Thunderbirds need help on defence
Having halted a two-game losing streak with back-to-back wins that have pushed their record to 4-2, Soo Thunderbirds nonetheless remain in search of blueline assistance.
Kevin Cain, general manager of the Soo’s Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team, acknowledged that he is on a coast-to-coast hunt for an experienced defenceman or two.
A shoulder injury to plum defenceman Owen Headrick that required surgery earlier this week and will sideline him until the new year is the latest hit the Thunderbirds have taken to a blueline brigade that during the off-season was projected as a strength of the team.
But one-by-one, the Thunderbirds lost experienced defenceman to other junior leagues.
David Radke signed with the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League while Jeremy Solomon and Shane Snow opted to join teams in the new Canadian International Hockey League. Solomon crossed town to sign with the Batchewana Attack while Snow returned home to Sudbury to enrol at Cambrian College and play for the St. Charles Spirit.
“I thought I had a deal to bring in some experience to our blueline but it fell through at the last minute,” said Cain, appearing on the Hockey North Show, which airs on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. on ESPN 1400 Radio.
“No offence to the kids we have back there now but we need to add some experience,” Cain said evenly. “Right now, we’re young back there and it shows.”
Wonder why Solomon, Snow and Radke wouldn’t come back to the Birds? I heard Radke wanted more exposure in his last year of eligibility so he chose the NAHL but what about Snow and Solomon?
Watched the Birds for the first time last night. Yes, their ds are young but they played OK, pretty good actually. The Tbirds dominated the second and the thrid and deserved the win for sure. Jordan Smith kept his cool and outcoached Jason Young, who looked like an outofcontrol baffoon back there. Sudbury played undisciplined and selfish hockey and the Soo was relentless and disciplined. One team passes the puck while the other team is intent on trying to go all the way and selfish play. If Cain can get a solid vet or two on the backend, theyll contend for first for sure.
The Thunderbirds have just announced that David Radke has returned to the team from Janesville of the NAHL.