For Isaac Jackson, it has been a dream come true to wear the maroon and white for three seasons.
The 20-year-old defenceman grew up going to Flin Flon Bombers games at the Whitney Forum. After moving to Warman at 14, Jackson returned to the city built on rock in 2016 to try to earn a spot on the team he cheered for as a kid.
“As a kid growing up in Flin Flon, I think everyone who plays minor hockey here probably hopes to play for the Bombers one day,” he said.
Jackson has done much more than just earn a roster spot. This season he has been a crucial player and important leader on the Bombers blue line.
Through 31 games, Jackson has three goals and 17 points. He is on pace to surpass the 21 points and four goals he posted last season. Jackson is third on the team with 82 penalty minutes.
“Isaac has been great for us… Isaac has a high compete and cares about being a Bomber,” Flin Flon head coach Mike Reagan said. “He plays physical, is willing to drop the gloves, and has done a great job at being a power play quarterback.”
A Flin Flon product himself and a former Bomber, Reagan said it is nice to have a player on the team from the community. He noted that the Jackson family billeted Bombers such as Riley Storzuk and Dylan Balaski. Jackson remembers what the Bombers meant to him as a kid.
“I try to be a role model in the community because I remember when I was young, the Bombers were very nice and treated my peers and I well when they were at community events,” said Jackson, who would like to pursue a career as a teacher.
Jackson said it was a pretty easy adjustment coming back to Flin Flon because he “knew what the town was about already.” On the ice, Jackson had to battle for ice time. As a rookie, he was part of a crowded blue line on a veteran squad that went to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League finals for the second consecutive year. Jackson played in only 10 regular season games that season with the Bombers.
“I think just being around those guys taught me what junior was all about,” Jackson said. “Personally, I learned how to not get too down on myself as I wasn’t in the line-up as much as I would have liked, but I knew I would get my time if I stuck with it and I am very glad I did because this year I am part of a team that has the potential to go all the way.”
Reagan said the defenceman has come a long way since that rookie season. Jackson’s family has been able to witness a lot of his success.
“They are at lots of games,” Jackson said of his parents, Ken and Marilyn. “Usually when we have two home games on a weekend, they are there. I also usually have a handful of cousins and aunts or uncles that will come to most games.”
