Flin Flon Bombers

Flin Flon Bombers
CityFlin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
LeagueSJHL
DivisionSherwood Division
Founded1927
Home arenaWhitney Forum
ColoursMaroon and White
   
General managerMike Reagan
Head coachMike Reagan
Websitehttp://www.bombers.ca
Franchise history
1978–1984Flin Flon Bombers
1984–1986Creighton Bombers
1986–presentFlin Flon Bombers
Previous franchise history
1927–1978Flin Flon Bombers
1978–1979Edmonton Oil Kings
1979–1980Great Falls Americans
1980–1982Spokane Flyers

The Flin Flon Bombers are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in Flin Flon, a city located on the Manitoba–Saskatchewan provincial border. The Bombers are members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), which is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, and they play home games at the Whitney Forum on the Manitoba side of the city. The team's history dates back to 1927 and includes a decade-long run in the major junior Western Hockey League in the late 1960s and 1970s. The team has won two national championships, including the 1957 Memorial Cup and the 1969 James Piggott National Championship. The team has a tradition of throwing a moose leg onto the ice after every home-game win.[1]

History

Early years

The Bombers date back to 1927. Their trademark colours are maroon and white. The team originally played at the Flin Flon Community Club Arena until the construction of the Whitney Forum, known locally as "the zoo", in the 1950s.[2][3] The Bombers originated as a senior team, and they competed in the Northern Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League between 1937 and 1948.

SJHL dynasty

In the postwar period, the Bombers became charter members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).[4] The team quickly established a dynasty, winning seven league titles in a nine-year span between 1952 and 1960. The team's biggest success during this period came in the 1956–57 season. The Bombers lost only five games in the regular season. In the playoffs, the Bombers beat the Humboldt Indians four games to none in the semifinals, then won the final over the Prince Albert Mintos four games to two. As SJHL champions, the Bombers then advanced to the Abbott Cup to determine the champion for Western Canada. They defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings, a team of junior-aged players competing in the senior Central Alberta Hockey League, four games to two, then the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League's Fort William Canadiens in four games to win the Abbott Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup national tournament.[5][6]

As per Memorial Cup rules, the Bombers were permitted to add three players to their roster for the 1957 national playoffs, picking up goalie Lynn Davis and defenceman Jean Gauthier from the Fort William Canadiens and centre Orland Kurtenbach from Prince Albert Mintos. There, they faced the Eastern Canadian champion Ottawa Canadiens, coached by Sam Pollock and assistant Scotty Bowman.[7] The first three games were in Flin Flon, with the remaining games played in Regina, Saskatchewan with Pollock drawing the ire of Flin Flon residents for criticizing the remoteness and size of the community.[7] The Bombers won the series four games to three to claim the Memorial Cup championship.[4][5] The win by the Bombers was considered a considerable upset over the favoured Canadiens.[7] The team was greeted by 4,000 people when they returned to Flin Flon after the series.[8]

The 1956–57 Bombers were inducted into both the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (1999) and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (2009), as well as the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.[9]

The Bombers played in the SJHL until 1966, when the launch of the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL) led the SJHL to fold with several of its teams joining the new league.[10] The Bombers spent the 1966–67 season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) instead.[4] Led by coach Paddy Ginnell and star players Reggie Leach and Bobby Clarke, who won the league scoring title, the Bombers dominated the MJHL and won the Turnbull Cup as league champions, before losing the Abbott Cup final to Port Arthur.[4][11] Clarke recorded 71 goals and 183 points in 45 games, while Leach recorded 67 goals and 113 points.[12] Ginnell was credited with turning the Bombers into a hard-working and physically tough team.[12][13] The arrangement with the MJHL would last just one season, with the Bombers leaving the league in 1967.

Western Canada Hockey League

Bobby Clarke's Bombers jersey on display at the 2007 Memorial Cup in Vancouver.

