Thunder Bay Bombers (2005)
Thunder Bay Bombers (2005) was a senior men's hockey team that captured the Allan Cup in 2005 despite starting the season without a formal league to play in. The team was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2026.[1]
Overview
- Sport: hockey
- League or level: Senior AAA
- Season: 2005
- Achievement: Allan Cup Champions
- Inducted: 26 September 2026[1]
Season
The Thunder Bay Bombers began their 2004–05 campaign in January 2005 without membership in a competitive league. To prepare for championship play, the Thunder Bay-based squad participated in a schedule of exhibition contests. They eventually competed for the Renwick Cup, the Ontario Senior AAA Hockey title, where they faced the Aylmer Blues. The Bombers secured the provincial championship by winning the series in two consecutive games, earning the right to represent the province at the national level.[1]
The Allan Cup tournament took place in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, featuring a field of six teams representing five Canadian regions alongside the host team. The Bombers struggled during the initial round-robin phase, recording two losses. However, the team rallied to win three consecutive elimination games. In the championship final, they faced the Montmagny Sentinelles of Quebec. The Bombers won the game 4–3 in overtime to claim the Canadian Senior AAA Championship.[1]
This victory ended a 16-year drought for Ontario teams at the Allan Cup. The win represented the 10th time a team from Thunder Bay had won the national trophy and the 11th title for the Northwestern Ontario region. The team was later honored for this achievement with induction into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2026.[1]
Roster
The names below come from the Hall of Fame profile and its team photograph caption.[1]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Abraham | player | |
| Jeff Adduono | player | |
| Ed Atwill | player | |
| Omer Belisle | player | |
| Tyler Bruno | player | |
| Steve Dumonski | player | |
| Mike Figliomeni | player | |
| Robert Hillier | player | |
| Kevin Hoogsteen | player | |
| Michael Jacobsen | player | |
| Matt Kenny | player | |
| Steven LeCuyer | player | |
| Derek Levanen | player | |
| Robert MacPhail | player | |
| Cory McEachran | player | |
| Sean McEachran | player | |
| Barry McKinlay | player | |
| Craig Priestlay | player | |
| Neal Purdon | player | |
| Jeff Ricciardi | player | |
| Joe Ritson | player | |
| Scott Sutton | player | |
| Tyler Williamson | player | |
| Vern Ray | coach | |
| Dave Joubert | assistant coach | |
| Albert Drake | manager | General Manager |
| Dean Filane Figliomeni | assistant manager | Assistant General Manager |
| Gaetan Joubert | other | Equipment Manager |
| Rob Monty | other | Equipment Manager |
Honours and achievements
- 2005 Allan Cup Canadian Senior AAA Champions
- 2005 Renwick Cup Ontario Senior AAA Champions
- First Ontario-based Allan Cup winner in 16 years
- Secured the 10th Allan Cup title for the city of Thunder Bay[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Thunder Bay Bombers Senior Hockey", team profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/team-profile/3b2949f8-04b3-4290-8a54-1e351590cea6 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.