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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Flin Flon Bombers are saying goodbye to a vital part of the organization. Trainer Jeff (Woody) Woods is stepping down as he has accepted a job with the City of Flin Flon. Woods was responsible for keeping equipment clean and safe, ordering new items as needed, sharpening skates, assessing injuries and rehabilitation. Bombers head coach and GM Mike Reagan knows he and the rest of the organization are going to miss Woods dearly. 'Woody is just a great guy,' said Reagan. 'He's done a lot for this organization (and) he's probably one of the best trainers in Canada.' Woods spent six years with the Maroon and White and did 'everything' for the organization, as Reagan put it. 'Often they say the trainer is the most important person on a team and I believe that,' said the coach. 'They see everything and they hear everything.' Not only was Woods on target when it came to ordering new equipment, maintaining what the Bombers have and keeping the players safe, Reagan says he was great with the players on a personal level. 'He's always a good guy to talk to,' he said. 'Especially for the players _ if they had a problem they didn't feel comfortable talking to me about, Woody was always that guy.' Reagan says Woods was also a good sounding board. '...his experience is going to be missed for sure,' said Reagan. 'The good thing is that he's going to be here in Flin Flon and he's going to help us out at home.' Woods recently accepted a full-time position with the city, leaving him unable to attend the road games and put in the time at the arena. But he has agreed to help work with the future trainer as well as at some home games. 'I think that's a real positive,' said Reagan. 'We're losing Woody full-time, but I know he's always going to be there when we need him.' The Bombers are currently accepting applications and searching for a new trainer for the upcoming season. 'We've (put) feelers out there. We're hoping, ideally, to have someone for the home opener,' said the coach. Reagan admits the timing of the change is 'terrible' for the Bombers and puts them in crunch for the soon-to-start season. 'Tough position' 'It puts us in a tough position. There is not trainers just growing on trees _ especially good ones,' he says. 'Those trainers are growing on palm trees down in the sun.' As with other local employers, the location of Flin Flon poses a big challenge for the Bombers. 'We don't just have access to people,' said the coach. 'To get a guy to come and commit to Flin Flon is really difficult.' For six years, the Bombers had Woods on their bench and in their dressing room. Reagan knows he's going to be tough to replace. 'We've been very fortunate when I look at the trainers Flin Flon has had here,' he said, mentioning Woods and former trainer Steven Hildebrand. 'Those are two of the best trainers you could ask for. 'This organization has been very fortunate to have some very good trainers. I don't know if we just get lucky or what,' Reagan said with a laugh. 'I'm hoping we'll flip a coin and get lucky and find another guy that is very passionate about it.' Reagan says the Bombers are truly happy for Woody but will miss him 'big time.'