After its inaugural season, the CMJHL was renamed the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, which was then simplified to the Western Canada Hockey league one year later.[10] After their one season in the MJHL, the Bombers joined the WCHL, now the top level of junior hockey in Western Canada, for the 1967–68 season, and they immediately built on their previous success.[4]

The Clarke-led Bombers continued to dominate, finishing in first place for the 1967–68 regular season before losing in the President's Cup finals to the Estevan Bruins. The Bombers again finished in first place in the 1968–69 season, going on to win that season's playoffs to become President's Cup champions, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings.[14] Clarke led the league in scoring both seasons, while Leach recorded 87 goals in 1967–68.[12] As 1969 WCHL champion, the Bombers proceeded to win a national championship in 1969 by defeating the St. Thomas Barons of the Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League; the best-of-seven series was unsanctioned by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), which at the time had barred the WCHL from competing for the Memorial Cup. The short-lived Canadian Hockey Association organized an alternate championship; despite being a best-of-seven, St. Thomas withdrew from the series during the fourth game, trailing the game and the series two games to one, protesting the Bombers' violent play style—the Bombers were awarded the title.[14][15] After the series, Flin Flon challenged the Memorial Cup-champion Montreal Junior Canadiens to a showdown, but the Montreal club declined.[16] The following season, with Clarke having graduated to the professional ranks, the Bombers repeated as league champions, again defeating Edmonton, with Leach leading the league in scoring. Due to the controversy surrounding the previous years series against St. Thomas, there was no national series in 1970.[14]

The growing financial demands of major junior hockey, including extensive travel, became a strain for the Bombers, who played in one of the league's smallest and most remote communities; not only was the travel difficult for the Bombers, but for any team visiting Flin Flon, which had also developed a reputation as a particularly violent team.[17] The franchise departed Flin Flon after the 1977–78 season. The franchise played three and a half seasons after leaving Flin Flon with iterations as the Edmonton Oil Kings—after the original Oil Kings departed Edmonton in 1976 due to pressure from the Edmonton Oilers—for the 1978–79 season, the Great Falls Americans for part of 1979–80 before suspending operations, and the Spokane Flyers for 1980–81 and start of the 1981–82 season before folding in December 1981.[10]

Return to Junior A

In 1977, the WCHL Bombers had formed an affiliate Junior B team. The Jr. B Bombers would win the 1977–78 Baldy Northcott Trophy as Manitoba Provincial Champions. When the WCHL Bombers departed to Edmonton, the Bombers' ownership retained the Junior B Bombers. The Flin Flon ownership, along with the owners of the Thompson King Miners, banded together with people from The Pas and Snow Lake, Manitoba to create the NorMan Junior Hockey League (NJHL), a rival to the Manitoba Junior League; the following year, the NJHL—along with the Bombers—would be promoted to Junior A status and the right to compete for a national Junior A championship.[18] Flin Flon won NJHL titles in 1979, 1982, and 1984.

For the 1984–85 season, the Bombers were granted expansion into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), which had been revived in 1968 following the 1966 demise of the original SJHL.[19] For two seasons, due to SJHL rules requiring teams to be located in Saskatchewan, the team was re-named the Creighton Bombers after the adjacent community of Creighton, Saskatchewan, despite Flin Flon straddling the provincial border. After two seasons, the league allowed the team to re-adopt the Flin Flon moniker.

Modern era

Success was not immediate for the Bombers following their entry into the SJHL. The team made the playoffs in its first season in 1985, but fell to a quarterfinal sweep by the Weyburn Red Wings. The Bombers would miss the playoffs the following two seasons before suffering three straight exits in the first round.[20] The team won its first SJHL playoff game of the modern era in 1992 against the Nipawin Hawks - but fell in five games.

The following season, playoff success for the Bombers who won the 1993 league championship in a seven game series with the Melville Millionaires,[21] going on to win the ANAVET Cup over the Dauphin Kings but finishing fifth at that year's Centennial Cup. In the years following, the Bombers struggled to recapture postseason success until the 2000-01 season, when the team won its first regular season pennant. The Bombers were defeated by Nipawin in the semi finals, but still qualified for the 2001 Royal Bank Cup as the host team. At the tournament, Flin Flon made the final, defeating the SJHL champion Weyburn Red Wings in the semi finals before falling to the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in the final.[22]

After the Royal Bank Cup, the Bombers missed the playoffs in four straight seasons and did not return to the league final until 2015-16, losing in a six game series to the Melfort Mustangs. The Bombers would return to the final the following season, losing to the Battlefords North Stars.

