Spirit sends Baber to T-Birds
Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League has assigned recently-signed 2001 birth-year forward Camaryn Baber to the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, HockeyNewsNorth.com has confirmed.
The skilled youngster — and reigning Northern Ontario Hockey Association minor midget player of the year — was Saginaw’s third-round pick (57th overall) at the 2017 OHL draft from the Soo Greyhounds of the Great North Midget Hockey League. Baber netted 32 goals, 30 assists, 62 points in 32 regular season games for the Greyhound midgets last season.
Baber impressed the Saginaw staff during training camp and had a goal and an assist in one exhibition game for the Spirit.
With four 2001 birth year rookies already on the Saginaw roster, Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill told HockeyNewsNorth.com that he thought it best to let Baber develop — and play a regular shift in the NOJHL — under new Thunderbirds coach John Parco.
As a player, the now 45-year old Parco was a three-year scoring star as a centre with the erstwhile Belleville Bulls of the OHL.
A Sault Ste. Marie product, Parco went on to a 19-year pro career, spending the majority of it as an A Division standout with HC Asiago in Italy. After retiring as a player, Parco was the head coach for HC Asiago for three seasons and led it to two championships.
PHOTO: Saginaw Spirit GM Dave Drinkill and recently-signed rookie prospect Camaryn Baber.