Goaltender Flinn enjoying his role with Steelheads

Has put up stellar numbers since coming over from Owen Sound

Since coming to the Steelheads from the Owen Sound Attack in September, Flinn ranks fourth in the OHL in active goaltenders Charles Warburton/Charles Warburton Photography

Stats don’t phase Jack Flinn, even if they’re good ones.

The newly acquired Mississauga Steelheads goaltender may have some of the best numbers in the OHL right now but for Flinn it isn’t about the numbers, it’s about his team and getting the wins.

Since coming over from the Owen Sound Attack in September, Flinn ranks fourth in the OHL and has posted a 2.18 goals against average with a .926 save percentage and two shutouts in 15 games played.

“I don’t really look at stats or think about any of that stuff, I just try to focus on one game at a time, one period at a time and let it take itself from there,” said Flinn, after a game against the Kitchener Rangers.

The Steelheads had been in need of a goaltender while the Attack were looking for some help up front which they received in Mississauga captain Brian Cianfrone and a fifth-round pick in the 2017 OHL draft.

James Boyd, coach and general manager of the Steelheads, said it was a tough decision trading his captain but it was a move that needed to be made.

“Well it was difficult coming into the season, we were looking for a seasoned goalie, a goalie with a veteran presence,” said Boyd. “It’s one of those things, I think it was a good trade for both teams, but Brian Cianfrone is a good kid and a good player and it just happens so fast sometimes, you don’t have time to think about it.”

The goaltender has seen a lot of movement since entering junior hockey. He was originally drafted by the Moncton Wildcats but was traded to the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL for four draft picks and the top pick in the Canadian Hockey League import draft.

He lasted only a season in Sherbrooke before being traded to the Quebec Remparts and then finally ended up with Owen Sound Attack for the past three seasons.

Never one to take credit for a win, Flinn always brings it back to his team and their effort.

After a big comeback victory against the Rangers a couple of Sundays ago in which coach James Boyd admitted the Steelheads wouldn’t have had a chance if it weren’t for Flinn, the 19-year old deflected the praise back onto his teammates.

“I thought it was okay (his performance), I caught a few lucky bounces on a couple of reviews and then it was just the guys who got it going in the last little bit and got the win for us.

“Just when the team is looking good, they help me a lot. They bail me out a lot, I try to bail them out every once in awhile, but it’s really just the team going so well.”

Even if the Halifax native wants to downplay his contribution to the team, his fellow Steelheads know the importance of having him back there between the posts.

“He’s a great goalie to have, he keeps us in the game and makes the saves that we need every time,” said Steelheads forward Everett Clark.

Flinn has spent time at goalie training camps for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings over the past couple of years. A break out year this season could mean a possible spot for the Halifax native.

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By: Jessica Patton
Posted: Nov 1 2015 9:15 pm
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Filed under: Hockey Sports
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