The Bombers have announced their first player signing for next season - and it's a local boy.
Flin Flonner and Flin Flon Minor Hockey product Joey Lies signed on with the team for the 2022-23 season, the team announced Jan. 26. Lies, a 2005-born forward, is an alumnus of the Norman Wolves AAA U15 program and currently plays with the Winnipeg-based Rink Hockey Academy.
The signing is conditional on whether or not Lies makes a WHL team out of training camp. Lies was picked by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2020 WHL bantam draft, being picked in the seventh round. Lies has attended Bomber training camps in recent years, including the team's camp this season.
“We are very excited that Joey has chosen to play with us if he is not in the WHL next season," said Bombers hea coach and general manager Mike Reagan in a team-issued statement.
"We have become very familiar with Joey over the last couple of years. Because of his size, strength and commitment to the game, we feel he will be ready to play at this level. It’s great for the community to potentially add a local player.”
In 26 games this season with the Rink Hockey Academy U18 team, Lies has 21 points, including 12 assists. Lies had previously captained the Norman Wolves, leading the team in scoring in 2019-20.
If he suits up with the Bombers next season, Lies will be the second member of his family to join the Bombers - his older brother Justin, currently with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, played with the Bombers briefly during the two-game 2020 season, playing in the team's sole home game.
The Bombers currently feature only one Flin Flon-born player - Jordan Pfoh, a combination defenceman and forward who has played 17 games with the club this season.
