By Matt Stefano
After winning the 2013-2014 NOJHL scoring title with eighty seven points in his overage season, former Soo Thunderbirds captain Gavin Burbach has completed his freshman season with the Robert Morris University – Illinois Gold, finishing as the teams’ top scorer with twenty three goals and fifty points through thirty five games along with sixteen penalty minutes.
‘I believe our division was very competitive and it was fun being part of games that were a battle until the end’. Burbach said, as his team gets set for the post season on February 20th. The Newberry, Michigan native says he is adjusting to his new chapter living in the Windy City and is studying Business Administration in his first year of a four year program for his Bachelor’s Degree.
‘School is going really well so far. I love going to school in downtown Chicago, it’s something I’ve never experienced before and “The City Life”. Always something different!’
Through ninety career games played with the T-Birds, the twenty one year old finished off sixty two goals and one hundred sixteen points making him the highest scoring US born player in team history just three points ahead of former T-Bird and Traverse City, Michigan native Joshua Thompson.
‘The Soo Thunderbirds did nothing but develop my hockey skills as a character and player.’
The current ACHA Division 1 freshman forward also became just the third T-Bird in 2013-2014 to win the NOJHL scoring title joining Ryan Corcoran (2000-2001) and Jeff Rainville (2002-2003) along with setting new team single season records for most opening goals of a game with nine along with insurance goals of a game with the same number.
‘All the staff is such an important role in the T-Birds organization.’ He added.
‘They have a lot of help from different sources such as you doing communications, our fasthockey announcers and tickets at the door etc.’
