Written by: Rory McGouran
To the relief of many coaches across the SJHL, the Haygarth brothers will no longer be an expected thorn in their side when they circle the Flin Flon Bombers as opponents on the season’s schedule. However, there’s no doubting that the tenacious twins will continue that style of play as they embark on the next path of their hockey journey.
As they cohesively did throughout much of their hockey career, Chase and Easton Haygarth together announced that they have committed to Red Deer College and will join the Kings organization for the 2021/22 season.
“It’s pretty special to be able to commit together. It’s nice for our parents and our family too that they continue to get to come to watch us together, ” said Easton on an episode of SJ @ Noon after announcing the commitment this past winter.
The twins from Lloydminster, AB were acquired by the Flin Flon Bombers through a trade during the 2019 offseason. When the puck dropped on the 2019/20 season, it was evident the trade paid dividends for an already potent Flin Flon attack. The duo produced at nearly a point-per-game pace, helping steer the Bombers towards the second-best record in the SJHL, while reinvigorating each others game.
“When Flin Flon traded for us, the first conversation I had with Reags, (Bomber’s Head Coach, Mike Reagan) he basically told me he was going to give me an opportunity and it could be everything I made of it. They gave us a chance, and for everything they did, I can’t thank them enough,” said Chase.
Although playing on different lines throughout a large portion of their Bomber’s tenure, their twin-like sixth sense still somehow appeared on the stat sheet at the end of the year. In 56 games a piece for the pair, Chase’s 54 points (12g, 42a) ever so slightly superseded his brother Easton’s 53 points (19g, 34a) at the end of the regular season. Offensive abilities aside, the twins were practically unwavering towards their in-you-face, blue-collar, lunch pail style of hockey that was to the delight of Head Coach, Mike Reagan and Bomber fans alike.
“As Bombers, we always say that we want to be tough to play against. Well not too many players enjoyed playing against those two on any night,” said Reagan. “They got rewarded because they consistently went to the tough areas of the ice and were willing to pay the price. Two of the most ultra-competitive guys I’ve coached.”
Unfortunately for the Haygarths and the Bombers, the 2019/20 Playoffs and the 2020/21 SJHL season were cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thus halting the hopes of Haygarth hierarchy in Flin Flon.
However, as the narrative often goes in hockey, throw out the negative and move on to the positive. The Haygarths will look to live that narrative as they return to the ice for the 2021/22 campaign, now a member of the Red Deer College Kings.
