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Bombers seeking attendance boost

For Sue Murray, winter means Flin Flon Bombers hockey. She has been a fan of the club since the 1970s when she got autographs as a kid from stars such as Blaine Stoughton, Al Hillier, Jordy Douglas and Ray Neufeld.
Flin Flon Bombers forward Greyson Reitmeier carries a celebratory moose leg off the Whitney Forum.
Flin Flon Bombers forward Greyson Reitmeier carries a celebratory moose leg off the Whitney Forum ice following a win last month. Tossing moose legs onto the ice is a time-honoured tradition among Bomber fans following a victory.

For Sue Murray, winter means Flin Flon Bombers hockey.

She has been a fan of the club since the 1970s when she got autographs as a kid from stars such as Blaine Stoughton, Al Hillier, Jordy Douglas and Ray Neufeld.

Murray later cheered for friends when they suited up for the Bombers in the NorMan Junior Hockey League. Since the Bombers rejoined the SJHL in the 1980s, she has been a season ticket holder at the Whitney Forum.

“I just love the fellow fans and the Whitney,” Murray said. “I am a huge hockey fan. I love my hometown Bombers. Not sure what this community or I would do without having a team to go watch and cheer for on these cold days in Flin Flon. We all need to get out and the Bombers allow us to do that no matter what the weather is like – blizzards, 49-below, doesn’t matter, most of us make it.”

The Bombers are definitely an integral part of Flin Flon’s culture. Some fans would say of Flin Flonners that “We’re all Bombers.” Team hats and gear can be spotted throughout the community.

While Bomber fans in the region likely number in the thousands, attendance at the Whitney averages 644 this season – fifth in the 12-team SJHL. The Bombers have only dropped one game in regulation at home this season.

“The Bombers rely on fan support greatly,” team president Henry Kosar said. “The money generated on game days helps the organization pay the bills each month. The Bombers do have very good fan support, but it is a constant struggle to get more fans to the rink.”

Strong fan support goes a long way in junior hockey. In December, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation announced it will no longer fund the MJHL’s OCN Blizzard after this season. The team is optimistic that it will be back on the ice in the fall.

According to The Manitoban newspaper, since the year 2000 87 junior A hockey teams have folded or relocated. In the SJHL, the Weyburn Red Wings made public their financial difficulties in early 2015 and made a call for community support.

In the past, the Bombers have had financial challenges of their own. The franchise is currently keeping its head above water, but the future is never guaranteed in junior A hockey.

“Over the last couple of years the organization has made money, which in turn has enabled the team to pay off some of its back debt,” Kosar said. “Through the work of our board members, the great corporate sponsors, and the success of the team on the ice the Flin Flon Bombers are a more stable franchise now than we were 10 years ago.

“This could all change in one season, so the hard work must continue.”

For some region residents, losing the Bombers would be like losing a piece of who they are.

“The Bombers are an important part of Flin Flon’s history and will hopefully be a part of its future for years to come,” Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey said. “Visiting teams, fans and families create revenue for local businesses such as restaurants and hotels. The games are a great social outing for local people and would be sorely missed if the team was no longer here. Youngsters in the area can see the players as role models with many hoping to one day wear the Bombers colors and make their hometown proud.” 

Kosar said the Bombers board of directors would love to see a full rink every night. The forum has a capacity of about 2,000 people.

Getting fans to the rink can help not only the bottom line, but the team as well.

“The large, loud crowd brings us excitement and it motivates us to play our best for all of our loyal fans,” Bombers captain Braden Lacoursiere said. “Every night you know that if there isn’t as many fans as usual, it’s always going to be loud no matter what.”

Kosar said the Bombers board understands the public’s entertainment dollar is stretched.

“We have to ensure that we put a good and entertaining product on the ice each year,” he said.

The Bombers have given fans a lot to cheer about in the last decade. The squad has made the playoffs every season since 2006-07 and finished in the top half of the league standings in six of those seasons.

Flin Flon head coach Mike Reagan, who grew up in the community and played for the team, pointed out that in the last 10 years, the Bombers have had more NCAA Division I scholarships than any other SJHL team, had seven players go to NHL camps and saw former player Andrew Johnston sign with the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I enjoy Bomber games because it’s the purity of watching kids play for the love of the game and it’s a good way to stay in touch with friends,” said Blaine Gogal, who has been a Bomber fan for about
45 years.

The impact of having the Bombers in Flin Flon isn’t just on the ice or at the Whitney Forum. According to a third-party economic evaluation released last year, the financial benefit of the team – the total monies spent or generated in the area – was $878,172 for the year ended in 2015.

As well, the Bombers make an impact through community service and work with young people.

“The kids in town look up to them and they are a big part of the community,” Gogal said.

Kosar expressed appreciation for the fans, corporate sponsors, and the volunteers who keep the organization going.

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