The Schreiber Falcons had “a group that never quit and continued to battle.”

Those thoughts from Head Coach Mario Filane Figliomeni as he reflected on the 2023/2024 season, which included the club losing teammate Keewadin Crews early in the year for what are being called “very rare and complicated health issues.”

“It really brought our group closer together and reminded us how important it is to cherish playing for and with the guy beside you,” added Figliomeni. “We also battled through some tough rivalries, including beating the eventual league champions Current River Storm twice at home, and a thrilling comeback to earn a point in the last game of the season on the road to clinch second place, and home ice in the playoffs.”

The Falcons were tied with the Thunder Bay Northern Hawks entering their March 1, 2024 matchup at Current River Arena. If they lost in regulation, the LJHL tiebreaker scenarios would have been enacted.

The visitors from Schreiber scored the tying goal with 4:21 left in regulation to secure the point before eventually losing 7-6 in the shootout.

The Falcons will look similar this year with Isaac Magill, Nolan Height, Kai Vanska, Tyler Kinisky, Adam Dubinsky, Nick Figliomeni, Girolamo Figliomeni, Lucas Romeo, Liam Speziale, Blake Speziale, and Matt Valiquette all coming back.

“Our expectations and hope is that with a veteran group, and a group that is used to working with each other, we can build off of last year and take that next step in the playoffs and get back to the Championship finals once again, and ultimately back to the Central Canada Cup,” remarked Figliomeni.

“I expect that our group of guys will do whatever it takes to succeed as a team and as a family, which I know we can and want to do,” added Owen Keene, who returns as team captain. “I think Isaac Magill will have a huge impact on our team. He’s a great puck moving defenceman with good size and knows how to get pucks deep.”

The team added veteran Defenceman Drew Caddo, who spent a majority of the last three seasons with the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) but did also suit up in ten games last season with Falcons, compiling four points.

Among the newcomers to the Falcons include Giorgio Figliomeni from the AA Northern Selects program and Andrew Figliomeni who played with the U16 AAA Thunder Bay Kings.

The Falcons will play the entire month of October away from the Schreiber Arena because the township doesn’t install their ice in until later in the month.

“Starting on the road has its challenges, but for our group it will be a good opportunity to build up the anticipation of returning home to ‘the nest’,” Figliomeni said. “It gives our players an opportunity to bond off the ice on the road and will make finally getting to be at home and in our dressing room in November that much more special.”

The Falcons are honoured to be on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki.

The Lakehead Junior Hockey League proudly acknowledges and celebrates the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Canada. We also continue to learn and educate ourselves in the spirit of reconciliation.