Flin Flon Bombers

Flin Flon Bombers
City	Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
League	SJHL
Division	North
Founded	1927
Home arena	Whitney Forum
Colours	Maroon and White
Head coach	Mike Reagan
Website http://www.bombers.ca
Franchise history
1927–1984	Flin Flon Bombers
1984–1986	Creighton Bombers
1986–Present	Flin Flon Bombers
Previous franchise history
1967–78	Flin Flon Bombers
1978–79	Edmonton Oil Kings
1979–80	Great Falls Americans
1980–81	Spokane Flyers

The Flin Flon Bombers are a junior ice hockey team and current member of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), and are based in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. The team moved and became the Edmonton Oil Kings in 1978, but the Flin Flon Bomber name was retained. The team was briefly known as the Creighton Bombers from 1984 to 1986 (due to SJHL rules) but were allowed to change the name back to the Flin Flon Bombers in 1986. Radio station CFAR (AM) 590 live broadcasts a select number of home and away games throughout the year.

History

The origins of the Bombers go back to 1927, churning out future NHL players such as Bobby Clarke, Reggie Leach, Blaine Stoughton, Gene Carr, Chuck Arnason, Gerry Hart, Ken Baumgartner and Mel Pearson. Clad in their familiar colours of maroon and white, the Bombers host their opponents at the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon, often cited as the most enthusiastic rink in the SJHL.

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (1951–1966)

Memorial Cup championship

The 1956–57 Flin Flon Bombers breezed thru the SJHL, averaging nearly 6 goals a game, while allowing only 2 against, winning the league title by 19 points. In the playoffs, they beat Humboldt Indians four straight and won the final in six games over the Prince Albert Mintos.

Next came the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WJHL. After splitting the first four games, Flin Flon beat the Oil Kings two straight to clinch the series 4–2. The Bombers became the first team from the SJHL to reach the Western junior final. They quickly showed that they belonged by sweeping the Fort William Canadiens four games straight to capture the Abbott Cup.

As allowed by CAHA regulations, the Bombers picked up back-up goalie Lynn Davis and defenceman Jean Gauthier from the Lakehead and centre Orland Kurtenbach from Prince Albert for the Memorial Cup.

Coming west for the Canadian championship was a powerhouse assembled by the Montreal Canadiens. Coached by Sam Pollock and assistant Scotty Bowman, the Ottawa Junior Canadiens won the eastern final in five games. The first three games were in Flin Flon with the balance in Regina, where Montreal sponsored the junior Pats. Game one was delayed for two days, but the Bombers were ready for the heavily favoured easterners and went on to a 3–1 victory. The Canadiens won the next two games 4–3 and 5–2. In Regina, the Bombers won 3–1 and 3–2, but the easterners fought back to tie the series with a 4–2 victory in game six. On May 8, the Flin Flon Bombers brought the Memorial Cup west, for the first time since 1948, with a 3–2 victory.

The 1956–57 Flin Flon Bombers were inducted into both the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

Championship roster

Harvey Fleming, Carl Forster, Cliff Lennartz, Barry Beatty, Mike Kardash, Duane Rupp, George Konik, Mel Pearson, Ken Willey, Rod Lee, Wayne Sproxton, Ted Hampson (captain), George Wood, Lynn Davis, Jean Gauthier, Ron Hutchinson, Orland Kurtenbach, Pat Ginnell, Doug Dawson (manager), Bob Kirk (coach), Hec McCaig (trainer), Jim Wardle (executive), Pinkie Davie (executive), Ken Cunningham (stickboy), Rees Jones (stickboy), Dan McCaig (mascot).

Western Hockey League (1967–1978)

Bobby Clarke's Bombers jersey on display at the 2007 Memorial Cup in Vancouver.

The Bobby Clarke era

In 1966, Bill Hunter lead the formation of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, 5 of the 8 teams in the SJHL joined, the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Flin Flon Bombers joined the Manitoba Junior Hockey league. After one season both would leave and also join the Western Canada Hockey League (the word 'Junior' being dropped from its name). But during the 1966–67 season, the Bombers, led by Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach, dominated the MJHL cruising to a league championship, capturing the Turnbull Memorial Cup. Clarke set league records for most assists (112), goals (71), and points (183). Besides the scoring title, Clarke was also the MJHL rookie of the year, and first team all-star centre. Joining Clarke on the first all-star team were rightwinger Reggie Leach, goaltender Chris Worthy, and captain Gerry Hart a defenceman. Defenceman Jack Criel made the second all-star team.

