Flin Flon Bombers
City	Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada
League	SJHL
Division	Sherwood Division
Founded	1927
Home arena	Whitney Forum
Colours	Maroon and White
General manager	Mike Reagan
Head coach	Mike Reagan
Website	http://www.bombers.ca
Franchise history
1978–1984	Flin Flon Bombers
1984–1986	Creighton Bombers
1986–present	Flin Flon Bombers
Previous franchise history
1927–1978	Flin Flon Bombers
1978–1979	Edmonton Oil Kings
1979–1980	Great Falls Americans
1980–1982	Spokane Flyers

TheFlin Flon Bombers are a Canadianjunior ice hockey team inFlin Flon, a city located on theManitoba–Saskatchewan provincial border. The Bombers are members of theSaskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), which is a member of theCanadian Junior Hockey League, and they play home games at theWhitney 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 juniorWestern Hockey League in the late 1960s and 1970s. The team has won two national championships, including the1957 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]

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.

In the postwar period, the Bombers became charter members of theSaskatchewan 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 theHumboldt Indians four games to none in the semifinals, then won the final over thePrince Albert Mintos four games to two. As SJHL champions, the Bombers then advanced to theAbbott Cup to determine the champion forWestern Canada. They defeated theEdmonton Oil Kings, a team of junior-aged players competing in theseniorCentral Alberta Hockey League, four games to two, then theThunder Bay Junior A Hockey League'sFort William Canadiens in four games to win the Abbott Cup and advance to theMemorial Cup national tournament.^[5][6]

As perMemorial Cup rules, the Bombers were permitted to add three players to their roster for the 1957 national playoffs, picking up goalie Lynn Davis and defencemanJean Gauthier from the Fort William Canadiens and centreOrland Kurtenbach from Prince Albert Mintos. There, they faced the Eastern Canadian championOttawa Canadiens, coached bySam Pollock and assistantScotty Bowman.^[7] The first three games were in Flin Flon, with the remaining games played inRegina, 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 theManitoba Sports Hall of Fame (1999) and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (2009), as well as theManitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.^[9]

The Bombers played in the SJHL until 1966, when the launch of theCanadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL) led the SJHL to fold with several of its teams joining the new league.^[10] The Bombers spent the1966–67 season in theManitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) instead.^[4] Led by coachPaddy Ginnell and star playersReggie Leach andBobby Clarke, who won the league scoring title, the Bombers dominated the MJHL and won theTurnbull 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.

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 the1967–68 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 thePresident's Cup finals to theEstevan Bruins. The Bombers again finished in first place in the1968–69 season, going on to win that season's playoffs to become President's Cup champions, defeating theEdmonton 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 theSt. Thomas Barons of theWestern Ontario Junior A Hockey League; the best-of-seven series was unsanctioned by theCanadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), which at the time had barred the WCHL from competing for the Memorial Cup. The short-livedCanadian 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-championMontreal 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 the1977–78 season. The franchise played three and a half seasons after leaving Flin Flon with iterations as theEdmonton Oil Kings—after the original Oil Kings departed Edmonton in 1976 due to pressure from theEdmonton Oilers—for the1978–79 season, theGreat Falls Americans for part of1979–80 before suspending operations, and theSpokane Flyers for1980–81 and start of the1981–82 season before folding in December 1981.^[10]

In 1977, the WCHL Bombers had formed an affiliate Junior B team. The Jr. B Bombers would win the 1977–78Baldy 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 theThompson King Miners, banded together with people fromThe Pas andSnow Lake, Manitoba to create theNorMan Junior Hockey League (NJHL), a rival to theManitoba 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 theSaskatchewan 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 ofCreighton, Saskatchewan, despite Flin Flon straddling the provincial border. After two seasons, the league allowed the team to re-adopt the Flin Flon moniker.^{[citation needed]}

Northern Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, 1937–1938

• 1937

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedPrince 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 defeatedSaskatoon 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 defeatedHumboldt 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 defeatedHumboldt 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 defeatedPrince Albert Mintos 4 games to 2

Final: Bombers defeatedHumboldt 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 defeatedPrince 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 defeatedHumboldt–Melfort Indians 4 games to 1

Final: Bombers defeatedPrince 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 defeatedHumboldt–Melfort Indians 4 games to 0

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

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

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

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

• 1958

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

Final:Regina Pats defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 1959

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedSaskatoon Quakers 4 games to 1

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

Bombers defeatedEdmonton 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 defeatedSaskatoon Quakers 4 games to 2 (1 tie)

Final: Bombers defeatedRegina 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 defeatedWinnipeg Monarchs 3 games to 0

Final: Bombers defeatedBrandon 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 defeatedRegina Pats 4 games to 0

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

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

• 1969

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

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

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

Bombers defeatedSt. 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: Bombers defeatedBrandon Wheat Kings 5 games to 0

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedWinnipeg Jets 5 games to 4

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

• 1971

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedRegina Pats 4 games to 1 (1 tie)

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedWinnipeg 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 defeatedRegina 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 defeatedRegina 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 defeatedThompson 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 defeatedThompson 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 defeatedHumboldt Broncos 4 games to 1

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedNipawin Hawks 4 games to 1

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

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

Centennial Cup round robin: Bombers placed fifth in1993 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 defeatedHumboldt Broncos 4 games to 1

Semifinal:Nipawin Hawks defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

RBC Cup Round Robin^†: Third in2001 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2–2)

Semi-Final: Bombers defeatedWeyburn 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 defeatedMelfort Mustangs 4 games to 3

Semifinal:Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 2007 Did not qualify
• 2008

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedMelfort Mustangs 4 games to 2

Semifinal:Humboldt Broncos defeated 4 games to 0

• 2009

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedMelfort 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 defeatedBattlefords 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 defeatedNipawin 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 defeatedWeyburn Red Wings 4 games to 1

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedBattlefords North Stars 4 games to 1

Final:Melfort Mustangs defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 2017

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedNotre Dame Hounds 4 games to 1

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedNipawin Hawks 4 games to 3

Final:Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 2018

Wildcard Series: Bombers defeatedNotre Dame Hounds 2 games to 1

Quarterfinal:Nipawin Hawks defeated Bombers 4 games to 1

• 2019

Wildcard Series: Bombers defeatedWeyburn Red Wings 2 games to 0

Quarterfinal:Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 3

• 2020

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedHumboldt Broncos 4 games to 0

Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

• 2021Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
• 2022

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedBattlefords North Stars 4 games to 2

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedHumboldt 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 defeatedEstevan Bruins 4 games to 3

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedHumboldt Broncos 4 games to 1

Final:Battlefords North Stars defeated Bombers 4 games to 0

• 2024

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedKindersley Klippers 4 games to 0

Semifinal: Bombers defeatedBattlefords North Stars 4 games to 0

Final:Melfort Mustangs defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

• 2025

Quarterfinal: Bombers defeatedHumboldt Broncos 4 games to 2

Semifinal:Weyburn Red Wings defeated Bombers 4 games to 2

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, andOrland Kurtenbach for the Memorial Cup national championship.^[5]

Scoring champions

Most Valuable Player

Player of the Year

Goaltender of the Year

Defenceman of the Year

Rookie of the Year

Coach of the Year

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

• Flin Flon Bombers official site
• 1956–57 Flin Flon Bombers atManitoba Sports Hall of Fame
• 1956–57 Flin Flon BombersArchived March 11, 2012, at theWayback Machine atManitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
• Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

• Former Western Hockey League teams
• Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League teams
• Manitoba Junior Hockey League teams
• 1927 establishments in Manitoba
• Sports in Flin Flon
• Ice hockey clubs established in 1927

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