Thunderbirds add second netminder

The Soo Thunderbirds goaltending tandem is set.

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League club has signed West Vancouver native Alex Bugeja, who spent last season with the Superior International League’s Fort Frances Lakers.

Thunderbirds general manager Trevor Zachary called Bugeja “a very good goalie whose focus and work ethic has enabled him to play at the next level.”

Bugeja posted a 10-14-2-1 record in 2019-20 with the Lakers while posting one shutout in 28 games with a 3.80 goals against average and 0.901 save percentage.

Prior to joining the Lakers, the 19-year-old spent three seasons with the Okanagan Hockey Academy.

Bugeja joins another newcomer in Scott Young between the pipes for the Thunderbirds.

Young, a Calgary native, played in Sweden last season, signed with the Thunderbirds in late-September.

A 2000-birth year, Young played with the Jr. B Calgary Royals in 2018-19.

Tyson Doucette, who spent last season with the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Midget League, was also inked by the Thunderbirds in late-September.

Doucette, a local product, is one of a large number of Sault products who have signed with the Thunderbirds ahead of the NOJHL regular season.

Other locals who have signed with the team include defencemen Kaden Dundas and Connor Toms as well as forwards Michael Chaffay, Ty Zachary, and Parker Morgan.