Thunder holding tryouts for upcoming season

Early indications from the tryouts is this year’s Tillsonburg Thunder will be a younger team, according to team owner/president Mike Holly. The season starts with a road game on Oct. 4. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

When the Thunder hit the ice this fall there will be some new faces on the bench.

Team owner/president Mike Holly reported more than 20 players attended two try-out sessions in July.

“We’re pretty happy about that,” he said. “A lot of guys want to skate. There’s a lot of interest in the Thunder.”

The team typically sees turn-over of about one-third to one-half of the players every year due to various circumstances. For instance, Holly said defenceman Tyler Dougherty was planning on returning. Then, the Cambridge Hornets restarted and since Dougherty lives three minutes from the rink there, he decided to play for the Hornets. Dougherty was drafted 64th overall by San Jose Sharks, and played in the NHL.

“Some veteran players come out to the skate and we saw some of the players going to other teams, but that is usual,” Holly said, adding he doesn’t cut veteran players.

After the team won the league championship in 2016, three-quarters of the team didn’t play the following year, wanting to go out on a high note.

The Thunder will be playing in the Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) this season, a move from the WOHSL where the team played the past few seasons. As part of the Ontario Hockey Association, this means if the Thunder have an exceptional season playing in the Allen Cup is possible.

Holly’s early view is this is looking like a younger team. He sees this is as a positive so there won’t be as many injuries.

Two more practices will take place on Aug. 19 and 22. Anyone interested, should contact coach Sean Attridge prior to showing up at tillsonburgthundergm@gmail.com

“We’re always looking for top players,” Holly said. “There’s a lot of competition for players this year.”

The season starts with the traditional September home-and-home exhibition game with Tavistock. The winner is determined by the aggregate score for the two games. Admittance for the game is a good bank donation.

The official 20-game schedule starts with an Oct. 4 road game.

“I always like to start the season on the road, it builds unity,” Holly said.