Following a two-season SJHL hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bombers returned to the league final in 2021-22 and fell to the Estevan Bruins. Despite being the league runners-up, the Bombers would still appear in the 2022 Centennial Cup where Estevan was the host.[23] It was the first of three consecutive seasons where the Bombers made the final, but a championship still eluded the team.

In 2025-26, Flin Flon completed a dominant SJHL season where the team finished first in the regular season standings and won the Canterra Seeds Cup for the first time since 1993, sweeping the Yorkton Terriers in four games.[24]

Notable alumni

  • Murray Anderson
  • Steve Andrascik
  • Ron Andruff
  • Chuck Arnason
  • Ron Barkwell
  • Wayne Bianchin
  • Ken Block
  • Gene Carr
  • Bobby Clarke
  • Kim Clackson
  • Cam Connor
  • Jordy Douglas
  • Gerry Ehman
  • George Forgie
  • Jean Gauthier
  • Tom Gilmore
  • Patty Ginnell
  • Ted Hampson
  • Gerry Hart
  • Doug Hicks
  • Glenn Hicks
  • Garry Howatt
  • Connor Ingram
  • Dan Johnson
  • Robert Kabel
  • Mickey Keating
  • George Konik
  • Orland Kurtenbach
  • Reggie Leach
  • Ken Macdonald
  • Ray Martyniuk
  • Jack McIlhargey
  • Lew Morrison
  • Mel Pearson
  • Cliff Pennington
  • Dennis Polonich
  • Tracy Pratt
  • Larry Romanchych
  • Duane Rupp
  • Pat Rupp
  • John Stewart
  • Blaine Stoughton
  • Chris Worthy
  • Ray Neufeld

