It was not just new players that the Flin Flon Bombers added this past offseason.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League squad also brought on marketing manager and assistant coach Cole McCaig and athletic therapist and equipment manager Jason Savill. The duo joins the trio of head coach Mike Reagan and assistant coaches Chris Bortis and Gary Childerhose.
McCaig is certainly not a newcomer to the Bombers. Originally from Flin Flon, he played parts of three seasons for the Bombers from 2011 to 2014.
“I think what I’ve enjoyed the most about returning to Flin Flon is how welcoming the community has been,” McCaig said “I’ve ran into a lot of people I hadn’t seen since my playing days here and they’ve seemed to embrace having me back in the community.”
After his junior career, McCaig played four seasons at Marian University, an NCAA Division III school in Wisconsin.
“Cole has brought recent playing experience, which the guys respect, and a real passion for the game. He wants to learn,” Reagan said. “He’s one of my former players so he’s familiar with the way things work so it’s been a smooth transition.”
McCaig has appreciated the way the Bombers organization has welcomed him back. “Everyone I work with, the coaching staff, (office manager) Leanna Campbell and all the board members have made my time back in Flin Flon very enjoyable and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”
Savill has also felt welcome in the city built on rock.
“The thing I’ve enjoyed most about being part of the team so far is how quickly the team embraced me,” he said. “From the coaches to the players, they’ve made me feel like I belong here since day one.”
While the Bombers fall camp was busy for Savill with so many players in town, he has greatly enjoyed being at the Whitney Forum.
“There’s a lot of history in the Whitney, and there’s a lot of times where I just walk around and look at all the pictures of all the teams,” he said. “Another thing I enjoy about my job is just being around the guys. They’re a great group and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
About Savill joining the team, Reagan said, “Jason has been great. He’s focused and has fit in real nice with our staff. He’s a hockey guy and the guys respect that.”
Savill grew up in Leduc, Alta. and studied at the University of Regina. Last year he worked with the Cougars men’s hockey team. He also had an opportunity last fall to shadow a trainer from the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes for a game.
McCaig and Savill join the team of Reagan, Bortis and Childerhose, who are now in their fifth season working together. Reagan has long shown trust in his veteran assistants. For example, Childerhose and Bortis, who also works as an electrician at 777 Mine for Hudbay Minerals, have led the Bombers for much of the past three Decembers while Reagan was part of the Team West coaching staff that guided the squad to two gold medals at the World Junior A Challenge.
When Childerhose was asked what he enjoyed most about working with Reagan and Bortis, he said, “I can’t narrow it down too much, but I believe that we have a lot of trust in one another and we each bring something different to the table, which in turn works out well for the team. “Our relationship away from the rink is also great. I think it’s important for players to see the coaching staff as a tight-knit group.”
This year’s crop of Bombers mixes veterans with a talented crop of newcomers. When asked about this season, Bortis said, “I’m most excited about the group of guys that we have returning this year. There are so many great character guys and natural leaders in the room this year. I think the leadership from our vets is going to make it easier for our young guys to make the transition into playing Bomber-style hockey and us being successful this year.”
