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 9 Bombers Matthew Kieper, Liam Hunks, Leighton Carruthers, Carter Cormier, Ryder Ringor, Keefe Gruener, Anthony Piccininno, Kylynn Olafson and Cole Tanchuk.
(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)
Matthew Kieper was acquired from the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles near the end of October and played a major role in turning the Bombers season around. Kieper posted a remarkable 23-2-1-1 record along with a 1.80 GAA & .935 SV%. For his efforts, Matthew was named the SJHL MVP and Goaltender of the Year. In 12 playoff games, Kieper also posted nearly identical numbers with a 1.89 GAA & .935 SV%. He also had 6 shutouts in the regular season and playoffs combined. The former WHL netminder was named to Team SJHL for the annual SJHL & MJHL Showcase and was recently named the Bombers regular season MVP.
(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)
Liam Hunks was a CJHL January 10th trade addition from the SJHL’s Notre Dame Hounds. Liam finished in 6th in SJHL Defencemen scoring with 39 points in 54 games. Hunks averaged the most ice time among all Bomber players during their playoff run where he put up an impressive 16 points in 12 games from the blueline. Liam was also a member of Team SJHL at the annual SJHL & MJHL Showcase in January.
(Photo Credit – Darrick Wiebe)
After spending the previous four seasons in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Carruthers was added to the Bombers roster at the end of October. Due to a serious injury sustained in January, Carruthers was only able to appear in 18 regular season games where he put up 19 points. Leighton returned to the lineup in the playoffs briefly but still managed to score 5 goals and add an assist in 5 games. Leighton was also selected for the SJHL & MJHL Showcase but was unable to attend due to injury.
(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)
Carter Cormier signed with the Bombers after being released from the BCHL’s Blackfalds Bulldogs where he put up 21 points in 32 games. With the Bombers, Cormier produced 37 points in 50 games and was tied for the team lead in power play goals with 8. In 12 playoff games, Cormier put up 4 points, including the game winner in game 4 against the Weyburn Red Wings.
(Photo Credit – Darrick Wiebe)
Ryder Ringor signed with the Bombers after being released by the BCHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders. The Winnipeg, Manitoba product had an outstanding season and was an elite player in the league right from day one. Ringor led the Bombers in scoring in the regular season with 69 points in 56 games, which was 5th among all SJHL players. Ryder continued his hot play in the post-season leading the team in scoring once again with 17 points in 12 games. For his efforts, Ryder was named the team’s Playoff MVP. He also represented Team SJHL at the SJHL & MJHL Showcase in his hometown.
(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)
Keefe Gruener was acquired at the 2024 CJHL Trade Deadline from the AJHL’s Fort MacMurray Oil Barons. Last season in 18 regular season games, Keefe put up 6 points and added another 6 points in 14 playoff games. Arguably the top faceoff man in the entire SJHL, Gruener took his game to another level this season finishing 2nd in SJHL in goals with 34 in just 47 games. Gruener was also named an alternate captain for the team in September. In 12 playoff games this spring, Keefe put up 9 points.
(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)
Anthony Piccininno was acquired from the OJHL’s North York Rangers prior to the 2023-2024 season. The Toronto, Ontario product was named an alternate captain this season and in back-to-back seasons, was named to Team SJHL at the SJHL & MJHL Showcase. In 99 career SJHL regular season games, Piccininno put up 32 goals and 44 assists for 76 points. A big-game player, Anthony was a point-per-game player in the playoffs, putting up 27 points in 26 games. Anthony had another great post-season for the Bombers this spring finishing 3rd on the team in scoring with 15 points in 12 games.
(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)
Along with Cole Tanchuk, Kylynn Olafson was the longest serving Bomber on the roster this season. Olafson was drafted by the Bombers in the 1st round of the 2019 SJHL Draft and spent four seasons with the Bombers. One of the teams most responsible forwards, Olafson also put up a respectable 58 points in 156 career SJHL regular season games. Kylynn was named an alternate captain in September and was the co-winner of the team’s Coaches Award, along with Tanchuk.
(Photo Credit – Kelly Jacobson)
Cole Tanchuk was drafted by the Bombers in the 2nd round of the 2019 SJHL Draft and signed with the Bombers as a 17-year-old. One of the SJHL’s top defensive defenceman since his second season in the league, Tanchuk was known for his willingness to block shots and his ability to shut down the opposition’s top players. Cole was named team captain in September and appeared in over 250 combined regular season and playoff games as a Bomber. Cole was also named the Bombers Best Defensive Player for the second year in a row.
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 Matthew, Liam, Leighton, Carter, Ryder, Keefe, Anthony, Kylynn and Cole a part of our organization.
Once a Bomber, always a Bomber.