Season-by-season record

Season GP W L T OTL SOL GF GA P PCT Coach Final Ranking Playoffs
Division League
1936–38: Northern Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League
1936–37 18 8 9 1 - - 56 58 17 .471 Oldie Lowe - 3rd of 4 Lost final
1937–38 24 15 8 1 - - 80 59 31 .652 Oldie Lowe - 1st of 3 Won League Championship
1939–44: Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League
1938–39 30 14 13 3 - - 105 88 31 .517 Oldie Lowe - 4th of 6 Lost semifinal
1939–40 32 13 18 1 114 125 27 .419 Oldie Lowe - 5th of 5 Did not qualify
1940–41 32 14 16 2 - - 121 148 30 .469 Oldie Lowe - 4th of 5 Lost semifinal
1941–42 32 13 19 0 - - 105 131 26 .406 - 4th of 5 Lost semifinal
1942–43 24 10 12 2 - - 96 94 22 .455 - 3rd of 5 Lost final
1943–44 24 10 14 0 - - 120 123 20 .417 - 2nd of 3 Won League Championship
1945–48: Did not play in an organized league
1949–50: North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
1948–49 24 5 18 1 - - 76 119 11 .229 - 4th of 4 Lost semifinal
1949–50 24 14 9 1 - - 129 109 29 .604 - 2nd of 4 Lost final
1951–66: Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
1950–51 26 24 11 1 - - 189 147 49 .681 Alex Shibicky - 1st of 4 Lost final
1951–52 50 18 27 5 - - 211 236 41 .410 Alex Shibicky - 4th of 4 Won League Championship
1952–53 45 30 13 2 - - 200 183 62 .689 Alex Shibicky - 1st of 4 Won League Championship
1953–54 48 27 21 0 - - 297 204 54 .563 Alex Shibicky - 2nd of 4 Won League Championship
1954–55 48 23 24 1 - - 218 215 47 .490 Bobby Kirk - 2nd of 4 Lost semifinal
1955–56 48 37 10 1 - - 301 149 75 .781 Bobby Kirk - 1st of 5 Won League Championship
1956–57 53 48 5 2 - - 309 108 94 .891 Bobby Kirk - 1st of 6 Won League Championship
Won Abbott Cup
Won Memorial Cup
1957–58 55 28 25 2 - - 220 177 58 .527 Bobby Kirk - 3rd of 6 Lost final
1958–59 48 35 12 1 - - 269 144 71 .740 Emmanuel McLean - 1st of 7 Won League Championship
1959–60 54 35 16 3 - - 301 189 82 .676 Bobby Kirk - 1st of 7 Won League Championship
1960–61 60 25 28 7 - - 184 203 57 .475 Bobby Kirk - 5th of 7 DNQ
1961–62 56 29 22 5 - - 244 199 63 .563 Bobby Kirk - 3rd of 8 Lost semifinal
1962–63 54 17 35 2 - - 152 237 36 .333 Bobby Kirk - 6th of 7 Lost quarterfinal
1963–64 62 19 32 11 - - 262 304 49 .395 Bobby Kirk - 6th of 8 Lost quarterfinal
1964–65 56 21 29 6 - - 255 298 48 .429 Tom Baird - 5th of 8 Lost quarterfinal
1965–66 60 8 51 1 - - 199 490 17 .142 Tom Baird - 8th of 8 DNQ
1967: Manitoba Junior Hockey League
1966–67 58 52 6 0 - - 406 125 104 .929 Pat Ginnell - 1st of 7 Won League Championship
1968–78: Western Canada Hockey League
1967–68 60 47 8 5 - - 361 143 99 .825 Pat Ginnell - 1st of 11 Lost final
1968–69 60 47 13 0 - - 343 159 94 .783 Pat Ginnell 1st East 1st of 8 Won League Championship
Won James Piggott National Championship
1969–70 60 42 18 0 - - 257 176 84 .700 Pat Ginnell 1st East 1st of 8 Won League Championship
1970–71 66 41 23 2 - - 306 224 84 .636 Pat Ginnell 2nd East 3rd of 10 Lost final
1971–72 68 31 36 1 - - 265 307 63 .463 Pat Ginnell 4th East 8th of 12 Lost quarterfinal
1972–73 68 39 19 10 - - 334 228 88 .647 Pat Ginnell 2nd East 3rd of 12 Lost semi-final
1973–74 68 34 21 13 - - 322 259 81 .596 Pat Ginnell 2nd East 4th of 12 Lost quarterfinal
1974–75 70 19 42 9 - - 262 389 47 .336 Mel Pearson 6th East 11th of 12 DNQ
1975–76 72 18 44 10 - - 279 441 46 .319 Mickey Keating 6th East 12th of 12 DNQ
1976–77 72 16 42 14 - - 294 411 46 .319 Mickey Keating 3rd East 11th of 12 DNQ
1977–78 72 33 30 9 - - 396 380 75 .521 Mickey Keating 2nd East 7th of 12 Lost semifinal
1979–84: NorMan Junior Hockey League
1978–79 24 20 2 2 - - 210 - 42 .909 - 1st of 3 Won League Championship
1979–80 Statistics not available Tom Skinner - 2nd of 4 Lost final
1980–81 42 27 12 3 - - - - 57 .692 - 1st of 4 Lost final
1981–82 42 42 0 0 - - 544 146 84 1.000 Tom Skinner - 1st of 4 Won League Championship
