The Creighton Kodiaks 6 man football team is preparing for the up coming Northern Saskatchewan Football season which will hopefully start in September.

Head Coach, Ryan Karakochuk was in the CFAR studio a few weeks back and is very excited about the up coming season as they will return almost all of last year's roster  including starting QB, Blake Alexander.

The league held a conference call and have finalized a schedule for this year.

Creighton will play 6 games total which will be a home and home with the  three teams in their division, Cumberland House, Sandy Bay and a brand new team, Ahtahkakoop.

The Kodiaks will kick off the year in Ahtahkakoop on Wednesday September the 9th and play their home opener on Wednesday September the 16th against Sandy Bay.

The rest of the schedule looks like this: at home against Cumberland House on September the 23rd, In Sandy Bay September the 30th, at Cumberland House On Oct 7th and wrapping up against Ahtahkakoop on October the 14th.

All games will start at 4 and playoffs will start October the 24th.

Schedule could be subject to change due to Covid 19.

Congratulations to Flin Flon's Blake Lahonen on signing with the Carrot River Outback Thunder of the Prairie Junior Hockey League.

The Thunder should be very competitive this season with 16 players expected to return from last year's club including Flin Flon's Tanner Dutcawich.

Lahonen will bring some pretty good stats to the table where he was able to pick up 25 points in 43 games including 13 goals with the Norman Northstars.

The Thunder play their games out of the Carrot River Community Centre and will play 34 games this season and hope to get going in September.

With Covid 19 the start of the season is still up in the air.

The Flin Flon Bombers held their AGM last night at the Flin Flon Community Hall, and limited the crowd to 50 people due to Covid 19.

Flin Flon Bomber Head Coach and GM, Mike Reagan spoke first and he thanked the board, fans, sponsors, billets, scouts and rest of the coaching staff for their support over the last year.

Reagan mentioned that he was disappointed on how the year came to an abrupt end and felt they had a team that could of won it all. He mentioned that the character in the dressing room was very strong and all the players were committed to winning.

He also mentioned that they had one of their best regular seasons in the last 30 years, including their second best point total ever.

The Bombers were able to get two players Division one scholarships and a number of Division three scholarships.

Flin Flon has been busy with their on ice product, signing 14 recruits for the up coming season with a number of these players coming from Saskatchewan.

The season is tentatively set to begin September the 25th, with training camps opening up on September the 3rd. Exhibition would start on September the 7th.

The league does still plan on playing 58 games, with rinks starting the year at 50% capacity.

We will know more after the league scheduling meetings taking place today in Humboldt.

Flin Flon Bomber President Travis Rideout also spoke , and he also thanked the different people within the organization for their efforts.

Rideout said they appreciate the support of the community very much and feel confident in these trying times that they will continue to move forward and have an entertaining product once again.

Janice Slipp will be returning as Treasurer, and mentioned that the hockey club has brought in no revenue since March.

They are working hard to pay off their debt and will be getting some much needed funds with their barbecue draw next Tuesday.

They have another big draw coming up for the remainder of the summer and will make that announcement on 102.9 CFAR next Wednesday.

I had a chance to catch up with the new OCN Blizzard Head Coach and GM, Billy Keane yesterday as we chatted about his new post.

In this interview, Billy talks about his excessive experience in the MJHL, and why he decided to come North.

Keane also talks about why he is very excited about the opportunity to work with a lot of young players who hope to put the Blizzard jersey on for the very first time.

We also touch on the diffuculties surrounding Covid, and the different challenges in preparing for this season.

You can catch the full interview here: https://flinflononline.com/podcasts/flin-flon-today

The Flin Flon Bombers will host their AGM on Monday July the 27th from the Flin Flon Community Hall starting at 7.

The meeting will include reports from the Head Coach and GM, the President, the Treasurer and elections for various board positions.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions from the floor.

For everyone's safety please keep your social distance and any questions can be directed to the Bomber office at 204-687-4404.

The Flin Flon Extreme Hockey School has received confirmation from the City Of Flin Flon that they will be able to operate again this summer.

The school will take place on August the 17th,18th and 19th and the Specialty Clinics will happen on August the 20th and 21st.

There will be no dryland and class room sessions this year and Covid restrictions will be put in place.

Registration will begin later this week and more information will be available at the Bomber office, on social media and at different businesses  around town.

Courtesy of MJHL

CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday the appointment of Kim Davis as a Life Member to its organization in recognition of his considerable contributions over these many years to Jr. A hockey.

