Former Flin Flon Bombers Greyson Reitmeier and Alex Smith have been reunited at Michigan Tech.
Smith is in his second season studying and playing hockey at the Houghton, Mich.-based school. Reitmeier was a rookie this season for the NCAA Division I Huskies. The pair are pleased to be on the same team again.
“It’s cool being able to play with Greyson again,” Smith said. “He wasn’t committed when I was committed, so I didn’t know if I would have another chance to play with him. He’s a good player. He brings size and energy to the lineup and he’s just a good kid to have on the team.”
Both forwards contributed to a team that went 22-16-5 this winter. In the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, the Huskies upset their way to their second straight conference championship. Reitmeier scored the winning goal in a 2-0 championship victory over Northern Michigan. Michigan Tech is going to its third NCAA tournament in four seasons.
Smith, an Edmonton product, is tied for seventh on Huskies with 22 points, including eight goals, in 39 games.
“Alex has great on-ice intelligence, especially in the offensive zone,” Michigan Tech head coach Joe Shawhan said. “He’s able to make smart plays that equate to putting up points for himself or his linemates, and that’s a great trait to have.”
A business marketing major, Smith’s totals surpass the seven goals and 20 points he posted in 43 games during a strong freshman season.
“It’s nice having a year under my belt,” he said. “The adjustment period is over now. I adjusted to the speed and the strength of players at this level. Having that year of experience just makes it more comfortable for me knowing what the expectations are of my teammates and coaches.”
Reitmeier, who is from Nakusp, BC, has embraced the challenge of playing at the NCAA Division I level.
“It’s a big transition obviously, but I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said. “We have a great group of guys here and I feel like I really fit in well. We have incredible fan support here and every home game is just a great atmosphere. I have just really enjoyed coming in and learning as much as I can, and I’m looking forward to the rest of my time here.”
Majoring in business management, Reitmeier has 15 points with five goals in 42 games.
“Greyson has a chance to be a pro hockey player,” Shawhan said. “He’s improved in every aspect and his role has grown consistently throughout the year. He’s now involved in power play, penalty kill and all critical five-on-five situations. Like Alex, he has great on-ice awareness and intelligence and a high compete level.”
The Bombers acquired Smith during the 2014-2015 season. The next year he helped them make it to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League finals and was named the SJHL RBC Player of the Year. Last season Reitmeier, who came to Flin Flon in a trade before the 2015-2016 season, helped the Bombers return to the championship series. He too was named the RBC Player of the Year.
Of his time in Flin Flon, Reitmeier said, “I think my favourite memories for sure would be the two playoff runs. We made it to the finals both years so I was really fortunate to play on good