Entering the WCHL the Clarke led Bombers continued to dominate, 2 first place finishes, and in the playoffs losing in the final in 1968, and a league championship in 1969. Clarke led the league in scoring both years, and was named Most Valuable Player in 1969. The Bombers won a "National Championship" in 1969 by defeating the St. Thomas Barons of the Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League in an unsanctioned best-of-7 series aimed at rivaling the Memorial Cup.

The growing demands of the WHL caused the Bombers to outgrow their small home arena, and the franchise departed. The club played three dismal seasons in three different cities after leaving Flin Flon. These cities were Edmonton, Alberta, Great Falls, Montana, and Spokane, Washington.

The WCHL franchise rights were sold off to the Edmonton Oil Kings, but the Bombers resurfaced the next season in the NorMan Junior Hockey League, where they played until 1984.

NorMan Junior Hockey League (1978-1984)

In 1977, the Bombers formed a Junior B team as a feeder system. The Jr. B Bombers would eventually win the Baldy Northcott Trophy as Manitoba Provincial Junior B Champions. In the summer of 1978, the ownership sold the Junior A Bombers WCHL rights to Edmonton (where the team would become the ill-fated Edmonton Oil Kings). The Flin Flon ownership, along with the owners of the Thompson King Miners, banded together with people from The Pas, Manitoba and Snow Lake, Manitoba to create a rival Jr. B league to the Manitoba Jr. B League - the NorMan Junior Hockey League (NJHL). After one season, the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association granted the league Tier II Junior A status and the right to compete against the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for Turnbull Cup for a chance to win the Anavet Cup, Abbott Cup, and Centennial Cup.

Flin Flon won NJHL titles in 1979, 1982, and 1984. The Bombers had the distinction of being the only NJHL team to ever beat a MJHL team in a playoff game in the 1984 Turnbull Cup. In 1984, the Bombers were granted expansion into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Flin Flon is located on the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border with a portion of the city in both provinces, while Creighton is located approximately 1 km from Flin Flon and is wholly within Saskatchewan. In 1984, the Bombers were temporarily renamed the Creighton Bombers to allow them to play in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, even though no relocation actually occurred, and, in fact, the team was still referred to as the Flin Flon Bombers in all non-official context. In 1986 the SJHL granted the team permission to remain in the league but play out of Manitoba, which allowed the Bombers to revert their name back to the traditional Flin Flon Bombers.

Retired numbers

• # 4 Gerry Hart
• # 7 Mel Pearson
• # 9 Reggie Leach
• #10 Ted Hampson
• #11 Patty Ginnell
• #11 Bobby Clarke
• #12 Dale Fox

Alumni

• Murray Anderson
• Steve Andrascik
• Ron Andruff
• Chuck Arnason
• Ron Barkwell
• Wayne Bianchin
• Ken Block

• Gene Carr
• Bobby Clarke
• Kim Clackson
• Cam Connor
• Jordy Douglas
• Gerry Ehman
• George Forgie

• Dale Fox
• Jean Gauthier
• Tom Gilmore
• Patty Ginnell
• Ted Hampson
• Gerry Hart
• Doug Hicks

• Glenn Hicks
• Garry Howatt
• Dan Johnson
• Robert Kabel
• Mickey Keating
• George Konik
• Orland Kurtenbach

• Reggie Leach
• Ray Martyniuk
• Jack McIlhargey
• Lew Morrison
• Mel Pearson
• Cliff Pennington
• Dennis Polonich

• Tracy Pratt
• Larry Romanchych
• Duane Rupp
• Pat Rupp
• John Stewart
• Blaine Stoughton
• Chris Worthy

