- Flin Flon Bombers
-
Flin Flon Bombers 
City Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada League SJHL Division Bauer Founded 1927 Home arena Whitney Forum Colours Maroon and White Head coach Mike Reagan
Website
http://www.bombers.caFranchise 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.
Contents
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)
- 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, MB is located on the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border with a portion of the city in both provinces, while Creighton, SK is located approximately 1km from Flin Flon, MB 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
- #24 Kelvin Patience
Alumni
- Jordy Douglas
- Gerry Ehman
- George Forgie
- Dale Fox
- Jean Gauthier
- Tom Gilmore
- Patty Ginnell
- Ted Hampson
- Gerry Hart
- Doug Hicks
- Glenn Hicks
Season-by-seasons standings
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs 1951–52 50 18 27 5 211 236 41 4th SJHL Won League 1952–53 45 30 13 2 200 183 62 1st SJHL Won League 1953–54 48 27 21 0 297 204 54 2nd SJHL Won League 1954–55 48 23 24 1 218 215 47 2nd SJHL 1955–56 48 37 10 1 301 149 75 1st SJHL Won League 1956–57 53 46 5 2 309 108 94 1st SJHL Won League, Won Memorial Cup 1957–58 55 28 25 2 220 177 58 3rd SJHL 1958–59 48 35 12 1 269 144 71 1st SJHL 1959–60 54 35 16 3 301 189 82 3rd SJHL Won League 1960–61 60 25 28 7 184 203 57 5th SJHL 1961–62 56 29 22 5 244 199 63 3rd SJHL 1962–63 54 17 35 2 152 237 36 7th SJHL 1963–64 62 19 32 11 262 304 49 6th SJHL 1964–65 56 21 29 6 255 298 48 5th SJHL 1965–66 60 8 51 1 199 490 17 8th SJHL 1966–67 58 52 6 0 406 125 104 1st MJHL Won League 1967–68 60 47 8 5 - 361 143 99 1st WCJHL Lost Final 1968–69 60 47 13 0 - 343 159 94 1st WCHL Won Championship 1969–70 60 42 18 0 - 257 176 84 1st WCHL Won Championship 1970–71 66 41 23 2 - 306 224 84 2nd WCHL East Lost Final 1971–72 68 31 36 1 - 265 307 63 4th WCHL East Lost Quarter-Final 1972–73 68 39 19 10 - 334 228 88 2nd WCHL East Lost Semi-Final 1973–74 68 34 21 13 - 322 259 81 2nd WCHL East Lost Quarter-Final 1974–75 70 19 42 9 - 262 389 47 6th WCHL East DNQ 1975–76 72 18 44 10 - 279 441 46 6th WCHL East DNQ 1976–77 72 16 42 14 - 294 411 46 3rd WCHL East DNQ 1977–78 72 33 30 9 - 396 380 75 2nd WCHL East Lost in Semi-Final 1978-79 24 20 2 2 - 210 -- 42 1st NJHL Won League 1978–80 NMJHL Statistics Not Available 1980-81 42 27 12 3 - -- -- 57 1st NJHL Lost Final 1981-82 42 42 0 0 - 544 146 84 1st NJHL Won League 1982–84 NMJHL Statistics Not Available 1984–85 64 16 48 0 - 294 495 32 8th SJHL Lost 1st Round 1985–86 60 13 46 1 - 234 452 27 10th SJHL DNQ 1986–87 64 13 50 1 - 249 430 27 9th SJHL DNQ 1987–88 60 21 35 4 - 207 337 46 8th SJHL 1988–89 64 36 26 2 - 342 303 74 3rd SJHL North 1989–90 68 30 33 5 - 293 325 65 4th SJHL North Lost 1st Round 1990–91 68 27 36 5 - 208 286 59 5th SJHL North DNQ 1991–92 64 27 32 5 - 206 243 59 3rd SJHL North Lost Quarter-Final 1992–93 64 35 23 6 - 277 215 76 2nd SJHL North Won League, Won Anavet Cup 1993–94 68 36 28 4 - 272 259 76 4th SJHL North Lost 1st Round 1994–95 64 14 44 6 - 184 336 34 6th SJHL North DNQ 1995–96 64 21 38 5 - 201 280 47 5th SJHL North Lost 1st Round 1996–97 64 23 37 4 - 204 250 50 6th SJHL North DNQ 1997–98 64 23 33 8 - 191 249 54 6th SJHL North DNQ 1998–99 66 34 29 3 - 194 224 71 5th SJHL North Lost 1st Round 1999–00 60 29 27 4 - 215 180 62 5th SJHL North Lost Quarter-Final 2000–01 62 44 15 3 0 271 182 91 1st SJHL Lost Semi-Final 2001–02 64 10 46 6 2 170 334 28 6th SJHL Dodge DNQ 2002–03 60 10 41 6 3 168 290 29 7th SJHL Dodge DNQ 2003–04 60 17 28 12 3 183 238 49 5th SJHL Dodge DNQ 2004–05 55 10 36 6 3 138 244 29 6th SJHL Itech DNQ 2005–06 55 19 33 1 2 173 216 41 5th SJHL Itech Lost Quarter-Final 2006–07 58 18 38 0 2 168 264 38 6th SJHL Itech DNQ 2007–08 58 33 21 - 4 219 172 70 3nd SJHL Itech Lost Conference Final 2008-09 56 32 20 - 4 213 168 68 2nd SJHL Itech Lost Conference Final 2009-10 58 37 17 - 4 214 157 78 2nd SJHL Lost Conference Semi-Final 2010-11 58 25 31 - 2 196 212 52 9th SJHL Lost Quarter-final Playoffs
NJHL Years
