By Matt Stefano
Oldham and Arbs are becoming Cougars.
The Soo Thunderbirds have announced on Wednesday that graduates Russell Oldham and Colby Arbour have both committed to the Sault College Cougars men’s hockey team for the 2022-2023 season.
“We are thrilled to see both Russell and Colby continue their education at Sault College,” said Soo Thunderbirds assistant coach and general manager Jamie Henderson. “Both of them were such great leaders for us last season and we wish them all the best as student athletes with the Cougars.”
Oldham, who turned 21-years-old back on January 22, played two seasons with the Soo Thunderbirds from 2020-2022, where he notched 7 goals and 17 assists in 54 regular season games.
The 21-year-old forward then found the back of the net 3 times and set up 2 others in 14 games with the Thunderbirds during the 2022 postseason.
“I’m very excited to continue playing hockey here in the Soo,” Oldham said. “I think the Cougars are going to have a great group of guys this upcoming season and hopefully at the end of the season I’ll win another championship.”
Oldham, who will now be playing for the Sault College Cougars next season, will also be studying Sports Administration while attending that school.
“Hockey and sports have always been my passion,” Oldham said. “When I saw this program open up in the Soo, I jumped at the chance and I think it will suit me very well.”
Arbour, who turned 21-years-old back on May 24, had 6 goals and 14 assists 36 regular season games with the Thunderbirds during the 2021-2022 regular season.
He then notched 2 goals and 5 assists in 14 playoff games during the 2022 postseason.
“I’m super excited to sign with the Cougars and I think they have an awesome program that’s going to help me develop my game even further,” Arbour said. “I think the Cougars are going to have a great group of guys this upcoming season and I’m super excited to get started.”
Arbour, who will now be playing hockey for the Sault College Cougars next season, will also be taking the Electrical Engineering Technician program while attending that school.
“I already have my pre-service firefighter degree and I think the electrical program ties in well with that,” Arbour said. “I also feel that the trades have caught my attention as well, and there will always be a need for trades, so I feel it’s a great idea to get into that.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Last season, the Sault College Cougars had a total of five former Soo Thunderbirds on their team, including Wyatt Villalta, Parker Morgan, Noah Boman, Ty Zachary and Caleb Wood.
Not to mention former Soo Thunderbirds assistant general manager Mark Hebert serves as the Cougars general manager and former Soo Thunderbirds bench boss Toots Kovacs serves as the Cougars assistant coach.
(Photo of Russell Oldham (left) and Colby Arbour (right) credit to Bob Davies)
