The Winkler Flyers have bolstered their already solid goaltending with the addition of 20 year old Nathan Warren (95) from the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The Prince George, B.C. native led the NOJHL with a 14-1 record, a 1.61 goals against average and a .931 save percentage.
The 6’3”, 190lbs goaltender joins the Flyers on a personal 10 game winning streak with three shutouts during that span. His stats put him on the top of the list among all goalies in the NOJHL in wins, goals against average and save percentage. Warren spent the previous two seasons with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL. The Thunderbirds are currently ranked #2 in the Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 team rankings, while the Flyers are ranked #8.
In two separate moves, the Flyers traded goaltender Ryan Larochelle (96) to the Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) for a Player Development Fee (PDF). The Edmonton, Alberta product was 5-2-2 with Winkler this season with a 2.31 GAA and a .922 save percentage. The Flyers acquired Larochelle from Humboldt during the off-season.
The Flyers then moved 18 year old netminder Clarke Flegel (97) to the Melville Millionaires (SJHL), also for a PDF. The Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native had a 5-1 record as a Flyer with a 2.18 GAA and a .929 save percentage.
“We are very excited to bring in Nathan and give ourselves one of the top goalie tandems in the league. We feel that his experience will help cement our already solid back end.” Said Flyers Head Coach and General Manager Ken Pearson.
“Connor really earned the number one job with his play the past month and we wanted to bring in another goalie with some more experience. Both Clarke and Ryan were great guys both in the room, on the ice and in the community and will be given a better opportunity to show what they’re made of with their new teams” added Pearson.
The moves leave Winkler with two goaltenders, 19 year old Connor Slipp (11-0, 1.61 GAA, .944 SV%) and 20 year old newcomer Nathan Warren (95), fourteen forwards and seven defenseman for a total of 23 players.
Winkler will carry nine 20 year olds (’95 born), six 19 year olds (’96 born), five 18 year olds (’97 born), two 17 year olds (’98 born) and one 16 year old (’99 born).
The Flyers would like to welcome Nathan and his family to the organization and wish Ryan and Clarke all the best in the future.