Mitch Foyle experienced a couple of different emotions at the same time when he learned earlier this season he had been traded to the Flin Flon Bombers.
“At first I was a little surprised, but also excited for a fresh start with a contending team,” said Foyle, who had been with the Melville Millionaires.
Foyle, Jason Lavallee and Rylee Zimmer are all forwards the Bombers acquired during the 2015-2016 season. The trio has helped provide secondary scoring, combining for 56 points in maroon and white (excluding Tuesday’s game against La Ronge).
“The three of them have been great,” Flin Flon head coach and general manager Mike Reagan said. “A huge difference for us. Just making us that much deeper as a team.”
Foyle, Lavallee and Zimmer all came to the Bombers in different ways.
Zimmer, a Russell, Manitoba, product, caught Reagan’s attention at the Team West camp for the World Junior A Challenge last season. Flin Flon acquired him from the MJHL’s Waywayseecappo Wolverines just ahead of the Dec. 1 roster cutdown date. Heading into Tuesday, Zimmer had six goals and 16 points in 24 games with Flin Flon.
“He is an 18-year-old and is putting up close to a point a game. That’s really encouraging,” said Reagan, adding that Zimmer is a skilled player and good passer.
In October, the Bombers traded defenceman Joel Webb to the BCHL’s Penticton Vees in a deal that brought them Lavallee.
The Vees are a perennially strong club and Reagan said that if Lavallee was able to crack that roster, he obviously had to be a good player.
The 19-year-old has proven that to be true. Lavallee, who is from Thetford Mines, Quebec, was sixth in scoring for the Bombers with 27 points, including seven goals, in 33 games heading into Tuesday.
“Lavallee is one of the most skilled players on the team. He has a great shot,” said Reagan, adding that Lavallee, who has 57 penalty minutes, is not afraid of physical play.
Flin Flon’s Alberta scout had tried to recruit Foyle, who is from Fruitvale, BC, to the Bombers. Foyle opted to go to Melville, but Flin Flon got him in late November as part of the Brett Kitt deal. Heading into Tuesday, Foyle had four goals, 13 points and 41 penalty minutes in 26 games with Flin Flon.
“He is a good all-around player with a bit of a scoring touch,” said Reagan, who praised Foyle’s skating ability and good hands.
Foyle, Lavallee, and Zimmer have not only brought point production, but also experience. Foyle played in the BCHL and in the Junior B ranks. Zimmer competed in the MJHL but has also played 49 games with the WHL’s Regina Pats.
“WHL was a step I took a young age,” Zimmer said. “Playing with some of the best players in the league, maybe not on the same line with them or anything, but just practising and going up against guys like that makes you a better player – and that’s just on your own team. In the MJHL, I found a way to get back to my scoring touch and got my confidence back. Both leagues helped me become the player I am today.”
Lavallee and Bombers defenceman Pierre-Luc Morin helped the Sorel-Tracy Rebelles win the Quebec College Hockey League championship last season.
Lavallee sees some similar similarities between the Rebelles title team and this edition of the Bombers.
“We have a great team with a great goalie,” he said of the similarities. “Last year we had a 10-game win streak and this year we had two winning streaks – seven and eight games.”
Coming to a team midseason definitely requires adjustments. Zimmer said players need to adjust to different team rules, systems, plays and trying to feel like they are part of the team.
He said that has been made easier because the Bombers are really great and welcomed him quickly.
Foyle agreed.
“The team is a great group of guys,” Foyle said. “Also, my billets were very welcoming since I got here and the atmosphere in the Whitney Forum is unreal.”
The trio has fit in well and contributed this year; however, Reagan emphasized they will also be counted on in the future.
“You always got to look at the future as well,” the head coach said. “We made those trades thinking about the future as well as now.”
Foyle, Lavallee and Zimmer have enjoyed their time in Flin Flon and are focused on helping the Bombers succeed in the playoffs.
“The best part for me is I have a chance to play for a team that has a big history, and we hope this year to write a part of that history with the team we have,” Lavallee said.
