Truro Bearcats

This article is about the Junior "A" team. For the Allan Cup-winning Senior team, see Truro Bearcats (senior). For the former Junior "A" team of the same name, see Truro Bearcats (1977–1983).
Truro Bearcats
City Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
League Maritime Junior Hockey League
Division Eastlink
Founded 1997
Home arena Rath Eastlink Community Centre
Colours

Red, white, and black

              
Owner(s) Stuart Rath
General manager Shawn Evans
Head coach Shawn Evans
Franchise history
1997 - Present Truro Bearcats

The Truro Bearcats are a Junior "A" team based out of Truro, Nova Scotia. The Bearcats are one of six Nova Scotia teams in the Maritime Junior Hockey League.

History

Metro Valley League Years

Originally, Truro was a member of the Metro Valley Junior Hockey League. The Bearcats won five championships in the MVJHL. Three back to back from 1969-70 to 1971-72. Truro won two more championships in 1973-74 and 1975-76. [1] In 1977 the MVJHL became a Junior "A" league and the Bearcats folded mid season in 1983.

Return of Junior Hockey

The new franchise of 1997 marked the return of junior hockey to Truro, and the Bearcats return to the MJAHL. The Truro Bearcats were formed in 1997 as a member of the Maritime Jr A Hockey League. The Bearcats have stayed competitive over their franchise history, they have never had a losing record, and have never missed the playoffs.

During the 2001 MJAHL Draft, the Bearcats picked 13-year-old minor hockey phenom Sidney Crosby[2][3][4] During the 2001-02 season, as a call-up, Crosby played a two-game call-up stint with the Bearcats.[5][6][7] Despite minimal playing time, Crosby still managed an assist.

In 2002, the Truro Bearcats played in their first Fred Page Cup as the host squad, They made four other appearances three as MJAHL champions, one in 2005, at a tournament hosted in Yarmouth Nova Scotia, and one in 2007 Saint-Jérôme Quebec. In 2013 the Bearcats hosted the tournament for a second time and a first time at their new home Rath Eastlink Community Centre winning the Final 3-2 in double Overtime against the Summerside Western Capitals. In 2014 The Bearcats made a second consecutive appearance in the Fred Page Cup tournament hosted by Saint-Jérôme

Truro captured their third Division Championship and third Provincial Championship in five seasons in 2008/09. The Bearcats would be defeated by the Summerside Western Capitals in the league final four games to one.

The 2011-12 season was the Bearcats final full season at the Colchester Legion Stadium.

A New Home

The town of Truro and County of Colchester are constructing the new Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre, a rink that is supposed to seat 2600+ spectators.[8] The rink will be the new home of the Bearcats upon completion. The Bearcats will kick off their inaugural season in the new building by hosting the Fred Page Cup for the second time in franchise history (The first being in 2002) .[9]

On February 13, 2013 officials from the Rath Eastlink Community Centre confirmed the first home game for the Bearcats would be held on March 2, 2013, and would coincide with the opening of the new facility. [10] The Bearcats are not charging any admission fee to their inaugural game in the community centre, but will be accepting donations to local a charity. Management is hoping for a large crowd in anticipation of the arena finally opening after many delays. [11]

Logo and uniforms

The Truro Bearcats primary logo is large red or black T while their secondary logo features a bearcat jumping. In print, or other media the Bearcats logo consists of a large red T with a small jumping bearcat to the lower right.

2009–present

This jersey unveiled in the 2009-10 season features a large T on the front and the design of the Boston Bruins from 1995-2007. The jersey design is similar to the uniform the Bearcats would have worn in the 1920s and was implemented to bring back some tradition to the community.[12]

1997-2009

The logo is similar to that of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. The Bearcats' old jersey is that of the Buffalo Sabres from 1996/97 - 2005/06.

Seasons and records

Season-by-season results

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season GP W L T OTL/
SOL 		GF GA P Results
(Division) 		Results
(League) 		Playoffs
1997-98 51 27 19 4 2 253 207 60 2nd Maurice Bent4th MJAHL Lost Division-Final
1998-99 48 31 16 1 2 222 154 63 3rd Maurice Bent4th MJAHL Lost Quarter-Final
1999-00 52 32 17 3 0 231 180 67 3rd Maurice Bent4th MJAHL Lost Quarter-Final
2000-01 52 22 21 7 2 202 201 53 3rd Maurice Bent6th MJAHL Lost Quarter-Final
2001-02 52 28 16 6 2 195 155 64 2nd Maurice Bent3rd MJAHL Lost Quarter-Final
4th at Fred Page Cup
2002-03 52 34 14 2 2 211 164 72 1st Maurice Bent2nd MJAHL Lost Division-Final
2003-04 52 33 10 7 2 193 146 75 2nd Maurice Bent2nd MJAHL Lost Division-Final
2004-05 56 24 15 12 5 183 159 65 2nd Maurice Bent4th MJAHLWon League
4th at Fred Page Cup
2005-06 56 28 20 0 8 193 166 64 4th Maurice Bent7th MJAHLLost Preliminary
2006-07 58 42 12 0 4 257 138 88 1st Maurice Bent1st MJAHLWon League
4th at Fred Page Cup
2007-08 58 37 11 - 10 210 138 84 2nd Maurice Bent4th MJAHLLost Quarter-final
2008-09 54 36 12 - 6 212 127 78 1st Maurice Bent2nd MJAHLLost Final
2009-10 50 37 7 - 6 214 104 80 1st Maurice Bent2nd MJAHLLost Quarter-final
2010-11 52 30 18 - 4 166 128 64 2nd Maurice Bent4th MHL Lost Quarter-final
2011-12 52 29 20 - 3 190 155 61 3rd Maurice Bent4th MHL Lost Quarter-final
2012-13 52 38 9 - 5 226 124 81 1st Eastlink2nd MHL Lost final
Won Fred Page Cup
5th at Royal Bank Cup
2013-14 52 38 11 - 3 243 131 79 1st Eastlink1st MHL Won league
3rd at Fred Page Cup
2014-15 48 25 19 - 4 180 154 54 4th Eastlink8th MHL Lost League Final
2015-16 48 25 15 5 3 134 116 58 1st South4th MHL Lost Quarter-final
A picture of the 2014 Truro Bearcats with the Kent Cup (click to expand).

