Skip to content

Sports Briefs: Thunderbirds new GM, summer football begins

The Northern Ontario junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds have a new general manager. The team announced this week that Assistant General Manager Jamie Henderson is taking over the reins from Kevin Cain.

The Northern Ontario junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds have a new general manager.

The team announced this week that Assistant General Manager Jamie Henderson is taking over the reins from Kevin Cain.

The Thunderbirds are coming off a season that saw the club win the NOJHL title and the Dudley Hewitt Cup in Fort Frances, Ont.

Henderson was hired by the Thunderbirds in the summer of 2014 as assistant general manager.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be named GM of the Soo Thunderbirds,” Henderson said in a release. “The organization is amongst the most successful in all of the CJHL and I look forward to continuing to build the program with some truly great people.”

Cain spent five seasons as the Thunderbirds general manager. Under the guidance of the 47-year-old, the Thunderbirds won a pair of Dudley Hewitt Cup titles (2012 and 2015).

"I have enjoyed my time with the Thunderbirds and all of our success," said Cain in a release. "I have had some great players and coaches, also I really wanted to thank them and all the staff, especially appreciative to Jo-Anne Brooks, Mr. Albert Giommi and all of the volunteers," added the former 2013-2014 NOJHL director of the year. "Jamie will do a great job, and wish him the best of luck going forward."

****
SABERCATS SEASON OPENS

In the Ontario Varsity Football League, the Sault Sabercats are back in action this weekend as they

Last weekend the varsity team beat the Hamilton Ironmen 27-8 in the season-opener for both clubs.

Quarterback Hunter Holub completed 13 of 28 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown.

Justin Senecal ran the ball 19 times for 125 yards and a touchdown for the Sabercats while Holub also ran the ball in for a major. Austin Wesley led all Sabercats receivers with five receptions for 68 yards. David Toppan added 64 yards receiving, including a touchdown catch in the win.

Defensively, Lau Frecha returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown for the Sabercats.

Santigo Velasquez had the lone major for the Ironmen and led the home team with 63 yards on 15 rushes in the game.

The junior varsity Sabercats also opened the OVFL season in Hamilton, dropping a 29-6 decision to the Ironmen.

Joe Trudeau had a pair of interceptions for the Sabercats defensively while Aaron Grawbarger caught a touchdown pass from Michael Byron for the lone Sabercats major.

Both Sabercats teams return to action on Sunday on the road when they face the Brampton Bulldogs.

The teams open the home portion of their schedule on June 6 against the Etobicoke Eagles.

****
NFC SEASON SET TO OPEN

The Sault Steelers are set to open the 2015 Northern Football Conference season this weekend.

The Steelers on the road for the opener as they face the G.T.A. All-stars on Saturday night in Toronto.

The team then returns home to face Sudbury on June 6 before facing the Toronto Raiders on the road in week three.

The Steelers home schedule includes games against the Tri-City Outlaws (June 20), Ottawa Invaders (July 4) and Montreal Transit (July 11).


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
Read more