Flin Flon Bombers Explained

Team:	Flin Flon Bombers
Colour:	550110
Colour Text:	white
Logosize:	175px
City:	Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
League:	SJHL
Division:	Sherwood Division
Founded:	1927
Arena:	Whitney Forum
Colours:	Maroon and White
Gm:	Mike Reagan
Coach:	Mike Reagan
Website:	http://www.bombers.ca
Name1:	Flin Flon Bombers
Dates1:	1978 - 1984
Name2:	Creighton Bombers
Dates2:	1984 - 1986
Name3:	Flin Flon Bombers
Dates3:	1986 - present
Altname1:	Flin Flon Bombers
Altdates1:	1927 - 1978
Altname2:	Edmonton Oil Kings
Altdates2:	1978 - 1979
Altname3:	Great Falls Americans
Altdates3:	1979 - 1980
Altname4:	Spokane Flyers
Altdates4:	1980 - 1982

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.

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.^{[1] [2]} 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).^[3] 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.^{[4] [5]}

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.^[6] 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. The Bombers won the series four games to three to claim the Memorial Cup championship. The win by the Bombers was considered a considerable upset over the favoured Canadiens. The team was greeted by 4,000 people when they returned to Flin Flon after the series.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^[9] The Bombers spent the 1966–67 season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) instead. 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.^[10] Clarke recorded 71 goals and 183 points in 45 games, while Leach recorded 67 goals and 113 points.^[11] Ginnell was credited with turning the Bombers into a hard-working and physically tough team.^[12] The arrangement with the MJHL would last just one season, with the Bombers leaving the league in 1967.

Western Canada Hockey League

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. 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.

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.^[13] Clarke led the league in scoring both seasons, while Leach recorded 87 goals in 1967–68. 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. After the series, Flin Flon challenged the Memorial Cup-champion Montreal Junior Canadiens to a showdown, but the Montreal club declined.^[14] 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.

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.^[15] 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.

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.^[16] 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.^[17] 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, despite Flin Flon straddling the provincial border. After two seasons, the league allowed the team to re-adopt the Flin Flon moniker.

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/a^2	n/a^2	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 to Estevan
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

Playoff record

Northern Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, 1937–1938

• 1937

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 2 games to 0

Final: North Battleford Beavers defeated Bombers 3 games to 1

• 1938

Semifinal: Bombers received a bye to the league final

Final: Bombers defeated Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 3 (Won NSSHL Championship)Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, 1939–1944

• 1939

Semifinal: Moose Jaw Millers defeated Bombers 3 games to 1 (1 tie)

• 1940 Did not qualify
• 1941

Semifinal: Regina Rangers defeated Bombers 3 games to 0

• 1942

Semifinal: Saskatoon Quakers defeated Bombers 3 games to 0

• 1943

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Saskatoon RCAF Flyers 3 games to 0

Final: Regina Army Capitals defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 1944

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Moose Jaw Victorias 2 games to 0

Final: Bombers defeated Saskatoon Navy 3 games to 1 (Won SSHL Championship)

New Westminster CPA Lodestars defeated 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 Bombers 2 games to 1

• 1950

Semifinal: Prince Albert Mintos defeated Bombers 3 games to 1Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 1951–1966

• 1951

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 3 games to 0 (1 tie)

Final: Prince Albert Mintos defeated Bombers 3 games to 0

• 1952

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Saskatoon Wesleys 4 games to 1

Final: Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 3 games to 2 (Won SJHL Championship)

Regina Pats defeated Bombers 4 games to 0 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs

• 1953

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 4 games to 2

Final: Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 4 games to 1 (Won SJHL Championship)

Lethbridge Native Sons defeated Bombers 4 games to 0 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs

• 1954

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Saskatoon Wesleys 4 games to 3

Final: Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 5 games to 4 (1 tie) (Won SJHL Championship)

Edmonton Oil Kings defeated Bombers 4 games to 0 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs

• 1955

Semifinal: Prince Albert Mintos defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 1956

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Humboldt–Melfort Indians 4 games to 1

Final: Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 3 games to 2 (2 ties) (Won SJHL Championship)

Regina Pats defeated Bombers 4 games to 3 in Western Canada Memorial Cup playoffs

• 1957

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Humboldt–Melfort Indians 4 games to 0

Final: Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 4 games to 2 (Won SJHL Championship)

Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 2 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup semifinal

Bombers defeated Fort William Canadiens 4 games to 0 (Won Abbott Cup)

Bombers defeated Ottawa-Hull Canadiens 4 games to 3 (Won Memorial Cup)

• 1958

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 3 games to 1 (2 ties)

Final: Regina Pats defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 1959

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 1

Final: Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 2 (Won SJHL Championship)

Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 0 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup semifinal

Winnipeg Braves defeated Bombers 4 games to 2 in Western Canada Memorial Cup final

• 1960

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 2 (1 tie)

Final: Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1 (1 tie) (Won SJHL Championship)

Edmonton Oil Kings defeated Bombers 4 games to 2 in Western Canada Memorial Cup semifinal

• 1961 Did not qualify
• 1962

Bombers placed 5th place of 6 (2–8–0) in round robin

• 1963 Did not qualify
• 1964

Quarterfinal: Saskatoon Blades defeated Bombers 4 games to 3

• 1965

Quarterfinal:Weyburn Red Wings defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 1966 Did not qualify

Manitoba Junior Hockey League, 1967

• 1967

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Winnipeg Monarchs 3 games to 0

Final: Bombers defeated Brandon Wheat Kings 3 games to 2 (Won Turnbull Cup)

Port Arthur Marrs defeated Bombers 4 games to 2 in Western Memorial Cup finalWestern Canada Hockey League, 1968–1978

• 1968

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 0

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 1 (1 tie)

Final: Estevan Bruins defeated Bombers 4 games to 0 (1 tie)

• 1969

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Winnipeg Jets 4 games to 2 (1 tie)

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 0 (1 tie)

Final: Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 2 (Won WCHL Championship)

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^[18]

• 1970

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Brandon Wheat Kings 5 games to 0

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Winnipeg Jets 5 games to 4

Final: Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 0 (Won WCHL Championship)

• 1971

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1 (1 tie)

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Winnipeg 5 games to 2

Final: Edmonton Oil Kings defeated Bombers 4 games to 1 (1 tie)

• 1972

Quarterfinal: Regina Pats defeated Bombers 3 games to 2 (2 ties)

• 1973

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 0

Semifinal: Saskatoon Blades defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 1974

Quarterfinal: Swift Current Broncos defeated Bombers 4 games to 3

• 1975 Did not qualify
• 1976 Did not qualify
• 1977 Did not qualify
• 1978

Bombers advanced in Division round robin to Semifinal (4–4)

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1

Bombers eliminated in semifinal round robin (0–4)NorMan Junior Hockey League, 1979–1984

• 1979

Final: Bombers defeated Thompson Nickel Knights (Won NJHL Championship)

Baldy Northcott Trophy: Transcona Railers defeated Bombers

• 1980

Semifinal: Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings 3 games to 0

Final: Thompson King Miners defeated Bombers 3 games to 1

• 1981

Semifinal: Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings

Final: Thompson King Miners defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 1982

Final: Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4 games to 0 (Won NJHL Championship)

Turnbull Cup: Winnipeg South Blues defeated Bombers 3 games to 0

• 1983

Final: The Pas Huskies defeated Bombers

• 1984

Final: Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4 games to 2 (Won NJHL Championship)

Turnbull Cup: Selkirk Steelers defeated Bombers 4 games to 1Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 1985–present

• 1985

Quarterfinal: Weyburn Red Wings defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 1986 Did not qualify
• 1987 Did not qualify
• 1988

Quarterfinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 1989

Quarterfinal: Yorkton Terriers defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 1990

Quarterfinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 1991 Did not qualify
• 1992

Quarterfinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 1993

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 1

Final: Bombers defeated Melville Millionaires 4 games to 3 (Won Hanbridge Cup)

Anavet Cup: Bombers defeated Dauphin Kings 4 games to 2 (Won Anavet Cup)

Centennial Cup round robin: Bombers placed fifth in 1993 Centennial Cup round robin (0–4)

• 1994

Preliminary round: Nipawin Hawks defeated Bombers 2 games to 0

• 1995 Did not qualify
• 1996

Preliminary round: Humboldt Broncos defeated Bombers 2 games to 0

• 1997 Did not qualify
• 1998 Did not qualify
• 1999

Preliminary round: Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 2 games to 0

• 2000

Quarterfinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 2001

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1

Semifinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

RBC Cup Round Robin^†: Third in 2001 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2–2)

Semi-Final: Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4–0

RBC Final: Camrose Kodiaks defeated 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: Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 3

Semifinal: Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 2007 Did not qualify
• 2008

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 2

Semifinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated 4 games to 0

• 2009

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 0

Semifinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 2010

Quarterfinal: La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 2011

Survivor Series: Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 3 games to 1

Quarterfinal: La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 2012

Survivor Series: La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Bombers 3 games to 0

• 2013

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 2

Semifinal: Humboldt Broncos defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 2014

Wildcard Series: Estevan Bruins defeated Bombers 3 games to 2

• 2015

Quarterfinal: Notre Dame Hounds defeated Bombers 4 games to 3

• 2016

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4 games to 1

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 1

Final: Melfort Mustangs defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 2017

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Notre Dame Hounds 4 games to 1

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 3

Final: Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 2018

Wildcard Series: Bombers defeated Notre Dame Hounds 2 games to 1

Quarterfinal: Nipawin Hawks defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 2019

Wildcard Series: Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 2 games to 0

Quarterfinal: Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 3

• 2020

Quarterfinal: 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: Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 2

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1

Final: Estevan Bruins defeated Bombers 4 games to 3

Centennial Cup round robin^†: Bombers advanced to playoff round

Centennial Cup quarterfinal: Pickering Panthers defeated Bombers 3 to 2 (2OT)

^†Qualified for Centennial Cup due to Estevan's host status

• 2023

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 3

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1

Final: Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 2024

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeated Kindersley Klippers 4 games to 0

Semifinal: Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 0

Final: Melfort Mustangs defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

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.

Scoring champions

Season	League	Winner	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
1967–68			59	51	117	168
1968–69		Bobby Clarke	58	51	86	137
1969–70			57	65	46	111
1970–71			66	79	84	163
2007–08			57	47	42	89
2016–17			58	28	51	79

Most Valuable Player

Season	League	Winner	GP	G/W	A/GAA	P/SV%
1968–69			58	51	86	137
1969–70			57	65	46	111
2000–01			53	35	2.62	0.916

Player of the Year

Season	League	Winner	GP	G	A	P
2015–16			56	32	52	84
2016–17			58	28	51	79

Goaltender of the Year

Season	League	Winner	GP	Wins	Shutouts	Average
1967–68			60	47	10	2.39
1968–69			41	NA	6	2.52
1969–70		Ray Martyniuk	43	NA	4	2.58

Defenceman of the Year

Season	League	Winner	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
1967–68			58	13	38	51
2012–13			53	13	41	54
2016–17			46	17	34	51
2021–22			58	19	31	50

Rookie of the Year

Season	League	Winner	Position	GP	G/W	A/GAA	PTS/SV%
1969–70			Center	60	22	51	73
1973–74			Right Wing	65	47	44	91
2006–07			Forward	58	24	37	61
2011–12			Goalie	38	18	3.37	.909
2012–13			Right Wing	49	25	29	54
2019-20			Center	44	30	32	62