The outgoing commissioner of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League has served at the helm of the MJHL during the past 18 seasons.

He also spent a number of years as part of the CJHL’s Executive Committee.

Davis becomes the seventh individual in CJHL history to earn the honour, joining John Grisdale, Ron Boileau, Joe Drago, Frank McKinnon, Wayne Kartush and Marty Knack on this distinguished list of honoured Life Members.

Under his watch, which began in June of 2002, the MJHL saw over 6,000 regular season contests held, along with 700-plus playoff match-ups competed in and over 200 regional or national championship games having been played.

He also played a pivotal role in the MJHL’s overall success, both on and off the ice, during his tenure.

“The CJHL is grateful for Kim’s many years of service, as a member of our Board and is truly deserving of joining the CJHL’s distinguished group of Life Members,” offered league president Brent Ladds.

“His dedication, integrity, and passion for Junior A hockey across Canada, has always been evident through the unselfish giving of his time and his commitment to player-related issues.

We wish him well, and sincerely hope that he will enjoy, his well deserved time with his family.”

Davis’ efforts in close to two decades of service resulted in bolstered league-wide marketing and online broadcasts of games in the MJHL as well as the implementation of ever-increasing communications, social media, league corporate partnerships and the like while establishing and maintaining the league’s office in Winnipeg and continually working closely with all of its member clubs throughout Manitoba.

The Flin Flon, Man., product was selected in both the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association Drafts in 1977 where he was tabbed 48th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) and 24th by the Edmonton Oilers (WHA).

After a five-year professional career with experience in the AHL, IHL and NHL, Davis went on to complete his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Manitoba.

Prior to joining the MJHL, he held coveted marketing positions in the retail banking, provincial lotteries and food service industries.

Congratulations to former Flin Flon Bomber Assistant Coach Gary Childerhose who has landed a job in the AJHL.

The Whitecourt Wolverines have announced that Childerhose will be added as an Associate Coach, joining Head Coach and GM Shawn Martin who was at one time the Head Coach in Laronge.

Childerhose,  has lots of experience including 5 years as an Assistant in Flin Flon where he worked very hard on helping get Bomber players to the next level. Childerhose was also very popular in the community and did a very good job helping out with the marketing.

Gary is very excited to be joining the Wolverines organization. "  I am very excited to have this oppurtunity to join a great organization like the Whitecourt Wolverines and i'm looking forward to working with the coaching staff and players. I am also very eager to move to Whitecourt and be part of the community." 

The OCN Blizzard have hired a new Coach/GM with lots of MJHL experience with the addition of Billy Keane.

Keane will replace local product Chris Perchaluk who took over the team mid-way through last season and was named the new full time Head Coach back in April.

Blizzard owner Salman Dhillon explains the move. “Chris stepped forward during the middle of the season and took over a bigger role but we are so far behind in our standings and performance that we feel it’s time to bring in more experienced and seasoned leadership in the organization. The  Blizzard has a glorious past and it’s time to reclaim that."

Keane is a house hold name in the MJHL including one time Head Coach of the Winnipeg Saints and two different stints as Head Coach of the Winnipeg Blues. He was also an Assistant with the U of M Bisons.

Greg Hunter will also be coming back as an Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager and has been with the Blizzard organization for more than 20 years.

OCN is getting ready for their 25th season and are looking forward to putting a competitive team back on the ice again.

Flin Flon Minor Hockey is looking for volunteers to help fill various board positions for the up coming season.

The positions that need to be filled include the following: Timekeeper, Sponsorship Coordinator, Ice Scheduler, Equipment Coordinator, Rep Team Coordinator and Coordinators for Midget and Bantam.

If you are interested in helping out you can contact communicationsffmh@gmail.com.

The Flin Flon Bombers announced the signing of another Manitoba product today, with the addidtion of defenseman Lucas Fry.

Fry has Junior hockey experience with the MJHL'S Steinbach Pistons, where he added one assist in 20 games.

Fry also spent the better part of two seasons with the Winnipeg Hockey Academy where he put up 16 points in 37 games.

Flin Flon Bomber Assistant Coach talks about today's signing. "Lucas is a big strong shut down type defenceman. He's a really good defender and likes to keep things simple. Anytime you can add a young defenceman with 20 games of junior experience, especially with a program like Steinbach you have to be excited."

After months searching for the right man for the job, the Norman Northstars have hired local product, Ryan Stuart as their new Head Coach.

