The Bombers date back to 1927. They have featured many future hockey greats: Bobby Clarke, Reggie Leach, Ted Hampson, Blaine Stoughton, Gene Carr, Chuck Arnason, Gerry Hart, Ken Baumgartner and Mel Pearson. Their trademark colours are maroon and white, and their home rink is the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon.
The Bombers played in the Senior Saskatchewan Hockey League for the 1939 to 1944 seasons, and the North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the 1950 season. The NSJHL became the SJHL for the 1951 season.
Memorial Cup championshipThe 1956–57 Flin Flon Bombers had no trouble winning their own league, the SJHL, averaging nearly 6 goals a game and allowing only 2 against. They won the league title by 19 points. In the playoffs, they beat the Humboldt Indians 4-games-to-none and won the final over the Prince Albert Mintos 4-games-to-2.
In the Western Canadian playdowns, the Bombers next played Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Junior Hockey League. After allowing the series to be split after four games, the Bombers beat the Oil Kings the next two games to take the series in six. The Bombers then beat the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League's Fort William Canadiens four games straight to win the Abbott Cup.
As per Junior A rules, the Bombers picked up goalie Lynn Davis and defenceman Jean Gauthier from the Fort William and centre Orland Kurtenbach from Prince Albert for the Memorial Cup Finals.
The Eastern Champion was the Ottawa Junior Canadiens. Coached by Sam Pollock and assistant Scotty Bowman. The first three games were in Flin Flon with the series closing out in Regina. The Bombers won the series 4-games-to-2.
The 1956–57 Flin Flon Bombers were inducted into both the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
Championship rosterHarvey 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), Dan McCaig (mascot).
The Bombers played for one season in the MJHL before moving on to the WCHL for the 1968 season.
The Bobby Clarke eraIn 1966, Bill Hunter lead the formation of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, 5 of the 8 teams in the SJHL joined, the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Flin Flon Bombers joined the Manitoba Junior Hockey league. After one season both would leave and also join the Western Canada Hockey League (the word 'Junior' being dropped from its name). But during the 1966–67 season, the Bombers, led by Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach, dominated the MJHL cruising to a league championship, capturing the Turnbull Memorial Cup. Clarke set league records for most assists (112), goals (71), and points (183). Besides the scoring title, Clarke was also the MJHL rookie of the year, and first team all-star centre. Joining Clarke on the first all-star team were rightwinger Reggie Leach, goaltender Chris Worthy, and captain Gerry Hart a defenceman. Defenceman Jack Criel made the second all-star team.
Entering the WCHL the Clarke led Bombers continued to dominate, 2 first-place finishes, and in the playoffs losing in the final in 1968, and a league championship in 1969. Clarke led the league in scoring both years, and was named Most Valuable Player in 1969. The Bombers won a "National Championship" in 1969 by defeating the St. Thomas Barons of the Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League in an unsanctioned best-of-7 series aimed at rivaling the Memorial Cup.
The growing demands of the WHL caused the Bombers to outgrow their small home arena, and the franchise departed. The club played three dismal seasons in three different cities after leaving Flin Flon. These cities were Edmonton, Alberta, Great Falls, Montana, and Spokane, Washington.
The WCHL franchise rights were sold off to the Edmonton Oil Kings, but the Bombers resurfaced the next season in the NorMan Junior Hockey League, where they played until 1984.
In 1977, the Bombers formed a Junior B team as a feeder system. The Jr. B Bombers would eventually win the Baldy Northcott Trophy as Manitoba Provincial Junior B Champions. In the summer of 1978, the ownership sold the Junior A Bombers WCHL rights to Edmonton (where the team would become the ill-fated Edmonton Oil Kings). The Flin Flon ownership, along with the owners of the Thompson King Miners, banded together with people from The Pas, Manitoba and Snow Lake, Manitoba to create a rival Jr. B league to the Manitoba Jr. B League - the NorMan Junior Hockey League (NJHL). After one season, the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association granted the league Tier II Junior A status and the right to compete against the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for Turnbull Cup for a chance to win the Anavet Cup, Abbott Cup, and Centennial Cup.
Flin Flon won NJHL titles in 1979, 1982, and 1984. The Bombers had the distinction of being the only NJHL team to ever beat a MJHL team in a playoff game in the 1984 Turnbull Cup. In 1984, the Bombers were granted expansion into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
Flin Flon is located on the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border with a portion of the city in both provinces, while Creighton is located approximately 1 km from Flin Flon and is wholly within Saskatchewan. In 1984, the Bombers were temporarily renamed the Creighton Bombers to allow them to play in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, even though no relocation actually occurred, and, in fact, the team was still referred to as the Flin Flon Bombers in all non-official context. In 1986 the SJHL granted the team permission to remain in the league but play out of Manitoba, which allowed the Bombers to revert their name back to the traditional Flin Flon Bombers.
