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.
Flin Flon Bomber Brett Needham is ready to go. With the season starting today in La Ronge, the wait is over and Needham's excited. "I feel good," he says, about being comfortable with his new team. "There's a good bunch of guys and I'm excited about it (being part of the team) now. Exhibition play has allowed him to get his speed and timing down, but it doesn't stop there. Needham's physical game has been coming out with a vengeance and the La Ronge Ice Wolves got a taste of it the hard way. "It's the biggest part of my style," he says. "Playing the boards well and putting up points. I will be making room for (Tyler) Beachell and (Dalton) Pajak." Last season, the native of The Pas, played for the OCN Blizzard in the MJHL and registered eight goals, 25 assists and 33 points in 61 games with 161 PIM. He feels his point totals in OCN didn't show what he can do. "Playing with Pajak and Beachell, that will improve," Needham says, about his numbers. "Points isn't something I pay attention to, I care about not getting scored on. Points look good on paper." Teammate and childhood friend, Dale Pettit, believes Needham will boost the team because of his ability to shoot and pass the puck and commented on how his physical side will help. "He will deliver a big hit that will get the bench going." In the latter part of exhibition, Needham, Pajak and Tyler Beachells' fill-in, Darryl Finnerty, showed how dangerous the line can be. Beachell only played with his linemates in the Nipawin Hawks game missing most of the exhibition season with a minor ankle injury. The Rookie of the Year's presence should only add to an already potent line. The adjustment to playing with new linemates wasn't too difficult for Needham. "Part of being a player is adjusting to new linemates," he commented. "I have gotten to know how he (Pajak) plays. Pajak's a skilled guy." While Needham is excited to be here, fans have grown to like him too. "I talked to lots of fans and they're pumped I'm here," he says.
