When Dwayne Rhinehart extols the virtues of the Flin Flon Bombers to hockey prospects, he certainly knows what he is talking about.
For about five seasons, the Maidstone, Saskatchewan product has served as the club’s scout for Alberta and BC. From 1990 to 1992, Rhinehart guarded the Bombers blueline.
“The people of Flin Flon are what makes the experience,” Rhinehart says of what he remembers most about playing for the Bombers. “If you are looking for a Junior A experience, Flin Flon is that place.
“I love the outdoors, so fishing was right there, and we had a great group of teammates also. The fans are so great. They love their Bombers.”
After playing his 16- and 17-year-old season with the now-defunct Lloydminster Blazers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, he was traded to Flin Flon as an 18-year-old.
Now Rhinehart tries to recruit talented, character players to his former team.
“So many kids get missed or get on the wrong team that they don’t get the opportunity to excel,” he says. “I enjoy finding those kids and giving them the chance to play and prosper. I love the sport, and feel this is a way to stay involved at a high level.”
When not scouting for the Bombers, Rhinehart can often be found watching sports. His son, Rhett, 14, studies and plays at the Yale Hockey Academy in Abbotsford, BC. The school competes in the Canadian School Sport Hockey League.
His daughter Delaney, 13, excels in soccer. Last summer she represented Saskatchewan at the Pacific Challenge Series, an event for high performance U13 and U14 players, in Vancouver. At the tournament, she was chosen to participate in the Game of Distinction match with other top players.
Away from the rink and soccer pitch, Rhinehart, an electrician by trade, is the ALS automation manager for Schlumberger Canada, an oilfield services provider based out of Lloydminster. He has been married to his wife Jessica for more than 16 years.