Season-by-seasons standings

Season	GP	W	L	T	OT/SOL	GF	GA	P	PCT	Coach	Results	Playoffs
SSHL (Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, 1938-1944)
1938-39	30	14	13	3	-	105	88	31	.517
1940-41	32	14	16	2	-	121	148	30	.469	Oldie Lowe
1941-42	32	13	19	0	-	105	131	26	.406
1942-43	Statistics Not Available
1943-44	Statistics Not Available											Won League Championship
NSJHL (1948-1950), SJHL (1950-1966)
1948-49	24	5	18	1	-	76	119	11	.229
1949-50	24	14	9	1	-	129	109	29	.604
1950-51	26	24	11	1	-	189	147	49	.681
1951–52	50	18	27	5	-	211	236	41	.410	Alex Shibicky	4th SJHL	Won League Championship
1952–53	45	30	13	2	-	200	183	62	.689	Alex Shibicky	1st SJHL	Won League Championship
1953–54	48	27	21	0	-	297	204	54	.563		2nd SJHL	Won League Championship
1954–55	48	23	24	1	-	218	215	47	.490	Bobby Kirk	2nd SJHL
1955–56	48	37	10	1	-	301	149	75	.781	Bobby Kirk	1st SJHL	Won League Championship
1956–57	53	46	5	2	-	309	108	94	.891	Bobby Kirk	1st SJHL	Won League Championship, Memorial Cup
1957–58	55	28	25	2	-	220	177	58	.527		3rd SJHL
1958–59	48	35	12	1	-	269	144	71	.740	Emmanuel McLean	1st SJHL
1959–60	54	35	16	3	-	301	189	82	.676	Bobby Kirk	3rd SJHL	Won League Championship
1960–61	60	25	28	7	-	184	203	57	.475	Bobby Kirk	5th SJHL
1961–62	56	29	22	5	-	244	199	63	.563	Bobby Kirk	3rd SJHL
1962–63	54	17	35	2	-	152	237	36	.333	Bobby Kirk	7th SJHL
1963–64	62	19	32	11	-	262	304	49	.395	Bobby Kirk	6th SJHL
1964–65	56	21	29	6	-	255	298	48	.429	Tom Baird	5th SJHL
1965–66	60	8	51	1	-	199	490	17	.142	Tom Baird	8th SJHL
MJHL (1966-67)
1966–67	58	52	6	0	-	406	125	104	.929		1st MJHL	Won League Championship
WCHL (1967-78)
1967–68	60	47	8	5	-	361	143	99	.825		1st WCJHL	Lost Final
1968–69	60	47	13	0	-	343	159	94	.783	Pat Ginnell	1st WCHL	Won League Championship
1969–70	60	42	18	0	-	257	176	84	.700	Pat Ginnell	1st WCHL	Won League Championship
1970–71	66	41	23	2	-	306	224	84	.636	Pat Ginnell	2nd East	Lost Final
1971–72	68	31	36	1	-	265	307	63	.463	Pat Ginnell	4th East	Lost Quarter-Final
1972–73	68	39	19	10	-	334	228	88	.647	Pat Ginnell	2nd East	Lost Semi-Final
1973–74	68	34	21	13	-	322	259	81	.596	Pat Ginnell	2nd East	Lost Quarter-Final
1974–75	70	19	42	9	-	262	389	47	.336	Mel Pearson	6th East	DNQ
1975–76	72	18	44	10	-	279	441	46	.319	Mickey Keating	6th East	DNQ
1976–77	72	16	42	14	-	294	411	46	.319	Mickey Keating	3rd East	DNQ
1977–78	72	33	30	9	-	396	380	75	.521	Mickey Keating	2nd East	Lost in Semi-Final
NJHL (1978-1984)
1978-79	24	20	2	2	-	210	-	42	.909		1st NJHL	Won League Championship
1979-80	Statistics Not Available										2nd NJHL	Lost Final
1980-81	42	27	12	3	-	-	-	57	.692		1st NJHL	Lost Final
1981-82	42	42	0	0	-	544	146	84	1.000		1st NJHL	Won League Championship
1982–84	Statistics Not Available
SJHL (1984-Present)
1984–85	64	16	48	0	-	294	495	32	.250		8th SJHL	Lost 1st Round
1985–86	60	13	46	1	-	234	452	27	.220		10th SJHL	DNQ
1986–87	64	13	50	1	-	249	430	27	.211		9th SJHL	DNQ
1987–88	60	21	35	4	-	207	337	46	.383	Laury Ryan	8th SJHL
1988–89	64	36	26	2	-	342	303	74	.578	Laury Ryan	3rd North	Lost 1st Round
1989–90	68	30	33	5	-	293	325	65	.478		4th North	Lost 1st Round
1990–91	68	27	36	5	-	208	286	59	.434	Norm Johnson	5th North	DNQ
1991–92	64	27	32	5	-	206	243	59	.461	Norm Johnson	3rd North	Lost Quarter-Final
1992–93	64	35	23	6	-	277	215	76	.594	Norm Johnson	2nd North	Won League Championship, Anavet Cup
1993–94	68	36	28	4	-	272	259	76	.559	Norm Johnson	4th North	Lost 1st Round
1994–95	64	14	44	6	-	184	336	34	.266		6th North	DNQ
1995–96	64	21	38	5	-	201	280	47	.367		5th North	Lost 1st Round
1996–97	64	23	37	4	-	204	250	50	.391	Larry Wintoneak	6th North	DNQ
1997–98	64	23	33	8	-	191	249	54	.422	Larry Wintoneak	6th North	DNQ
1998–99	66	34	29	3	-	194	224	71	.538	Larry Wintoneak	5th North	Lost 1st Round
1999–00	60	29	27	4	-	215	180	62	.517	Larry Wintoneak	5th North	Lost Quarter-Final
2000–01	62	44	15	3	0	271	182	91	.734	Larry Wintoneak	1st SJHL	Lost Semi-Final
2001–02	64	10	46	6	2	170	334	28	.219	Troy Walkington	6th Dodge	DNQ
2002–03	60	10	41	6	3	168	290	29	.242	Troy Walkington	7th Dodge	DNQ
2003–04	60	17	28	12	3	183	238	49	.408	Ryan Hoffman	5th Dodge	DNQ
2004–05	55	10	36	6	3	138	244	29	.264	Ryan Hoffman	6th Itech	DNQ
2005–06	55	19	33	1	2	173	216	41	.373	Hoffman/Stokes	5th Itech	Lost Quarter-Final
2006–07	58	18	38	-	2	168	264	38	.328	Doug Stokes	6th Itech	DNQ
2007–08	58	33	21	-	4	219	172	70	.603	Mike Reagan	3rd Itech	Lost Conference Final
2008-09	56	32	20	-	4	213	168	68	.607	Mike Reagan	2nd Itech	Lost Conference Final
2009-10	58	37	17	-	4	214	157	78	.672	Mike Reagan	1st Bauer	Lost Conference Semi-Final
2010-11	58	25	31	-	2	196	212	52	.448	Mike Reagan	5th Bauer	Lost Quarter-Final
2011-12	58	28	21	-	9	205	214	65	.560	Mike Reagan	5th Bauer	Lost Quarter-Final
2012-13	54	34	19	-	1	198	143	69	.639	Mike Reagan	3rd North	Lost Conference Final

