Eric Sinclair’s impact on the Flin Flon Bombers has been clear, immediate and multi-faceted.
Since the 2016 SJHL Defenceman of the Year joined the Bombers in October, the team has gone 3-1-1-1, earning a point in five of the six games he has been in the lineup.
“He brings a presence to a locker room. He is a leader. His compete level is through the roof,” said Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan, who emphasized how aggressive Sinclair, 20, is all over the ice.
Sinclair had two assists in his Flin Flon debut – a victory over Kindersley on Oct. 21. He has recorded a helper in all but one game since then.
During his time in Flin Flon, Sinclair has seven points in six games. The 6-foot, 180-pound blueliner has also made his presence known on the defensive end of the ice.
“He is good offensively. He is good defensively,” Reagan said. “He is our best penalty killer and our best power-play guy.”
Sinclair, who won two SJHL titles in Melfort, played two games and recorded five points with the Mustangs this season. He was then sent to the Melville Millionaires to complete the Kirk Bear and Carter Hansen deal the teams made at the trade deadline last season.
Sinclair declined to report Melville and sat out for about a month. In Flin Flon, he ended up on a Sherwood Division rival that battled the Mustangs in the league final last season.
“When I found out I was a Bomber, it was kind of a relief in the fact that I would be playing hockey again and with a good hockey club,” he said. “I heard you get treated well and, with them being in the Canalta Cup finals last year, it seemed like a good fit.”
Sinclair has certainly been enjoying his time in Flin Flon.
“The best part of playing with the Bombers so far has been all of new faces,” he said. “Getting to meet a bunch of new guys, whether it’s a rival team or not, it’s always fun.”
Originally from Kenora, Ont., Sinclair played both forward and defence as a rookie with the Melfort Mustangs in 2014-15 season when they won the SJHL title and went to the Royal Bank Cup, Canada’s national Junior A hockey championships.
Last season he played a major role in the Mustangs repeating as league champs as he recorded 45 points, including 13 goals.
“Winning the Cup the last two years, I know what it takes,” Sinclair said when asked how his experience can help the Bombers. “I’ve seen what happens when you don’t do your own jobs and try and cheat. Simple things like face-offs or protecting pucks instead of throwing them away go a long way to having more time on the attack.”
After coaching against him the past two seasons, Reagan knew Sinclair’s game well. Along with high-level skills, Sinclair has demonstrated character and presence since joining the Bombers.
“Being a 20-year-old, you try to give the young guys some confidence and help them to make better plays because into the playoffs you need every line to contribute effectively,” Sinclair said.
While firmly focused on helping the Bombers, Sinclair does plan to continue to pursue hockey in the future. He’d like to play university hockey and get an education at the same time. A strong student, he is interested in construction management.
