SOO THUNDERBIRDS JR. A HOCKEY CLUB
Media Update
Release date: Monday, May 9, 2016
Thunderbirds’ captain Jeffries commits to Nipissing University of OUA
By Matt Stefano
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — The Soo Thunderbirds hockey club is proud to announce that captain Brett Jeffries has committed to play for the Nipissing University Lakers for next season.
“As an organization, we are thrilled Brett will be continuing his hockey career while attending school at Nipissing University,” said T-Birds general manager Jamie Henderson.
Jeffries, who signed with the T-Birds during 2013 Spring Camp, went on to play three seasons with the club, helping them clinch back to back Copeland Cup McNamara Trophies in 2015 and 2016 along with a Dudley Hewitt Cup in 2015.
“Brett is a tremendous young man who gave some much to this team and played the right way game in and game out,” concluded Henderson. “We’re going to miss Brett a tremendous amount but we are excited to see what the future holds.”
The Cochenour, Ontario native also accomplished many individual efforts throughout his time in Sault Ste. Marie.
During his first two seasons with the Soo Thunderbirds, Jeffries won back to back Zoltan “Toots” Kovacs Memorial Trophies in 2014 and 2015 as the T-Birds hardest working player of the year and in his final season in 2016, he was the recipient of the Soo Greyhound Award as the T-Birds most valuable player.
The twenty year old forward also won back to back Mitch Tetreault Memorial Trophies in 2015 and 2016 as the NOJHL’s top defensive forward and is currently the NOJHL nominee for the RBC CJHL player of the year which will be announced at the RBC Cup this month in Lloydminster, Alberta.
“Nipissing is a small university in a nice setting,” said Jeffries. “I am looking forward to returning to school for three years and I feel Nipissing has the academic services and courses available to help keep me successful. I like that I will be able to play hockey at a competitive level as a Laker.”
Through 150 career games with the T-Birds, Jeffries tallied 42 goals and 106 points along with 69 penalty minutes and suited up for Team NOJHL at the Eastern Canada Junior A challenge in Cornwall, Ontario this past November.
“Playing for the Soo Thunderbirds for three years was a great experience both on and off the ice,” said the Cochenour, Ontario native. “All the guys bought into the program and worked hard resulting in both individual and team success. I think I have grown as a person and as a hockey player. I have lots of great memories.”
