The AquaSox’s Bryson Brigman fields a grounder during a practice Thursday afternoon at Everett Memorial Stadium.

The AquaSox’s Bryson Brigman fields a grounder during a practice Thursday afternoon at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Silvertips or AquaSox? Brigman was standout hockey player in youth

EVERETT — Perhaps fate always dictated that Bryson Brigman would wind up playing in Everett.

The only question was the sport.

The Seattle Mariners’ third-round draft pick in last week’s Major League Baseball draft was a standout hockey player as a youth in his native California when he competed for the Los Angeles Selects program during his seventh, eighth and ninth grade years.

The Western Hockey League includes California players, so it is possible that Brigman could have wound up skating at Xfinity Arena rather than playing at Everett Memorial Stadium for the AquaSox had he chosen to pursue hockey instead of baseball.

“(The) WHL was definitely something I was considering,” said Brigman, a shortstop out of the University of San Diego. “Obviously it was still early for me — eighth grade and freshman year — but yeah, it’s cool to be able to have (the Silvertips) right here, right down the street. I’m definitely going to head over and catch a couple games.”

During his hockey-playing years Brigman would attend classes back home in San Jose three days a week while flying to Los Angeles on weekends to play right wing and center with the Selects.

“(I was) not really a great dangler — more of a grinder,” Brigman said with a grin. “Hitting guys, knocking guys off the puck, standing in front of the goalie and making something happen and getting those garbage goals.”

By the time he was a sophomore Brigman had to choose between remaining enrolled and playing baseball at San Jose’s Valley Christian or pursuing hockey.

He chose to remain in San Jose.

“Hockey was always kind of a secondary sport for me, something to keep me from getting burned out on baseball at a young age,” Brigman said. “The main goal was always baseball, so it wasn’t too tough of a decision. But I love hockey. Completely different game, whole different deal, but I’ve always loved baseball No. 1 from the get-go, so it wasn’t too tough of a decision.”

After high school Brigman starred for two years for the Toreros at USD before the Mariners took him 87th overall last week.

“I loved the school,” Brigman said of USD, which competes against the likes of Gonzaga, Portland and St. Mary’s in the West Coast Conference. “I kind of wanted a smaller school and I loved the field and the facilities and everything and I thought it was a great spot.”

Brigman’s baseball pedigree is strong. His father, Vince, played at WCC rival Pacific before arm injuries derailed his career, and younger brother Keenan just redshirted his freshman season at the Stockton, Calif., school.

Younger brother Dawson recently completed his sophomore year at Valley Christian and has already committed to play for Cal, while Coleman, the youngest brother, just finished his freshman year and is already getting looks from major programs.

“(Coleman) is probably going to be the best out of all of us,” Bryson quipped.

That’s still a long way off. Bryson gets first crack at professional baseball glory of the Brigman brothers, and that will likely come Friday night as the AquaSox open their season at Pasco’s Gesa Stadium against the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Brigman said he’ll miss his USD teammates and playing in San Diego. But if he makes it to the big leagues with the Mariners he’s guaranteed to play at least a series per season at Petco Park.

“I was really ready to get my career started and everything, so it didn’t really take too much convincing (to sign),” he said. “I had a great deal going over at San Diego, so I’m definitely going to miss that and miss all my teammates out there. San Diego, like I said before, is a great place to play baseball, so I’ll definitely miss it. But I wanted to get my career going.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.