Soo Thunderbirds coaches suspended indefinitely by league

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey league announced this morning that Soo Thunderbirds coaches Preston Mizzi and Jamie Henderson have been suspended indefinitely by the league.

In a pair of releases, the coaches were suspended for “conduct that is detrimental to the interests of the NOJHL.”

Full text of the releases follows:

Preston Mizzi, Head Coach of the Soo Thunderbirds is suspended indefinitely by the Commissioner after a lengthy and thorough investigation for conduct that is prejudicial to the NOJHL, conduct that is detrimental to the interests of the NOJHL, circumvention of a League investigation effective immediately.

Jamie Henderson, Assistant Coach of the Soo Thunderbirds is suspended indefinitely by the league after a lengthy and thorough investigation for conduct that is prejudicial to the NOJHL, conduct that is detrimental to the interests of the NOJHL, effective immediately.

The Thunderbirds, through team President Albert Giommi, released a statement in conjunction with the suspension.

“As most are aware the Soo Thunderbird organization was made aware of some off ice issues that had happened. The first incident occurred on a bus trip home from North Bay after winning the Division championship that was not brought to our attention until sometime on or about April 1st 2012,” the statement reads. “Apparently, alcohol was allowed on the bus ride home and the coach approved it. The Soo Thunderbirds do not condone this! The Soo Thunderbirds were prepared to act but was advised by the NOJHL to have actual facts. Upon many discussions with the NOJHL Commissioner an independent third party investigator, that was brought in to gather the facts.”

The release also notes that similar incident occurred as the team returned from the Dudley Hewitt Cup in Thunder Bay, where they won the central region championship to advance to the RBC Cup in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. The RBC Cup opens on Saturday.

Full text of the Thunderbirds release follows:

As most are aware the Soo Thunderbirds organization was made aware of some off ice issues that had happened. The first incident occurred on a bus trip home from North Bay after winning the division championship that was not brought to our attention until sometime on or about April 1st 2012. Apparently, alcohol was allowed on the bus ride home and the coach approved it. The Soo Thunderbirds do not condone this! The Soo Thunderbirds were prepared to act but was advised by the NOJHL to have actual facts. Upon many discussions with the NOJHL Commissioner, an independent third party investigator, that was brought in to gather the facts.

While the facts were being gathered and that the organization was out of town playing for the Dudley Hewitt Cup in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It had taken the third party a little longer than we had thought.

After a lengthy meeting prior to heading to the Dudley, the organization had a lengthy and stern discussion with the coaches about what is and what is not condoned.

Upon the trip home after winning the Dudley Hewitt Cup, the same incent had happened again, leaving little doubt that we have had a problem. We are entrusted with the safety of the players even though some are of the legal age we have put at risk those that are not.

In light of all of the issues that have been brought forward, the Soo Thunderbirds support the NOJHL Commissioners decision in suspending Preston Mizzi and Jamie Henderson for conduct that is prejudicial to the NOJHL and for conduct detrimental to the interest of the NOJHL and for circumvention of a league investigation.

We will finish the year with internal coaching and have been under the advice and assistance of Zoltan Kovacs, son of the founder of the Soo Thunderbirds organization and other Soo Thunderbirds alumni to help get thru this trying time. In the history of the Soo Thunderbirds that goes back to 1978 we have never had issues such as this. I would like to say thank you to the Soo Thunderbirds alumni for working with us through this.

We as an organization do not condone this behavior and the actions that transpired.

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