The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Former Flin Flon Bomber and NHLer Ray Neufeld is enjoying a new role in the sport he loves. This season, Neufeld joined the ranks of coaching, serving as assistant bench boss with the Southeast Blades of the MJHL. "Lots of times (while playing) you'd like to take matters into your own hands and go out there and take care of things but you can't (as coach)," Neufeld, 45, told the Winnipeg Free Press. "It's still competition and you get excited but it's not the same as playing." The native of St. Boniface had been working for St. John's Ambulance in Winnipeg when asked earlier this year to consider a career change. He's had no regrets. "I've been really impressed with the MJHL," he told the newspaper. "It's an excellent league and I'm happy to be involved." Neufeld spent the 1976-77 and 1977-78 seasons wearing Bomber maroon and white, becoming a fan favourite with a combination of offensive flair and grit. He went on to spend seven seasons with the Hartford Whalers, the team that drafted him 81st overall in 1979, before a trade in 1985 sent him to the Winnipeg Jets. He retired in 1990 after a brief stint with the Boston Bruins. In 595 NHL games the winger netted 157 goals and added 200 assists.
