Major midget team may still run

Major midget hockey could still happen in Sault Ste. Marie for the 2015-16 Great North Midget League season.

The Soo Thunderbirds will not be running the GNML entry after taking over the local major midget program to start last season.

Sault Major has decided to combine the major and minor midget teams this season in an effort to ensure the city has a team at the major midget level this season.

The team, which will be coached by Kevin Panco, will have a minimum of seven minor midget-aged players to “allow for the development of 15-year-old players as well as provide 16- and 17-year-old players an opportunity to continue to develop and play at the highest level possible,” according to a statement on Sault Major’s website.

The GNML was scheduled to have a pair of minor midget teams playing in the league this season which would have included a team in Sault Ste. Marie as well as one in Sudbury.

The team has tentatively set tryouts to begin on Sept. 2.