In their second seasons with the Flin Flon Bombers, Nate Hooper and Isaac Jackson have seen their confidence and production grow.
“I do feel more comfortable,” Hooper said. “This season I’m more confident with the puck, and the linemates I have help me feel more comfortable as well.
Hooper and Jackson, both 19, have already surpassed their points totals from a season ago when they helped the Bombers fly to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League finals. Last weekend Jackson, a defenceman, racked up four points in a sweep of a two-game weekend series with Yorkton. His weekend production alone bested the two points he had in 10 games last season. After the weekend games, Jackson had 18 points in 35 games.
As of Monday, Hooper, a forward, was third on the Bombers in points with 30 in 36 games. This tops the 29 he accumulated in 53 games in 2016-2017. Flin Flon head coach Mike Reagan said that both young men have matured as players during their time with the Bombers.
For Jackson, wearing the maroon and white is a dream come true. Although his hometown on the roster is listed as Warman, Jackson spent the early part of his life in Flin Flon. He attended Reagan’s hockey school and his family billeted Bombers.
“For me, it’s awesome to be in a Bomber jersey because it’s been a goal of mine to play for the Bombers since I was a little kid watching games,” said Jackson, who moved away from Flin Flon when he was about 14.
Reagan said: “He is basically a local player. That’s big for this community to have a guy who grew up here play for the Bombers.”
Last season Jackson came to a Bombers team featuring a veteran and very deep blue line corps. Jackson learned while he battled for playing time and also played 11 junior B regular season games and nine postseason tilts with the Saskatoon Westleys.
Reagan said that not playing could be really challenging mentally. The five foot, 11 inch, 180-pound player persevered and has gained a major role on the D core this season.
“This year I feel a lot more confident because I am getting into every game,” said Jackson, who noted that the biggest on-ice adjustment as a rookie was that junior A was a lot more physical than midget AAA.
Jackson has four goals and 14 assists, as of Monday. Reagan described him as an intelligent player who sees the ice well and makes good decisions with the puck.
“I think he has done a great job,” Reagan said. “Coming in, he is playing second power play minutes for us. He is producing. He is having a good season.”
As well as his skills, Jackson has had an impact on the team with his personality.
“He is a good team player,” Reagan said. “He really cares. He is going to give you 100 per cent all the time. That’s what I appreciate the most about him.”
Last season Hooper, a Winnipeg product, found himself as a rookie often centering a line of the Bombers top two scorers in Greyson Reitmeier and Jason Lavallee. Both were NCAA Division I commitments with Reitmeier playing this season at Michigan Tech while Lavallee is now playing in U Sports with the University of Quebec at Trois Rivières.
“I couldn’t have been more fortunate to be able to play with Greyson and Jason…They taught me how to play junior hockey and helped me learn a tremendous amount about the game in my rookie season,” Hooper said.
His playmaking instincts helped him play with those two standouts. This season Hooper is tied for second on the Bombers in assists with 19 behind Nick Shumlanski’s 27.
“He is an intelligent hockey player,” Reagan said. “He sees the ice well. He is a great teammate. Guys really like playing with him.”
As of late, Hooper has often found himself with Rob Johnson playing on his right wing. Various players have been on the left side.
“Nate’s the type of guy that you can put anybody with on a line and he’s going to make them better,” Reagan said.
While Hooper has established himself as a playmaker, the six foot, two inch, 175-pounder has also shown he can light the lamp. As of Monday, Hooper was third on the Bombers with 11 goals.
“What I’m really happy with is he’s scoring more goals. He has got (11) now, I think, and hopefully he can get to 18 or so…He is understanding that we need him to score goals.”
When asked about his success this season, Hooper praised his teammates.
“I give all my credit to my teammates, but especially my linemates. They have helped me a lot this season.”
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Canadian Junior Hockey League trade deadline is Jan. 10.
Of the Bombers’ approach, Reagan said, “We are just kind of fielding offers on our guys and seeing what’s out there. We’ve got to make wise decisions for the present and the future, I think.”
