Their dressing room might be under construction, but make no mistake: this year’s Flin Flon Bombers aren’t rebuilding.
They’re reloading.
Training camp has begun for the team, one season removed from a playoff run that took the team within two wins of the Canalta Cup.
With five players having aged out from last season, head coach and general manager Mike Reagan says his new crew is ready to take another shot at the title.
“We only lost five guys from last year’s team,” said Reagan. “We gained a lot of experience. We’ve got seven returning defencemen and two returning goaltenders, and we can start from the net out with pretty much everyone returning.”
Many prominent players are back from last season, including forwards Brandon Lesko, Jason Lavallee, Greyson Reitmeier and Brandon St. Onge.
However, younger and newly acquired players may also be a key to success this year. Players such as Jordan Unger, Evan Katelnikoff, Nate Hooper and Connor Beebe all have a good chance of making the team.
“We’ve got quite a few guys who’ll be fighting for spots,” said Reagan. “We’re going to have a pretty competitive camp here.”
With training camp having started Wednesday and the exhibition season getting underway Saturday in Nipawin, Reagan has already named this year’s team captain.
Braden Lacoursiere will wear the C, taking over from Tyson Empey, who has aged out. Lacoursiere, a 6-ft 1-in, 209-lb blueliner from Unity, SK, is entering his third season with the club. He is one of the team’s most senior players.
“I’m a little nervous, but as the season goes on I’ll figure out the system here and learn how to be a good captain,” said Lacoursiere. “I’ll try to be more vocal, helping everyone out around the room, making them feel comfortable.”
All eyes will be on one of the Bombers’ new acquisitions. Calgary-born Dondre Watson, a 19-year-old forward, has been pencilled in as a top-six forward, practicing on a line with returnees Reitmeier and Rylee Zimmer.
“From what I’ve seen, he’s a really good player. He’s skilled, and moves fast,” said Zimmer. “So far, we’ve got some great chemistry going with him and Greyson.”
Last season, Watson tallied 27 goals and 42 points in 56 games in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. His rights were acquired in a trade made with his previous team, the Spruce Grove Saints, in August.
Watson is looking forward to meeting the Whitney Forum faithful.
“I’ve heard a lot about the fans here,” said Watson. “It’s one of the most storied organizations in junior A anywhere, in Canada or the States.”
“He’s going to fill a pretty big void up front,” Reagan said of Watson.
There won’t be a shortage of local content trying out for the team. Six players with Flin Flon roots will take to the ice during the camp.
Born-and-raised Flin Flonners Willy Eikel, Jeremy Dutcawich, Tanner Dutcawich and Tristan Galarneau will be trying out for the team. Prospect Isaac Jackson lived in Flin Flon before moving south – his family served as billets for incoming players.
Brody Madarash, a short and speedy forward, has deep roots in the area. Madarash brings with him a Bomber bloodline. His father, Tim, is the team’s all-time leading SJHL scorer.
“I think that those two boys [Jackson and Madarash] have very good opportunities to be a part of the team,” said Reagan. “Isaac’s been around the Bombers here growing up, and Brody’s tied to his dad, has lots of family here and spent lots of time here.”
Reagan added, “At the end of the day, they’ll have to earn their spot, just like everyone else.”
The Bombers play their annual intersquad game Friday at 7:30 pm at the Whitney Forum. They open the exhibition season on Saturday, Sept. 3 in Nipawin. They then host the Hawks on Sunday, Sept. 4.
The Bombers will be on the road to take on the MJHL’s OCN Blizzard on Tuesday, Sept. 6. They host the Blizzard on Friday, Sept. 9.
The Bombers start the regular season at home against Nipawin on Friday, Sept. 16.
