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.
A glut in goal is a good problem to have for the Flin Flon Bombers. With one of the SJHL's top tandems, Matt Weninger and Ryan Kerpan, already under contract, the club has signed highly touted Alberta netminder Klynt Spencer. Coach and GM Mike Reagan says the addition of Spencer, who tied for the most wins in Alberta AAA last season, gives the Bombers more flexibility to trade for help up front. "Right now the major hole we need to fill is a number two centreman, and that's maybe where we can address that need by moving one of our goaltenders, possibly," he says. With Tommy Castonguay, last year's top centreman, too old for the league, Reagan has inked a player he is confident can adequately take over that role. But it's not a sure thing, since that player is still exploring options with the WHL. Reagan is declining to identify the centreman until it is certain whether he will wear maroon and white. Even if that player opts for the WHL, Reagan is optimistic about the outlook down the middle. Not only does he have trade bait in three quality goalies, he also has promising rookies and returning wingers who know how to take a face-off. "We have some guys like David Dykstra, who has played centre for us in the past," he says. "Dominic Martel's played centre. We also have a couple of kids coming in that are natural centremen." One middle man prospect that excites Reagan is Olivier Patry, who averaged almost a point a game in Quebec Junior A last season. Reagan originally wanted the 19-year-old last season, but Patry chose to return to his native Quebec. This year, he has indicated his interest in becoming a Bomber. Returning Bomber Doug McLeod is another option at centre, though he was not a big producer last season with 19 points in 55 games. Reagan likes where things stand on the wings, with Alex Lamontagne, Devin Mitzner, Cole Wilson and Mathieu Lecours all coming back. "Our top four wingers are as good as they get in the league," he says. The coach and GM is similarly upbeat over his blueline, which he bolstered with the recent signing of Lane Wagner. "We're pretty confident that he'll be a good depth defenceman," says Reagan. Wagner was a member of the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Okotoks Oilers last season, but he barely played due to injury. Reagan liked him enough to try and sign him a year ago. The team may be feeling good about its chances seven weeks before the puck drops, but even the best-laid plans can go awry. Reagan has been around hockey long enough to understand that. "You really don't know what you've got until you hit the ice," he says. However, with a solid defensive corps and an overflowing net, the coach and GM is ready to do whatever it takes to take the Bombers o the next level. "We definitely have a lot of options right now," he says. "I like our situation. I'd rather be sturdy on the back end and in the goal than sturdy up front and looking for defencemen and goaltenders at this time of year. It's a lot easier to find forwards than it is to find goaltenders and defencemen."
