Thessalon Tigers to face-off the Soo Greyhounds on home-ice
By Sam Laskaris
THESSALON FIRST NATION—Members of the Thessalon First Nation are ecstatic they will be able to see one of the most storied Junior Hockey franchise in their own community.
The Soo Greyhounds, members of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, will be participating in a fundraising game at the Thessalon Memorial Community Arena on Jan. 23.
Joining the Greyhounds on the ice will be a Thessalon-based Peewee team, the Thessalon Independent Player’s and Parents Hockey (T.I.P.P.) Tigers.
“First of all, we’re surprised they’re going to come to our little community,” said Mary Ann Giguere, who has been on the Thessalon First Nation council for the past 14 years. “They travel all over Ontario. And it’s an honour they will come to our community.”
The Tigers’ roster includes one player – Aiden Wabigwan – from the Thessalon First Nation.
This is believed to be the first time the Greyhounds, who were founded in 1962, will be playing a fundraising game in Thessalon.
The contest will feature three 10-minute periods. That will be followed by having players from both squads participating in a shootout.
Giguere believes many of the members from her First Nation will attend the contest.
“We all love the Greyhounds,” she said. “We do have a lot of Elders in our community. But I’m sure those that are able to make it out will be at the game.”
Admission to the game will be rather affordable. Tickets are priced at just two dollars per person. Those attending the match are also asked to bring a non-perishable food item which will be forwarded to the Thessalon Food Bank.
A 50/50 draw will also be held during the evening. Proceeds will be forwarded to the Sault Ste. Marie-based Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH).
Gerry Liscumb Jr., the Greyhounds’ director of public relations and hockey administration, said members of the OHL franchise are keen to participate in the fundraiser, which is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“It’s a privilege to be able to showcase our players on and off the ice in a community like Thessalon,” he said. “We receive so much support from around the Algoma region, that when we were asked to participate in this event there was no question how determined we were to make it a reality.”
Thessalon is located about 90 kilometres southeast of Sault Ste. Marie. Hockey fans from the community routinely make trips to see the Greyhounds, the closest OHL franchise to their community.
“To play at the Thessalon Memorial Community Arena, and in front of the residents of a community that has deep ties to our organization will be a rewarding experience and we look forward to seeing everyone in the rink,” said Liscumb Jr.
The Greyhounds have had their share of successes over the years. The squad captured the OHL championship in 1985, ’91 and ’92.
The franchise also hosted and won the 1993 Memorial Cup, the national crown awarded to the champion of a tournament involving clubs from the OHL, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The Greyhounds’ most famous alumnus is Wayne Gretzky, arguably the best NHL player of all time.
Others who spent their junior days in Sault Ste. Marie before embarking on pro careers include Paul Coffey, Joe Thornton, Ron Francis, and Adam Foote.