By Matt Stefano
Dylan Hendrick is coming back to the NOJHL to play for the Soo Thunderbirds!
The Soo Thunderbirds have announced on Monday that they have acquired 2005-birth-year forward Dylan Hendrick from the OJHL’s Stouffville Sprit in exchange for a player development fee.
Hendrick, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 180 pounds, played in 50 regular season games last season with the Spirit, where he recorded 13 points (3g 10a) and finished second in team penalty minutes with 57.
The Mactier, Ontario native then had 4 penalty minutes in 4 games with the Spirit during the 2023 postseason.
“Dylan is an excellent skater who has experience playing in the OJHL and NOJHL,” said Soo Thunderbirds assistant coach and general manager Jamie Henderson. “We feel he has a great opportunity to come here and be an impact player both on and off the ice.”
“I’m super excited to be joining the Thunderbirds,” Hendrick added. “It’s a prestige organization and they’ve always been one of the top teams in the NOJHL.”
“Also, playing for Stouffville last season in the OJHL helped me gain more experience at the junior level, and I expanded my overall game and learnt to play different roles to help my team win games.”
Prior to last season, Hendrick played the 2021-2022 season with the NOJHL’s Blind River Beavers, where he had 5 goals and 10 assists in 48 regular season games.
He also tallied 1 goal in 7 games with the Beavers during the 2022 postseason.
“I’m happy to be back in the NOJHL,” Hendrick said. “From the time I previously spent in the NOJHL, I still remember the love and support the fans in this league have for hockey teams.”
“I think being back in the NOJHL for my third year of junior, especially now that I’m with the T-Birds will be a great fit for me to develop the most I can as a player, and it will be great to be a part of a winning team.”
Headrick, who is a 2005 birth-year-forward, will officially turn 18-years-old this Saturday.
“This year I’m prepared to step up as a leader and play a larger role myself in helping the T-Birds win as much as possible,” Headrick said.
