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The Flin Flon Bombers left their annual spring camp with six players signed to the roster and another one who may very well join the Maroon and White. "The future is bright for us," said Bombers head coach and GM Mike Reagan. Over 90 players showed up for the camp, held in Saskatoon, to show their interest in the Bombers organization. Of those, six key guys stuck out for the team. Reagan, who was driving back and forth between Saskatoon and Nipawin for both spring camp and the SJHL AGM, said from the portions of the camp he saw, it was very promising. "I think this is probably the best group of young guys that we've got out of a camp," he said. "I'm really excited about all six of them." With another 17-year-old undecided if he will join the Bombers or stay in Midget AAA for one more season, Reagan says if he makes the choice to play with the Bombers, this would be "the best recruiting class we've had in the four years that I've been here." The Flin Flon Bombers signed two defensive players and four forwards. Conrad Szydlowski, from the Prince Albert Mintos, was the top blueliner from Saskatchewan at the camp, said Reagan. "We're excited about him. He put up some pretty good numbers in Midget AAA," said the coach. Looking back to last year's team, Reagan compares Szydlowski to Michael Young. "Michael Young, in his last year of AAA...put up 19 points and Conrad did the same this year," he said. "We're not saying he's going to turn into Young, but it's a pretty good indication of the type of calibre he is." Last season, Szydlowski had 19 points in 44 games Ð six goals and 13 assists. Reagan says Szydlowski brings grit to the team. "He's not afraid to play in the corners or get his nose dirty," said the coach. Szydlowski also brings character as well as speed. "That's the biggest thing," said Reagan. "He's got good lateral movement and he's able to move the puck pretty good." Another character sign for the Bombers is Dylan Balaski. "He's a hard-working kid. He's got a great attitude," said Reagan. Along with his positive attitude, the coach says Balaski has a great shot. Even more, he's "a thick kid." "He's going to win a lot of battles down low," said Reagan. Last season, Balaski put up 29 points in 24 games Ð five goals and 24 assists Ð with the Swift Current Legionnaires. Though he's just getting ready to play his first season of junior hockey, Reagan says Balaski has the potential to be a future Bomber captain or assistant captain. "He's never going to complain. He's just going to go out there and do his job and work every day," he said. Riley Storzuk is another big player for the Bombers when it comes to being physical. He's an "energy guy. He's going to finish his checks. He can score," said Reagan. Storzuk proved he could score last season with 24 goals and 30 assists in 43 games. Along with Szydlowski, Reagan says Storzuk is going to be able to put up some good numbers for the Maroon and White. "He's a guy that we've had on our list for a long time and we're really excited about," he said. Comparing Storzuk to Balaski, Reagan says neither of the two will ever give up. Rejoining the Bombers will be Jesse Mychan. Mychan played with the Bombers for part of last season, but left to play AAA, where he was able to get more ice time. Reagan says Mychan has experienced the junior level, so it's going to be a quick transition for the forward. He's a "guy that is familiar with our organization and how I run things," said Reagan. "He's excited to be back." Reagan says Mychan shows great potential. "We think that he could potentially be the best power forward in the SJHL," said the coach. "He's got a game similar to a (former Bomber) Todd Alexander where he's very physical. He can score. "He's a good hockey player," said Reagan. Last season, Mychan put up four goals and three assists in 25 games for the Bombers and 12 goals and eight assists in 23 games for the Saskatoon Contacts. Having that year under his belt has left Mychan feeling comfortable. "...he's going to feel comfortable with the surroundings and how things are run day-to-day here," said Reagan. Stefan Virtanen was the fifth player to be signed out of the camp. Formerly playing in the BCHL with the Williams Lake Timberwolves, Virtanen has some junior experience under his belt as well. He was able to put up two assists in 29 games last season. "He was probably the top defense player in camp," said Reagan. Reagan says the BCHL is a league where a player has to be able to skate Ð and skate well. "We're excited about getting a kid who can skate. And, with his agility, we think he's a real steal," he said. Reagan says Virtanen could "potentially be the top rookie defenceman in the league." The coach sees Virtanen fitting in nicely with the Maroon and White. "We obviously lost some key guys on the back end last year, so getting a guy that has a year experience and yet is still 18 years old is really nice," said Reagan. The final signing for the Bombers was Beau Stewart. He is currently being looked at in the second round of the draft for the Prince Albert Raiders. A decision has yet to be made whether Stewart will be playing with the Bombers or the Raiders. "He's a terrific skaters and (has) tons of potential being a second-round draft pick," said Reagan. "There is a reason why he was a second-round draft pick." Stewart brings size to the Bombers as well as versatility. "Beau could play in any one of our lines Ð the top line or the fourth," said Reagan. "He's got a lot of different things he brings to the table." Stewart proved himself last season with the Battlefords North Stars as he had 10 goals and 17 assists in 36 games. Upcoming Season There has been lots of movement with the Bombers in the off-season. Reagan says it's not a rebuilding year for the Maroon and White, but a retooling year. "I think that when you have a list as strong as our list, you never really are going to take a step backwards. "Yeah, maybe in the standings you might not finish first place, but I think we're definitely going to be in the top three," he said. "I think we have as good a shot as anyone to win the SJHL this year," Reagan said. With hopes of placing first in the North again this year, the coach knows it's going to be tough. "I think it's going to be a very competitive league this year," he said. "I think the North is going to be very competitive again, very similar to last year."
