REGINA, SK – Former Flin Flon Bombers defenceman Cole Tanchuk has officially begun the next chapter of his career after being hired by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), completing training at Depot Division and preparing to serve communities in northern Saskatchewan.
Tanchuk described the RCMP recruiting and training process as both demanding and rewarding, noting it took roughly eight months to progress through background checks and interviews before arriving at Depot. Once there, he spent six months immersed in police training, building strong bonds with his troop while learning everything from the Criminal Code to firearms, driving, and operational readiness.
“You get really close with your troop mates,” Tanchuk said. “It’s kind of like a big hockey team. A bit bigger than a hockey team you’d be a part of, but it was awesome.”
Tanchuk credited his time with the Bombers—and head coach and general manager Mike Reagan—with preparing him for the discipline and accountability required in policing.
“Reags really prepared me for depot,” Tanchuk said. “You don’t really notice it when you’re there, but when you get out in the real world, you really realize that Rags prepares you for the real world. With policing, it’s a very disciplined job, and the way he holds everyone accountable goes hand in hand with what I experienced at depot.”
Reagan echoed that sentiment, highlighting the leadership traits Tanchuk displayed throughout his junior career.
“We are very proud of Cole and his dedication to becoming an RCMP officer,” Reagan said. “His leadership qualities will make him an outstanding asset to the communities he works in.”
A four-year SJHL veteran with Flin Flon, Tanchuk appeared in 203 regular-season games, recording 63 points (9G, 54A) while providing steady, reliable play on the blue line. He added 15 points in 53 playoff games, helping the Bombers reach three consecutive SJHL Finals during his tenure. Tanchuk also represented Flin Flon at the 2022 Centennial Cup, appearing in four games on the national stage.
Beyond the statistics, Tanchuk said the team-first mindset he developed in hockey translates directly to police work.
“Hockey and policing go hand in hand because of the team aspect,” he said. “You spend every day with these people and you’re protecting each other out there. Communication and teamwork are everything.”
Originally from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Tanchuk will begin his RCMP service in his hometown, before transitioning to Sandy Bay later this year—bringing him back to a familiar part of the province and close to the community that supported him throughout his junior hockey career.
Tanchuk says he would encourage other junior hockey players to consider policing as a career path, believing the values learned in the game—discipline, accountability, teamwork, and leadership—translate naturally to service beyond the rink.
