By Matt Stefano
He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2nd round (44th overall) during last year’s NHL Entry Draft, and now his opportunity to play at the next level is one step closer.
It was announced today that former Soo Thunderbirds forward Boris Katchouk has signed a three year, entry level deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Katchouk, who had just finished his second full season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds, had 35 goals and 64 points through 66 regular season games and led the Ontario Hockey League in shorthanded goals (7).
His 7 shorthanded tallies during the regular season, also tied him with Wayne Gretzky (1978), Brian Secord (1996), Brandon MacLean (2008) and Dustin Jeffrey (2008) for third on the Soo Greyhounds single season shorthanded goals list.
The Waterloo, Ontario native also led the Hounds in goals (8) and points (13) during the postseason.
Katchouk, who played one season with the Soo Thunderbirds in 2014-2015, had 18 goals and 45 points through 29 regular season games.
During the 2015 postseason, Katchouk had 4 goals and a team leading 11 assists, which helped the Thunderbirds win their third Copeland Cup McNamara Trophy.
His team leading 6 points at the 2015 Dudley Hewitt Cup Tournament, led the Thunderbirds to their second Central Canada title in franchise history.
FACT
Katchouk, who led the Soo Greyhounds in points during the postseason, also became just the seventh Soo Thunderbird alumnus to lead an OHL club in scoring during a single playoff season, as he now joins Patrick Jarrett (Owen Sound Attack, 2003, 2004 & 2005), Nathan O’Nabigon (Kitchener Rangers, 2004), Matt Caria (Soo Greyhounds, 2008), Zack Torquato (Erie Otters, 2009), Matt Dias (Sudbury Wolves, 2009) and Colin Miller (Soo Greyhounds, 2013).
