The Flin Flon Bombers believe they have found their power play anchor with a trade that puts star blueliner Joel Webb in maroon and white.
The Bombers announced Wednesday they have acquired Webb and forward Jesse Shynkaruk from the Kindersley Klippers in exchange for winger Austin Calladine.
“Joel’s the number one power play guy that we’re looking for,” said Bombers head coach and GM Mike Reagan. “He’s a hard-working kid that’s committed to the game and motivated.”
Reagan said the Bombers have spent the past year trying to land Webb, 20, who had 25 points (3G, 22A) in 51 games for the Klippers last season. Webb added eight points (2G, 6A) in 10 playoff games.
Prior to joining Kindersley last season, Webb spent a season with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL, notching 17 points (4G, 13A) in 57 games.
At 6 ft 1 in and 190 lbs, Webb, an Edmonton native, adds size and skill to the Bomber blueline.
Shynkaruk, a centre who stands 5 ft 9 in and weighs 175 lbs, has spent the past two seasons in the WHL.
In 132 games between the Kamloops Blazers and Moose Jaw Warriors, the 19-year-old Saskatoon native has 28 points (13G, 15A).
The departure of Calladine, 19, comes as no surprise. Without getting into the details, Reagan announced last month that the 5-ft 11-in, 175-lb winger would not return for a third season with the Bombers.
In 98 games with Flin Flon, Calladine had 71 points (34G, 37A), leading the team in points in 2013-14. The Saskatoon native added five points (1G, 4A) in 11 playoff games over two seasons.
Rauckman commits
Meanwhile, the Bombers announced Wednesday that their leading scorer from last season, winger Chris Rauckman, has committed to the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers men’s hockey team for the 2015-16 season.
Rauckman, 20, became a Bomber during the 2014 offseason as part of futures that were acquired when star goalie Devin Buffalo was shipped to the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL.
Rauckman didn’t disappoint. The Red Deer, Alberta native scored 39 goals last season, one shy of league-leading Travis Mayan of Melfort.
In Flin Flon’s seven-game playoff battle against the Notre Dame Hounds, Rauckman had eight points (4G, 4A).
Having aged out of the SJHL, Rauckman had several NCAA teams bidding for his services, but when it was found that he was ineligible, he shifted his focus to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).
The University of PEI Panthers play in the AUS conference of the CIS.
– With files from Flin Flon Bombers news releases
