With development camp fast approaching in early-August, the Soo Thunderbirds roster is taking shape ahead of the 2021-22 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season.
On Sunday, the club announced the signing of Christian Howanitz, a 2002-birth year forward from Boulder, Colo.
The 5’11”, 175-pound Howanitz, spend the 2020-21 season with the Colorado Springs Tigers U18 team of the North American Prospects Hockey League where he scored three goals and seven points in 19 games.
“His work ethic is off the charts, and he is a team-first guy who will be very popular with his teammates on and off the ice with his commitment level and character,” Thunderbirds general manager Jamie Henderson said in a prepared statement. “He is driven to play at the next level.”
Howanitz is hoping to use an opportunity with the Thunderbirds to take that next step.
“It feels great to sign with an organization that has so much pride in their culture and knows how to get players to the next level,” Howanitz said.