Before players departed for their hometowns, the Flin Flon Bombers Awards Night last Saturday gave the team an opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon their successful season.
“It was great to get everyone together one last time,” said captain Tyson Empey, who completed his fourth and final season. “This is a team I will never forget and to end it with one last special night was a perfect way to end it all.”
After a slow start, Flin Flon posted the best record in the SJHL from Dec. 1 on. They finished sixth in the SJHL standings.
In the postseason, the Bombers upset No. 3-seed Weyburn and No. 1-seed Battlefords. Flin Flon’s season ended in game 6 of the Canalta Cup finals at the hands of the defending champion Melfort Mustangs.
Head coach Mike Reagan said there was a “positive vibe and an excitement about what we were able to accomplish” at the awards night, held at the Flin Flon Community Hall.
The Bombers bench boss acknowledged the event was a tough one for him, as it was a goodbye to the team’s five 20-year-olds: Empey, Alex Smith, Brandon Switzer, Joel Kocur and Pierre-Luc Morin.
“To see the quality of kids that are leaving is difficult,” Reagan said.
The evening was also an opportunity to recognize some of the players who were instrumental to the squad making it all the way to the league final.
Smith was the big winner, as he received or was the co-recipient of four awards.
Smith was named the team’s MVP and its three-star award winner. His 84 points earned him the leading scorer award; they also placed him third overall in the SJHL.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better last night in Flin Flon,” said Smith, who was named the SJHL Player of the Year last month. “The organization is nothing but first class. I can’t say enough good things about the coaching staff and all the volunteers. No better place to play junior hockey.”
Switzer, Smith and Kocur made up arguably the league’s best line this past season. Switzer and Smith shared the most popular player award, which is voted on by the fans.
“I think the fans respect the way both players play,” said Reagan, who noted they contributed at both ends of the ice.
Switzer was named the team’s playoff MVP after posting 10 goals in what Reagan called a “pretty impressive playoff run.”
Kocur was the top goal scorer with 34 regular season markers.
Empey received three awards. He earned the Coach’s Award and Mr. Hustle. In addition, he was named the most dedicated player for the second straight year.
“It is very apparent that he is the most dedicated guy on the team,” Reagan said. “He is out every day before practice working on his shot, working on the little things.”
It was not just the team’s 20-year-olds who were honoured.
Brenden Newton, who just completed his 18-year-old season, was named the rookie of the year. He accumulated seven playoff victories and was in the top five in the SJHL during the regular season in goals-against average (2.40) and save percentage (.922).
Defenceman Cory Thomas, who was born in 1998, was named the most improved player and the top scholastic player. After playing in the Canadian Junior Hockey League Prospects Game partway through the season, Thomas’ confidence grew. He went from being a player who was in and out of the lineup to playing on the top pairing in the playoffs.
“It is almost scary to see him develop that quickly, and it makes you excited for next year,” said Reagan of Thomas, who also posted a 90-plus average in the classroom.
In the playoffs, Thomas was often paired with Curtis Roach, who was the Bombers’ top defenceman award winner. Roach played big minutes for the team as an 18-year-old, Reagan said.
Fellow blueliner Braden Lacoursiere was selected as the top defensive player.
“He just takes a lot of pride in being tough to play against,” said Reagan, who noted that Lacoursiere will captain the Bombers next season.
Kristian St. Onge was named the team’s unsung hero. Reagan emphasized the importance of the forward’s shot blocking and physical play. The head coach noted that St. Onge’s absence was obvious when he was missing due to injury late in the SJHL finals.
