By Matt Stefano
How many affiliate players do the Soo Thunderbirds have on their roster this season?
The answer is ten!
Those ten players are Gabe Palumbo, Jacob Smith, Hudson Chitaroni, Cole Cond, Callum McAuley, Declan Gallivan, Candon O’Neill, Evan Roach, Rylan Fellinger and Maverick Fletcher.
And with only five games remaining in the regular season, we’ve decided to take this time to look back at what some our affiliate players have accomplished.
GOAL FOR GABE
In one game played with the Soo Thunderbirds this season, forward Gabe Palumbo has scored one goal.
Palumbo scored his first NOJHL goal in his NOJHL debut with the Soo Thunderbirds back on November 19, 2022, in a home game against the Greater Sudbury Cubs at the John Rhodes.
Palumbo’s first NOJHL goal, came at the 10:47 mark of the second period, which at that time tied the game up at three.
Despite losing to the Cubs by a score of 6-3 that night, Palumbo was still named third star of the game.
SET UP BY SMITTY
In a home game against the Elliot Lake Red Wings back on December 14, forward Jacob Smith recorded one assist for his first career NOJHL point.
Smith’s first career NOJHL assist and point, came on Daniel Beaupre’s goal at the 15:56 mark of the first period, which at that time gave the Thunderbirds a 3-0 lead.
That game, Smith and the Thunderbirds went on to defeat the Elliot Lake Red Wings by a score of 6-1 at the John Rhodes.
So far this season, Smitty has played in a total of six games with the Soo Thunderbirds and has the one assist.
CALLUM AGAINST THE CRUNCH
In the Thunderbirds home game against the Cochrane Crunch back on February 18, forward Callum McAuley recorded a goal and an assist to help lead the Thunderbirds to a 15-1 victory over the Crunch at the John Rhodes.
McAuley’s first NOJHL goal, came at the 3:07 mark of the third period, which at that time made the score 11-1 for the Soo.
McAuley also drew an assist on a power play goal by Alex Remenda at the 19:43 mark of the second period, which at that time made the score 9-1.
In four games played this season with the Soo Thunderbirds, McAuley has a goal and an assist (Both against the Cochrane Crunch).
THREE POINTS IN FIVE GAMES
In five games played with the Soo Thunderbirds this season, defenceman Declan Gallivan has recorded 3 points, including 1 goal and 2 assists.
In his third game played with the Soo Thunderbirds back on December 2, 2022, Gallivan recorded one assist to help lead the Thunderbirds to a 10-2 victory over the Soo Eagles at the John Rhodes.
Gallivan’s first NOJHL assist, came on a goal by Samuel Lake at the 15:03 mark of the second period, which at that time put the Thunderbirds up 5-2.
Then, in his fifth game played with the Soo Thunderbirds back on February 16, Gallivan then recorded a goal and an assist to help lead the Thunderbirds to a 6-2 victory over the Greater Sudbury Cubs in Sudbury.
Gallivan’s first NOJHL goal in Sudbury, came at the 9:45 mark of the second period, which turned out to be the insurance goal of the game.
That night, Gallivan also went on to be named third star of the game.
FANTASTIC FLETCHY
So far this season, goaltender Maverick Fletcher has played one game in net for the Soo Thunderbirds, and has recorded one win.
Fletchy picked up his first NOJHL win in his first and only game played with the Soo Thunderbirds back on February 4, in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Soo Eagles at the John Rhodes.
That night, Fletcher made 25 saves and was also named third star of the game.
FACT
This season, the Soo Thunderbirds have a total of ten affiliate players on their roster.
The only other team in the NOJHL that has ten affiliate players on their roster this season is the Timmins Rock.
(Photo of Soo Thunderbirds affiliate goaltender Maverick Fletcher credit to www.saultsports.com)