Playoffs

NJHL

• 1979 Won League Championship, Lost Baldy Northcott Trophy

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners NJHL CHAMPIONS

Transcona Railers (MJBHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers

• 1980 Lost Final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings 3-0

Thompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3-0

• 1981 Lost Final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings

Thompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-2

• 1982 Won League Championship, Lost Turnbull Cup

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4-0 NJHL CHAMPIONS

Fort Garry Blues (MJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3-0

• 1983 Lost Final

The Pas Huskies defeated Flin Flon Bombers

• 1984 Won League Championship, Lost Turnbull Cup

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4-3 NJHL CHAMPIONS

Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-1

SJHL

• 1985 Lost Quarter-final

Weyburn Red Wings defeated Creighton Bombers 4-0

• 1986 DNQ
• 1987 DNQ
• 1988 Lost Quarter-final

Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-0

• 1989 Lost Quarter-final

Yorkton Terriers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-0

• 1990 Lost Quarter-final

Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-0

• 1991 DNQ
• 1992 Lost Quarter-final

Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-1

• 1993 Won League Championship, Won Anavet Cup, Lost Centennial Cup round robin

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-1

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-1

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melville Millionaires 4-3 SJHL CHAMPIONS

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Dauphin Kings (BCHL) 4-2 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS

Fifth and eliminated in 1993 Centennial Cup round robin (0-4)

• 1994 Lost Preliminary Round

Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2-0

• 1995 DNQ
• 1996 Lost Preliminary Round

Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2-0

• 1997 DNQ
• 1998 DNQ
• 1999 Lost Preliminary Round

Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2-0

• 2000 Lost Quarter-final

Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-0

• 2001 Lost Semi-final, Hosted 2001 Royal Bank Cup, Lost in Final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-1

Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-1

Third in 2001 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2-2)

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-0 in semi-final

Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 5-0 in final

• 2002 DNQ
• 2003 DNQ
• 2004 DNQ
• 2005 DNQ
• 2006 Lost Quarter-final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-3

Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-1

• 2007 DNQ
• 2008 Lost Semi-final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-2

Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-0

• 2009 Lost Semi-final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-0

Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-0

• 2010 Lost Quarter-final

La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-2

• 2011 Lost Quarter-final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 3-1

La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-1

• 2012 Lost Survivor Series

La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3-0

• 2013 Lost Semi-Final

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-2

Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-1

Player awards

Scoring champions

Season	League	Winner	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
1967-68	WCJHL	Bobby Clarke	59	51	117	168
1968-69	WCJHL	Bobby Clarke	58	51	86	137
1969-70	WCHL	Reggie Leach	57	65	46	111
1970-71	WCHL	Chuck Arnason	66	79	84	163
2007-08	SJHL	Reid MacLeod	57	47	42	89

