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.
I'm writing this week's column a bit early, as I will be on the road watching the Brandon Wheat Kings battle the Calgary Hitmen in game seven in the second round of the Western Hockey League's playoffs.Ê It has been a long time since I have seen a playoff hockey game. Four long years. Which brings us to this week's topic. At the Flin Flon Bomber AGM last week, there was plenty of discussion regarding coach Ryan Hoffman's contract. After Hoffman's first year as coach of the Bombers, the board felt that the team was finally pointed in the right direction. They quickly added a third year onto his contract to avoid losing him in the middle of the team's turnaround. Unfortunately, year two of a three-year program didn't go as anyone had planned, and the Bombers finished the season with only 10 wins for the third time in four years. To Hoffman's (and the board's) credit, it was announced at the AGM that the two sides agreed to add a clause into his contract stating that if the board is unhappy with the team's performance, the contract will be terminated and a new coach will be brought in to pick up the pieces. The window of opportunity for this to happen is mid-November to December. This is a great move by both parties. For the board, it gives them an out if things don't go as planned in 2005-06.ÊFor Hoffman, it shows that he has enough confidence in his abilities that he waved his guaranteed contract. He didn't have to do it. He just did. Still, there were some people at the AGM that were unhappy with this. The board and coach both took a step in the right direction to please the fans, but I guess the old saying is true Ð you can't please all of the people all of the time. There were people at the AGM that felt that November is too late to be looking for a new coach. I asked the group what they thought, and here is what they had to say: "It was a gutsy move on Ryan's part to allow the board an 'out' if things do not start well for the Bombers. Based on the trades he did make, he should have a good team next year." - Tom T. "I think Ryan Hoffman deserves a chance to prove himself this season. This team is made up of all players that he has acquired, and I think that they will be a far better team.ÊAll we need to do is pick up a goalie and perhaps one more defensemen and we should be a playoff contender." - Steve M. "It is always amazing how so many people figure that the Bombers are the only team to face these questions. I for one think the ship has righted and their main discipline problems have been solved. When you look at the players on this team, SJHL Rookie of The Year and all, Hoffman has done his homework.ÊKeep some perspective, if all the players that we have dealt for showed up, we would have seen some playoff action. "Also, remember that last year everyone felt we had a solid goaltender going into the season and as it turned out, we did not.Ê I agree that the new clause is a good one. But, let the man work, and pick up tickets to head out and keep supporting the team. "Now is when they need support more than ever.ÊYou know players do talk in the off season and if guys are not as happy with playing here due to a perceived lack of support from the community, they won't come because they have other options.Ê The Bombers will be in second in the North when the dust settles this year." - Shane C. A pretty gutsy prediction. Let's hope it works out. PeopleÊwere also concerned with players not reporting, which Shane touched on. Tom also had something to say about that: "It does scare me when, every year, we get caught with the same player excuses of players not wanting to come to Flin Flon.ÊI seriously doubt if the league will do anything about garbage of that sort. I firmly believe it is up to the coach/GM to properly sell Flin Flon to these playersÊand anyone we may be recruiting from 'AAA'Êmidget. If you do not believe in our program, how do we expect our new players to believe in it, and by living with the excuse that no one wants to come here just diminishes the chance to make our program grow. "If any player knows we will accept the excuse of they do not want to come here, they never will. We need to get tougher in this area instead of looking for the league to help us out." -ÊTom T. Right now, the coaching staff is working hard to make sure the players that are eligible to come back next season do so. If you happen to see any current or potential Bombers over the summer, make sure you let them know that you appreciate the sacrifices that these kids make every year to represent Flin Flon. The Whitney Forum is one of the toughest places in Canada to play, home or away. If you would like to join the panel of experts, e-mail: [email protected]
