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Thunderbirds announce player signings

It’s been a busy week for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds. In addition to a group of player signings, the team has made a change atop the organization.

It’s been a busy week for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds.

In addition to a group of player signings, the team has made a change atop the organization.

Jamie Henderson, who recently took over as general manager of the team from Kevin Cain, has become the primary operator of the organization, taking over from Albert Giommi.

Henderson, who served as an assistant coach with the team in recent years as well, takes over the position as the team comes off a 2014-15 season that saw them win the NOJHL title, the Dudley Hewitt Cup and an appearance in the RBC Cup.

The week saw the team re-sign five players and a member of the Thunderbirds Great North Midget League team as well.

Among the members of the team that won NOJHL and Dudley Hewitt Cup titles this season a defenceman and four forwards returning when the 2015-16 season opens.

Joey Miller, Nathan Hebert, Devin Shell and Matthew Mitchell will all be returning to the Thunderbirds next season as will blueliner Matt Busby.

Miller finished the regular season with 16 goals and 44 points in 41 games during the regular season before adding two goals and eight points in 14 playoff games.

Hebert had 12 goals and 31 points in 34 games and eight more points in eight playoff games.

Shell was brought in late in the season and posted three goals and 12 points in 19 games after being acquired by the Thunderbirds. Shell added two goals and eight points in nine playoff games.

Mitchell scored seven goals and 22 points in 50 games with the Thunderbirds and also had two goals and eight points in the playoffs.

Busby scored three goals and 21 points in 52 regular season games before chipping in with a pair of goals and nine points in nine playoff games.

The team has also signed Brad Thrower for the upcoming season. A Thunder Bay native, the young forward scored 15 goals and 45 points in 36 games with the Soo Thunderbirds midget team in the Great North Midget League.


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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.
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