Flin Flon Bombers

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.

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 Junior A rules, the Bombers were permitted to add three players to their roster for the Memorial Cup, picking up goalie Lynn Davis and defenceman Jean Gauthier from the Fort William Canadiens and centre Orland Kurtenbach from Prince Albert Mintos for the Memorial Cup. 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.[6] The Bombers won the series four games to three to claim the Memorial Cup championship.[3][4] The win by the Bombers was considered a considerable upset over the favoured Canadiens.[6] 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] For their part, the Bombers spent the 1966–67 season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) instead.[3] 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.[3][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.[11][12] The arrangement with the MJHL would last just one season, with the Bombers leaving the league in 1967.

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.[9] 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.[3]

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.[11] 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.[13][14] After the series, Flin Flon challenged the Memorial Cup-champion Montreal Junior Canadiens to a showdown, but the Montreal club declined.[15] 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.[13]

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.[16] 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.[9]

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.[17] 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.[18] 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.

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 1

Saskatchewan 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 final

Western 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[14]

• 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

Quaterfinal: 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 1

Saskatchewan 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