again, and wear a letter near his heart. It was again under Seabrook's leadership, in an associate captain’s role, that the Canadian squad would again be victorious, this time defeating Slovakia to capture the 2003 World Under-18 Championships.
So it seemed as though, with such a successful string of victories for Seabrook and his fellow 1985-born players, that the one thing that had eluded Canadian hockey in recent memory would soon be theirs - the World Junior Hockey Championship. Unfortunately for Seabrook, his teammates, and a nation, history denied the young Canadians the chance to drape a gold medal around their necks.
"With my experiences last year we had a great team and a lot of fun, and we all felt we should've won that game," a somber Lethbridge Hurricanes captain said.
"Everyone says, 'You've won a silver medal,’ but when it happened, and even now, it still feels like we lost the gold.
Seabrook and his teammates returned to their respective junior clubs with gold in their hearts, but silver in their hands.
While Seabrook made it clear that nothing would be a given with Team Canada Head Coach Brent Sutter in regards to roster positions for those that were a part of the team last season, he has hopes of returning to the international stage to set things right, a motivation that has certainly sparked the Chicago Blackhawks prospect.
"First and foremost I'm just glad to have the opportunity to try out again and hopefully come December I get the good news," explained Seabrook.
"Going into it this year, we still have the taste of gold in our mouths, and should have 12 or 13 returning players eligible to return this year. If we get another shot, we aren't going to let it slip away this year."
"We are looking forward to getting back to that final game, hopefully, and just trying to get the gold – for Canada."
Beyond the upcoming World Juniors, Seabrook is looking forward to joining the many other talented defensive prospects in the Chicago organization.
“The guys they’ve got in the organization are as talented as any around, and I’m looking forward to hopefully being a part of that and growing with the organization.”
He’s getting good training for the pro game from Lethbridge head coach Lindsay Hofford.
“Hopefully I get the opportunity to jump up into the next level and it’ll be a great opportunity for me,” Seabrook said. “Lindsay is giving me plenty of opportunities and a lot of help with stuff I have to work on to become a pro player. Lindsay’s coached a lot of professional hockey players. All the help he’s giving me is great, and hopefully I’ll take it and move on.”
Seabrook leads Lethbridge defensemen in scoring with 12 points in 19 games, with a -7. His 57 penalty minutes lead the team.
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.