Thunderbirds sign seven players

By Matt Stefano

The Soo Thunderbirds hockey club is proud to announce that they have signed seven players for the 2017-2018 season.

Seven of those players include Caleb Wood, Steven Bellini, Bradon Caruso, Nolan Ford, Justin Ryyppo, Kelly Quevillon, and Tanner Mayne.

CALEB WOOD

Wood, who stands 5’11 and 165 lbs, spent the 2016-2017 season with the GNML’s Soo Greyhounds, where he finished fourth in team scoring, putting up 32 goals and 55 points through 36 regular season games.

During the 2016-2017 season, Wood also suited up in four games with the Soo Thunderbirds, where he recorded three points.

All three of his points (1g 2a) were recorded in his first career NOJHL game on November 16th, 2016, when the Thunderbirds defeated the Elliot Lake Wildcats 6-2 at the Essar Centre.

He was also named first star of the game.

The 17 year old forward was also selected by the Soo Greyhounds in the 5th round (95th overall) during the 2017 OHL U18 Priority Selection.

STEVEN BELLINI

Defenceman Steven Bellini, who stands 5’9 and 165 lbs, spent last season with the GNML’s Soo Greyhounds, where he recorded 1 goal and 23 points through 35 regular season games played.

BRADON CARUSO

Caruso, who served as an assistant captain of the GNML’s Soo Greyhounds last season, recorded 27 points through 31 regular season games.

Caruso, who stands 6’0 and 185 lbs, also suited up for nine games with the Soo Thunderbirds during the 2016-2017 regular season, where he recorded 1 goal and 2 penalty minutes, before suiting up for two games with the Thunderbirds during the 2017 postseason.

He scored his first career NOJHL goal on March 5th, 2017, in a 7-0 win over the Rayside Balfour Canadians at the Essar Centre.

The 17 year old defenceman was also selected in the 2nd round (22nd overall) by the Guelph Storm during the 2017 OHL U18 Priority Selection.

The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native is also the cousin of former Thunderbirds Matt and Mike Caruso.

NOLAN FORD

The 18 year old defenceman from Richards Landing, Ontario, spent last season with the GNML’s Soo Greyhounds, where he finished fifth in team scoring, putting up 29 points through 36 regular season games.

Ford stands 5’9 and 141 lbs.

JUSTIN RYYPPO

The 18 year old defenceman from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, played 12 games last season with the GNML’s Soo Greyhounds, where he recorded 1 assist.

Ryyppo, who stands 6’1 and 185 lbs, already has a bit of NOJHL experience in his hockey career, as he suited up for 17 career games played with the Soo Thunderbirds during the 2015-2016 & 2016-2017 seasons, and had recorded 3 assists.

KELLY QUEVILLON

Defenceman Kelly Quevillon, who stands 5’11 and 165 lbs, spent last season with the GNML’s Soo Greyhounds, where he recorded 5 goals and 17 points through 36 regular season games and led his team in penalty minutes (127).

The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native has already suited up in five career NOJHL games with the Soo Thunderbirds through the 2015-2016 & 2016-2017 seasons, recording two assists.

Both assists were recorded back on September 11th, 2016, in an 8-2 victory over the Elliot Lake Wildcats at the Essar Centre.

TANNER MAYNE

Forward Tanner Mayne, who spent last season with the ETAHL’s North Central Predators Midget AAA club, put up 13 points and 141 penalty minutes through 36 regular season games.

The Barrie, Ontario native stands 5’10 and 176 lbs.

The Soo Thunderbirds Hockey Club have made a commitment to building a solid program through a foundation of players and staff who are dedicated, hard working, and devoted to a successful season on and off the ice.

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