| Soo Thunderbirds | |
|---|---|
| City | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada |
| League | Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League |
| Division | Western |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Home arena | John Rhodes Community Centre |
| Colours | Orange, blue, and white |
| Owner(s) | Trevor Daley Cole Jarrett Lee-Anne Jarrett |
| General manager | Jamie Henderson |
| Head coach | Cole Jarrett |
| Affiliate | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1999–2002 | Soo Thunderbirds |
| 2002–2003 | Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds |
| 2003–present | Soo Thunderbirds |
| Championships | |
| Playoff championships | 5: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2022 |
The Soo Thunderbirds are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL).
History
Soo Thunderbirds first came into being as a junior hockey program in from 1978 to 1982 through a group started by the late Zoltan Kovacs, Sr.[1] Zoltan, who emigrated to Canada from Hungary in 1956, started the Thunderbirds of the former International Junior B Hockey League to keep more young hockey players at home.[2][3] Abbie Carricato coached the Thunderbirds during Zoltan's ownership period (1978-1982).[4] The Thunderbirds won three IJHL championships during Zoltan's ownership. The IJHL later folded.
The Soo Thunderbirds announced they would become the Soo Jr. Greyhounds for 2002–03 to establish closer relations with the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. This only lasted one season and became the Soo Thunderbirds once again.
In 2012, the Thunderbirds won the NOJHL League Championship as well as the coveted Dudley Hewitt Cup. They went on to play at the Royal Bank Cup in Humboldt, Saskatchewan where they lost in the semifinals. The Thunderbirds won NOJHL titles back-to-back in 2014–15 and 2015–16. In 2015, the Thunderbirds would again win the Dudley Hewitt Cup but lose in the finals in 2016.
Following the 2015–16 season and Dudley Hewitt Cup campaign, it was announced that owner, Albert Giommi, had sold the organization to a group called The Tech 921 Ltd., led by former National Hockey League player and Ontario Hockey League coach, Denny Lambert.[5] Following the sale, general manager Jamie Henderson and team president Kevin Cain both resigned.[6] Head coach Jordan Smith was later also assigned the general manager position.[7]
In 2017, the team was struggling financially and the ownership had not committed playing the 2017–18 season.[8] On March 17, local businessman Darren Smyl took over operations of the Thunderbirds in order to keep the team from leaving.[9] However, general manager and head coach Jordan Smith would move on to become the associate coach of the Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League.[10] Smith would be replaced by John Parco, a local who played most of his professional career in Europe and had been coaching SG Cortina in Italy. The Thunderbirds also changed rinks and moved into the John Rhodes Community Centre after playing at the Essar Centre. With the ownership change, the Thunderbirds updated to a new color scheme and logo in blue, orange, and white.
In 2021, Smyl sold the team to an ownership composed of former NHL player Trevor Daley, longtime professional player Cole Jarrett, and Lee-Anne Jarrett. Cole took over as head coach of the team and Jamie Henderson was brought back as general manager.[11][12]
Season-by-season results
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Result | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soo Thunderbirds | ||||||||||
| 1999–00 | 40 | 22 | 15 | 3 | — | 184 | 145 | 47 | 3rd NOJHL | |
| 2000–01 | 40 | 33 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 240 | 95 | 69 | 2nd NOJHL | Lost final |
| 2001–02 | 42 | 35 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 347 | 122 | 72 | 2nd NOJHL | Lost final |
| Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds | ||||||||||
| 2002–03 | 48 | 35 | 11 | 2 | — | 305 | 161 | 72 | 2nd NOJHL | Lost final |
| Soo Thunderbirds | ||||||||||
| 2003–04 | 48 | 31 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 266 | 155 | 70 | 2nd NOJHL | Lost final |
| 2004–05 | 48 | 26 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 206 | 175 | 57 | 5th NOJHL | Lost semi-final |
| 2005–06 | 48 | 31 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 220 | 165 | 63 | 2nd NOJHL | Lost semi-final |
| 2006–07 | 48 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 170 | 184 | 48 | 5th NOJHL | Lost semi-final |
| 2007–08 | 50 | 33 | 9 | — | 8 | 206 | 145 | 101 | 1st NOJHL | Lost final |
| 2008–09 | 50 | 35 | 14 | — | 1 | 244 | 153 | 71 | 2nd NOJHL | Won League |
| 2009–10 | 50 | 33 | 14 | — | 3 | 253 | 154 | 69 | 3rd NOJHL | Lost final |
| 2010–11 | 50 | 38 | 9 | — | 3 | 244 | 144 | 79 | 1st NOJHL | Lost semi-final |
