The Soo Thunderbirds are happy to announce that forward and Cochenour, Ontario native Brett Jeffries will be returning for his third and final season with the club.
The nineteen year old, who signed with the T-Birds following 2013 Spring Tryout Camp, shared the team’s hardest working player of the year award back to back seasons with teammate and graduate Eric Hillock during 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.
After putting up 11 goals and 10 assists through 48 games during his rookie season in 2013-2014, Jeffries finished third in team goals this season with 20 sitting behind Anthony Miller (21) along with Nick Tassone and Jaren Bellini who were tied with 32.
He was named the recipient of the Mitch Tetreault Memorial Trophy as the NOJHL’s top defensive forward this season putting up 43 points through 52 games. The T-Birds assistant captain also recorded his first career hat trick and four goal game on February 10th, 2015 in a 7-3 win over the Blind River Beavers.
“We are excited that so many players have shown their desire to return and be Soo Thunderbirds.” Said T-Birds president and general manager Jamie Henderson. “I’ve had great feedback from each player and they all seem eager to have a great Summer of training and to be ready to go come August.”
“We have a great nucleus returning but we’re looking to fill some holes and there will be some younger players who are given the opportunity to make an impact at camp come later this Summer.”
Jeffries becomes the fifth overage player penciled in for the 2015-2016 T-Birds squad joining Matt Mitchell, Joey Miller, Devin Shell and Nathan Hebert along with becoming the eighth player this offseason to commit back to the team with Matt Busby, Jaren Bellini and Brandon Grandinetti. The T-Birds also received a commitment from Soo Thunderbirds midget AAA forward Brad Thrower in May.
