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.
The Flin Flon Bombers are showing promise after another successful main camp. Held over the long weekend, the main camp featured roughly 60 hopefuls _ both rookies and veterans _ vying for a roster spot. Players put their best effort forward _ some in hopes of making it to the Bombers this season, and some in hopes of earning a spot for future seasons. Head coach and GM Mike Reagan was impressed with this year's camp and says the future of the Bombers is looking bright. 'It was good. It was really competitive,' he said as the main camp wrapped up Sunday with the annual Maroon and White game. 'I thought the competition level was real good,' said the returning bench boss. The Bombers picked up a few players in the off-season who were unable to compete in the camp, but have since arrived in Flin Flon. The new additions made their first laps around the Whitney Forum on Wednesday afternoon. '...we're really happy with them,' said Reagan. The main camp featured three teams of rookies and veterans showing what they are made of. 'I thought that our veterans came back in great shape and with a great attitude,' said Reagan. 'And I think that's important.' With a good outlook for the season, Reagan says he heard positive feedback from the veterans about the camp. 'I know our veterans thought it was a great camp,' said Reagan, noting that he hadn't stepped foot inside the dressing room during the camp days. 'I think there are some guys in there that are fighting for their jobs. 'We had a lot of turnover from last year...and I think we had a lot of holes to fill, but we had a really good season of recruiting.' The organization made some big moves over the summer, further bolstering hopes for this season. 'And I think that got our returning players excited about where we can be as a team,' Reagan said. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Bombers sat with 34 players _ roughly nine more than they will start the season with. SJHL teams are allowed 25 carded players during the regular season. As the exhibition games continue for the Bombers, the coaching staff will be making cuts to trim the roster. 'We're looking at probably six or eight cuts still,' said Reagan. See 'That's' on pg. Continued from pg. 'But that's what exhibition is for.' Players will have to prove they deserve a roster spot as the preseason will see the Bombers compete in five more games. 'We want guys who are competitive and want to win and battle for their position on the team,' said Reagan. Preseason The Bombers are at an even split after their first two games in the preseason. The Maroon and White traveled to Nipawin Monday night for their first exhibition game of the season and came up shorthanded 4-3. The rookies took to the ice and Reagan says the Bombers should have earned the win. Reagan formed the lineup of young guys the team hopes to see suiting up for the Bombers in the future. 'I thought we should have won the game. I thought our young guys played really well,' he said. Reagan says the team started off slow, but really picked things up as the game went on. The Bombers outshot the Hawks 18-7 in the third period alone. 'We just ran into a hot goaltender,' he said. The Bombers sent five guys home following the first exhibition game. Convincing win Wednesday night, Flin Flon hosted Swan River of the MJHL in their second game. The Bombers earned a convincing 6-0 shutout against the Stampeders. Though the 6-0 score looks good on paper, Reagan says the preseason isn't about the scores. '...you want to win the game, yeah, but at the end of the day it's about assessing the players for the future and that's what matters,' he said. The Bombers will head to OCN tonight for their second road game of the preseason as they take on the MJHL's Blizzard. '...it's always an interesting game in OCN,' said Reagan. 'There is a history between the two teams going back a long time.' Knowing the game can get much more physical in OCN, Reagan says the Bombers will be there to play hockey _ 'and hopefully they are there to do the same thing.' 'I'm OK with the intensity and a scrap here and there, but we don't want to get involved in a gong show,' he said. 'The game has changed, a lot.' Reagan says the game of hockey isn't as violent as it once was and now focuses more on skill. 'That's fine by me. I like both,' he said. Reagan and the coaching staff will continue to assess players as the regular season quickly approaches. The Bombers will open their season in Melfort on Sept. 20 and then host the Mustangs in their home opener the following night at the Whitney Forum.