| 2011–12 | 50 | 38 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 245 | 156 | 83 | 1st NOJHL | Won League Won Dudley Hewitt Cup |
| 2012–13 | 48 | 33 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 223 | 123 | 72 | 2nd NOJHL | Lost final |
| 2013–14 | 56 | 48 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 245 | 102 | 99 | 1st NOJHL | Lost final |
| 2014–15 | 52 | 48 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 271 | 130 | 83 | 1st of 4, West 1st of 9, NOJHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 vs. Blind River Beavers Won Div. Finals, 4–1 vs. Elliot Lake Wildcats Won League Finals, 4–1 vs. Cochrane Crunch LEAGUE CHAMPIONS |
| 2015–16 | 54 | 47 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 245 | 93 | 95 | 1st of 6, West 1st of 12, NOJHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 vs. Soo Eagles Won Div. Finals, 4–1 vs. Elliot Lake Wildcats Won League Finals, 4–0 vs. Kirkland Lake Gold Miners LEAGUE CHAMPIONS |
| 2016–17 | 56 | 43 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 232 | 134 | 88 | 1st of 6, West 2nd of 12, NOJHL | Lost div. semi-finals, 0–4 vs. Soo Eagles |
| 2017–18 | 56 | 36 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 195 | 134 | 76 | 2nd of 6, West 3rd of 12, NOJHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–3 vs. Soo Eagles Lost Div. Finals, 2–4 vs. Rayside-Balfour Canadians |
| 2018–19 | 56 | 44 | 11 | — | 1 | 221 | 145 | 89 | 1st of 6, West 1st of 12, NOJHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 vs. Blind River Beavers Won Div. Finals, 4–2 vs. Rayside-Balfour Canadians Lost League Finals, 3–4 vs. Hearst Lumberjacks |
| 2019–20 | 56 | 30 | 19 | — | 7 | 220 | 166 | 67 | 3rd of 6, West 6th of 12, NOJHL | Postseason cancelled |
| 2020–21 | 21 | 13 | 6 | — | 2 | 99 | 71 | 28 | 1st of 5, West 2nd of 9, NOJHL | No playoffs were held |
Dudley Hewitt Cup
Central Canada Championships
Winners of the NOJHL, OJHL, SIJHL, and Host
Round robin play with 2nd vs 3rd in semi-final to advance against 1st in the finals.
| Year | Round Robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Gold Medal Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | L, Fort William North Stars (SIJHL) 0-2 L, Schreiber Diesels (SIJHL/Host) 0-2 L, Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL) 0-3 | 0-0-3 | 4th of 4 | Did not advance | |
| 2012 | OTW, Wisconsin Wilderness (SIJHL) 4-3 W, Thunder Bay North Stars (Host) 4-3 L, Stouffville Spirit (OJHL) 2-10 | 2-1-0 | 2nd of 4 | W, Thunder Bay North Stars 8-5 | W, Stouffville Spirit 5-3 Dudley Hewitt Cup Champions |
| 2015 | W, Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL) 8-1 W, Fort Frances Lakers (Host) 6-3 OTL, Toronto Patriots (OJHL) 3-4 | 2-0-1 | 1st of 4 | n/a | W, Fort Frances Lakers 6-3 Dudley Hewitt Cup Champions |
| 2016 | L, Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) 2-4 W, Fort Frances Lakers 6-5 W, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (Host) 3-2 | 2-1-0 | 2nd of 4 | W, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 4-1 | L, Trenton Golden Hawks 0-4 |
Royal Bank Cup
CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dudley Hewitt Champions - Central, Fred Page Champions - Eastern, Western Canada Cup Champions - Western, Western Canada Cup - Runners Up and Host
Round robin play with top 4 in semi-final and winners to finals.
| Year | Round Robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Gold Medal Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | W, Penticton Vees 2-1 2OTL, Portage Terriers 3-4 L, Humboldt Broncos 0-3 W, Woodstock Slammers 7-4 | 2-2 | 2nd of 5 | L, Penticton Vees 0-3 | n/a |
| 2015 | L, Carleton Place Canadians 0-4 L, Melfort Mustangs 3-5 L, Portage Terriers 2-7 L, Penticton Vees 2-5 | 0-4-0 | 5th of 5 | Did not advance | |
References
- ↑ "ThunderBirds look to restore the lore". Sault This Week. 1 May 2012.
- ↑ "Former Thunderbird, Dave Antonello, Walks Down Memory Land; Team Holding Alumni Night March 9". NOJHL. 14 February 2013.
- ↑ "Thunderbirds Alumni Profile: Carlo DiCandia". EUPnews. 21 February 2013.
- ↑ "New Horizons". Junior Hockey News. 26 May 2013.
- ↑ "What is next for Soo Thunderbirds hockey staff?". Sault This Week. 10 May 2016.
- ↑ "Big changes in Soo Thunderbirds organization". Sault Star. 18 May 2016.
- ↑ "Double Duty for Smith". Junior Hockey News. 1 June 2016.
- ↑ "First place, uncertain future for Soo Thunderbirds". Sault This Week. February 27, 2017.
- ↑ "New Thunderbirds ownership in place". Soo Today. March 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Former head coach/GM of the NOJHL's Soo Thunderbirds happy to stay North". Sault Star. 5 July 2017.
- ↑ "NOJHL approves sale of Soo Thunderbirds franchise". NOJHL. April 30, 2021.
- ↑ "New Thunderbirds ownership group has NHL connection". Soo Today. April 30, 2021.