By Matt Stefano
He started last season as a Wolf.
Ended last season as a Flame.
And starting now this season, he will be hitting the ice with the T-Birds!
The Soo Thunderbirds have announced on Sunday that they have acquired 2004-birth-year forward Grayson Ebrahim from the QJAAAHL’s Gatineau Flames in exchange for a player developmenent fee.
Ebrahim, who is from Kingston, Ontario, stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 170 pounds.
“I’m extremely excited to join the Thunderbirds,” Ebrahim said. “I’ve heard many great things about the organization and I can’t wait to start with the team in August!”
“Grayson will add some experience to our young group having played two seasons of junior hockey,” added Soo Thunderbirds assistant coach and general manager Jamie Henderson. “He’s a big body who we feel will be able to flourish with our program.”
During the 2022-2023 season, Ebrahim split time with the CCHL’s Renfrew Wolves and the QJAAAHL’s Gatineau Flames.
Ebrahim, who began playing the 2022-2023 season in Renfrew, had no points and 36 penalty minutes in 18 games as a member of the Wolves.
After playing his first 18 games of the season with the Wolves, Ebrahim then concluded the 2022-2023 season in Gatineau, where he had 2 goals and 7 assists in 19 games as a member of the Flames.
“My season last year didn’t go exactly as I hoped,” Ebrahim said. “I found myself struggling to get ice time in Renfrew and didn’t feel that it was a good fit. At Christmas time I moved to Gatineau where I felt as though I played a bigger role and had more opportunity. I believe my play has improved as the season went on and I can’t wait to continue that with the T-Birds this year!”
Prior to last season, Ebrahim spent the 2021-2022 season with the EOJHL’s Whitewater Kings and the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumberjacks.
In a total of 46 games played during the 2021-2022 season, Ebrahim scored 6 times and set up 7 others along with collecting 30 penalty minutes.
“This year with the T-Birds, I plan on bringing a big presence to the offensive side of the ice,” Ebrahim said. “I’m willing to work hard to win battles along the boards and in front of the net, which will hopefully translate to goals and ultimately points in the win column.”
“Grayson is really motivated to earn his opportunities and we’re excited to see him next month when training camp begins,” added Henderson, whose team will officially kick off its training camp on August 29.
