How about the Soo Rapids?


By
February 9, 2014

When Sault Ste. Marie returns to the Great North Midget Hockey League for the 2014-2015 season after a one-year absence, the team will no longer be known as Soo North Stars.

As Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have been awarded operation of the local major midget team by the Sault Major Hockey Association, the North Stars name will fade into history.

In granting operation of the major midget team to the Thunderbird organization, Sault Major indicated a preference to move forward with a new moniker.

As long-time high school, minor hockey and NOJHL bench boss Jim Capy has been named new coach of the Soo midgets, new names for the team are being contemplated.

One name that would embrace Sault Ste. Marie history is Soo Rapids.

To be sure, Soo Rapids represent a famous and historic stretch of the St. Mary’s River which drains Lake Superior into Lake Huron.

Hockey-wise, the Soo Rapids name has been used before.

In fact, as members of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association’s Jr. B League, Soo Rapids won the 1941-1942 championship.

After that, the Rapids were a team within the Sault Major midget ranks.

Later, when the International Jr. B Hockey League was formed in 1965, Soo Rapids were a charter member and a part of it until 1971.


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