Birds deal O’Neill et al
Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have sold off four players in cash transactions. Among the performers traded away by the Thunderbirds is prize defenseman — and local product — Candon O’Neill.
In the span of four days, O’Neill, who has a 2007 birth date, and 2004 birth year forwards Grayson Ebrahim and Thomas DeGagne were all dealt to the Trenton Golden Hawks of the Ontario Jr. Hockey League while 2006 birth year goalie Maverick Fletcher was shipped to the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
O’Neill, who had five goals, 26 assists, 31 points in just 39 games for the Thunderbirds in 2023-2024, has a future Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association commitment from the Lake Superior State University Lakers. He was also picked by the Saginaw Spirit at the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
As for the others who the Thunderbirds traded away for cash, Ebrahim scored 27 goals for the Birds in ’23-24 while DeGagne tallied 13 times and Fletcher had a record of 12-5-0 as the team’s backup goalie.