Flin Flon Bombers rookies Isaac and Rylan Tkachuk are used to people assuming they are related.
It does make some sense as the two talented 18-year-olds share an uncommon last name and grew up in the same area. Rylan is from Boyle, Alberta, while Isaac hails from nearby Lac La Biche.
While they do not share the same family tree, they certainly know each other well.
“Since our hometowns are so close to one another, we have played against and with each other throughout our minor hockey,” said Isaac, who was Rylan’s teammate last season on the Fort Saskatchewan midget AAA team.
This year the Tkachuks are working hard to earn ice time with the Bombers.
Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan has been impressed with what he has seen so far from Isaac and Rylan.
“Those two kids just love to play the game,” he said. “They are committed to the team. They are great team guys.”
Reagan emphasized that the Tkachuks are hard workers who are coachable, saying they are like sponges.
While Rylan and Isaac have only played in two games so far this season (both were held scoreless), Reagan said their work ethic will eventually pay off.
The Tkachuks contribute in different ways, with Rylan a 6-foot-5, 235-pound defenceman.
“Rylan has got a very high hockey IQ,” Reagan said. “He sees the ice very well. He has good poise with the puck and makes good plays.”
Isaac is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward.
“Isaac up front just has a tremendous work ethic,” Reagan said. “He gets in on the forecheck. His compete level is high.”
Having made the step from midget AAA to junior A, Isaac said the intensity level is higher and, because players spend more time with each other, the bond is stronger.
The biggest adjustment for Rylan was having “to play safe in our own end and make easy plays.”
For the Tkachuks, sharing the ice and locker room with each other has helped in their adjustment to the SJHL.
“It is nice to have someone you know growing up by your side as you transition to junior hockey,” said Isaac, who is upgrading a high school class this semester. “Rylan and I are really good friends and we both really enjoy it here in Flin Flon.”
The duo has loved their time with the Bombers so far.
“I enjoy every little bit of being on the Bombers,” said Rylan, who also works part-time as a “Bomber Buddy” student mentor at École McIsaac School. “The teammates treat me very well and the coaching staff is great.”
Bombers drop pair
The Flin Flon Bombers lost both of their home games this past weekend.
The Bombers fell 2-0 to Weyburn on Friday, Oct. 23 and 4-3 in a shootout to Melville on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Against the Million-aires, the Bombers led 3-1 and surrendered a pair of shorthanded goals.
Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan said the squad was very frustrated with the losses.
Heading into Tuesday night’s game in Humboldt, the Bombers were
3-7-0-3 and sat last in
the Sherwood Division with nine points.
The Bombers are on the road for four games in five nights, starting Tuesday in Humboldt. Results were unavailable at press time.
“There is no better time to go on the road than now,” said Regan, noting the opportunity for team bonding and focusing on hockey. “The difficult thing is it’s a difficult road trip.”
After playing Humboldt (5-8-2-0 prior to Tuesday’s game), the Bombers meet Notre Dame (8-4-1-0) on Wednesday, Estevan (7-4-0-1) on Friday and Weyburn (10-4-1-0) on Saturday.
