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.
Flin Flon Bombers coach-GM Doug Stokes killed two birds with one stone to solidify his goaltending as he dealt forward Matt Hill, who refused to play for the Bombers when acquired from the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL, to the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL to land 20-year-old goalie Mike Nichol. Hill was then dealt by the Vipers to the Melfort Mustangs. Bombers coach-GM Doug Stokes made the deal because he felt his team needed an upgrade between the pipes. Prior to the Saskatoon Showcase, the Bombers were 1-4. "He's played in the Western Hockey League for two-and-a-half years and he played in the B.C. League and was the top guy in the league last year," Stokes said. "He was a very sought after goaltender. There was seven or eight teams that were trying to get him out of Vernon, but I guess we had the piece to the puzzle they were looking for and it turned out in our favour, and we're certainly excited to have him in our organization." Nichol joined the team prior to their first game during the Saskatoon Showcase, but never dressed. He's excited to be a Bomber. "Just from watching this weekend it looks like we've got a lot of hard working guys with some grit and I'm looking forward to jumping in and trying to help out as much as I can," Nichol said. The Brandon native didn't really react to being traded, as it was a shock to him. "I didn't really see it coming, but once I got my head together a bit I was excited about a fresh start and hopefully it will be good," he said. In gaining experience from Nichol, Stokes feels that the 20-year-old puckstopper can "be a great tutor off the ice for Calvin (Bartel) and I think he's going to supply a lot of experience and mental preparation." When asked if Nichol would become the new number one guy, Stokes said that isn't the case. "I've never ever believed in a number one, number two guy," he explained. "We feel we got two quality, quality goaltenders and obviously come playoff time, you're going to go with the guy playing best at that time of year." Stokes said that he has an obligation to Bartel and that his young goalie will get starts. "I believe he's a top notch goaltender and I think he can only benefit from this move," Stokes said. In 45 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Nichol had a record of 18-19-4, with his best season being 11-11-3 with a 2.94 goals against average and .901 save percentage. In 10 games with the Vernon Vipers last year, he was 5-5 with a 2.61 goals against average and .909 save percentage.
