Noah and Noah in the net

Noah Zeppa, goalie. Noah Metivier, goalie.

New teammates and goalie partners with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.

Both are local products and represent key summer signings by new Thunderbirds general manager Jamie Henderson.

Indeed, Henderson has familiarity with Zeppa and Metivier, having coached both medium size goalies for two years apiece with the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.

Zeppa, with a 2002 birth date is the older of two, with Metivier having been born in 2004.

The most valuable player in the entire Great North loop during the 2018-2019 season, Zeppa has previous junior level experience from the past two years, having played briefly in the NOJHL for the Hearst Lumberjacks and in both the Central Canada Hockey League and the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League. Zeppa has also had to deal with a concussion injury and the illness of his mom.

Still, Zeppa is refreshed and ready to suit up for the Thunderbirds. And aforementioned Thunderbirds GM Jamie Henderson is looking ahead to having Zeppa and Metivier as the Soo’s local goalie tandem.

“We are looking for both of them to compete day in and day out and battle in the net the same as we will ask of all our players,” Henderson told Hockey News North. “We have seen them endure some ups and downs during their past few seasons but this is a fresh start with a new challenge and both seem to be up for it.”

Henderson took note of Zeppa and Metivier fitting in with Thunderbirds goalie coach Terry Barbeau and first year bench boss Cole Jarrett, who is also a part owner of the team.

“We are excited to have Coach Barbeau to work with them each week and with any player, confidence is key and both boys have worked hard thus far. We hope their play can find another level because they are both capable of playing great for us.

“Ultimately we hope to reach a point where Coach Jarrett knows he can go to either Noah at any point during the season and be confident that the team will get great goal-tending,” summed up Henderson.