Thunderbirds open camp Monday afternoon

The Soo Thunderbirds officially hit the ice on Monday in preparation for the 2006-07 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season.

Workouts take place at the John Rhodes Community Centre from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. followed by dryland training at 5:15 p.m.

The Thunderbirds will get their first taste of game action on Wednesday as the Blind River Beavers visit for an exhibition contest at the Rhodes beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Pat Carricato will put the team through the paces in his first season as the club's head coach.

The Thunderbirds are returning goaltender Travis O’Brien, defencemen Matt Conway, Ben Davey and Tyler Lannigan along with forwards Tyler Gendron, Adam Kauppi, Zac McNally and Nick Minardi.

The signed newcomers are goalie Ryan Dube, defencemen Shawn Bibeau and Mark Hoffman plus forwards Brad DiCandia, Kyle Johnson, Andy McMillan, Adam Pyymaki and Randy Wills.

All are local products with the exception of Johnson and Wills, who are American imports.

The team will likely receive help as well with players from their affiliation with the Soo Greyhounds.

The Thunderbirds open the NOJHL regular season on Friday, September 15 against the Abitibi Eskimos in a 7:30 p.m. start at the Rhodes.