THUNDERBIRDS HOCKEY CLUB
Center Ice Foundation is thrilled to announce its partnership with Thunderbirds Hockey Club for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. This collaboration brings together two organizations with a shared passion for the sport of hockey and a commitment to providing opportunities for young players in Columbus, Ohio.
Founded in 2022, Thunderbirds Hockey Club is a Tier 2 USA Hockey Sanctioned Travel Hockey program that was created through the merger of the Junior Prowlers, the Vikings, and the SISU Thunderbirds. For the 2023-2024 season, the club will roster 12UAA, 14UAA, 16UAA, and 18UAA mixed birth year teams. Comprised of players from school districts across Central Ohio, these teams will play 50-60 games, including 4-5 out-of-town tournaments.
In addition to their regular season schedule, the 16U & 18U teams will also compete in multiple NAPHL (North American Prospects Hockey League) showcases. This provides players with access to a network of NAHL, NA3HL, and USPHL coaches & scouts and the opportunity to compete at an elite level.
Center Ice Foundation is proud to support Thunderbirds Hockey Club and its mission to provide young hockey players in Columbus with the opportunity to develop their skills and compete at a high level. We look forward to a successful partnership and an exciting season ahead.
Coach Tom Latvala, a Level 5 USA Hockey certified coach, brings 28 years of coaching experience to the Thunderbirds Hockey Club. Growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, he played youth and travel hockey for the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association in Houghton-Hancock, MI, competing throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Iron Range of Minnesota.
With nearly 2000 games behind the bench, Coach Latvala has held coaching positions with numerous teams, including the Columbus Vikings 14U, Dayton Stealth 15O AAA and 16U AAA, Queen City Steam 16U AAA, Columbus Capitals, Columbus Cardinals, and CCYHA Blue Jackets. Many of his former players have gone on to play at the AAA, Prep School, Juniors, College and NHL.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Coach Latvala also scouts for the Anchorage (AK) Wolverines of the NAHL. He has been part of many championship teams, including the Columbus Cardinals Peewee AA who were crowned North American International Silver Stick Peewee AA Minor champions in 2004-2005 (Newmarket, ON).
Coach Latvala has been married to his wife Melissa for 31 years and they have a 30-year-old son Alex. Alex grew up playing AA and AAA hockey in Ohio and Michigan as a goalie and went on to play ACHA DII at Northern Michigan University. He currently lives and works in the Chicago area while also coaching high school hockey.
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