The Flin Flon Bombers were well-represented at this year’s SJHL Showcase.
This year’s second annual tournament, pitting three teams of the best and brightest players in the league against foes from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), started in Regina on Jan. 14.
Out of all 12 SJHL teams, the Bombers are one of few clubs to have representatives on all three teams. Rookie Vincent Nardone suited up for Team Schwartz, consisting of the top 2000-born and 2001-born players in the league and named for former Notre Dame Hound Jaden Schwartz.
Most of the Bomber representation came on Team Kunitz, a group of 1998-born and 1999-born SJHL players from six of the league’s teams, named for ex-SJHLer and Canadian Olympian Chris Kunitz.
Defender Calvon Boots and forwards Chrystopher Collin, Nate Hooper, Donavan Houle-Villeneuve, Daylan Marchi and Caleb Moretz each suited up for Team Kunitz. Along with the group came Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan, who was named assistant coach for the team.
Team Mitchell, the team named for former NHLer Willie Mitchell and featuring 1998-born and 1999-born players from the other half of the SJHL, included new Bomber Cade Kowalski. Kowalski did not join his new teammates due to a hitch in logistics. The former Weyburn Red Wing captain was assigned to Team Mitchell by league organizers before he was traded to the Bombers - players from Weyburn were supposed to join Team Mitchell instead of Team Kunitz.
A notable absence from the tournament was Bomber scoring threat Brandson Hein. Hein, who had 56 points through 37 games with the Bombers this year, was the highest scoring player in the league to not earn an invite to play. One reason for the snub may be Hein’s history with major junior hockey, as other prominent SJHL players with WHL experience like Yorkton Terrier Jared Legien and Nipawin Hawks netminder Declan Hobbs were also not invited to the tournament.
