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 have just closed the door on their 2009-10 season. But already the club is looking at a "good foundation" for next year. "Our 19-year-olds are some of our better players," said head coach and GM Mike Reagan. "We look at our 19-year-olds and I think that if you are to look at the group of guys we have becoming 20-year-olds for us this year...it's a better start than what we had last year Ð as far as talent (goes)," said Reagan. "Now, we've got to surround them with the character and the grit. "I think the biggest thing (we need) is the character and the grit...in next year's team." Reagan says he likes what he sees when he looks down the bench of returning players. "We like our...top three defensemen returning (and) we like our top five or six forwards that are returning," he said. "I think the question marks are going to be (around) goaltending. "We're going to have to find someone. Klynt (Spencer) is going to have that opportunity to come in and show us what he's got, but he's going to have to fight for it. There's no question. "I don't think he's earned the number one job for next year. I think that we're going to be trying to find someone who wants that number one job," said the coach. When it comes to the blueline, Reagan says he sees real promise in the defensemen. "On the back end, we're happy and think we've got a really good one-two punch in (Tanner) Korchinski and (Patrick) Sitko. I think that's exciting. "Sitko is going to be one of the best power play guys in the league. He's brilliant. "Tanner has been in the shadows of a Brennan Cox, a Michael Young, a Taylor Thiessen, a Patrick Sitko and now this is going to be his coming out party. I think Tanner's ready for it. "I think he's ready to be a number one, number two defensemen. He's very capable of that. He's got to be confident in himself." Also returning is blueliner David Roper, who has played a big role for the Bombers. He's "been fantastic for us all year," said Reagan. "I think he's going to be a great number four. I don't know if he's ready for a number three role yet, so we need to find a number three, a number five and a number six defenseman." Reagan made note that this is an opportunity for Jonathon Young, who joined the Bombers this season, but "he's probably better suited to play forward than defense." Local product Ryan Fox was another big name for the Bombers this season as he put up four points Ð three goals and one assist Ð in the playoffs. "He's been huge for us this year," said Reagan. "Ever since Christmas, he's probably been our best player (and) most consistent. "He does everything; he scores goals, he hits, he blocks shots, he plays defense. "He's an all-around player. He's probably the best all-around player in the league." Corey Tyrell, who joined the Bombers in January, is "another good guy," according to Reagan. "...I think he has really gotten better as the season has gone on. He's been really good down the stretch," said the coach. "I think he's going to be an exciting player here for us next year." Andrew Johnston, who scored the overtime goal in Game 5 against La Ronge, was also a plus for the Bombers this season. "His best game was his last game," said Reagan, referring to Sunday's game in La Ronge. "The determination he had in the third period was phenomenal. "Him and Fox were our best players in the third period in La Ronge, along with Cox. But I think (it's) Andrew's time to step up and lead this team offensively." Matty Lecours put up some big numbers and, at 5'7", showed that size doesn't always matter. "We know exactly what we're going to get out of him Ð heart and determination," said Reagan. He's "a first-line guy for us." Devon Stillar is a player from whom Reagan expects to see 35 or 40 goals next year. Dougie McLeod is another versatile member of the team. "He won us some face-offs (and) he's another guy that is a key part of our team," he said. Another team player who will be returning to the line-up is Ben Bitz. "...Benny is a character. He's going to do whatever it takes for the team. He's a team guy," said Reagan. "I think that we have a really great team returning. I think that a lot of people figured that...next year's team is going to suffer because of this year's team, but I think we can be better next year. "With the things that we have learned this year, we'll be looking for different things come this off-season than what we were looking for last year. I think the biggest thing is just filling in some holes. "I think we need a number two centreman, we've got a number one in Johnston, and we need a number two. "We need a complete fourth line that is going to muck and grind and be physical. I think we've got a good start for our third line and I think our first line should be as good as anybody's in the league." Though the team is looking good for next season, Reagan says they wanted to win it all this year. "This was the year. We were concentrating on this year," he said. Reagan said he didn't feel that the team was all there during the playoffs as they didn't seem to realize their season was over after Sunday's loss. "I mean, I can't tell you what they were thinking, but to me, it just felt like they didn't realize it was over. "What can you do about it?" he asked. "It is what it is. If they don't want it, we can't force them to want it." Next on the docket for the Bombers is seeing where they sit overall as a club. "We're going to sit back and assess everything, I think," said Reagan. "We're going to take a look at what our biggest needs are and we're going to try and find those players. "I think we've got a good start (and) I like some of the players coming in." See 'Welco...' on pg. Continued from pg. The Bombers will be welcoming back Jesse Mychan, who played for the Bombers earlier this season before being traded. "He's a physical guy and he plays with a lot of passion," said the coach. As well, the Bombers will receive Riley Storzuk, who's "determined and patient," according to Reagan. Another player joining the Bomber organization will be Dylan Balaski, who's "another heart and soul type of guy." "I think our biggest concern right now is finding our number three defenseman, a number five and six," said Reagan, noting that the team is looking for big players this coming season. "We're going to be looking for big physical guys on the back end if we can find them. But they've got to be able to play," he said. "I mean, I think that we're going try and recruit Ð ya know, I hate to say it Ð but to play on this team next year, you're probably going to have to be 6'0 and above, except for the guys we've got. "We don't have a small team returning. We lost a lot of the small guys Ð Mike Rey, Thiessen, Dominic Martel, Alex Lamontagne. Those are five smaller guys. "We lost some smaller guys and now we want to replace them with bigger guys." The Bombers have a number of smaller players, but they aren't the smallest team in the league. "The biggest thing is that it's not so much the size, it's the grit, the determination and the character that we need," said Reagan. "We need to recruit guys who are here to win a championship (and) that's their only goal here. "Their first and primary goal is to win a championship. I want (guys) who want to come here strictly to win a championship. "The rest will take care of itself." The Bombers say goodbye to players like Cox and Young this season. "It's tough losing Cox, Martel, Dykstra and Young Ð those are four guys who have been sere since the get-go, when I took over. "Those are four quality kids. If I could recruit guys who are going to bring the same thing they do Ð the attitude that they bring to the rink Ð then we're lucky. "Those are good kids who are going to be successful. They've always put the team first. That's the biggest thing. "You've got to find guys who put the team in first place," said Reagan. The Bombers held their annual Awards Banquet last night in Creighton. See Monday's paper for coverage of the event.
