As we launch our very first edition of Monday Thoughts, Saultsports and True North Radio owner Jay Houslander continues to set the tone for what local sports coverage should be—passionate, community-driven, and relentlessly committed to showcasing athletes at every level. Known for his hands-on approach, Houslander is often behind the monitors, behind the stories, and behind the scenes making sure Sault Ste. Marie’s sports community gets the spotlight it deserves. His dedication to honest reporting, high-quality content, and supporting local teams has helped Saultsports grow into a trusted source for families, fans, and athletes throughout the region.
This new Monday series aims to highlight reflections, insights, and moments from across the local sports landscape—through the same lens of dedication that Jay brings every day.
Soo U16/U18 Greyhounds
The Soo Jr. Greyhounds U16 and U18 programs wrapped up a busy November 22–23 weekend with mixed results against Sudbury and New Liskeard. The U16s battled hard but came up short in both matchups with the Sudbury U18 Wolves, falling 5–2 on Friday before being held off the scoresheet in a 3–0 loss Saturday. The U18 Greyhounds opened their weekend in dominant fashion, rolling to a 9–1 win over the New Liskeard Cubs on Friday night, but the Cubs responded the next day, edging the Hounds 3–2 in a tight rematch. Despite the split, the U18s showed strong offensive depth, while the U16s continue to build valuable experience against top competition.
Algoma Thunderbirds
continue their search for their first win of the 2025–2026 OUA basketball season, with both the women’s and men’s programs sitting at 0–8 after a challenging homestand at the George Leach Centre. On November 21, the women fell 65–37 to the visiting U of T Blues, while the men dropped an 83–54 decision in the nightcap. The following day, the Thunderbirds ran into another tough opponent as the TMU Bold earned a 67–27 win over the women and a 99–46 victory against the men. Now turning the page, Algoma hits the road hoping to spark momentum, opening a two-game road swing on November 28 against the York Lions before heading to St. Catherines on November 29 for matchups with the Brock Badgers.
High School Football
The Korah Colts senior football program is gearing up for a milestone moment as they travel to Guelph, Ontario on November 26 to proudly represent Sault Ste Marie and Northern Ontario at the 2025 OFSAA Football Golden Horseshoe Bowl. The Colts will take the field at Alumni Stadium to battle the A.N. Myers Marauders of Niagara Falls, a matchup that promises intensity, emotion, and championship-calibre football. After a determined season built on depth, leadership, and resilience, Korah now has the opportunity to showcase its program on the provincial stage and compete for OFSAA glory.
High School Hockey
The past week in Sault Ste Marie high school hockey delivered plenty of action and offensive firepower across both divisions. The Korah Colts opened with a dominant 11–0 win over the CASS Huskies on November 16, while the Superior Heights Steelhawks earned a 5–1 victory over the White Pines Wolverines that same day. The Wolverines bounced back on November 17 with a tight 4–3 win over CASS, but Korah continued its strong start by defeating the St. Mary’s Knights 5–3 on November 18. Superior Heights then showcased its depth on November 19, shutting out the CASS girls 14–0 before the boys added a 10–1 win over the Huskies. The week closed with a hard-fought 4–4 draw between the Knights and Steelhawks on November 20, marking the league’s first tie of the season.
Looking ahead, another busy slate awaits local teams as the standings continue to take shape. On November 24, the Superior Heights Steelhawks girls program took on the Korah Colts, followed by a November 26 matchup between the CASS Huskies and Korah in girls action. Boys competition resumes on November 27 when the Huskies meet the St. Mary’s Knights in what could be a pivotal early-season matchup. With momentum shifting weekly, players and fans alike can expect more intensity, rivalries, and meaningful points on the line.
Soo Thunderbirds
The Soo Thunderbirds wrapped up a productive northern road swing in Hearst, earning a 4–0 win over the Lumberjacks on November 22 before exploding offensively the next night in an 8–3 victory to complete the weekend sweep. With momentum building, the Thunderbirds now return home to the John Rhodes Community Centre for a pair of important NOJHL matchups. On Thursday, November 28, they host the Espanola Paper Kings at 7:00 p.m, followed by a Sunday afternoon showdown on November 30 at 2:00 p.m against the Blind River Beavers. With four crucial points on the line, the Thunderbirds will look to capitalize on home-ice advantage and continue climbing the standings.
