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.
He served well for the Flin Flon Bombers, but head coach and GM Mike Reagan has decided to trade goalie Calvin Bartel. Last Sunday, the Bombers acquired from the Kindersley Klippers the rights to 1989 goalie Matt Weninger. ÒWe felt we were a team that should have a better record,Ó says Reagan. Weninger was on the KlippersÕ roster last season but has been out for the last while. As an available goalie and someone who was seen as being able to help improve the Bomber record, Reagan added the Lethbridge, AB, native to the team. ÒHe was one of the better goaltenders in the league last year,Ó says the coach. ÒAnd I felt like we needed a change.Ó With Weninger coming in not long after netminder Ryan Kerpan, a few crucial changes have been made to the team. But Reagan doesnÕt think that will change things. ÒItÕs tough to let a guy like Bartel go,Ó he says, Òbut at the same time, the guys know I am trying to do whatÕs best for the hockey team.Ó With no hard feelings in the dressing room either way, Bartel is waiting on his trade. ÒHeÕs not (gone) yet, but we will be moving him,Ó says Reagan. With two new goalies on the ice, Reagan says they are still in the beginning stages. ÒWe arenÕt expecting miracles from him,Ó says Reagan, referring to Weninger. ÒHe hasnÕt played a lot of hockey lately because of his situation in Kindersley. ÒFor right now, I expect (he will) give us a chance to win some hockey games.Ó Along with a record in regular season of 13-6-1 with a 2.39-GAA and .923-SPCT, Weninger comes to the Bombers with experience in the SJHL finals against the Humboldt Broncos as well as holding the league record for the longest shutout streak for a rookie Ð 205:28 without a goal. ÒWe are very happy to have Matt here in Flin Flon,Ó Reagan was quoted as saying in an SJHL release. ÒWe think that he brings experience to our team that we lack. ÒMatt is one of the best goalies in the league and should help us win the tight games,Ó he said. ÒHeÕs been to the dance and I think heÕs motivated to get back.Ó To require Weninger, the Bombers gave up 1990 D Stephen Lemercier and future considerations to the Klippers. Lemercier was then dealt to the Neepawa Natives.
