Quebec product Chrystopher Collin believes suiting up for the Flin Flon Bombers has helped him develop both on and off the ice.
“Playing for the Flin Flon Bombers helps you to grow up and be a better person and hockey player,” said the 19-year-old, who is in his second season with the Bombers. “Why? I think it’s because the coaching staff has a lot of experience and they are amazing. They show you how to work hard and never quit on or off the ice.”
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound forward has 21 points in 16 games since Jan. 1, as of Sunday. Twelve of those are goals. Collin recorded points in eight of his 12 games on the first month of 2019.
“I think he’s had a rollercoaster of a season, but lately he has been more consistent,” Bombers head coach Mike Reagan said.
From the start of 2019 until this past weekend, he had two three-point games and four two-point contests. Collin topped all of those with a four-point outing in a win over La Ronge on Friday.
“I thought that Chrys’ scoring was impressive on Friday and he probably could have had six,” Reagan said. “He can be very dangerous when he’s on his game.”
On the season, Collin is fifth on the team in points with 48 in 47 games. He has 21 goals with nine coming on the power play.
“Chrys is one of the most skilled guys I have coached. … The biggest thing for Chrys is consistency,” said Reagan, who noted he’d like to see him battle through adversity and not get frustrated, which takes away from what he is capable of doing.
Collin joined the Bombers a little late for this campaign because he was in camp with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He has opted to continue to pursue the NCAA Division I route, rather than major junior hockey. He’d like to get an education while playing.
Hailing from Bois-des-Filion, Collin grew up off island near Montreal.
“I think it’s the best city,” he said. “Lots of fun there. Lots of things to do too.”
While Collin joked that Montreal is not as cold as Flin Flon, he praised the community that has become his winter home. He said his English has continued to improve living here – even though the Bombers have more French players this season. Collin also stated that in Loraine Poirier and Robbie Poirier, he has the best billets in Flin Flon.
“I enjoy my time here and we’re here to win the cup this year and show the league that we are the best team,” he said.
Collin loves playing in the Whitney Forum in front of enthusiastic crowds.
“What I enjoy the most about playing for the Bombers is probably the fans,” he said. “They are very loud and intense - that brings a lot of energy for us and makes the game more fun.”
