The Thunder Bay Border Cats are thrilled to announce their first player signings ahead of the 2025 Northwoods League season opener on Monday, May 26, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, against the Express. Under the direction of new manager Joe Ellison, the 35-man opening day roster is complete, and includes several returnees from the 2024 team.

Outfielder Ty Hamilton is a redshirt freshman from Florida Southwestern State Community College. The 6’3”, 215-pound left-handed hitter is the son of longtime Canadian Junior Baseball Team head coach Greg Hamilton.  The Ottawa, Ont., native played in 42 games for the Border Cats last season and batted .240 with two home runs, 20 runs batted in, 14 stolen bases, and a stellar .429 on-base percentage.

Pitcher Parker Burgess, from Douro-Dummer, Ont., is a 6’4”, 210-pound righthander and is also a redshirt freshman at Florida Southwestern State Community College.  Burgess, who was working his way back from an injury last season pitched in five games for the Cats, and posted an impressive 14 strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Pitcher Griffin Catto, a junior from Southern Illinois University, returns for his third season in Thunder Bay.  The 6’1”, 200-pound righthander from Whitby, Ont., has appeared in 26 games over his Northwoods League career, compiling a 5-2 record with two saves and 30 strikeouts in 41.1 innings pitched.

Middle infielder Greg LaChance is a junior at the University of Illinois. The 5’11”, 190-pound native of Whitby, Ont., played in 25 games last season and hit .262 with five doubles, eight runs batted in, and 17 stolen bases. LaChance is the brother-in-law of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, who made an appearance at Port Arthur Stadium last summer and threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Catcher Trey Fikes also returns for his second campaign with the Cats.  The 5’10”, 200-pound sophomore from Steele, Missouri, and Three Rivers Community College, was one of the top defensive catchers in the league last season and hit a solid .295 with two home runs, five doubles, and 14 RBI in 39 games.

The Border Cats home opener is Wednesday, May 28, at Port Arthur Stadium at 6:35pm against the Rochester Honkers.  Single game tickets, season tickets and flex packs go on sale May 5  at the stadium box office, which is open weekdays from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Additionally, the Border Cats are still in need of host families.  Players are in Thunder Bay for approximately 30-40 days during the season and the perks include free tickets, a discount on team merchandise, plus a $250 grocery gift card courtesy of No Frills Supermarkets. For more information contact (807) 766-CATS or email bordercatshostfamily@gmail.com.