Goaltender of the Year

Season	League	Winner	GP	Wins	Shutouts	Average
1967–68	WCJHL	Chris Worthy	60	47	10	2.39
1968–69	WCJHL	Ray Martyniuk	41	NA	6	2.52
1969–70	WCHL	Ray Martyniuk	43	NA	4	2.58

Defenseman of the Year

Season	League	Winner	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
1967–68	WCJHL	Gerry Hart	58	13	38	51
2012-13	SJHL	Josh Roach	53	13	41	54

Rookie of the Year

Season	League	Winner	Position	GP	Goals/Wins	Assists/GAA	Points/Save %
1969–70	WCHL	Gene Carr	Center	60	22	51	73
1973-74	WCHL	Cam Connor	Right Wing	65	47	44	91
2006-07	SJHL	Reid MacLeod	Forward	58	24	37	61
2011-12	SJHL	Devin Buffalo	Goalie	38	18	3.37	.909
2012-13	SJHL	Brett Boehm	Right Wing	49	25	29	54

Most Valuable Player

Season	League	Winner	GP	G/W	A/GAA	P/SP%
1968-69	WCJHL	Bobby Clarke	58	51	86	137
1969-70	WCHL	Reggie Leach	57	65	46	111
2000-01	SJHL	Morgan Cey	53	35	2.62	0.916

Coach of the Year

Season	League	Winner
1969-70	WCHL	Patty Ginnell
1970-71	WCHL	Patty Ginnell
1972-73	WCHL	Patty Ginnell

2012-2013 Roster

Number	Player	Position	Height	Weight	DOB	Home Town
2	Garrett Zelinski	D	6' 01"	175 lbs	December 8, 1994	Martensville, SK
6	Brandt Weldon	D	6' 00"	195 lbs	November 26, 1992	Prince Albert, SK
13	Brett Penner	RW	5' 11"	180 lbs	November 29, 1992	Medstead, SK
14	Tanner Clarke	D	5' 11"	175 lbs	April 23, 1993	Rosetown, SK
15	Spencer Mault	RW	6' 01"	190 lbs	May 4, 1992	Corman Park, SK
16	Riley Storzuk	LW	6' 00"	200 lbs	May 30, 1992	Wynyard, SK
17	Dylan Balaski	C	6' 00"	202 lbs	June 17, 1992	Swift Current, SK
18	Danys Chartrand	D	6' 01"	183 lbs	January 17, 1994	Winnipeg, MB
19	Cameron Blair	LW	6' 00"	190 lbs	September 5, 1993	Drake, SK
20	Dillan McCombie	C	5' 08"	172 lbs	December 29, 1994	Flin Flon, MB
21	Brody Robinson	RW	6' 01"	197 lbs	January 2, 1993	Red Deer, AB
22	Jason Wark	C	6' 03"	200 lbs	December 26, 1992	Campbell River, BC
23	Dallen Hall	D	6' 01"	192 lbs	June 30, 1993	Red Deer, AB
24	Greg Wiwcharuk	LW	5' 06"	164 lbs	March 5, 1993	Snow Lake, MB
25	Brock Hounsell	D	6' 01"	197 lbs	February 26, 1993	Martensville, SK
26	Brett Boehm	RW	6' 03"	160 lbs	September 19, 1994	Martensville, SK
27	Josh Roach	D	6' 00"	196 lbs	July 23, 1992	Saskatoon, SK
28	Konrad Litke	LW	6' 01"	200 lbs	August 14, 1992	Calgary, AB
39	Cole McCaig	C	5' 09"	175 lbs	April 26, 1993	Flin Flon, MB
41	Tyson Empey	LW	6' 00"	171 lbs	June 29, 1995	Swift Current, AB
44	Landon Heibert	C	5' 10"	175 lbs	July 6, 1993	Red Deer, AB
47	Andy Blanke	LW	6' 03"	200 lbs	April 24, 1992	Swift Current, SK
1	Brandon Wildung	G	6' 00"	170 lbs	December 11, 1993	Minnesota, MN, USA
29	Devin Buffalo	G	6' 00"	180 lbs	September 1, 1993	Wetaskewin, AB

See also

• List of ice hockey teams in Manitoba
• List of ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan

External links

• Flin Flon Bombers official site
• 1956-57 Flin Flon Bombers at Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame
• 1956-57 Flin Flon Bombers at Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
• Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League