Soo’s ’02 birth year class


By
December 11, 2017

Much has been said and written — in both factual and opinionated form — about the overall state of the AAA midget program in Sault Ste. Marie.

And while the major midget Soo Greyhounds and the minor midget Soo Thunderbirds are floundering in the Great North Midget Hockey League standings with respective records of 9-15-4 and 2-12-3, both teams have 2002 birth year players with varying degrees of above average ability and potential.

The Greyhound major midgets have two players with 2002 birth dates, forwards Nick Jameus and Nick Niro.

Jameus leads all 2002 birth year players from either Soo team in scoring thus far this season with 6 goals, 9 assists 15 points in 28 games within the Great North loop. The small but speedy and skilled Jameus also managed a point per game for the Greyhounds at the recent Gold Puck tournament that was held in Waterloo.

And Niro has shown some flashes of ability as well with 4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points in 25 regular season games for the Greyhounds.

As for the minor midget Thunderbirds, they are a team made up exclusively of 2002 birth year players with the exception of bantam aged defenseman Jack Matier, who was born in 2003.

Well-coached by Jamie Henderson, who runs a disciplined program and who is a detailed, well-prepared bench boss, the Thunderbirds are led by 5-foot-7 goalie Noah Zeppa, an athletic, focused, technically-tuned youngster.

With a 2-5-3 record on a team that is 2-12-3 within the Great North, Zeppa has been in goal every time the Thunderbirds have managed a point this season and is fresh from an impressive display at the aforementioned Gold Puck tournament in Waterloo, where he had the attention of more than one Ontario Hockey League general manager and scout.

The minor midget Thunderbirds, while having trouble finishing and putting the puck in the net, have managed to stay close to the opposition in most of their games this season, regular schedule and tournament play included.

Besides Zeppa between the pipes, those whose names are often mentioned in flattering terms include forwards Justin Mauro, Brock Santa Maria and Michael Chaffay and defensemen Mateo Perri and Nate Headrick.


What you think about “Soo’s ’02 birth year class”

  1. As always thank you so much for such a positive, well written article about these 2002 boys, thank you!!

  2. I have to say while not knowing what to expect coaching young men this age for the first time this is a great group of kids. Do they drive us nuts sometimes sure they do but they are extremely well mannered, very respectful and they want to get better. It’s not easy going through some lean years and a big portion of this group have and they are learning to earn their confidence it can’t be given to any of us we all earn it. Sure we want to win every game but we have pushed these young men really hard and they have responded positively from the start. While we focus on hockey it’s important to recognize this group the vast majority I would say carry 80 plus averages in school and juggle a very difficult schedule especially lately with so much travel. Randy Russon we appreciate the support for all the players locally at the end of the day we hope they have a great experience, get better and have some fun. The toughest part is knowing it never goes perfectly for every player and their families as much as you try but I can guarantee it’s not for a lack of trying. 19 young men with different backgrounds, different opportunities in life and different dreams and hopefully we can be a small part of guiding them in the right direction.

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