1982–83 Statistics not available Lost final
1983–84 Statistics not available Won League Championship
1985–present: Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
As Creighton Bombers
1984–85 64 16 48 0 - - 294 495 32 .250 Mel Pearson - 8th of 9 Lost quarterfinal
1985–86 60 13 46 1 - - 234 452 27 .220 - 10th of 10 DNQ
As Flin Flon Bombers
1986–87 64 13 50 1 - - 249 430 27 .211 - 9th of 9 DNQ
1987–88 60 21 35 4 - - 207 337 46 .383 Leo MacDonald - 8th of 11 Lost quarterfinal
1988–89 64 36 26 2 - - 342 303 74 .578 Leo MacDonald 3rd North 5th of 11 Lost quarterfinal
1989–90 68 30 33 5 - - 293 325 65 .478 Leo MacDonald 4th North 8th of 11 Lost quarterfinal
1990–91 68 27 36 5 - - 208 286 59 .434 Norm Johnston 5th North 9th of 11 DNQ
1991–92 64 27 32 5 - - 206 243 59 .461 Norm Johnston 3rd North 8th of 12 Lost division semifinal
1992–93 64 35 23 6 - - 277 215 76 .594 Norm Johnston 2nd North 4th of 12 Won League Championship
Won Anavet Cup
1993–94 68 36 28 4 - - 272 259 76 .559 Norm Johnston 4th North 7th of 13 Lost division quarterfinal
1994–95 64 14 44 6 - - 184 336 34 .266 6th North 13th of 13 DNQ
1995–96 64 21 38 5 - - 201 280 47 .367 5th North 9th of 13 Lost division quarterfinal
1996–97 64 23 37 4 - - 204 250 50 .391 Ray Maluta 6th North 10th of 13 DNQ
1997–98 64 23 33 8 - - 191 249 54 .422 Larry Wintoneak 6th North 11th of 13 DNQ
1998–99 66 34 29 3 - - 194 224 71 .538 Larry Wintoneak 5th North 9th of 14 Lost division quarterfinal
1999–2000 60 29 27 4 - - 215 180 62 .517 Larry Wintoneak 5th North 8th of 13 Lost division semifinal
2000–01 62 44 15 3 0 - 271 182 91 .734 Larry Wintoneak 1st Dodge 1st of 13 Lost Division final
2001–02 64 10 46 6 2 - 170 334 28 .219 Troy Walkington 6th Dodge 12th of 12 DNQ
2002–03 60 10 41 6 3 - 168 290 29 .242 Troy Walkington 7th Dodge 12th of 12 DNQ
2003–04 60 17 28 12 3 - 183 238 49 .408 Ryan Hoffman 5th Dodge 10th of 12 DNQ
2004–05 55 10 36 6 3 - 138 244 29 .264 Ryan Hoffman 6th Itech 12th of 12 DNQ
2005–06 55 19 33 1 2 - 173 216 41 .373 Ryan Hoffman/Doug Stokes 5th Itech 10th of 12 Lost division semifinal
2006–07 58 18 38 - 2 - 168 264 38 .328 Doug Stokes 6th Itech 12th of 12 DNQ
2007–08 58 33 21 - 4 - 219 172 70 .603 Mike Reagan 3rd Itech 5th of 12 Lost Division final
2008–09 56 32 20 - 4 - 213 168 68 .607 Mike Reagan 2nd Itech 4th of 12 Lost Division final
2009–10 58 37 17 - 4 - 214 157 78 .672 Mike Reagan 1st Itech 2nd of 12 Lost division semifinal
2010–11 58 25 31 - 2 0 196 212 52 .448 Mike Reagan 5th Bauer 9th of 12 Lost division semifinal
2011–12 58 28 21 - 3 6 205 214 65 .560 Mike Reagan 5th Bauer 8th of 12 Lost division quarterfinal
2012–13 54 34 19 - 1 0 198 143 69 .639 Mike Reagan 3rd North 5th of 12 Lost Division final
2013–14 56 23 30 - 1 2 139 169 49 .438 Mike Reagan 3rd Sherwood 10th of 12 Lost Wild Card
2014–15 56 31 13 - 6 6 207 159 74 .661 Mike Reagan 2nd Sherwood 5th of 12 Lost quarterfinal
2015–16 58 34 20 - 0 4 216 169 72 .621 Mike Reagan 3rd Sherwood 6th of 12 Lost final
2016–17 58 39 14 - 2 3 245 150 83 .716 Mike Reagan 1st Sherwood 2nd of 12 Lost final
2017–18 58 24 26 - 3 5 194 216 56 .483 Mike Reagan 3rd Sherwood 9th of 12 Lost quarterfinal
2018–19 58 36 16 - 1 3 233 186 72 .621 Mike Reagan 3rd Sherwood 6th of 12 Lost quarterfinal
2019–20 58 36 15 - 7 0 265 192 79 .681 Mike Reagan 1st Sherwood 2nd of 12 Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 2 0 2 - 0 0 4 11 0 .000 Mike Reagan n/a2 n/a2 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 58 34 21 - 2 1 206 158 71 .612 Mike Reagan 2nd Sherwood 5th of 12 Lost final
2022–23 56 37 15 - 2 2 200 153 78 .696 Mike Reagan 1st Sherwood 4th of 12 Lost final
2023–24 56 44 9 - 2 1 244 129 91 .813 Mike Reagan 1st Sherwood 1st of 12 Lost final
2024-25 56 38 13 - 4 1 207 131 81 .723 Mike Reagan 2nd Sherwood 2nd of 12 Lost semifinal
2025-26 56 41 11 - 3 1 234 135 86 .768 Mike Reagan 1st UPL 1st of 12 Won League Championship

