By Matt Stefano
He was picked up by the Soo Thunderbirds as a free agent back in November, and now he’s on the move.
The Soo Thunderbirds have announced on Friday that they have traded 2004-birth-year goaltender Nolan Chartrand to the GOJHL’s Hamilton Kilty B’s in exchange for a player development fee.
Chartrand, who signed as a free agent with the Soo Thunderbirds back on November 8, played four games with the Soo this season where he had a record of 3 wins and 1 loss.
He also posted a 2.26 goals against average along with a .903 save percentage.
“We want to wish Nolan the best with his new team,” said Soo Thunderbirds assistant coach and general manager Jamie Henderson. “He came in and worked really hard and fit in well. We’re hoping he’ll get a great opportunity to play some games going forward here.”
With Chartand on the move, the Thunderbirds now have a total of two goaltenders on their current roster, including Noah Zeppa and Noah Metiver.
CULINA BACK IN THE ECHL
Sticking with goaltender news, a former Soo Thunderbirds netminder is now back in the ECHL!
On Friday, it was announced that former Soo Thunderbirds goaltender Mario Culina has signed a standard player contract with the ECHL’s Fort Frances Komets.
Culina, who began this season playing hockey with Brock University, is no stranger to the ECHL, as he previously played with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers back in the 2018-2019 season.
The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native also helped the Soo Thunderbirds win a Copeland Cup McNamara Trophy and a Dudley Hewitt Cup title back in 2015.
Culina becomes the first Thunderbird graduate to suit up for the Komets since Brett Perlini did back in 2016-2017.
PASTORIOUS BECOMES A GROWLER
Sticking with alumni news, former Soo Thunderbirds forward Nick Pastorious now has a new home in the ECHL.
It was announced on Wednesday, December 29 that former Soo Thunderbirds forward Nick Pastorious has signed a standard player contract with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers.
Pastorious, who is in his first season in the ECHL, began this season playing with the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders, where he had 1 assist in 7 games played.
The Toronto, Ontario native played one season with the Soo Thunderbirds back in 2012-2013, where he put up 4 goals and 11 points in 20 regular season games.
The Newfoundland Growlers, who play in the ECHL, are an affiliate franchise of the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Photo of Nolan Chartrand credit to Bob Davies)
