Tech takes over the T-Birds
As part of a friendly takeover, The Tech 1921 Ltd. will assume official command of the Soo Thunderbirds effective the end of the 2015-2016 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
In doing so, The Tech group will become the fourth set of operators to manage the Thunderbirds since they entered the NOJHL as a first-year franchise in 1999.
Founder Sam Biasucci held the license on the not-for-profit Thunderbird operation for four years before turning over responsibilities to the duo of Pat Egan and Al Jones. After seven years at the helm, Egan and Jones transferred operation rights of the Thunderbirds to Albert Giommi, who had been one of the initial investors along with Biasucci.
Now, after six years as a major operator of the Thunderbirds, Giommi will give way to The Tech group, which includes fellow local businessmen Blair McLeod, Marty Ricks and Al Tucci.
The Tech group operates a refurbished facility in the downtown area of Wellington St. E. Besides renting space to Santini’s Bistro, The Tech also houses Catalyst Fitness and Hockey Up North Training Centre among several other tenants.
Previously, the venerable building served as a learning institution for more than 90 years, first as Soo Technical and Commercial High School, then as Lakeway Collegiate, then as St. Mary’s College.
Ongoing plans for the large, multi-purpose facility include being a full-fledged academy for arts, athletics and trades.
Operating the NOJHL Thunderbirds will be part of the athletic division of The Tech, which from the property’s many decades as a high school, also has an indoor gymnasium and outdoor track and football field.
And who knows — perhaps an outdoor rink could be constructed on The Tech property and be used for practices, maybe even some games?
At any rate, as the new operators for the reigning NOJHL champion Thunderbirds, The Tech owners will oversee a franchise that has been successful on ice over the years while maintaining a somewhat-loyal following in a town where the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League are the top draw.
But part of the Thunderbirds problem in trying to cater to their fans has been a flip-flop in home arenas from the John Rhodes Community Centre to the Essar Centre.
As operator of the Thunderbirds, Giommi moved the team’s home games from the cozy Rhodes Centre to the expansive Essar Centre in the hopes of attracting more fans. But despite all of the on-ice success, the Thunderbirds have averaged only about 240 fans per game this season, which is eighth-best in the 12-team NOJHL.
Playing at the 4,900-seat Essar Centre with so few fans in attendance has not made for an ideal atmosphere for the Thunderbirds or their fans.
Of note, the aforementioned, 64-year old Tucci is a former shop teacher at St. Mary’s and long-time boys and girls basketball coach at the since-relocated Catholic high school.
As spokesperson for The Tech group, Tucci has indicated that the Thunderbirds hockey staff will remain in place.
The Thunderbirds hockey department is managed by Kevin Cain and Jamie Henderson and includes head coach Jordan Smith and assistants Kyle Brick, Ryan Maunu and Jeremy Rebek.
After sweeping the cross-river Soo Eagles in the West Division semi-finals, the Thunderbirds now face the Elliot Lake Wildcats in the next round of the NOJHL playoffs. The best-of-seven West Division final begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Essar Centre.
Great group of guy’s that will take over the Thunder Birds. Nice to see that this tradition will continu.
Playing in the ESSAR CENTRE does the team no good what so ever.
Play at the Rhodes and get the same 250 Fans PLUS an atmosphear that is not there at the Essar IMO.
I like the idea of an Outdoor Rink at the “TECH”.
Another Good article Randy.
I wanta wish Good Luck to Tooch in his venture … The ‘Soo Thunderbirds’ are in good hands with Tooch … From an old Bawating friend; 1967 or so.
I don’t even know how the Thunderbirds are staying afloat with the Greyhounds as well. Playing at the Essar Centre was never a good idea in the first place. You have low attendance mainly because of raises in ticket prices and little interest for fans to go to the Essar to see the Thunderbirds, when they would rather see the Greyhounds.