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.
Submitted by SJHL An update on the Flin Flon Bombers and their fellow members of the SJHL: Flin Flon Both rookie netminders from a season ago are eligible to return. Devin Buffalo had a tremendous finish to his rookie campaign and is a year older than Andy Desautels, who may try his hand in the Western Hockey League. He didn't play for the team last year, but Josh Roach is a four year SJHL veteran, acquired from Humboldt in the Andrew Johnston trade from a year ago. He has the ability to lead the league in defensemen scoring. Brandt Weldon and Tanner Clark also put up more than 30 points last season, and then throw in the likes of Dallen Hall and this has the makings of being a very mobile back end. Brock Hounsell could provide the physical presence. Four of the top five scorers from last season are back _ Dillan McCombie, Riley Storzuk, Dylan Balaski, Cameron Blair _ which means the Bombers should be able to ice two high scoring lines without even dipping into their newcomer pool. Konrad Litke was a tantalizing talent as a size/scoring combination and with a year under his belt, he could become one of the better power forwards in the league. Nipawin Davis Jones was the league's best netminder last season and he'll be back to try and repeat. His back-up, Taran Kozun, is expected to go back to the Western Hockey League. If he doesn't, it looks like an incredible 1-2 punch. It's hoped Jeff Datoff can build on an all-star season and challenge for SJHL Defenseman Of The Year honours. Jesse Williamson was hobbled by injury at the end of last year, but should return healthy and play a big role on defense. There are four other eligible returnees, including Grant Jensen, a defensive stopper, on what should be a stacked blueline for Nipawin. Tad Kozun was on his way to an all-rookie season before suffering a season ending injury after 37 games and 16 goals. Jesse Bernard was brought in from Estevan and fit like a glove in Doug Johnson's system, putting up nearly a point per game as a rookie. Wheaton King and Justin Waskewitch were point per game players last season and they could be one of the more dynamite combos in the league. The speed of Ryan Ostertag and the continued growth from Stuart Holland and Mitch Doell figure to also aid a forward group that should be strong and deep. Brady Zerr was an unsung hero last year, while the likes of Michael Lambert and Dustin Skilliter provide depth on a Hawk team that should compete near the top of the conference. La Ronge Myles Hovdebo has apprenticed for two years and now, as a 20-year-old, he may be ready to assume the mantle of number one goalie. The defense was young last season and the growth was impressive, which means they could have one of the top bluelines in the league this season. Brennan Ritchie and Alex Vandenameele are the 20-year-old anchors and Brett Hope (49-8-10-18) enters his second season as a possible powerplay point man. Jared Iron was a highly scouted underage forward last season and he'll be asked to assume a more prominent position this season. Nathan Boyer (55-20-26-46) could lead the team in scoring and is the highest scoring forward from last year that is returning. Graham Smerek, Brodie Eisbrenner, and Brett McNevin are some of the other key returnees up front. Battlefords Connor Creech split number one duties, for the most part, last season with Graham Hildebrand. Now, Creech has the crease to himself and it wouldn't be a shock to see his name at, or near, the top of the major statistical categories for netminders this season. Coach Kevin Hasselberg isn't afraid to heap loads of ice time on his workhorses so that could mean we will see 30-plus minutes a game out of Brody Luhning. Luhning is the total package as far as offense and defense is concerned and every team would love to start their blueline with a player like him. Matthew Sheeran covers a lot of real estate in front of his own net and may be asked to assume a role similar to the one filled last year by Travis Sparrow. Plenty of last year's firepower is gone, so it will need to be replaced. This will, most likely, be done by a committee led by the likes of Braeden Johnson (54-19-36-55) and Kyle Hall (57-13-24-37). Tanner Schwab, Roger Tagoona, and Tanner Quinn also figure to see their roles expand. The Stars brought in Brandon Long from Trail (BCHL), where he put up 21 points in 52 games last season. See 'Thomson...' pg. 5 Continued from pg.4 Veteran Tim Rollins was traded to Dauphin of the MJHL in exchange for defenseman Connor Sutton, who has a shot to stick in the WHL with Lethbridge. Yorkton The off-season trade of 20-year-old Warren Shymko to Swan Valley (and now Kindersley) likely paves the way for second-year netminder Kale Thomson to shoulder the load this season, with Dawson MacAuley expected to get a long look from the Medicine Hat Tigers. Thomson was 8-5-1 with a 2.69 GAA, .911 per cent and a shutout as a rookie last season. Twins Chase and Brady Norrish, and third year defenseman Devon McMullen will headline a smaller, but incredibly mobile Terrier blue line. The lack of size and sandpaper could be made up for in a hurry with the return of Austin Bourhis. After spending his 17-year-old season in Yorkton, Bourhis played the last two seasons in Prince Albert (WHL). The Raiders released Bourhis, but the Moose Jaw Warriors are giving him a shot in camp. With Riley Paterson and Ryon Sookro graduating, Zak Majkowski will be the clear-cut #1 centre, with sophomore Curtis Oliver getting more responsibility behind him. The team has no shortage of scoring wingers, including local product Jeremy Johnson, who led the team in goals (23) last season. Tyler Giebel (Saskatoon) and Tayler Thompson (Portland) are taking one more crack at the Western League as 19-year-olds, but if back, both could find themselves as top-10 scorers in the SJHL. Four-year vet Nathan Murray and fellow 20-year-old Brenden Poncelet will provide leadership and give teams problems along the boards. Notre Dame Ty Reichenbach was an unknown a year ago at this time, but everyone knows who the 6'2 Montana native is now. Reichenbach saw a lot of action as a rookie last season, and opened some eyes. With Matt Smidt graduating, Reichenbach should be one of the busiest tenders in the league when it comes to minutes. Coach Kevin White expects good competition for the backup spot. Even the Hounds themselves might be surprised that Carson Grolla is back for a fourth and final SJHL season. Last year's Hounds captain, and Top Defenseman in the league, appeared like a man among boys at times, possessing a hard shot, smooth skating, and a punishing physical presence. Mitch Boucher should also provide some offense from the back end, while a steady Troy Murray is back for a final Junior 'A' season. All in all, the Hounds' defense corps should rank at or near the top of the SJ in 2012-13. After putting up 43 points in his first SJHL season, Brandon Millin will be counted on heavily as a 20-year-old. The Hounds have eight forwards eligible to return from last year's club, but no one aside from Millin broke the 30 point barrier last season. Power forward Catlin Foley, and sophomore Dillon Schwartzenberger (who missed some time with injury a year ago) will be looked upon to up their totals this season. Melville Alex Wakaluk looked ready for #1 duty even as a rookie last season. The Millionaires added veteran Blake Voth, who took them to Game 7 of the Sherwood Final, but now it's Wakaluk's team. Who will back up Wakaluk is very much up in the air heading into camp. It's a question mark heading into 2012-2013. Melville's top four defensemen were all overagers last season, with Tyson Newell, Lee Christensen, Bob Pond and Brett Kipling all moving on. Landon Hall battled the injury bug all of last season, but hopes to lead a young Mils' blue line this year. Adam DiBella and Tyler Bird are the only other returnees. John Stechyshyn is retiring from the Junior 'A' ranks. Not a question mark. The Millionaires will score goals. Ian McNulty was second in the league with 86 points last season, and had more goals and points than any other 1992 born player. He'll be rejoined by linemate Russell Trudeau, along with the likes of Sean Aschim, Lucas Froese, and Michael Sagen. T.J. Reeve and Allen Kilback showed well as 17-year-olds last year, and appear ready for more responsibility.