- 1979 Won League, 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-games-to-none
- Thompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3-games-to-none
- 1981 Lost Final
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings
- Thompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-2
- 1982 Won League, Lost Turnbull Cup
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4-games-to-none NJHL CHAMPIONS
- Fort Garry Blues (MJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3-games-to-none
- 1983 Lost Final
- The Pas Huskies defeated Flin Flon Bombers
- 1984 Won League, Lost Turnbull Cup
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4-games-to-3 NJHL CHAMPIONS
- Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-1
MJHL Years
- 1985 Lost Quarter-final
- Weyburn Red Wings defeated Creighton Bombers 4-games-to-none
- 1986 DNQ
- 1987 DNQ
- 1988 Lost Quarter-final
- Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
- 1989 Lost Quarter-final
- Yorkton Terriers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
- 1990 Lost Quarter-final
- Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
- 1991 DNQ
- 1992 Lost Quarter-final
- Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-1
- 1993 Won League, Won Anavet Cup, Lost Centennial Cup round robin
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-1
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-3 SJHL CHAMPIONS
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Dauphin Kings (BCHL) 4-games-to-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-games-to-none
- 1995 DNQ
- 1996 Lost Preliminary Round
- Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2-games-to-none
- 1997 DNQ
- 1998 DNQ
- 1999 Lost Preliminary Round
- Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2-games-to-none
- 2000 Lost Quarter-final
- Second in round robin (2-2) vs. Battlefords North Stars and Melfort Mustangs
- Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
- 2001 Lost Semi-final, Hosted 2001 Royal Bank Cup, Lost in Final
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
- Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-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-games-to-3
- Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-1
- 2007 DNQ
- 2008 Lost Semi-final
- Third in round robin (1-2) vs. Humboldt Broncos and Melfort Mustangs
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-2
- Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
- 2009 Lost Semi-final
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-none
- Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
- 2010 Lost Quarter-final
- La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-2
- 2011 Lost Quarter-final
- Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 3-games-to-1
- La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-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 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 Rookie of the Year
Season League Winner GP Goals Assists Points 1969–70 WCHL Gene Carr 60 22 51 73 1973-74 WCHL Cam Connor 65 47 44 91 Most Valuable Player
Season League Winner GP Goals Assists Points 1968-69 WCJHL Bobby Clarke 58 51 86 137 1969-70 WCHL Reggie Leach 57 65 46 111 Coach of the Year
Season League Winner 1969-70 WCHL Patty Ginnell 1970-71 WCHL Patty Ginnell 1972-73 WCHL Patty Ginnell 2010-2011 Roster
Number Player Position Height Weight DOB Home Town TBA JJ Coleshaw LW 6' 01" 190 lbs n/a Saskatoon, SK 3 Justin Schoffer D 5' 10" 179 lbs May 23, 1993 Saskatoon, SK 5 James McNulty D 6' 04" 215 lbs May 2, 1991 Fenton, MI 6 Brandt Weldon D 6' 00" 185 lbs November 26, 1992 Prince Albert, SK 8 Kyle Oleniuk C 5' 10" 175 lbs June 29, 1993 Medstead, SK 13 Brett Penner C 5' 11" 180 lbs November 29, 1992 Medstead, SK 14 Tanner Clarke D 5' 11" 170 lbs April 23, 1993 Rosetown, SK 16 Riley Storzuk LW 6' 00" 200 lbs May 30, 1992 Wynyard, SK 17 Dylan Balaski RW 6' 00" 215 lbs June 17, 1992 Swift Current, SK 18 David Roper D 5' 11" 185 lbs July 2, 1991 Calgary, AB 19 Cameron Blair C 5' 11" 187 lbs September 