Shop local. Stay local. Play local.
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have been playing the local theme thus far this off season.
To be sure, the Thunderbirds now have commitments from six local skaters — four returnees and two newcomers — ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
The returning veterans are forwards Avery Rebek, Cooper Smyl, Brock Santa Maria and Kurtis Rogers.
The newcomers to the Bird house are forwards Michael Chaffay and Ty Zachary.
Rebek netted 15 goals, 27 assists, 42 points for the Thunderbirds in 2019-2020.
Next up, Smyl produced 16-15-31 totals, Santa Maria came through with 7-12-19 statistics and Rogers chipped in with 11-3-14 numbers.
Rebek has a 2000 birth date, Rogers was born in 2001, while Smyl and Santa Maria both have 2002 birth dates.
As for Chaffay and Zachary, they both spent the 2019-2020 season with the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Midget Hockey League and were among their top producers.
Chaffay was second on the Jr. Greyhounds and fifth in league scoring in 2019-2020 with 34 goals, 19 assists, 53 points.
And Zachary was fourth on the Jr. Greyhounds scoring chart and 15th in league scoring in 2019-2020 with 11 goals, 28 assists, 39 points.
Both have 2002 birth dates.
Randy Russon’s media career began in October, 1975 at CKCY Radio in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. He joined Sault This Week in February, 1982 and has been its primary sportswriter ever since. Besides writing for Sault This Week and Hockey News North, Russon hosts the weekly Hockey North Show on ESPN 1400 Radio.
- NOJHL Changes Playoff Format - July 4, 2024
- Jeremy Rebek takes the helm as new head coach of NOJHL’s Soo Eagles - May 14, 2024
- Hounds Exit to Soo Indians - April 30, 2023
