Thunderbirds acquire Jesse Swanson from Hat Tricks

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. –The Twin City Thunderbirds have acquired 6’8”, 255 lb. forward Jesse Swanson and a player to be named later from the Danbury Hat Tricks for defenseman Seth Coulter and financial considerations. Swanson appeared in two games last season for the Hat Tricks and recorded thirty-seven penalty minutes.

Jesse Swanson, 23, Forward, of Big River, Saskatchewan, has skated in fourteen career FPHL regular-season games with Danbury, the Elmira River Sharks, and Hudson Valley Venom, recording one assist and one hundred and fifty-eight penalty minutes. Swanson began his professional career with Elmira during the 2023-2024 season before joining Hudson Valley in 2024-2025. He most recently played for the Frontier Flyers of the White Mud Hockey League, scoring three goals in two games. Prior to professional hockey, Swanson played for the Edson Eagles (GMHL, Edson, Alberta), leading the team with forty-six goals and thirty-seven assists for eighty-three points in twenty-one games during the 2022-2023 season. He added six goals and seven assists for thirteen points in five postseason appearances. Swanson’s junior career also included time with the Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL, Oliver Paipoonge, Ontario). He is 6’8”, 255 lbs., and is a lefthanded shot.

Seth Coulter, 25, Defenseman, of Stoney Creek, Ontario, played four seasons collegiately at Niagara University (ACHA DI, Lewiston, New York). Coulter scored four goals and recorded ten assists for fourteen total points in twenty-four games during the 2025-2026 season. He appeared in one hundred and six collegiate games for Niagara, scoring twelve goals and recording twenty-five assists for thirty-seven total points. Prior to college, Coulter played three seasons in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) with the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners and Greater Sudbury Cubs. He scored seven goals and recorded fifty assists for fifty-seven total points in one hundred and one NOJHL regular-season games. Coulter produced five goals and thirty-three assists for thirty-eight total points in forty-six games during his final junior season, finishing fifth among NOJHL defensemen in scoring and earning 2021-2022 NOJHL Second Team All-Star honors. His junior career also included time with the Brampton Bombers and Thorold Blackhawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL). He is 6’2”, 185 lbs., and is a righthanded shot.