Playoff record

Northern Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, 1937–1938

  • 1937
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 2 games to 0
Final: North Battleford Beavers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1
  • 1938
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers received a bye to the league final
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 3 Won League Championship

Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, 1939–1944

  • 1939
Semifinal: Moose Jaw Millers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1 (1 tie)
  • 1940 Did not qualify
  • 1941
Semifinal: Regina Rangers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
  • 1942
Semifinal: Saskatoon Quakers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
  • 1943
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon RCAF Flyers 3 games to 0
Final: Regina Army Capitals defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
  • 1944
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Moose Jaw Victorias 2 games to 0
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Navy 3 games to 1 Won League Championship
New Westminster CPA Lodestars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1 in Allan Cup playoffs
  • 1945 to 1948: No information available

North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 1949–50

  • 1949
Semifinal: Prince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 1
  • 1950
Semifinal: Prince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 1951–1966

  • 1951
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 3 games to 0 (1 tie)
Final: Prince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
  • 1952
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Wesleys 4 games to 1
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 3 games to 2 Won League Championship
Regina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs
  • 1953
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 4 games to 2
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 4 games to 1 Won League Championship
Lethbridge Native Sons defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs
  • 1954
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Wesleys 4 games to 3
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 5 games to 4 (1 tie) Won League Championship
Edmonton Oil Kings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs
  • 1955
Semifinal: Prince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 1956
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt–Melfort Indians 4 games to 1
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 3 games to 2 (2 ties) Won League Championship
Regina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs
  • 1957
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt–Melfort Indians 4 games to 0
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 4 games to 2 Won League Championship
Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 2 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup semifinal
Flin Flon Bombers defeated Fort William Canadiens 4 games to 0 Won Abbott Cup
Flin Flon Bombers defeated Ottawa-Hull Canadiens 4 games to 3 Won Memorial Cup
  • 1958
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 3 games to 1 (2 ties)
Final: Regina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
  • 1959
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 1
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 2 Won League Championship
Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 0 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup semifinal
Winnipeg Braves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2 in Western Canada Memorial Cup final
  • 1960
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 2 (1 tie)
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1 (1 tie) Won League Championship
Edmonton Oil Kings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2 in Western Canada Memorial Cup semifinal
  • 1961 Did not qualify
  • 1962
Flin Flon Bombers placed 5th place of 6 (2–8–0) in round robin
  • 1963 Did not qualify
  • 1964
Quarterfinal: Saskatoon Blades defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
  • 1965
Quarterfinal:Weyburn Red Wings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 1966 Did not qualify

Manitoba Junior Hockey League, 1967

  • 1967
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Winnipeg Monarchs 3 games to 0
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Brandon Wheat Kings 3 games to 2 Won League Championship (Turnbull Cup)
Port Arthur Marrs defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2 in Western Memorial Cup final

Western Canada Hockey League, 1968–1978

  • 1968
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 0
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 1 (1 tie)
Final: Estevan Bruins defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 (1 tie)
  • 1969
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Winnipeg Jets 4 games to 2 (1 tie)
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 0 (1 tie)
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 2 Won League Championship
Flin Flon Bombers defeated St. Thomas Barons 2 games to 1† Won James Piggott National Championship
†Series forfeited by St. Thomas while down two games to one, and losing 4–0 at 10:10 of the second period of the fourth game[15]
  • 1970
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Brandon Wheat Kings 5 games to 0
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Winnipeg Jets 5 games to 4
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 0 Won League Championship
  • 1971
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1 (1 tie)
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Winnipeg 5 games to 2
Final: Edmonton Oil Kings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1 (1 tie)
  • 1972
Quarterfinal: Regina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 2 (2 ties)
  • 1973
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 0
Semifinal: Saskatoon Blades defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 1974
Quarterfinal: Swift Current Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
  • 1975 Did not qualify
  • 1976 Did not qualify
  • 1977 Did not qualify
  • 1978
Flin Flon Bombers advanced in Division round robin to Semifinal (4–4)
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1
Flin Flon Bombers eliminated in semifinal round robin (0–4)

