During the SJHL preseason, Greyson Reitmeier was taken aback when he was informed he was being traded from Melville to Flin Flon.
“My initial reaction was surprise, since I wasn’t expecting it,” Reitmeier said, “but after talking with [Bombers head coach] Mike Reagan for the first time, it quickly turned into excitement and I was looking forward to a fresh start with Flin Flon.”
The 19-year-old forward has capitalized on his opportunities in Flin Flon. Through 31 games, Reitmeier has seven goals and 15 points.
That is just one point shy of the 16 he accumulated in 48 games with Melville last season, and surpasses the 12 Reitmeier posted as rookie with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL.
The Nakusp, BC, product said he is really enjoying himself with the Bombers.
“It’s so important to enjoy where you’re living and to enjoy spending time with your team,” Reitmeier said. “It’s a lot easier to perform when you’re having fun and when you’re comfortable where you are.”
This season Reitmeier has usually skated with Kristian St. Onge and Adam Wilson. The Bombers coaching staff often sends the trio out to start games to set the tone, assistant coach Gary Childerhose said.
“They’re a hardworking bunch,” Childerhose said. “You know what you are going to get from them.”
Childerhose said the line is reliable in the defensive zone and is chipping in offensively. St. Onge has six goals and 12 points in 31 games, while Wilson has seven points in 17 games.
“I think my line with Kristian and Adam has been effective because we’ve been playing together for a while now and have developed some chemistry,” Reitmeier said. “I also think we complement each other nicely. We all play the game physically, which at times can overwhelm the other team.”
He said head coach Mike Reagan, assistant coach Chris Bortis and Childerhose have worked with the trio on improving the line as a whole, “helping us learn how to play together and what style works best for our skill sets.”
Through 31 games, the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is fourth on the Bombers in goals and sixth in points.
“He is a big body,” Childerhose said. “He has great speed and he uses that to his advantage.”
When asked about his improved points production this season, Reitmeier said, “The main reason I’ve been getting more points is just having more confidence. When you’re confident you usually go to the net and the dirty areas more, and that’s where the opportunity for points are.”
Reitmeier appreciates his opportunity to play in Flin Flon in front of the Bomber faithful.
“The fans are what I enjoy most about playing for Flin Flon,” he said. “I’ve never seen fans this passionate anywhere in the junior hockey I’ve played.”