Coach of the Year

Season	League	Winner
1969–70		Paddy Ginnell
1970–71		Paddy Ginnell
1972–73		Paddy Ginnell

See also

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

References

1. News: Westhaver . Eric . 2022-04-08 . The past, present and future of the Whitney Forum: What makes “the Zoo” so wild? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220408194820/https://www.thereminder.ca/local-sports/the-past-present-and-future-of-the-whitney-forum-what-makes-the-zoo-so-wild-5247740 . 2022-04-08 . 2024-06-03 . The Reminder.
2. Web site: Whitney Forum . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406152129/https://www.cityofflinflon.ca/p/whitney-forum . 2024-04-06 . 2024-06-03 . City of Flin Flon.
3. Book: Lapp, Richard M. . Local Heroes: A History of the Western Hockey League . White . Silas . Harbour Publishing . 1993 . 1-55017-080-5 . . 65 . en-CA . registration.
4. Web site: 1956/57 Flin Flon Bombers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209040049/https://mbhockeyhalloffame.ca/teams/flin-flon-bombers-1957/ . 2024-02-09 . 2024-06-03 . Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
5. Book: Lapp, Richard . The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship . Macaulay . Alec . Harbour Publishing . 1997 . 1-55017-170-4 . Madeira Park, B.C. . 106 . en-CA . registration.
6. News: Morgan . T. Kent . 2017-05-10 . When Flin Flon won the Memorial Cup . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603232400/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/sports/2017/05/10/when-flin-flon-won-the-memorial-cup . 2024-06-03 . 2024-06-03 . Winnipeg Free Press.
7. Book: Lapp & Mcauley . The Memorial Cup . 108.
8. Web site: 1957 Flin Flon Bombers Junior Hockey Team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207110815/https://sasksportshalloffame.com/inductees/1957-flin-flon-bombers-junior-hockey-team/ . 2023-12-07 . 2024-06-03 . Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
9. Web site: WHL History . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731211503/https://whl.ca/history . 2023-07-31 . 2023-07-31 . Western Hockey League.
10. Web site: Bobby Clarke . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231004085937/https://mbhockeyhalloffame.ca/people/bobby-clarke/ . 2023-10-04 . 2024-06-04 . Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
11. News: Naylor . Jonathon . 2015-11-14 . 50 years after Flin Flon Bomber debut, a hockey legend reflects . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240604003515/https://www.thereminder.ca/local-news/50-years-after-flin-flon-bomber-debut-a-hockey-legend-reflects-4083199 . 2024-06-04 . 2024-06-04 . The Reminder.
12. News: Drinnan . Gregg . 2002-08-09 . WHL History, Part I: In the beginning... . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050507163908/http://www.whl.ca/about/history.php . 2005-05-07 . 2024-06-04 . . Western Hockey League.
13. Book: Lapp & White . Local Heroes . 66–67 . registration.
14. Book: Cuthbert, Chris . Chris Cuthbert . The Rink: Stores from Hockey's Home Towns . Penguin . 1998 . 9780140266023 . Toronto . 209–210 . en-CA . registration.
15. Book: Cuthbert . The Rink . 185–187.
16. Web site: History . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231130063815/https://www.cjhlhockey.com/en/history . 2023-11-30 . 2024-06-04 . Canadian Junior Hockey League.
17. Web site: Recruitment . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230927042000/https://www.bombers.ca/recruitment . 2023-09-27 . 2024-06-04 . Flin Flon Bombers.
18. Web site: Costa . Morris Dalla . 2011-01-28 . Bomber Raid Revisited . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314233930/https://lfpress.com/sports/columnists/morris_dalla_costa/2011/01/27/17063986.html . 2014-03-14 . 2014-03-14 . The London Free Press.

External links

• Flin Flon Bombers official site
• 1956–57 Flin Flon Bombers at Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame
• 1956–57 Flin Flon Bombers at Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
• Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League