The Flin Flon Bombers have scored their biggest off-ice success in years – they’re debt-free.
Outgoing secretary-treasurer David Brooks delivered the news at the team’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, May 30 at the Victoria Inn.
Brooks said the team’s last two remaining loans, both to Community Futures Greenstone, are paid off, leaving the team in the black for the first time in years.
The loan the team took out to pay for its bus three years ago was repaid in September, about a year ahead of schedule. The last remaining loan was paid off on May 26.
The club’s finances are far more stable than they have been in past years. Starting in 2001, the team’s financial situation was dire, earning only a few thousand dollars of net income each year while going into the red.
In total, the Bombers made almost $750,000 in gross revenue last season. After expenses, the team ended the year with a net income of about $110,000.
Payments totalling $9,000 were made to mechanics and charter bus services during the playoffs, as an engine problem took the team bus out of commission.
Brooks said repairs have been made and the bus will be ready to hit the road next season.
New president
Tanya Benoit was named the team’s new president.
Benoit, an active volunteer with the Bombers and other organizations, takes over from Hank Kosar, who stepped down after nine years in the post.
She takes the reins after one term with the club’s executive, having served as marketing coordinator.
Benoit was welcomed to the position by a hearty round of applause by those in attendance.
By taking the position, she made team history as the Bombers’ first female president.
Both new and returning faces will join Benoit on the executive, as six new directors were named at the meeting.
Lisa Tower, Damian Dominey, Danny Haley and Glen Rideout were appointed to one-year terms, while Noelle Lindsay and Randi Lindsay accepted two-year terms.
Lois (Bunny) Burke was named the new secretary-treasurer, while Travis Rideout will stay on as vice-president.
Cal Huntley remains with the board as its Hudbay representative, while Tim Babcock will continue as the City of Flin Flon representative.
Trade news
Head coach and GM Mike Reagan gave his annual coach’s report to those in attendance, touching on some upcoming roster moves.
“I’m very confident we’ll be able to fill those voids,” he said, referring to players who won’t be returning. “It is our goal and what we’re striving for heading into the recruiting season is to get back [to the league final] and put ourselves in that position again.”
Reagan said the future considerations the Bombers sent to Melville last season for defenceman Eric Sinclair have been determined: two current Bombers and a first-round pick in next year’s bantam draft.
The Bombers will be able to protect two skaters, with Melville drawing two players of their choice from the rest of the roster.
Reagan did not reveal who he would protect, but did say goaltender Brenden Newton, his presumed starter for next season, was exempt from the deal.
Players leaving
Reagan revealed that forward Brandon Lesko, one of Flin Flon’s top forwards, will not be returning to the Bombers this fall.
Lesko has reportedly chosen to retire from the game and enroll in an agriculture program at the University of Saskatchewan.
According to Reagan, Lesko had only recently informed the team of his plans.
“It’s very fresh, very surprising. For myself, it’s very disappointing and it’s unfortunate,” said Reagan.
The Bombers will also head into next season without blueliner Cory Thomas, who has committed to the University of Vermont.
Thomas is one of five former Bombers to join NCAA teams for next year, with Greyson Reitmeier at Michigan Tech and Sinclair, Jason Lavallee and Brandon Switzer heading to the University of Alaska-Anchorage.
Reagan noted the past year had been the most successful season for NCAA commitments during his time with the team.
“It’s been tremendous to get that recognition from schools,” he said. “I believe that we’ve designed our program to promoting guys to the education route for a reason. We want to have guys who want to move on to the college level.”
New faces
Reagan is hopeful for next season’s crop of new talent, announcing some players who had committed to the team for next season.
He had recently returned from showcase tournaments in Quebec and Colorado, and announced the Bombers have hired scouts in both regions.
“I’m extremely excited about the kids from Montreal,” Reagan said. “One of our goals was to increase the skill level at our hockey club, and we’ve had a lot of success with our Quebec kids.”
Reagan later added, “I think one of these kids could end up being SJHL Rookie of the Year.”
Reagan also discussed the Bombers’ chances of bringing back defenceman Dustin Perillat.
Perillat, a 20-year-old from Saskatoon, played 22 games with the Bombers before spending two seasons in the WHL.
Perillat spent last season playing senior hockey in southern Saskatchewan but is still eligible to play junior hockey – and the Bombers still own his rights.
It was not known whether Perillat would return, but Reagan was hopeful.
“It’s still a really touchy subject, but we will work hard to get him in the lineup,” said Reagan. “Dustin Perillat might be the best defenceman in Western Canada if he comes here.”
One key change for the Bombers next season will come off the ice, as trainer and equipment manager Tanner Arnold has accepted a job with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors.
“We’re very happy for him,” said Reagan. “Tanner’s 22 years old and he’s heading to the Western Hockey League. I spoke with him on the phone on the other day and he said it was a really tough decision. He didn’t want to leave Flin Flon but he understood it was the best move for his career.”
