Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

A Salute To Our 20 Year Olds

The Flin Flon Bombers season officially came to an end Friday night and so did the SJHL careers of eight Bombers. Every season the Bombers pay farewell to their overage players (20 year olds) as they move onto professional hockey or university. This season the Bombers pay farewell to 8 Bombers, Cal Schell, Cole Vardy, Rylan Thiessen, Gabriel Shipper, Brett Wieschorster, Matt Raymond, Mason Kaspick and Zak Smith.

(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)

Cal Schell was acquired from the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles at the 2020 CJHL Trade Deadline to form a lethal goaltender tandem with former Bombers goaltender Jacob Delorme. In 8 regular season games, Schell posted a 6-1-1 record along with 1 shutout and a 2.75 GAA & .912 SV%. During the 2020 Quarter-Final series, Cal was sensational in the Bombers series clinching win over the Humboldt Broncos making 41 saves. This past season was a breakout year for Cal as he finished the regular season with a 25-12-2 record along with 7 shutouts and a 2.39 GAA & .923 SV%. Schell’s 7 shutouts is a single season Bombers SJHL record. During the Bombers remarkable playoff run, Schell posted a 2.13 GAA & .934 SV% and 2 shutouts. In 5 games at the Centennial Cup National Championships in Estevan, Schell had the 3rd best GAA (2.00) & 2nd best SV% (.927%). For his efforts, Cal was named SJHL’s Sherwood Division Top Goaltender & MVP. He was also named the Bombers team MVP and Playoff MVP. Cal will be attending Oswego State (NCAA Division III) next season.

(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)

Cole Vardy was signed by the Bombers in the summer of 2019 after spending 2 season’s with the NSMMHL’s Cole Harbour Wolfpack where he produced 43 points (11g, 32a) in 70 games. In his rookie season with the Bombers, Cole finished the season playing top 4 minutes on the backend and played a pivotal shutdown role along with former Bombers defenceman Troy Quinn. Vardy was named the team’s Most Improved Player at the conclusion of the season. At the beginning of the 2021-22 season Cole was named an alternate captain for the Bombers. Despite missing 18 games during his final regular season with the Bombers, Cole would finish in the top 20 in SJHL defencemen scoring with 23 points (8g, 15a). Cole’s 8 goals was tied for 4th among all SJHL blueliners.

(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)

Rylan Thiessen joined the Bombers at the end of November of 2021 after being reassigned from the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. Thiessen appeared in 2 games with the Bombers as a WHL loan during the 2020-21 season. In just 33 games this season with the Bombers, Rylan put up 26 points (5g, 21a). Thiessen’s 0.79 points-per-game average was 2nd among all SJHL blueliners. In January, the Bombers named Rylan an alternate captain. Thiessen would finish tied for 2nd in SJHL playoff scoring for defencemen with 10 points (2g, 8a) in 14 games.

(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)

Gabriel Shipper made the Bombers roster out of main camp as a 20 year old free agent after spending the previous season with the NA3HL’s Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers. The Sherman, Oaks, California product produced 27 points (10g, 17a) in 53 regular season games. Shipper’s offensive production would continue to climb during the Bombers playoff run where he was nearly a point-per-game with 14 points (4g, 10a) in 17 games. At the conclusion of the season, Gabriel was named the team’s Hardest Worker and Most Popular Player (voted by the fans). He also received the Coaches Award selected by the Bombers staff. Shipper will be attending Bowdin College (NCAA Division III) in the fall of 2022.

(Photo Credit – The Reminder)

Brett Wieschorster was acquired from the AJHL’s Camrose Kodiaks in September of 2021. The 6’3″ forward from Sherwood Park, Alberta finishes his junior career with nearly 250 games played. In his one campaign with the Bombers, Wieschorster produced 34 points (8g, 26a) in 53 regular season games. Brett was nearly a point-per-game player in the 2022 playoffs with 9 points (5g, 4a) in 15 games. Wieschorster’s 111 penalty minutes was 2nd among all Bomber players during the regular season.

(Photo Credit – The Reminder)

Matt Raymond was acquired from the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons in the summer of 2019. In Matt’s first season with the Bombers he produced 10 points (6g, 4a) in 35 games. The gritty and hardworking forward from Camrose, Alberta, was named an alternate captain at the beginning of the 2021-22 season. Matt scored the game winning goal in the Bombers game three 1-0 win over the Humboldt Broncos in the 2022 SJHL Semi-Finals. Raymond scored the biggest goal in his junior career at the Centennial Cup National Championships when he tied the game late in the third period against the Ottawa Jr. Senators. The Bombers would go on to defeat Ottawa 3-2 in overtime.

(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)

Mason Kaspick was signed by the Bombers in the summer of 2019 after spending the previous 2 seasons with the MMHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings where he won a league championship in his final season. In his first season with the Bombers, Mason appeared in 24 games and put up 8 points (5g, 3a). Mason was named an alternate captain at the beginning of the 2021-22 season. Known for his shot blocking and penalty killing ability, Mason would finish in the top 3 among all Bomber players in blocked shots, despite missing 17 games. This season Kaspick had 15 points (8g, 7a) in 41 regular season games and put up 6 points (1g, 5a) in 16 playoff games.

(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)

Zak Smith was acquired from the MJHL’s Neepawa Titans in September of 2021. Smith played the previous 3 seasons for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. Smith was named an alternate captain for the Bombers immediately after joining the team. In January of 2022, Smith would then be named team captain. In 50 regular season games, Zak produced 20 goals and 28 assists and would finish 2nd in team scoring. Smith’s 20 goals was a team high. Zak would finish tied for 1st in team scoring during the playoffs with 17 points (9g, 8a) in 18 games. Smith led all Bomber players in blocked shots during the team’s remarkable playoff run.

The Flin Flon Bombers wish all of our graduating players great success in the future whether it’s professional hockey or university. The Bombers are proud to have had Cal, Cole, Rylan, Gabriel, Brett, Matt, Mason and Zak a part of our organization.

Once a Bomber, always a Bomber.