Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League was formed in 1970. The 12 league members attract over 115,000+ fans a season. The league mandate is to “To provide Northern Ontario Junior Hockey players with the opportunity to compete at an elite Jr. A level while striving to achieve their educational and career goals.”
The Thunderbirds tradition dates as far back as 1999 and the organization is strongly recognized throughout North America. Along with one of the longest standing names in junior hockey, the Thunderbirds play out of the John Rhodes Centre where the Thunderbirds have claimed five NOJHL championships in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2022 with five trips to the Dudley Hewitt Cup and three appearances to the national championships in 2012, 2015, and 2022.
The NOJHL comprises twelve teams located in Ontario and Michigan. The teams are currently located in: Blind River, Cochrane, Elliot Lake, Espanola, Hearst, Kirkland Lake, Noelville, Powassan, Rayside-Balfour, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Timmins the league is spread across the southern region of Northeastern Ontario.
The Thunderbirds have seen many players and coaches advance through hockey to NCAA, ACHA, semi pro and professional levels since 1999.
The Thunderbirds will be holding our development camp for birth years of 2004 – 2008 featuring on-ice scrimmages and off ice instruction on May 5th – 7th for individuals looking to play in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League in the 2023/24 season. The sessions will be held at the Northern Community Centre (Sault Ste Marie, Ontario) with a cost of $225. For more information, please contact Jamie Henderson: jhendersongm@outlook.com. Deadline to Register: May 1, 2023.