NorMan Junior Hockey League, 1979–1984

  • 1979
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson Nickel Knights Won League Championship
Baldy Northcott Trophy: Transcona Railers defeated Flin Flon Bombers
  • 1980
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings 3 games to 0
Final: Thompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1
  • 1981
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings
Final: Thompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
  • 1982
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4 games to 0 Won League Championship
Turnbull Cup: Winnipeg South Blues defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
  • 1983
Final: The Pas Huskies defeated Flin Flon Bombers
  • 1984
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4 games to 2 Won League Championship
Turnbull Cup: Selkirk Steelers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 1985–present

  • 1985
Quarterfinal: Weyburn Red Wings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 1986 Did not qualify
  • 1987 Did not qualify
  • 1988
Quarterfinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 1989
Quarterfinal: Yorkton Terriers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 1990
Quarterfinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 1991 Did not qualify
  • 1992
Quarterfinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 1993
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 1
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melville Millionaires 4 games to 3 Won League Championship (Hanbidge Cup)
Anavet Cup: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Dauphin Kings 4 games to 2 Won Anavet Cup
Centennial Cup round robin: Flin Flon Bombers placed fifth in 1993 Centennial Cup round robin (0–4)
  • 1994
Preliminary round: Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 0
  • 1995 Did not qualify
  • 1996
Preliminary round: Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 0
  • 1997 Did not qualify
  • 1998 Did not qualify
  • 1999
Preliminary round: Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 0
  • 2000
Quarterfinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 2001
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1
Semifinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
RBC Cup Round Robin†: Third in 2001 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2–2)
Semi-Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4–0
RBC Final: Camrose Kodiaks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 5–0
†Qualified for RBC Cup as hosts
  • 2002 Did not qualify
  • 2003 Did not qualify
  • 2004 Did not qualify
  • 2005 Did not qualify
  • 2006
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 3
Semifinal: Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 2007 Did not qualify
  • 2008
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 2
Semifinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated 4 games to 0
  • 2009
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 0
Semifinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 2010
Quarterfinal: La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
  • 2011
Survivor Series: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 3 games to 1
Quarterfinal: La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 2012
Survivor Series: La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
  • 2013
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 2
Semifinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 2014
Wildcard Series: Estevan Bruins defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 2
  • 2015
Quarterfinal: Notre Dame Hounds defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
  • 2016
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4 games to 1
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 1
Final: Melfort Mustangs defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
  • 2017
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Notre Dame Hounds 4 games to 1
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 3
Final: Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 2018
Wildcard Series: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Notre Dame Hounds 2 games to 1
Quarterfinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
  • 2019
Wildcard Series: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 2 games to 0
Quarterfinal: Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
  • 2020
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 0
Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2021 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2022
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 2
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1
Final: Estevan Bruins defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
Centennial Cup round robin†: Flin Flon Bombers advanced to playoff round
Centennial Cup quarterfinal: Pickering Panthers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 to 2 (2OT)
†Qualified for Centennial Cup due to Estevan's host status
  • 2023
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 3
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1
Final: Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
  • 2024
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Kindersley Klippers 4 games to 0
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 0
Final: Melfort Mustangs defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
  • 2025
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 2
Semifinal: Weyburn Red Wings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
  • 2026
Quarterfinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 0
Semifinal: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4 games to 3
Final: Flin Flon Bombers defeated Yorkton Terriers 4 games to 0 Won League Championship (Canterra Seeds Cup)

Player awards

1957 Memorial Cup Champions

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), Bobby Kirk (coach), Hec McCaig (trainer), Jim Wardle (executive), Pinkie Davie (executive), Ken Cunningham (stickboy), Rees Jones (stickboy), and Dan McCaig (mascot) were with the team through the SJHL and Abbott Cup championships, and were joined by Lynn Davis, Jean Gauthier, and Orland Kurtenbach for the Memorial Cup national championship.[5]

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
2007-08 SJHL Reid MacLeod 57 47 42 89
2016-17 SJHL Greyson Reitmeyer 58 28 51 79

Most Valuable Player

Season League Winner GP G/W A/GAA P/SV%
1968-69 WCJHL Bobby Clarke 58 51 86 137
1969-70 WCHL Reggie Leach 57 65 46 111
2000-01 SJHL Morgan Cey 53 35 2.62 0.916
2024-25 SJHL Matthew Kieper 27 23 1.80 0.935

Player of the Year

Season League Winner GP G A P
2015-16 SJHL Alex Smith 56 32 52 84
2016-17 SJHL Greyson Reitmeyer 58 28 51 79

