As a junior hockey rookie, there is a lot to learn. Heading into their second season, players have a better idea of what is expected. They have played a year in junior A and know what the long road trips are like. In their second time around, a number of Flin Flon Bombers have adjusted to the SJHL and are contributing.
“I definitely am more comfortable carrying the puck and taking on more ice time,” said Matt Flodell, a Prince Albert product who turns 19 in December. Flodell has spent most of his time with the Bombers in the team’s bottom six, but hopes to entrench further himself in the lineup.
“Coming into this season, I knew I would have to take on a bigger role for the team and that has helped my confidence grow to start this season.”
Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan said he is happy with the commitment and work ethic the returning second-year players have displayed. The growth they have already shown speaks to the development of talent that is a key component to Flin Flon’s perennially strong seasons.
“I think if you’re not developing players, you’re not going to be successful,” Reagan said.
“We talk about that a lot as a staff and want to make sure we do a good job of projecting what players will be and making sure we do our part to develop them.”
There’s a big step up moving from midget AAA, the prep ranks or junior B hockey to the SJHL.
“The biggest adjustment would be the physicality and how much stronger guys are,” said defenceman Ryder Richmond, a 19-year-old from Forrest, Man.
“You learn quick that you’re now playing against full grown men, who are much stronger than what you’re used to playing in the AAA league.”
Last season, rookies on the Bombers found themselves on a successful team stacked with veteran talent. Many of them played in a limited role after standing out in lower levels.
Warman’s Jaxon White suited up in 16 games last season for the Bombers as an 18-year-old. The defenceman also played in 14 contests for the Carrot River Outback Thunder in Saskatchewan’s junior B league.
“My time with the Thunder played a huge role in my development,” White said.
“The coach (Luke Folk) allowed me to play lots of power play, penalty kill and critical moments throughout the games, which allowed me to gain the confidence to be an everyday player with the Bombers.”
As of Oct. 11, White already had three points, including his first SJHL goal, surpassing the two assists he had as a rookie. Richmond had two points through his first nine games.
Up front, Flodell had two goals and three points through nine games after earning a goal and five points last season. Winnipeg product Billy Klymchuk had four points through six games. The 19-year-old forward recorded three points, including a goal, in a win over Weyburn earlier this season. Klymchuk posted 12 points with six goals in 48 games last season.
Fellow Winnipegger Reid Robertson, also 19, recorded two points, including a goal, in his first seven games. The second-year forward had five points last season.
Goaltender Jacob Delorme played an important role as the Bombers’ backup goalie to two different veterans as a rookie. The 19-year-old Drummondville, Que. product had a 4-1 record this season before missing a couple weeks due to an injury. Delorme reentered the lineup last week during the team’s three game road trip.
Eighteen-year-old defenceman Jake Michell suffered an injury in preseason and has not yet played a regular season game. He had six goals last season in a campaign split between Estevan and Flin Flon.
