Vaughn Bamford

The Flin Flon Bombers have been to the league final in each of the last two seasons and a key to that success was strong defensive play. In order for them to make it three years in a row they will once again need a solid effort from the back end and with players like Vaughn Bamford in the line-up they could be in a position to do just that.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound product of Tsawwassen, B.C., has appeared in 41 games for the Bombers in his rookie campaign and while his numbers – two goals and nine assists – don’t jump off the page his play has improved as the season winds down as evidenced by the four points he has picked up in the last six games.

Prior to joining the Bombers, the 18-year-old Bamford spent one season with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League where he had 15 points in 43 games and before that he was with the minor midget Greater Vancouver Canadians where he collected 11 points in 40 contests.

The road to the final might be a bit longer this time around for the Bombers, but for Bamford covering great distances is nothing new and if he continues with his improved play, there could be many more miles in the future.