With many departures from last season’s successful squad, the Flin Flon Bombers coaches and scouts hit the road to assemble this year’s team.
The result of their work has produced a team that accumulated just one fewer point in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings in September than last year’s edition. Bombers head coach Mike Reagan and his staff have assembled a roster that, as of last week, included players from five Canadian provinces and four US states – including the 11 players from last season. Although from different places and backgrounds, the players are coming together on and off the ice.
“It’s quite a different team we have this year than last year,” said second-year forward Nate Hooper, who is from Winnipeg. “Lots of new guys this year. We are all getting along together. Nobody is left out. Everyone seems to be on the same page.”
For more than two decades, CFAR sportscaster Rob Hart has been up close and personal with the Bombers. He said he has been impressed with how Reagan, now in his 11th season as head coach, has been able to bring talented players to Flin Flon. Third-year Bombers forward Nick Shumlanski said the team is not surprised anymore how Reagan and the staff successfully recruit quality players from all over.
“The vets know what Mike is capable of doing as a coach and GM and each year he seems to be bringing in a good crop of players,” the Tisdale product said.
When it came to assembling this year’s squad, Reagan said, “A lot of it was just going out and getting on the recruiting trail.” He went to a showcase in Montreal. There he was able to land Chrystopher Collin, who has emerged as a dangerous goal scorer, and fellow forward Donavan Houle-Villeneuve.
Reagan and Garry Childerhose, who along with Chris Bortis, an assistant coach, travelled to a Colorado event. That helped them bring in Alaska products Calvon Boots on defence and forwards Caleb Moretz and Ethan Daniels, who was the SJHL Rookie of the Week for the period ending Oct. 1.
Bombers head scout Jon Klassen went to British Columbia, where forward Jacob Siebenga and defenceman Vaughn Bamford hail from. Other players came to Flin Flon through the work of other scouts and connections as well as trades. Reagan noted the team is not just looking for talent but also character as well. How are the Bombers able to bring young men from different places to Flin Flon?
“You just have to sell them on the program and the history,” Reagan said. “Obviously our success over the last number of years is going to be a selling point for them.”
Flin Flon has not missed the playoffs during Reagan’s tenure. The club has been to the SJHL finals the past two seasons. Another selling point has to be Reagan’s track record of moving his players on to the next level. The Bombers have received more NCAA Division I scholarships than any other SJHL team during Reagan’s time with the team.
“Nobody works harder for his players than Mike does,” Hart said.
Once players are here, they learn how supportive the community is of its team. Bombers alumni have raved to this reporter about their billets, the fan support, and playing at the Whitney Forum.
“The thing I’ve enjoyed the most about playing in Flin Flon is the atmosphere in the building,” Houle-Villeneuve said.
Bringing all of these talented players to town this year has made for some challenging decisions for Reagan and his coaching staff. As of last week, the team’s roster numbered 26. This means some players have to sit out each game and cuts will have to be made.
Last month the Bombers traded Tyler Millar to Melville. The hard-working 20-year-old forward had helped the team the past two seasons, but was battling to find a place in the lineup.
“We have a lot of respect for him,” Reagan said. “Moving Tyler was out of respect to him. To give him an opportunity to be an everyday guy.”
However, the team still has some decisions to make.
“There are a lot of guys who have made my job difficult, but that is a good thing for us moving forward,” Reagan said.
President pleased
Flin Flon Bombers president Tanya Benoit has enjoyed seeing the team come together this season.
The squad lost eight of its 10 scorers from last year as well as much of its blue line corps. However, the team has come together quickly to get off to a strong start.
“My most memorable moment of this season is watching the Flin Flon Bombers come together with new and old players to win the first ever Twin Motors Battle of the North,” Benoit said, in reference to the team sweeping its series against the OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Benoit is in her first year as president after being named to the position at the team’s annual general meeting in June. She has been involved with the Bombers for four years. Benoit previously served as the marketing coordinator. She is pleased to be working with the Bombers executive to help the team.
“The best part of working with the executive is simple: teamwork,” Benoit said.
“Everyone works so hard for the same outcome – to give the Flin Flon Bombers the support it needs to thrive and excel. Everyone works together.”
Benoit said there is a lot of excitement about what is happening with the team this year. Two quad raffles are in full swing, she reported. Parents weekend is Oct. 27-28 and Ladies Night will be held on Nov. 10. Comedy night will be brought back in January. And, perhaps best of all, there is “every home game – watching the volunteers and fans come together to make an amazing atmosphere for the Bombers to play in.”