Norman made the announcement last Friday.

Ryan is no stranger to the Northstars as he was an assistant coach between 2010 and 2012. Stuart also has 5 years experience with Thompson Minor Hockey.

The Northstars have been in search of a coach since the end of the season when Murray Nychyporuk and Glenn Laycock both announced they would not be returning.

This will be a big challenge for Stuart as he will be taking over a team with just three wins all of last season.

The Flin Flon Bombers were busy again last week adding a couple more prospects who should be in a Bomber uniform soon.

The Bombers have added forward Ashton Ferster, who was an assistant captain for the PA Minto's last season.

Ferster put up 21 points in 31 games and was Flin Flon's third pick in the 2018 SJHL Bantam Draft.

Fesrster was also a fourth round pick of the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Earlier in the week the Maroon and White signed defenseman Ethan McColm who had a very good season with the Eastman Selects.

McColm picked up 30 points in 37 games and also suited up for two games for the MJHL'S Way Way Wolverines.

McColm is a Prince George Cougars prospect and will be attending their camp this fall.

Flin Flon Minor Hockey held their AGM earlier tonight at the Creighton Sportex.

FFMH President Darrin Mansell chaired the meeting and talked about it being  a challenging year that came to an abrupt end due to Covid 19.

Mansell said,  there were some positive moments to the year including a slight jump in enrollment and two Provincial Championships with their female program that had a strong contingent from Flin Flon.

With some Covid cases still being reported, FFMH is introducing a Return To Play program in conjunction with Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba.

Joy Tetlock, who is the Return To Play co-ordinator said they will be working with both the Flin Flon and Creighton Rec Directors in making sure all the players, coach's, officials and parents can make a return to the rink safely.

FFMH will continue to update their web-site as they continue to work with Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba as information and direction is given on the direction they choose to go once the season can start.

A tentative schedule will be put together, but will not be released until the go ahead is given by the governing bodies.

Darrin Mansell, the FFMH President said this is going to be a very unique season with some changes expected. " We are waiting to hear back from Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba and we will be working with the Norman Regional Health authority and the different hocky bodies to get some information to see how we can move forward. The plan is to get started on the regular date as years past and I have had meetings with Hockey Manitoba and they are diligently trying to come up with something. Until there is more information on the virus itself and social situations there isn't much we can do." 

Mansell also mentioned,  they will have their financial statement and will be looking for some people to step up and fill some vacant board positions with the information on their web-site at flinflonminorhockey.com.

After lots of signings of forwards and defensemen, the Flin Flon Bombers announced their first signing of a goaltender,  and he is a good one.

The Bombers have inked Jared Thompson from the Regina Pat Canadiens U18. Thompson was named the top goalie in the Saskatchewan Midget Triple A League this past season with an incredible 1.61 GAA and a .920 SVS %.

Jon Klassen the Bombers Head Scout feels that Thompson can be the Bombers goalie of the future. "Jared has the potential to be a very good goalie in our league. He is coming off a huge year where he had a 1.61 GAA & .920 SVS%. Jared is a very focused goalie who continues to develop every year."

The Flin Flon Bombers announced another signing today, with the addition of forward Jaxson Martens.

Martens attended Bomber Main Camp last year before returning to the Swift Current Legionnaires of the Saskatchewan Midget Triple A League.

Martens picked up 38 points in 43 games including 16 goals. The Warman product improved on 26 points from his rookie season the year before.

Bomber Head Scout, Jon Klassen likes the way Martens plays. "Jaxon is an effortless skater. He has very good speed and loves to have the puck. He is a great play maker but also has the ability to score. I like his versatility as he can play wing and center."

Hunter and Carson Lee are among the four wrestlers from the U of S  have been announced as wrestlers for the NextGen program for 2021.

"This means we are moving in the right direction and doing the right things with our athletes and our program," said Huskies head coach Daniel Olver. "For the athletes this reflects their work ethic day in and day out and is a sign of positive development for Huskie wrestling."

Carson and Hunter were both able to win Gold medals at Nationals and both represented their country at the Junior World Championships in Tallinn Estonia.

Both these brothers are no strangers to awards with Carson winning the Canada West, U-Sports and Huskie Athletics Rookie Of The Year.

Hunter has twice been a nominee for Male Athlete Of The Year and took home a Bronze Medal from the World's in Estonia.

The NextGen program is designed in getting wrestlers trending 5 to 8 years out from an Olympic podium.