The Flin Flon Bombers have pulled the trigger on three trade deadline deals, adding a forward and two blueliners to bolster their anticipated playoff run.
The first addition of the Jan. 10 deadline was forward Brett Kitt, 19, who arrives from the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations.
“Kitt will bring size, experience and some scoring and depth to our lineup,” said Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan.
Kitt played his midget hockey with the Brandon
AAA Wheat Kings and started this season with the WHL Wheat Kings before being traded to Lethbridge.
In 28 WHL games this season, Kitt had two assists and 52 penalty minutes. Last season he earned five goals and five assists along with 42 penalty minutes in 37 games with the WHL Wheat Kings.
Draft picks
Flin Flon also picked up the rights to defenceman Cody Pettapiece, 20, from the Weyburn Red Wings. Pettapiece and a fourth-round pick come to Flin Flon in exchange for a third-round pick.
Pettapiece will be an AP and could be called up in an emergency situation. In 29 games this season, he has one goal and 14 assists to go with eight penalty minutes.
Finally the Bombers acquired D-man Conner Veroba, 19, of the Kindersley Klippers in a three-team deal that also involved the Yorkton Terriers. Flin Flon gave up future considerations.
It is unclear if Veroba will be coming to Flin Flon. In 26 games this season, he had one goal and eight assists along with 32 penalty minutes.
The Bombers have also released forward Evan Akkerman, 19. A Flin Flon native, Akkerman quickly signed with the MJHL’s Swan Valley Stampeders.
In 31 games with the Bombers this season, Akkerman had two goals and no assists in addition to 54 penalty minutes.
Flin Flon has been enjoying a four-game home stand to start 2015. It ended with a game against the La Ronge Ice Wolves last night, after The Reminder went to press.
Next action for the Bombers will be a weekend double-header in Kindersley against the Klippers.
“This week we plan on staying the course by working hard, being physical and keeping our composure,” said Bombers assistant coach Gary Childerhose.
The Bombers have been one of the top-scoring clubs in the SJHL this season. Heading into last night’s schedule, Flin Flon had scored 129 times, good for third in the league behind Kindersley and Melfort.
Up front, Chris Rauckman, Alex Smith and Dean Allison have been potent offensive forces for the Bombers, combining for 52 goals and 108 points prior to last night’s match-up.
Other scorers of note include Parker Evans-Campbell, Austin Evans, Tyson Empey and defenceman Austin Calladine, each of whom has put up at least 20 points.
Defensively the Bombers had allowed 100 goals, fifth fewest in the league behind Melville, Kindersley, Notre Dame and Melfort.
Between the pipes, both Simon Hofley and Adam Beukeboom have posted solid numbers. Hofley had a 12-8-3 record and a 0.926 save-percentage in 24 games, while Beukeboom went 7-4-0 record with a 0.925 save-percentage in 13 games.
The Bombers were the second-most penalized team with 940 minutes in the sin bin, behind only Kindersley.
Following last night’s action, the Bombers have 18 games remaining in the regular season. They will cap off the regular season March 3 when they host the Nipawin Hawks.
SJHL standings (excluding yesterday’s games)
GP W L OTL SL PTS GF GAP10
Viterra Division
1. Melville 38 18 17 2 1 39 96 945-3-2-0
2. Weyburn 39 15 17 5 2 37 106 1225-3-1-1
3. Estevan 38 13 19 1 5 32 89 1404-4-1-1
4. Yorkton 38 13 20 2 3 31 96 1263-5-1-1
Kramer Division
1. Kindersley 42 29 8 3 2 63 148 947-2-1-0
2. Notre Dame 37 23 11 1 2 49 101 906-3-0-1
3. Battlefords 36 18 12 6 0 42 99 1033-6-1-0
4. Humboldt 37 15 19 3 0 33 95 1133-5-2-0
Sherwood Division
1. Melfort 41 29 5 3 4 65 148 908-0-2-0
2. Flin Flon 36 20 7 5 4 49 129 1005-3-1-1
3. Nipawin 37 22 11 2 2 48 115 1056-4-0-0
4. La Ronge 39 14 20 2 3 33 91 1363-6-0-1
