He's back. After a cancer scare over the holidays and a suspension, Bomber forward Matt Egan will be back on the ice for Hockey Night in the North Friday night.
Egan is set to come back to the Whitney Forum for the first time since Dec. 16 for the Bombers' annual free admission game, making his first appearance in game action since being diagnosed with cancer in December.
Family members of Egan and the Bombers announced his diagnosis shortly after Christmas and Egan underwent surgery to treat the cancer. The disease was caught in early stages and Egan has recovered enough to return to the lineup Feb. 2.
Egan also committed to play next season at an NCAA Division III program for next season. The 20-year-old forward will join the State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY-Fredonia) Blue Devils for next year, joining the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). He will play with three former SJHLers on the Blue Devils - Notre Dame alums Logan Dyck, Johnny Ramoundos and Antoine Saint-Onge and ex-Hound and Yorkton Terrier Kurri Woodford. Former Bomber goalie Cal Schell also plays in the SUNYAC with the SUNY-Oswego Lakers.
Egan first joined the Bombers for the 2021-22 season and has played parts of the last three seasons for the team, putting up 10 goals and 20 points in 87 regular season games. This season, Egan has battled injuries but still suited up for 13 games this year, scoring twice and adding an assist.
Egan has become a fan favourite in his time in maroon and white for his hardscrabble, physical play and his fighting prowess - the St. Adolphe, Man. native has two fights this season and dropped the mitts three times last year.
Before his cancer was discovered, Egan was suspended in his last game before the break for a fight with La Ronge's Max Henderson. After taking a high hit from Henderson, Egan went to the bench. Once he returned after a stoppage, Egan and Henderson fought, doing so before the puck was dropped and leading the SJHL to give Egan a six-game suspension, ruling he left the bench specifically to fight. Egan's suspension ended after the Bombers' Jan. 26 game against the Battlefords North Stars.
Egan played in the Bombers' 3-on-3 intersquad tournament Jan. 12, playing for Team Black in the three-team tourney.
