By Matt Stefano
Felly is going to wear the ‘C’!
The Soo Thunderbirds have announced on Tuesday that they have named third-year defenceman Kolby Fellinger as their team captain for the 2023-2024 season.
“Kolby was a natural choice for us,” said Soo Thunderbirds head coach Cole Jarrett, who has been coaching Fellinger since the 2021-2022 season. “Over the last two years, Kolby was a huge part of our group both on and off the ice. He leads by example in all aspects of his game and we are happy to him back for another year.”
Fellinger, who will be entering his third and final season with the Soo Thunderbirds, has so far put up 2 goals and 25 assists in 82 career regular season games.
He has also recorded 1 goal and 3 assists in 16 career postseason games.
“It’s a honour to be named captain for such a great organization,” Fellinger said. “I hope to demonstrate a strong work ethic, dedication and a positive attitude both on and off the ice to inspire my teammates. I think it will be important to constantly challenge myself and my teammates to improve both individually and as a team. Being a team captain is not just about leading on the ice, but also being a positive influence off the ice.”
Fellinger, who is a 2003-birth-year defenceman, becomes the first defenceman to wear the ‘C’ for the Soo Thunderbirds since Nolan Ford did back in 2019-2020.
OUELLET & TRUCHAN NAMED ASSISTANT CAPTAINS
On Tuesday, the Soo Thunderbirds have also announced that forwards Kelsey Ouellet and Jackson Truchan will serve as the team’s assistant captains for the 2023-2024 season.
Ouellet, who is a 2003-birth-year forward, was acquired by the Thunderbirds in a trade from the MHL’s Truro Bearcats back on August 1, and is also entering his final season of junior hockey.
Before playing with the Bearcats last season, Ouellet played his first season of junior hockey with the Soo Thunderbirds back in 2021-2022.
“We are excited to have Kelsey come back to us this season, because he is such a dynamic player in our league,” Jarrett said. “Kelsey’s positive attitude and his ability to bring a group together is something we value even more, and with a lot of new faces on our team this year, coming together quickly will be key to a good start.”
“I am honoured to be an assistant captain in my final year of junior and I want to lead by example both on and off the ice,” Ouellet added. “We have a great group of guys this year and I’m very excited to see what the year has in store for us.”
Truchan, who turned twenty-years old back on February 28, is entering his second and final season with the Thunderbirds, and is also the oldest player on this year’s Soo Thunderbirds roster.
Last season, Truchan finished second in team scoring with 26 goals and 57 points.
“J.T. was such a fun player to watch last season, and I’m not taking anything away from anyone else, but Jackson is our most competitive player,” Jarrett said. “Jackson’s energy and desire to win will raise the level every night and we know he can have a positive impact on our group.”
Truchan, who is from Farmington Hills, Michigan, becomes the first American-born player to wear an ‘A’ on his chest for the Soo Thunderbirds since Warner Young did back in 2020-2021.
“It’s an honour to be named assistant captain of such a great organization,” Truchan said. “I plan to be a leader both on and off the ice and I want to make sure that our team is getting better as a whole everyday.”
Felly, Ouellet, J.T. and the Thunderbirds will officially kick off their regular season this Friday night at 7:00 p.m., when they will take on the Soo Eagles at the John Rhodes.
This year will also be the Thunderbirds 25th season in the NOJHL.
“We are excited for Felly, Ouellet and J.T. to come together and we are confident they will continue the strong Thunderbird culture,” Jarrett said.
