The NOJHL is one of Canada’s most under rated, and under valued Junior A leagues. Most people would be suprised to know that the league usually leads the way in all of Canada for numbers of players called up in season to Major Junior hockey. Not only do they lead Canada in that department, but they also regularly produce impactful NCAA D-3 players.
The Soo Thunderbirds are a different breed of organization though. Regularly in the championship hunt, and known to be a great developer of players, they are now regulalry producing NCAA D-1 players as well.
Jacob Smith, Center, who spent last season with the Thunderbirds as a young 17 year old player accumulating sixty six points in fifty eight regular season games showed that Northern Ontario is a place you can still be seen by NCAA scouts. As a dominating player, Smith was put in the right position, at the right time, in the right organization.
Smith has now committed to Lake Superior State University. Playing within driving distance of this NCAA program certainly didnt hurt Smith’s efforts.
“As an organization, we are really proud of Jacob and are very happy for him and his family” Said General Manager Jamie Henderson
“He has continued to improve his craft. He is a relentless competitor, who is always the first on the ice for practice. The Lakers have added a tremendous young man to their program.”
Jacob Smith, did not play his first AAA game until he was fifteen years old. Patience was a key element in his development, and finding a place where he could dominate, get noticed, and develop was key to his early commitment to NCAA hockey.
