The Sault Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey

Ice hockey

Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...

 team in the Eastern Professional Hockey League from 1959 to 1962. The Thunderbirds were based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...

, and played at the Sault Memorial Gardens

Sault Memorial Gardens

The Sault Memorial Gardens was the focal point of ice hockey in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, for 57 years from 1949 to 2006. It was located in the heart of the downtown district at 169 Queen Street...

.

Hockey Hall of Fame Members

There are two members of the Hockey Hall of Fame

Hockey Hall of Fame

The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...

 that played for the Sault Thunderbirds. Gerry Cheevers

Gerry Cheevers

Gerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972...

 and Phil Esposito

Phil Esposito

Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...

 played for the Thunderbirds in the Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL) between 1959-1962.

NHL Alumni

Dusty Blair Gerry Cheevers Gerry Cheevers Gerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972... Roger Crozier Roger Crozier Roger Allan Crozier was a Canadian professional hockey goaltender who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals.... Denis DeJordy Denis DeJordy Denis Emile DeJordy , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played goal for four NHL teams, most notably the Chicago Black Hawks.-Playing career:...

Roy Edwards Roy Edwards Allan Roy Edwards was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 206 games in the National Hockey League. He was born in Seneca Township, Ontario. On June 6, 1967 Pittsburgh Penguins selected him in the expanstion draft, but traded Edwards to the Detroit Red Wings the next day... Phil Esposito Phil Esposito Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have... Duke Harris Duke Harris George Francis "Duke" Harris is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League during the 1967–68 season with the Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played in the WHA from 1972–75 with the Chicago Cougars and Houston Aeros.-External... Rich Healey Rich Healey Richard Thomas Healey is a former professional ice hockey defenceman who played one game in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings.-External links:...

Ed Kachur Merv Kuryluk Milan Marcetta Jack Martin Jack Martin (ice hockey) Jack Raymond Martin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1960–61 NHL season.-External links:...

Doug Robinson Cliff Schmautz Cliff Schmautz Clifford Harvey Schmautz was a professional ice hockey right wing. The majority of his career was spent in the Western Hockey League with the Portland Buckaroos, topping forty goals three times and leading the league in scoring in the 1965–66 season... Bill Speer Bill Speer Francis William Speer was a professional ice hockey player who played 135 games in the World Hockey Association and 130 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Lindsay, Ontario, he played for the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Raiders, New York Golden Blades, and New Jersey... Bob Wilson Bob Wilson (ice hockey) Robert Wayne Wilson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in one National Hockey League game for the Chicago Black Hawks during the 1953–54 NHL season.-External links:...