Joseph joins the Birds

By Matt Stefano

As the Soo Thunderbirds get set to prepare for their first game of the new year which will be this Friday night at the John Rhodes, the Birds have announced on Monday that they have added another blueliner to their roster.

On Monday, the Soo Thunderbirds have signed 2003-birth-year defenceman Ranon Joseph as a free agent.

“I’m very excited to join the Thunderbirds here in the new year and I’m excited to get the ball rolling again,” Joseph said. “I know the Thunderbirds made it to nationals last year and I’m hoping I can play a part in getting us back there in May.”

Joseph, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 202 pounds, played in 11 games this season with the MJHL’s Portage Terriers, where he had 0 goals, 1 assist and just 2 penalty minutes.

Prior to this season, the Sherwood Park, Alberta native also split time last season with the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons and the SJHL’s Nipawin Hawks.

In a total of 38 games played last season, Joseph tallied 1 goal, 7 assists and 82 penalty minutes.

“We are excited to add Ranon to our group,” said Soo Thunderbirds assistant coach and general manager Jamie Henderson. “He is a large presence who has a great skill set for such a big player. He is also really eager to continue his development here with our program.”

With the addition of Joseph, the Soo Thunderbirds now have a total of two Alberta-born players on their roster.

The other Alberta-born player on the current Soo Thunderbirds roster, is defenceman Tyler Boudreau, who was born in Edmonton, Alberta.

“My family and I thank God for this opportunity and I’m excited to make the most of it,” Joseph said.

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