5, 1993 Drake, SK 20 Dillan McCombie RW 5' 07" 155 lbs December 29, 1994 Flin Flon, MB 21 Andrew Allan RW 6' 01" 187 lbs February 26, 1992 Winnipeg, MB 22 Dylan MacNab RW 5' 11" 166 lbs May 18, 1992 Saskatoon, SK 23 Dallen Hall D 6' 01" 180 lbs June 30, 1993 Red Deer, AB 24 Greg Wiwcharuk LW 5' 06" 154 lbs March 5, 1993 Snow Lake, MB 25 Brock Hounsell D 6' 01" 197 lbs February 26, 1993 Martensville, SK 26 Cole Conway C 6' 00" 173 lbs July 11, 1993 Calgary, AB 28 Konrad Litke LW 6' 01" 200 lbs August 14, 1992 Calgary, AB 39 Cole McCaig C 5' 08" 163 lbs April 26, 1993 Flin Flon, MB 41 Brett Boehm RW 6' 01" 180 lbs n/a Martensville, SK 44 Landon Heibert RW 5' 10" 171 lbs July 6, 1993 Red Deer, AB 47 Jay Young D 6' 02" 220 lbs March 26, 1991 Chestermere, AB 29 Devin Buffalo G 6' 00" 160 lbs September 1, 1993 Wetaskewin, AB 35 Andy Desaultes G 6' 03" 185 lbs November 30, 1993 Regina, SK See also
References
- ^ Newsport Media (2011). "Flin Flon Bombers 2011-2012 Regular Season Roster". Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. http://www.sjhl.ca/leagueroster.aspx?team_id=8. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
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
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Current
Member TeamsBattlefords North Stars • Estevan Bruins • Flin Flon Bombers • Humboldt Broncos • Kindersley Klippers • La Ronge Ice Wolves • Melfort Mustangs • Melville Millionaires • Nipawin Hawks • Notre Dame Hounds • Weyburn Red Wings • Yorkton TerriersFormer
Member TeamsManitoba Junior Hockey League Teams Dauphin Kings • Neepawa Natives • OCN Blizzard • Portage Terriers • Selkirk Steelers • Steinbach Pistons • Swan Valley Stampeders • Waywayseecappo Wolverines • Winkler Flyers • Winnipeg Blues • Winnipeg SaintsFormer Teams Brandon Travellers • Brandon Wheat Kings • Flin Flon Bombers • Fort Frances Royals • Kenora Thistles (1926–1940) • Kenora Thistles (1968–1982) • Kildonan North Stars • Steinbach Hawks • St. James Canadians • Thompson King Miners • Thunder Bay HornetsSeasons History Defunct Western Hockey League teams Billings Bighorns · Calgary Buffaloes · Calgary Centennials · Calgary Wranglers · Chilliwack Bruins · Edmonton Ice · Edmonton Oil Kings · Estevan Bruins · Flin Flon Bombers · Great Falls Americans · Kamloops Chiefs · Kamloops Junior Oilers · Kelowna Wings · Lethbridge Broncos · Moose Jaw Canucks · Nanaimo Islanders · New Westminster Bruins · Seattle Breakers · Spokane Flyers · Tacoma Rockets · Vancouver Nats · Victoria Cougars · Weyburn Red Wings · Winnipeg Clubs · Winnipeg Jets · Winnipeg Monarchs · Winnipeg WarriorsSports teams based in Saskatchewan Baseball WMBL: Melville Millionaires · Moose Jaw Express · Regina Red Sox · Saskatoon Yellow Jackets · Swift Current Indians · Weyburn Beavers · Yorkton Cardinals
Football CFL: Saskatchewan Roughriders, CJFL: Regina Thunder · Saskatoon Hilltops, WWCFL: Regina Riot · Saskatoon ValkyriesHockey WHL: Moose Jaw Warriors · Prince Albert Raiders · Regina Pats · Saskatoon Blades · Swift Current Broncos, AJHL: Lloydminster Bobcats, SJHL: Battlefords North Stars · Estevan Bruins · Flin Flon Bombers · Humboldt Broncos · Kindersley Klippers · La Ronge Ice Wolves · Melfort Mustangs · Melville Millionaires · Nipawin Hawks · Notre Dame Hounds · Weyburn Red Wings · Yorkton TerriersLacrosse Rugby union RCNJC: Saskatchewan, NWL: SaskatchewanRingette Canadian
Interuniversity SportSports teams based in Manitoba Baseball 
Football Hockey NHL: Winnipeg Jets, WHL: Brandon Wheat Kings, MJHL: Beausejour Blades · Dauphin Kings · Neepawa Natives · OCN Blizzard · Portage Terriers · Selkirk Steelers · Swan Valley Stampeders · Waywayseecappo Wolverines · Winkler Flyers · Winnipeg Saints · Winnipeg Blues, SJHL: Flin Flon Bombers, WWHL: Manitoba Maple LeafsSoccer Rugby union RCNJC: Manitoba, NWL: Manitoba U20Ringette Canadian Interuniversity Sport Categories:- Western Hockey League
- Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League teams
- Manitoba Junior Hockey League teams
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.