The following people were born in, residents of, or are otherwise closely connected to the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario
Olaf Kölzig is a South African-born German former professional ice hockey goaltender and current goaltender coach and player development coach for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). With the exception of eight games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he played his entire 14-year NHL career with the Capitals.
George Robert Ramage is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota North Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers. He also played one season in the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the Birmingham Bulls. He was a two-time Stanley Cup winner in the NHL.
Jeffrey O'Neill is a Canadian broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played 12 seasons with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has earned accolades for his offensive contributions on the ice and represented Canada internationally in various tournaments.
Alexander James Auld is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Auld played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens. He has also appeared internationally for Team Canada on three occasions: the 2001 World Junior Championships, the 2004 Spengler Cup, and the 2006 World Championships.
Peter A. Ing is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 74 games in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and Detroit Red Wings between 1989 and 1993.
Aaron Christian Ward is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played more than 800 games over a span of 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks. He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, having won twice with Detroit in 1997 and 1998 and once with Carolina in 2006.
Jordan Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is regarded as a premier penalty-killer and skilled two-way forward. In 2007, he became the youngest player to score a hat trick in league history.
Jared John Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Savannah Ghost Pirates of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He formerly served as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Jay Harrison is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.
Thomas Cullum Pyatt is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He spent most of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators. Pyatt also played in the National League (NL) with Genève-Servette HC and the SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers and in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Skellefteå AIK.
Liam Reddox is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He most notably played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Edmonton Oilers and Captained the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He has dual citizenship in both Canada and Scotland.
Ryan Parent is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Philadelphia Flyers and the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is currently an assistant coach with the Utica Comets.
Paulo Colaiacovo is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He is the identical twin brother of National Hockey League defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.
David Brown is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Stoney Creek Generals in the ACH. He most recently played for the Fife Flyers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). Brown was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 8th round, 228th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Frank William "Bill, Flash" Hollett was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. Hollett was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, but grew up in Toronto, Ontario.
Chris Snell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and an amateur scout of the Winnipeg Jets. He was drafted in the seventh round, 145th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.
Gary Spencer Leeman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player in the NHL. In 1990, he became the second Toronto Maple Leaf player ever to score 50 goals or more in a single NHL season, after Rick Vaive did it in 1981-82.
Phil Oreskovic is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman.
John McFarland is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Florida Panthers. He was taken first overall in the 2008 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection by the Sudbury Wolves. He was selected by the Panthers in the second round, 33rd overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. McFarland retired from professional hockey on February 6, 2019. In 2021, he was hired as an assistant coach for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs.
Mackenzie Blackwood is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Blackwood was the top-rated North American goaltender ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final rankings for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.