For the second time, Flin Flon Bombers head coach Mike Reagan has brought back a shiny souvenir from the World Junior A Challenge.
In 2015, as an assistant coach, he helped Team Canada West win hockey gold. This year, as the team’s head coach, he led the squad, which included Bombers rookie Chrystopher Collin, to its fifth gold medal.
“It’s pretty special to be able to win a gold medal as a head coach with such a great group of players and staff,” said Reagan, who was an assistant coach on last year’s team that finished fifth.
It certainly was not an easy task in Truro, NS. Canada West dropped both of its preliminary round games. The team then bounced back and won three straight contests at the prestigious tournament to win gold.
“It’s because guys bought in and played the right way – played the ‘Western way,’ which was our slogan,” Reagan said. “We played as a team, were physical, chipped pucks, and blocked shots.”
“There was no secret formula. Just 22 guys playing the right way and buying into what we preached. It was character and a great group of guys that put winning and the team ahead of themselves.”
The way Canada West won could be a template for the Bombers. At the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Christmas break, the Bombers were 10-18-1-3 and sat third in the Sherwood Division and 10th in the league.
“I think we have to change the way we play,” Reagan said. “Guys need to buy in just like our Team West did. There is no difference.”
“It’s about the players buying into playing the way you need to in order to win. I’m confident we will get this team back on track.”
The Bombers were slated to play in a home-and-home series with La Ronge on Dec. 30-31 after The Reminder deadline. Heading into the break, Flin Flon snapped a six-game losing streak with a big 5-3 comeback win on the road in Kindersley.
The victory also halted a 12-game road losing streak. It was the Bomber’s second road win of the season. A high point of the victory was a four-point performance by 20-year-old forward Nick Shumlanski of Tisdale.
“Nick Shumlanski was huge for us - potting two goals and two assists,” said Bombers assistant coach Garry Childerhose, who led the team with fellow assistant Chris Bortis and strength and conditioning coach Ryan Fox while Reagan was away. “I thought that he really elevated his game and led by example on the ice, taking control of the play the majority of time that he was on the ice.”
Shumlanski, who helped the Bombers to the SJHL finals the past two seasons, led the team in points with 32 in 30 games at the Christmas break. Second-year forward Nate Hooper of Winnipeg was second with 24 points. Collin, a Montreal product, had a team-high 14 goals in 24 games. Fellow rookie Caleb Moretz, a forward from Fairbanks, Alaska, had 22 points in 31 games. Captain Ben Lanfermann led the Bombers defencemen with 19 points.
Goalie Brenden Newton of Medicine Hat had a team-high six wins. The netminder, who missed almost two months with an injury, had a 3.08 goals against average a .906 save percentage.
Collin, who was third on the Bombers with 23 points, did not have a point at the WJAC but certainly played a role.
“Chrystopher had an amazing camp and played well at the tourney, but his best game was in the final where he was physical and created a few chances,” Reagan said. “I was proud of him. I thought he matured a lot and grew as a player, understanding what it takes to win.”
Just before the Christmas break, Collin was named to Team West for this January’s Canadian Junior Hockey League Prospects Game in Mississauga.
“Chrystopher being named to the CJHL Prospects camp is great,” Reagan said. “He’s worked hard to develop his game and it shows if you do it the right way, you will get recognized.”
