SUDBURY, Ont. – A highly successful Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League franchise for well over two and a half decades now, the Soo Thunderbirds will once again look to be among the NOJHL’s elite.
With 171 victories to their credit, averaging just over 34 wins in each of the past five seasons alone, the Thunderbirds will look to continue their winning ways in 2026-27.
Under head coach Cole Jarrett, Sault Ste. Marie generally sports a roster of multiple home-grown products in their line-up and you can expect more of the same talent in the upcoming campaign.
Here’s a glance at some of the returnees the T-Birds will be looking at to lead the way, along with some newcomers that the club also has high hopes for:
Head coach: Cole Jarrett
Home opener: Friday, Sept. 18 vs. Soo Eagles
7 p.m. – John Rhodes Community Centre
KEY RETURNEES
PLAYER: Adam Pszeniczny, F
DOB: 03/24/2009
HOMETOWN: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “Adam gives us a combination of size, skill and offensive ability down the middle. He had a strong rookie season for us and continued to grow throughout the year. Having him back gives us some valuable experience and another player we can rely on to contribute offensively.”
PLAYER: Owen Murphy, F
DOB: 04/01/2007
HOMETOWN: Westerville, Ohio
Coaches’ comments: “Owen brings a lot of energy and offensive upside to our lineup. He had a strong first season with us and really showed what he’s capable of as the year went on. We’re excited to have him back and expect him to take another step this season and become an important contributor for our group.”
PLAYER: Vincent Bondy, D
DOB: 06/01/2008
HOMETOWN: Windsor, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “Vincent gives us some valuable size and mobility on the back end. He’s a smart, puck-moving defenceman who showed a lot of promise in his first season with us. With another year of junior hockey under his belt, we’re expecting him to continue to develop and take on a bigger role on our blue line.”
NEW TO THE SQUAD
PLAYER: Felix Sapay, F
DOB: 03/19/2010
HOMETOWN: Dryden, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “From the Sudbury Wolves U16 AAA program, we’re really excited to bring Felix into our organization. He’s a big, skilled forward who has already shown an ability to produce offensively. There’s a lot of potential in his game and we are excited to see what he brings to our lineup.”
PLAYER: Dreyon Boissoneau, D
DOB: 06/30/2009
HOMETOWN: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “We’re really excited to add Dreyon to our group from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds U18 system. He had an outstanding season at the U18 level, and his ability to contribute offensively from the back end really stood out to us. He also got a taste of the NOJHL with us last season, which will provide valuable experience heading into this year.”
PLAYER: Jackson Mead, F
DOB: 05/10/2010
HOMETOWN: Sudbury, Ont.
Coaches’ comments: “Jackson is a player we’re really pleased to add to our organization after playing U16 hockey in Sudbury. He brings a combination of size, skill and offensive ability that is exciting for our forward group. At just 16 years old, there’s a lot of room for him to continue developing, and we believe playing junior hockey will be a great opportunity for him to take that next step.”
THUNDERBIRDS’ WEBSITE
Photo credit: Thomas Perry / The Daily Press
