Kings Announce U16 Team Structure and Staff

THUNDER BAY KINGS ANNOUNCE U16 TEAM STRUCTURE AND STAFF

The Thunder Bay Kings will again have a U16AAA team and are excited to announce the coaching staff for the U16 Kings for the 2024-2025 season.

The team will be led by Jouni Kuokkanen (Head Coach), Mike Figliomeni (Assistant Coach) and Scott Sutton (Goalie Coach).  This staff provides significant leadership, playing and coaching experience and knowledge of the U16 age group.  Their combined playing experience includes Professional Hockey, University Hockey (NCAA and USports) and Major Junior.  Their coaching experience includes AAA and AA hockey for many years.  All three are Kings alumni.

The staff believes in the importance of having a strong, local AAA program that allows local kids to continue to play AAA until they have finished high school.

The U16 Kings will play as a development team this season.  Their schedule will include tournaments and local exhibition games.  They will not be part of the GTHL.  The focus of the U16 team will be development, with significant practice hours working with their skilled coaches.

U16 Final Tryouts will be held August 25, 28 and 29, 2024, at Fort William First Nation Arena.  Sign up for tryouts will be available on the website soon and also posted to our Facebook page.  Any questions regarding tryouts can be sent to operations@thunderbaykings.com.

This 2024-2025 season change was made possible by the strong recruitment by U18 Head Coach Nick Parry and the continued interest by the U16 players and parents to play AAA hockey.  Thank you to all for your continued dedication to the AAA hockey program.  Thunder Bay Kings continue to work to offer a high quality hockey program and to develop exceptional athletes and well rounded individuals.