By Matt Stefano
We’re getting towards the the end of August, and that can only mean one thing.
Training camp time!
On Tuesday, August 29, the Soo Thunderbirds will officially kick off their 2023 Training Camp at the Northern Community Centre in the west end of Sault Ste. Marie, to prepare for what will be their 25th season in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
But starting next week, the Thunderbirds will also be without seven players who will be away at Ontario Hockey League training camps, including Kolton Bourret, Declan Gallivan, Evan Roach, Jacob Smith, Candon O’Neill, Callum McAuley and Maverick Fletcher.
BOURRET & GALLIVAN HEAD TO THE BAY
Next week, a pair of Thunderbird players will be in North Bay, Ontario atttending North Bay Battalion training camp, including second-year netminder Kolton Bourret and newly signed defenceman Declan Gallivan.
Bourret, who was drafted by the North Bay Battalion in the 15th round (290th overall) back in 2021, has already played one season with the Soo Thunderbirds last season, where he recorded 19 wins, 9 losses and 1 overtime loss along with 1 shutout.
Bourret, who had 19 wins in net last season, also finished tied with Greater Sudbury Cubs goaltender Noah Beaulne for the most wins among all NOJHL rookie netminders during the regular season.
Gallivan, who was drafted by the North Bay Battalion in the 7th round (141st overall) in this year’s Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, played in 12 games (Including 7 in the playoffs) as an affiliate player with the Thunderbirds last season, where he put up 2 goals, 3 assists and 6 penalty minutes.
ROACH IN THE RED & WHITE
Thunderbirds newly signed defenceman Evan Roach, who signed with the Soo Thunderbirds back on June 6, will be staying in town next week to attend his hometown Soo Greyhounds training camp, which will be held at the GFL Memorial Gardens, starting on Tuesday, August 29.
Roach, who was drafted by the Soo Greyhounds in the 15th round (298th overall) back in 2022, played in two games as an affiliate player with the Thunderbirds last season, where he had no points and no penalty minutes.
At this year’s Soo Greyhounds training camp, Evan will also be on the ice with past Soo Thunderbird players who are now members of the Soo Greyhounds, including Andrew Gibson (Now a Detroit Red Wings draft pick), Connor Toms, Brodie McConnell-Barker and Landon Miller.
Another interesting fact about Evan being drafted by the Greyhounds, is that Evan’s father Gary (Roach) played four seasons with the Greyhounds himself from 1991-1995, and helped the Hounds win a J Ross Robertson Cup in 1992, followed by a Memorial Cup title in 1993.
Evan’s father Gary also served one season as an assistant coach with the Soo Thunderbirds back in 2020-2021.
SMITTY WITH THE 67’S
One player who will be hitting the ice in the capital of Canada next week is Soo Thunderbirds newcomer Jacob Smith.
Smith, who was drafted by the Ottawa 67’s in the 1st round (20th overall) in this year’s OHL Under-18 Priority Selection, will be in Ottawa, Ontario next week attending Ottawa 67’s training camp.
The 2006-birth-year forward also signed with the Soo Thunderbirds back June 7, and has already played in 12 games (Including 6 in the playoffs) as an affiliate player with the Soo Thunderbirds last season.
During those twelve games played with the Soo Thunderbirds, Smitty found the back of the net once and set up two others.
Next week in Ottawa, Smitty will also be on the ice with former Soo Thunderbirds forward Cooper Foster (Now a Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick).
CANDON & CALLUM DOWN I-75
Two players who will be attending an OHL camp across the river down I-75 next week are Soo Thunderbirds newcomers Candon O’Neill and Callum McAuley.
Both O’Neill and McAuley will be in Saginaw, Michigan next week attending Saginaw Spirit training camp.
O’Neill, who is a 2007-birth-year defenceman, was drafted by the Spirit in the 12th round (236th overall) in this year’s Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, and ended up signing with the Soo Thunderbirds back on June 5.
The 2007-birth-year defenceman has also already suited for six games (Including one in the playoffs) as an affiliate player with the Thunderbirds last season, where he recorded no points and no penalty minutes.
McAuley, who is a 2006-birth-year forward, signed with the Soo Thunderbirds back on June 6, and is attending this year’s Saginaw Spirit training camp as a free agent.
During the 2022-2023 regular season, McAuley suited up for four games as an affiliate player with the Soo Thunderbirds, and recorded a goal and an assist.
He then suited up for 12 games as an affiliate player with the Soo Thunderbirds during the 2023 postseason, where he then led all NOJHL affiliate players in postseason scoring with 1 goal and 4 helpers.
FLETCHY IN ERIE
One player from the Soo Thunderbirds who will be hitting the ice all the way in Erie, Pennsylvania next week is Thunderbirds newly signed goaltender Maverick Fletcher.
Fletcher, who was drafted by the Erie Otters in the 2nd round (22nd overall) in this year’s Ontario Hockey League Under-18 Priority Selection, signed with the Soo Thunderbirds back on June 6, and has already played one game with the Soo Thunderbirds as an affiliate player last season.
Fletcher made his debut with the Soo Thunderbirds in a home game against the Soo Eagles back on February 4, 2023, where he made 25 saves to help lead the Thunderbirds to a 3-2 overtime victory at the John Rhodes.