# 4 Gerry Hart# 7 Mel Pearson# 9 Reggie Leach#10 Ted Hampson#11 Patty Ginnell#11 Bobby Clarke#12 Dale FoxSSHL (Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League), 1939-1944
1939 Lost Semi-FinalMoose Jaw Millers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1 (1 tie)
1940 Did Not Qualify1941 Lost Semi-FinalRegina Rangers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
1942 Lost Semi-FinalSaskatoon Quakers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
1943 Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon RCAF Flyers 3 games to 0Regina Army Capitals defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
1944 Won SSHL championship, lost Semi-Final at Western Canada Allan Cup PlayoffsFlin Flon Bombers defeated Moose Jaw Victorias 2 games to 0Flin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Navy 3 games to 1
WON SSHL CHAMPIONSHIPNew Westminster CPA Lodestars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1 at Western Canada Allan Cup Playoffs
NSJHL (North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League), 1949-50
1949 Lost Semi-FinalPrince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 1
1950 Lost Semi-FinalPrince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1
SJHL (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League), 1951-1966
1951 Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 3 games to 0 (1 tie)Prince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
1952 Won SJHL Championship, Lost Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Semi-FinalsFlin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Wesleys 4 games to 1Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 3 games to 2
WON SJHL CHAMPIONSHIPRegina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoffs
1953 Won SJHL championship, Lost Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Semi-FinalsFlin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 4 games to 2Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Indians 4 games to 1
WON SJHL CHAMPIONSHIPLethbridge Native Sons defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoffs
1954 Won SJHL championship, Lost Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Semi-FinalsFlin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Wesleys 4 games to 3Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 5 games to 4 (1 tie)
WON SJHL CHAMPIONSHIPEdmonton Oil Kings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoffs
1955 Lost Semi-FinalPrince Albert Mintos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
1956 Won SJHL Championship, Lost Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Semi-FinalsFlin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt-Melfort Indians 4 games to 1Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 3 games to 2 (2 ties)
WON SJHL CHAMPIONSHIPRegina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoffs
1957 Won SJHL Championship, Won Abbott Cup, Won Memorial CupFlin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt-Melfort Indians 4 games to 0Flin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 4 games to 2
SJHL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERSFlin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 2 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Semi-FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Fort William Canadiens 4 games to 0
WON ABBOTT CUPFlin Flon Bombers defeated Ottawa-Hull Canadiens 4 games to 3
WON MEMORIAL CUP1958 Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Prince Albert Mintos 3 games to 1 (2 ties)Regina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
1959 Won SJHL championship, lost Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated
Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 1Flin Flon Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 2
WON SJHL CHAMPIONSHIPFlin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 0 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Semi-FinalsWinnipeg Braves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Final
1960 Won SJHL Championship, Lost Western Canada Memorial Cup Playoff Semi-FinalsFlin Flon Bombers defeated Saskatoon Quakers 4 games to 2 (1 tie)Flin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1 (1 tie)
WON SJHL CHAMPIONSHIPEdmonton Oil Kings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2 in the Western Canada Memorial Cup Semi-Finals
1961 Did Not Qualify1962 Eliminated in the Semi-Final Round RobinFlin Flon Bombers placed 5th place of 6, 2W-8L-0T
1963 Did Not Qualify1964 Lost in Quarter-FinalsSaskatoon Blades defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
1965 Lost in Quarter-FinalsWeyburn Red Wings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
1966 Did Not QualifyMJHL (Manitoba Junior Hockey League), 1967
1967 Won MJHL Championship (Turnbull Cup)Flin Flon Bombers defeated
Winnipeg Monarchs 3 games to 0Flin Flon Bombers defeated
Brandon Wheat Kings 3 games to 2
WON TURNBULL CUPPort Arthur Marrs (TBJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2 in Western Memorial Cup
WCJHL (Western Canada Junior Hockey League), 1968
1968 Won Quarter-Final, Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 0Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 1 (1 tie)Estevan Bruins defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0 (1 tie)
WCHL (Western Canada Hockey League), 1969-1978
1969 Won WCHL Championship, won James Piggott National ChampionshipFlin Flon Bombers defeated
Winnipeg Jets 4 games to 2 (1 tie)Flin Flon Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 0 (1 tie)Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 2
