By Matt Stefano
Another Saultite is joining the orange and blue!
The Soo Thunderbirds have announced on Thursday that they have signed 2001-birth-year forward Colby Arbour for the upcoming season.
Arbour, who just turned 20-years-old back on May 24, is joining the Thunderbirds after spending the 2019-2020 season with the St. Mary’s Knights high school hockey club.
“It’s an honour to sign with the Thunderbirds,” Arbour said. “I’m excited to have this opportunity to play junior hockey for my hometown and to learn under the great coaching staff and program that Jamie Henderson and Cole Jarrett has put together.”
During his season with the Knights in 2019-2020, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native scored 8 times and set up 11 others in 17 games played.
“I’m pretty grateful for what I’ve learned while playing for the St. Mary’s Knights under coach Mr. O (Oliveira) and Mr. Medaglia. It was a great year with a great group of guys in the dressing room and I’m thankful I got to play for them,” Arbour said.
In 2020, Arbour also helped the Knights win the City and NOSSA championships.
“Winning a NOSSA championship felt amazing, especially after being able to bounce back after losing in the finals the previous year. We had a great run that season (2019-2020) and we definitely could’ve competed for the OFSAA championship if the season wasn’t cancelled due to COVID,” Arbour said.
During his season with the St. Mary’s Knights, Arbour also played on the same team as current Soo Thunderbirds forwards Ethan Novello and Samuel Lake.
“It’s going to be great to get back into the dressing room with some familiar faces like Ethan and Sam and it’s also going to make my transition from school to junior a little easier. Ethan and Sam are also great teammates on and off the ice,” Arbour said.
Arbour becomes the first player to sign with the Thunderbirds following their 2021 Development Camp, which was held at the John Rhodes Community Centre just last weekend.
“We are happy to have Colby join the group,” said Soo Thunderbirds head coach and co-owner Cole Jarrett. “He is the type of player and person that fits the identity we want to create. Last weekend, he showed that he is a hard working player and fit right in. I’m sure he felt a little rusty, but you could see that he has a high compete level and will be a hard player to play against.”
(Photo of Colby Arbour credit to Bob Davies)
