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 traded for 1989 born goaltender Ryan Kerpan from the Battleford North Stars. The move comes on the heels of the Bombers releasing goaltender Bill Pigden Tuesday and Carsen Chubak leaving the team to wait for a trade back home. Bomber fans might remember Kerpan from last year when he stole a win at the Whitney forum, turning away 50 plus shots in a 3-1 win over the Maroon and White. Of the Stars five wins last season, two came at the hands of the Bombers. Kerpan was sensational in both victories. The Bombers traded 1992 born list player Luke Barry to receive KerpanÕs rights. When asked about the trade Reagan said, Òevery time we played the Stars, Kerpan was unbelievable. We felt that our back end is strong for the next three years and could afford to give up a list 1992 D-man to get a guy that is 6Õ6Ó and beat us twice with a weak team in front of him. ÒWith the back end that we have, I think his numbers will improve dramatically. We needed another non-import goalie and we think Ryan will play strong for us between the pipes. ÒThis move allows us to keep some of our young talented imports. Other wise, we would have had to let one of them go. Pigden was an import for us; it just didnÕt make sense for us to have a backup as an import.Ó The coach explained why Chubak is leaving. ÒChubak has decided to go home and wait for a trade to B.C. that he requested at the end of last year. Carsen felt that Flin Flon is not the place for him Ð it had nothing to do with the team or the organization. ÒHe came back to Flin Flon to help the club out while Bartel got back to game shape.Ó Carsen is appreciative of the great opportunity and hopes people respect his decision. ÒWe are disappointed Carsen has decided he would like to play elsewhere, but we feel with the addition of Kerpan and Bartel back and ready to play, our goaltending will be as strong as anybodyÕs. We have all the confidence in the world in Calvin and are happy that he is healthy to play again and regain his form as a top goaltender in this league. ÒWe know that people are not going to understand why Carsen has left the team and we donÕt expect them to, but thatÕs his decision. Sometimes a place is not always the best match for an individual and thatÕs the case with Carsen.Ó