Goaltender of the Year

Season League Winner GP Wins Shutouts GAA Save %
1967-68 WCJHL Chris Worthy 60 47 10 2.39 NA
1968-69 WCJHL Ray Martyniuk 41 NA 6 2.52 NA
1969-70 WCHL Ray Martyniuk 43 NA 4 2.58 NA
2023-24 SJHL Harmon Laser-Hume 38 28 6 2.20 0.930
2024-25 SJHL Matthew Kieper 27 23 3 1.80 0.935
2025-26 SJHL Charlie Tritt 34 23 5 2.12 0.934

Defenceman of the Year

Season League Winner GP Goals Assists Points
1967-68 WCJHL Gerry Hart 58 13 38 51
2012-13 SJHL Josh Roach 53 13 41 54
2016-17 SJHL Eric Sinclair 46 17 34 51
2021-22 SJHL Xavier Lapointe 58 19 31 50
2023-24 SJHL Noah Houle 52 12 56 68

Rookie of the Year

Season League Winner Position GP G/W A/GAA PTS/SV%
1969-70 WCHL Gene Carr Center 60 22 51 73
1973-74 WCHL Cam Connor Right Wing 65 47 44 91
2006-07 SJHL Reid MacLeod Forward 58 24 37 61
2011-12 SJHL Devin Buffalo Goalie 38 18 3.37 .909
2012-13 SJHL Brett Boehm Right Wing 49 25 29 54
2019-20 SJHL Tristan Lemyre Center 44 30 32 62

Coach of the Year

Season League Winner
1969-70 WCHL Paddy Ginnell
1970-71 WCHL Paddy Ginnell
1972-73 WCHL Paddy Ginnell
2023-24 SJHL Mike Reagan

See also

  • List of ice hockey teams in Manitoba
  • List of ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan

References

  1. ^ "Hockey brawl at SJHL match in Flin Flon draws suspensions, fines". CBC. March 24, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  2. ^ Westhaver, Eric (April 8, 2022). "The past, present and future of the Whitney Forum: What makes "the Zoo" so wild?". The Reminder. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Whitney Forum". City of Flin Flon. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Lapp, Richard M.; White, Silas (1993). Local Heroes: A History of the Western Hockey League. Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. p. 65. ISBN 1-55017-080-5.
  5. ^ a b c "1956/57 Flin Flon Bombers". Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  6. ^ Lapp, Richard; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Madeira Park, B.C.: Harbour Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
  7. ^ a b c Morgan, T. Kent (May 10, 2017). "When Flin Flon won the Memorial Cup". Winnipeg Free Press. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  8. ^ Lapp & Mcauley. The Memorial Cup. p. 108.
  9. ^ "1957 Flin Flon Bombers Junior Hockey Team". Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "WHL History". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  11. ^ "Bobby Clarke". Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Naylor, Jonathon (November 14, 2015). "50 years after Flin Flon Bomber debut, a hockey legend reflects". The Reminder. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  13. ^ Drinnan, Gregg (August 9, 2002). "WHL History, Part I: In the beginning..." Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on May 7, 2005. Retrieved June 4, 2024 – via Western Hockey League.
  14. ^ a b c Lapp & White. Local Heroes. pp. 66–67.
  15. ^ a b Costa, Morris Dalla (January 28, 2011). "Bomber Raid Revisited". The London Free Press. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  16. ^ Cuthbert, Chris (1998). The Rink: Stores from Hockey's Home Towns. Toronto: Penguin. pp. 209–210. ISBN 9780140266023.
  17. ^ Cuthbert. The Rink. pp. 185–187.
  18. ^ "History". Canadian Junior Hockey League. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "Recruitment". Flin Flon Bombers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  20. ^ "Historical Statistics". Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  21. ^ CTV News (April 23, 2026). The last time Flin Flon won the SJHL title: CTV Saskatoon Archive. Retrieved April 24, 2026 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "2001 Royal Bank Cup". www.hockeycanada.ca. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  23. ^ Media, OH!. "Road to the 2022 Centennial Cup: Flin Flon Bombers « Hockey Saskatchewan". hockeysask.ca. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  24. ^ Davenport, Cole (April 24, 2026). "Flin Flon Bombers complete sweep of Yorkton Terriers for first SJHL title since 1993". CTVNews. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
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