Thunderbirds name new head coach

The Soo Thunderbirds search for a new head coach didn’t take long.

After news broke on Wednesday that Jordan Smith would be leaving the team to take an associate coach position with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League club has named John Parco as his successor.

Parco joins the team with a resume that includes a pair of championships as the head coach of Asiago HC in Italy's top pro league.

Parco also played 12 seasons with Asiago HC in a playing career that spanned over 20 years in various professional leagues in both Europe and North America.

Parco played three seasons in the OHL with the Belleville Bulls from 1988 to 1991.

Smith spent four seasons behind the Thunderbirds bench, which included back-to-back NOJHL titles in 2015 and 2016.

In a statement, Smith called the opportunity to join the Wolves an "honour."

“It is an exciting time for the players, staff and loyal fans of the Wolves, as we embark on a new era in Sudbury. I am thrilled to be apart of it and can’t wait to get going. This would not be possible without the support of my family, the Thunderbirds organization and my former players for the opportunity to begin my coaching career and for that I will be forever grateful.”

On Wednesday, the team also announced a deal with the Superior International League’s Dryden Ice Dogs. The trade sees the Thunderbirds acquire defenceman Garrett Giertuga in exchange for blueliner Brendan Jay.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Giertuga began last season with the NOJHL’s Elliot Lake Wildcats before a trade that sent him to Dryden.