As Meat Loaf sang, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.”
The Flin Flon Bombers accomplished two of their three goals at Tuesday’s SJHL trade deadline, something head coach and general manager Mike Reagan said doesn’t happen very often.
In their quest for the Canalta Cup, the Bombers acquired a pair of forwards: veteran Teal Sobkowicz, 20, who was part of the last two SJHL championship teams, and Daylan Marchi, 18, who was playing in the AJHL.
“We feel that we had a productive deadline,” Reagan said. “We have been trying to get Teal since before the Dec. 1 [roster cutdown] deadline and also wanted to add at least one more forward, which we were able to in Marchi.”
Reagan and the Bombers certainly know Sobkowicz well. He, along with current Bomber Eric Sinclair, were on the Melfort Mustangs teams that won the last two SJHL titles, including last season when they got by Flin Flon in the final.
Prior to his SJHL career, Sobkowicz won the Telus Cup, Canada’s national midget AAA championship, with the Prince Albert Mintos.
“Teal brings leadership and championship experience,” Reagan said. “He’s won two league titles and a Telus Cup. He’s a winner and there is something to be said about character. From day one of this season he was a guy we targeted.”
Sobkowicz was acquired by Melville last summer. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder had seven goals and 12 points in 21 games this season.
On Tuesday, Sobkowicz’s rights were sent to Estevan and then traded to Flin Flon, along with a 2017 third round draft pick, for Matt Lenz, a goalie currently playing midget AAA for Moose Jaw, and a 2017 first round pick.
The Bombers got Marchi from the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles for Dondre Watson, 20, and a player development fee. The 5-foot-10, 174-pound Lethbridge product was in his second season with the Eagles and had six assists, 10 points, and 43 penalty minutes in 31 games.
“I watched Daylan at the AJHL Showcase this year and liked the way he played,” Reagan said.
Watson, who is from Calgary, had 17 goals and 26 points in 36 games for Flin Flon. Reagan said it was hard to move a fast, skilled player like Watson, but the team felt Sobkowicz’s experience was important.
Without the Watson trade and with Sobkowicz joining, Flin Flon would have had 10 20-year-olds – two more than the number they can dress for each game.
Reagan said he felt it was important to get down to nine because of managing players and how bad they want to play. He said it is unfortunate that one 20-year-old will be in the stands each night, but noted that Melfort and a number of other teams have had similar situations and won championships.
The Bombers also sent Brett Pickler to the Fort Frances Lakers of the Superior International Hockey League for future considerations. Reagan said the Bombers will get his rights back after the season.
The only item Reagan was unable to check off his wish list Tuesday was to see Brandson Hein, 18, return from the WHL’s Everett Silvertips. Reagan was disappointed but said the Bombers are happy that Hein stuck with the club.
Deadline recap
What the Bombers got:
F Teal Sobkowicz (7G, 12P in 21GP, SJHL)
F Daylan Marchi (4G, 10P in 31 GP, AJHL)
2017 third round draft pick
Future considerations
What the Bombers gave up:
F Dondre Watson (17G, 26P in 36 GP, SJHL)
F Brett Pickler (OG, OP in 21 GP)
G Matt Lenz (1.69 GAA, .938 SP in 16 GP, SMHL)
2017 first round draft pick
Player development fee
