The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Ryne McKinnon's dream of playing hockey for his hometown Flin Flon Bombers didn't happen, but the 19-year-old still gets to play at the Junior A level. For just over a year, McKinnon laced on the skates and wore the sweater of the Dryden Ice Dogs in the Superior International Junior Hockey League. Not only that, he has become a dependable defensive player thanks to former Bomber and current Kindersley Klippers coach, Larry Wintoneak, who also spent time with the Ice Dogs. McKinnon's efforts earned him team Defensive Player of the Year honours. "It felt really good," McKinnon said. "Blocking shots all year didn't feel so good." Getting this honour has meaning for one reason. "When it's the guys voting for you, it carries a lot of meaning," he explained. Because of Wintoneak, McKinnon said he knows how to play systems better and has improved his defensive game. Along with playing defense, in 51 games, McKinnon scored six goals, four assists for 10 points and 135 penalty minutes. His grinding style led to Wintoneak's choice to play him on the checking line where he found himself in a few tussles. "There was a couple line brawls," McKinnon said, stating that he can hold his own when needed. McKinnon enjoyed this past season as the Ice Dogs came within two goals of winning the Dudley Hewitt Cup for the Central Canada Junior A Championship and going to the RBC Royal Bank Cup. "We weren't even supposed to be in the Dudley," said the 6-1, 190 pound forward. The Ice Dogs' championship hopes were dashed on two power-play goals. That was an area the team was strong in, but for whatever reason, they were unable to kill off two critical power plays. "It was heartbreaking," he said. The team finished with a record of 35-14-1-2 good for second place in the SIJHL, lost to the Fort Williams North Stars, who only lost two games the entire season. McKinnon said one of the keys in which Wintoneak was able to get the team to succeed was getting a lot from his recruited players. "We just gelled well together," McKinnon said. "We almost had a championship." Something that helped motivate them was the experience other players brought. "A couple of guys had MJHL and RBC championship rings. They were amazing," he said. McKinnon would like to play under Wintoneak again and could conceivably get that chance if the Ice Dogs fold, which is a possibility. With one season left, McKinnon would like to follow up his Junior A career playing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport for the University of Regina. He's interested in that school because he intends to take their police studies program. Presently McKinnon works for the City of Flin Flon while he continues to prepare for next season.
