Canadian Eagles fly high
At one time or another over the past few years, Nick Trecroce, Jake Palmerio and Carmen Scarfone all had aspirations of playing for their hometown, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team.
But despite attending various tryout camps for the Soo Thunderbirds, none of the three were ever signed by the local NOJHL team — passed over for others, including out-of-towners.
Which were decisions made by Thunderbirds brain-trust, which over the past few years has included since-departed general managers Kevin Cain and Jamie Henderson and current coach-GM Jordan Smith.
I am not here to dispute the decisions that were made that resulted in Trecroce, Palmerio and Scarfone going un-signed by the Thunderbirds, for whatever reason.
But in a sweet taste of hockey irony, the trio of Italian boys from the Canadian Soo — Trecroce, Palmerio and Scarfone — played above-average roles as the Michigan-based Soo Eagles stunningly-swept the two-time defending champion Thunderbirds from this year’s NOJHL playoffs.
Trecroce, a 1996 birth-year defenseman and Palmerio, a 1997 birth-year forward, both had a hand in clutch goals as the Eagles completed the improbable sweep of the Thunderbirds with 3-2 and 4-2 home-ice decisions.
In Game 3, Palmerio and Trecroce both assisted on the winning goal.
In Game 4, Palmerio scored the winning goal and Trecroce set up the insurance marker to send the Thunderbirds packing without so much as a single playoff victory — the first time that has happened in the history of a franchise that made its NOJHL debut way back in 1999.
And while he didn’t pick a point, Scarfone, an NOJHL rookie with a 1998 birth date, stood tall on the Eagles blueline and like Palmerio and Trecroce, played his heart out.
It was, to be sure, a big-time upset that the Eagles fashioned in sweeping the Thunderbirds in quick, albeit close manner, winning by 4-3 (double overtime), 4-3, 3-2 and 4-2 scores.
Not only did the Thunderbirds win the regular-season series against the Eagles but they finished a whopping 31 points ahead of their cross-border rivals. That’s correct, the Thunderbirds finished atop the West Division with a 43-11-2 record, 31 points up on the fourth-place Eagles and their 27-26-3 record.
Actually, the Eagles had another Canadian Soo product with them for the first part of the season, 1999 birth-year defenseman Nolan Makkonen. But after a fast-track development with the Eagles, Makkonen signed with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League in January of this year.
At any rate, Trecroce, Palmerio and Scarfone are not the only residents from the Canadian side of the St. Mary’s River who are playing major roles with the Michigan-based Eagles.
Veteran bench boss Jim Capy and long-time goalie instructor Bill Vanderleest are both members of the Eagles coaching staff.
Capy, who has a lengthy association as an NOJHL head coach, was with the Thunderbirds for several years in the early days of the franchise before moving on to perform bench duties for Blind River Beavers (on two separate occasions) and the erstwhile Soo Indians.
A retired Canada Post worker, the relentless, passionate Capy has revived his coaching career with the Eagles alongside associate coach and general manager Bruno Bragagnolo, who is also a part owner of the team.
As for the affable Vanderleest, he is a tireless volunteer who has been with the Eagles for a number of years, including their time in the North American Hockey League.
Back to Trecroce, Palmerio and Scarfone.
It’s the Thunderbirds business why they did not sign the three from right in their own backyard when they had the opportunity. And really, it does not matter now. What is done is done.
What matters at the moment is that all three, as members of the Eagles, were a part of one of the biggest playoff upsets in recent NOJHL times when the Michigan-based crew upended the mighty Thunderbirds in four straight games.
The three also had strong regular seasons for the Eagles.
Palmerio had 21 goals, 25 assists, 46 points in 49 games, while Trecroce was 0-26-26 in 49 outings and Scarfone was 0-11-11 in 55 games while minding the store in his own end.
If there is a criticism for one to have in the way the Thunderbirds have operated the team over the past several years it’s that local players have often been bypassed for out-of-town talent. And I get it that the out of-town talent has helped the Thunderbirds win multiple NOJHL and Dudley-Hewitt Cup championships over the past few years.
But the championships certainly have not increased the fan base or the following for the local NOJHL team.
In fact, when Pat Egan and Al Jones were operating the Thunderbirds, the teams over the years were almost 100 percent made up of local players — and they were annual contenders. And while the Thunderbirds never won an NOJHL title under the operation of Egan and Jones, they were first and foremost about giving local players a place to play.
Not only that, dare I say that there were more Thunderbird fans then than there are now.
Just saying.
Not sure why they didn’t get signed but watching that palmerio kid for 2 years and the other 2 boys this year it has been a pleasure and what an upset! Me and the other old farts are very happy that they played for the Eagles. I was also told by someone who knows Denny Lambert that he wanted that Palmerio kid this year and Jordan Smith said no.
The sad fact now adays that hockey is a business and money is involed big time. More than the old days for local kids. Any way congrats to the eagles for winning .the team and coaching with a mission and desire.
Congrats to my 2 coaching chums from in the way back machine, Jim & “Bunky” Bill great jobs well done.
Also to the “Essar Speed Walker” R. Stephney a spell check book and new walking shoes for Easter.