WON WCHL CHAMPIONSHIPFlin Flon 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 game1970 Won WCHL ChampionshipFlin Flon Bombers defeated Brandon Wheat Kings 5 games to 0Flin Flon Bombers defeated
Winnipeg Jets 5 games to 4Flin Flon Bombers defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 0
WON WCHL CHAMPIONSHIP1971 Won Quarter-Final, Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1 (1 tie)Flin Flon Bombers defeated Winnipeg 5 games to 2Edmonton Oil Kings defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1 (1 tie)
1972 Lost Quarter-FinalsRegina Pats defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 2 (2 ties)
1973 Won Quarter-Finals, Lost Semi-FinalsFlin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 0Saskatoon Blades defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
1974 Lost Quarter-FinalsSwift Current Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
1975 Did Not Qualify1976 Did Not Qualify1977 Did Not Qualify1978 Advanced in Division Semi-Final Round Robin, Advanced in Division Final Round Robin, Eliminated in League Semi-Final Round RobinFlin Flon Bombers advanced in Division Round Robin to Semi-Final Round Robin (4W-4L)Flin Flon Bombers defeated Regina Pats 4 games to 1Flin Flon Bombers eliminated in Semi-Final Round Robin (0W-4L)
NJHL (NorMan Junior Hockey League), 1979-1984
1979 Won NJHL championship, lost Baldy Northcott TrophyFlin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson Nickel Knights
WON NJHL CHAMPIONSHIPTranscona Railers (MJBHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers
1980 Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber Kings 3 games to 0Thompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 1
1981 Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated The Pas Lumber KingsThompson King Miners defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
1982 Won NJHL Championship, lost Turnbull CupFlin Flon Bombers defeated
Thompson King Miners 4 games to 0
WON NJHL CHAMPIONSHIPWinnipeg South Blues (MJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
1983 Lost FinalThe Pas Huskies defeated Flin Flon Bombers
1984 Won NJHL Championship, lost Turnbull CupFlin Flon Bombers defeated Thompson King Miners 4 games to 2
WON NJHL CHAMPIONSHIPSelkirk Steelers (MJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
SJHL (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 1985–Present
1985 Lost Quarter-FinalWeyburn Red Wings defeated Creighton Bombers 4 games to 0
1986 Did Not Qualify1987 Did Not Qualify1988 Lost Quarter-FinalNipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
1989 Lost Quarter-FinalYorkton Terriers defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
1990 Lost Quarter-FinalNipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
1991 Did Not Qualify1992 Lost Quarter-FinalHumboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
1993 Won SJHL Championship (Hanbidge Cup), won Anavet Cup, eliminated in Centennial Cup Round RobinFlin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1Flin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 1Flin Flon Bombers defeated
Melville Millionaires 4 games to 3
WON HANBIDGE CUP (SJHL)Flin Flon Bombers defeated
Dauphin Kings (BCHL) 4 games to 2
WON ANAVET CUP (SJHL/MJHL)Flin Flon Bombers placed fifth in
1993 Centennial Cup Round Robin (0W-4L)
1994 Lost Preliminary Playoff RoundNipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 0
1995 Did Not Qualify1996 Lost Preliminary Playoff RoundHumboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 0
1997 Did Not Qualify1998 Did Not Qualify1999 Lost Preliminary Playoff RoundBattlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2 games to 0
2000 Lost Quarter-FinalHumboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
2001 Lost SJHL Semi-Final, Hosted 2001 Royal Bank Cup, Won RBC Semi-Final, Lost RBC FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 1Nipawin Hawks defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1Third in
2001 Royal Bank Cup Round Robin (2-2)Flin Flon Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-0 in Semi-FinalCamrose Kodiaks (AJHL) defeated Flin Flon Bombers 5-0 in Final
2002 Did Not Qualify2003 Did Not Qualify2004 Did Not Qualify2005 Did Not Qualify2006 Won Quarter-Final, Lost Semi-FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated
Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 3Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
2007 Did Not Qualify2008 Won Quarter-Final, Lost Semi-FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated
Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 2Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
2009 Won Quarter-Final, Lost Semi-FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4 games to 0Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 0
2010 Lost Quarter-FinalLa Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
2011 Won Survivor Series, Lost Quarter-FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated
Battlefords North Stars 3 games to 1La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
2012 Lost Survivor SeriesLa Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 0
2013 Won Quarter-Final, Lost Semi-FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Nipawin Hawks 4 games to 2Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 1
2014 Lost Wild Card SeriesEstevan Bruins defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3 games to 2
2015 Lost Quarter-Final SeriesNotre Dame Hounds defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3
2016 Won Quarter-Final, Won Semi-Final, Lost FinalFlin Flon Bombers defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4 games to 1Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 1Melfort Mustangs defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 2
