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.
"I will always do what's best for the organization," said Flin Flon Bombers head coach and GM Mike Reagan at Wednesday night's Annual General Meeting. Over the course of the 2009-10 season, Reagan said he knows there were people who didn't agree with decisions and moves that were sometimes made Ð but he assured them they were in the best interests of the organization. Speaking to roughly 25 people at The Prospector Inn, Reagan addressed the room about the Maroon and White's past season. "I was hoping that we'd be sitting up here with two trophies in front of us," he said. "Obviously, that didn't happen (and there is) a little bit of a disappointment." The coach, who spoke first at the AGM, said no one was more disappointed than himself. "That is why I'm more determined than ever to build a team that not only will have the regular season success of last year, but the playoff success that this town is so hungry for," he said. Building on the success the team saw this past year, Reagan said he feels the "regular season expectations were met." "Contending for an SJHL regular season championship; second most wins in recent history with 37; tied for fewest home losses in recent history with a 23-0-3-1 home record and above .500 on the road for the second straight year; a top 10 national ranking; a record of number of all-stars; two Division 1 scholarships and three straight years of more than 30 wins Ð I would say the regular season expectations were met," he said. Like any season, the Bombers entered the regular season with high expectations. Reagan said that's not something that will change. "From the day I took over this job, my goal of bringing a championship back to Flin Flon has never changed," said the former Bomber. Reagan spoke about the upcoming team and his excitement over the lineup and the players verbally committed. "I'm very excited about next year's team," he said, noting that recruiting has gone "very well." A first for the Bombers, their "top four Saskatchewan guys have verbally committed," said Reagan. That's the "first time that's ever happened; that we haven't lost one of our top guys." The Bombers are looking strong for the 2010-11 season. Though they have said goodbye to players like Matt Weninger, Michael Young and Brennan Cox, Reagan said they are happy to have players like Tanner Korchinski, David Roper and Jonathan Young returning to the ice. "Our forwards are better off this year than they were last year at this time," said the coach. "If you take a look at our top six forwards and where we are right now, compared to where we were last year, we're in a lot better shape." President Richard French took over the podium as he joked that Reagan had read French's speech Ð taking all of his key points. French started off by discussing the changes the Bombers organization has seen this past season. He made note that their office manager had resigned and announced that the team is currently looking for an assistant coach, as Trevor Sack recently resigned. "We are currently looking for a new assistant coach for the next hockey season," said French. "There have been a few applicants coming in already." Going back to the 2009-10 season, French said it "was one of our better regular seasons." He said the team met its goals in the regular season "but unfortunately, not in the playoff run." French also told those in attendance that the Bombers' by-laws are being revised as they are more than 30 years old. "We hope to have copies in front of the board for revision as well (as) the lawyers...shortly," said the president, "and then they will be available in July or August for fans and corporate sponsors to come and view in the office." See 'Adopted' on pg. Continued from pg. French said he hoped to have the by-laws adopted by September. Running the Team The Bombers faced a deficit of $11,752 this season. Those in attendance made note that it was a respectable number for the organization. Due to the location of Flin Flon compared to other SJHL teams, the Bombers need $555,708 to operate each year Ð compared to some clubs that only spend in the range of $300,000. This past season, the Bombers brought in $544,597 through ticket sales, merchandise, fundraisers and 50/50 tickets, among other revenue sources. Expenses are high for the team as it costs them $44,424 for bussing, $14,341 for meals and roughly $30,000 for travel accommodations throughout the regular season. "We've come up with a few ways in which we hope to address this issue and enter the upcoming season," said French. "We...are looking for ways to make game night more appealing as a social and entertainment activity, a little more stuff maybe during the intermissions and whatnot, to appeal to more of a broader base than what we have been appealing to." Following French, the team governor made his address before nominations were called for six new board positions. The Reminder will have more on the meeting.
