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.
Eric Potvin's career as a Flin Flon Bomber lasted two games. He hopes it will last longer with the Winnipeg Saints of the MJHL. After coming over from the Weyburn Red Wings on Sept. 8 along with Michael Bondy for prospect Michael Seib, Potvin, who was traded on Oct. 5, will get his chance to play with the Saints. "I feel a little bit disappointed," said Potvin on Thursday after practice. "I really wanted to play for Flin Flon, but this is hockey. You have to live with it. I'm still happy to be trying out for junior A. I'll make the best of it." Potvin, who went 0-2 with an .830 save percentage and 4.50 goals against average, can't wait to go and sees this as a fresh start. "Nobody knows me over there. Get to play my game, do the best I can and hope for the best," he said. "I definitely feel I can play the junior A level. No doubt." Potvin said he will miss the atmosphere of the Whitney Forum and feels the community is a good hockey town. "There's lots of fans," he said. "It was nice when I played the first game here at home (Sept. 12 against La Ronge). I liked it." Potvin became trade bait after the team acquired goalie Mike Nichol from the BCHL's Vernon Vipers as coach-GM Doug Stokes was unhappy with how his goalies had performed. When that happened, it also created a problem with import players. "We can't have two imports occupying that spot," Stokes said. "You certainly don't mind an import as your starter, but you can't have an import goaltender as a backup." In trading Potvin, the Bombers are now at their limit of eight imports. "It's somewhat disappointing because I really liked Eric, not only as a kid, but he's a good goaltender," Stokes added. "He's a junior A caliber goaltender. I think he's a kid if given the opportunity, can be a starter and this is probably his best chance to get that opportunity." Stokes described the Quebec native as a typical Quebec goaltender, who relies more on reflex and athletic ability. The goaltending circus is nearly settled as the Bombers have a deal pending for Travis Crickard. "I hope to get that finalized in the next couple of days," Stokes said on Thursday. Crickard, a native of St. John's, Newfoundland, returned home.