Franchise records

These are franchise records held by previous team rosters. Figures are updated after each completed MHL regular season.

Team Records for a single season
StatisticTotalSeason
Most Points88 2006–07
Most Wins422006–07
Most Goals For2572006–07
Least Goals For1802014–15
Least Goals Against1042009–10
Most Goals Against2012000–01

Franchise individual records

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed MHL regular season.

Note: G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; Season(s) = Seasons played with franchise

3rd All-time leading scorer Jon Reid.
Name G A PTS Season(s)
Stephen Horyl 79121 200 2006–2009, 2010–11
Dana Fraser 69 124 1932007–2010
Jon Reid 50 1391892006–2009
T.J. Smith 97 84 181 2004–2007
David MacBurnie 66 103 169 2003–2007
Derek Field 57 108 165 1998–2001
Josh Boulton 85 79 164 1997–2000
Glenn Frazee 76 83 159 2001–2005
K.C. Brown 68 88 1562005–2009
Jordan Mock 57 88 145 2009–2012

Records – skaters

Career
Season

Leaders

Team captains

Head coaches

Honoured members

League awards

Team awards

Team Trophies and Awards
AwardDescriptionTimes WonSeasons
Kent CupLeague Champions32004–05, 2006–07, 2013–14
Nova Scotia Jr. "A" Provincial ChampionsBent/Eastlink Division Champions62004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2012-13, 2013–14, 2014–15
MHL President's CupRegular Season Champions22006–07, 2013–14
Fred Page CupEastern Canadian Champions12012–13
Executive of the Year AwardTop Executive Team of the MHL12012–13

Individual Awards

Individual awards won by Bearcat players and staff
PlayerAwardSeason
Chris WilcoxLeague MVP1997–98
Chris WilcoxPlayoff MVP1997–98
Mark LynkMost Sportsmanlike1998–99
Josh BoultonMost Sportsmanlike1999–00
Donald JohnstoneAcademic Achievement Award2002–03
Matt Climie/Daniel TurnerYoung/Knickle Trophy (GAA)2003–04
Matt ClimieRBC Player of the Year 2003–04
Matt ClimieLeague MVP2003–04
Matt ClimieTop goaltender2003–04
Matt IorianniPlayoff MVP2004–05
Shawn EvansCoach of the Year2004–05
Victor Saari/Corey ChipmanYoung/Knickle Trophy (GAA)2005–06
Darcy Stewart/Kirk RafuseYoung/Knickle Trophy (GAA)2006–07
Jon ReidRookie of the Year2006–07
Andrew HarmesAcademic Achievement Award2006–07
Zach SillPlayoff MVP2006–07
Shawn EvansCoach of the Year2006–07
Pierre Alexandre Marion/Luke Gallant Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)2007–08
Stephen HorylMost Sportsmanlike2007–08
Pierre Alexandre MarionLeague MVP2007–08
Pierre Alexandre MarionTop Goaltender2007–08
Richard Gagnon/Kirk Rafuse Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)2008–09
Shawn EvansCoach of the Year2008–09
Richard Gagnon/Kirk Rafuse/Alex Scola Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)2009–10
Kirk Rafuse Top Goaltender2009–10
Dana Fraser Most Sportsmanlike2009–10
Kirk Rafuse/Spencer Scott Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)2010–11
Colin Beck Community Leadership Award 2011–12[13]
Alex Dalley Scholastic Player of the Year 2011–12[14]
Kyle Morrison League Top Scorer2012–13
Jacob Fancy and Chris Festarini Top Goal-tending Duo2013-14
Dan Poliziani Playoff MVP2013-14

Notable alumni

The Truro Bearcats have had many players develop and pass through the organization. Many have gone on to play university hockey and major junior hockey. Truro has also had players move on to play in the National Hockey League or American Hockey League.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://trurosporthalloffame.com/1975-76-truro-jr-bearcats-hockey-team/
  2. ↑ Reyno, Jim. Bearcats scoop up 13-year-old Crosby: [DAILY Edition]. Daily News [Halifax, N.S] 17 June 2001: 77.
  3. ↑ Fleming, Carl. Rotating Atlantic Bowl was predictable move: [DAILY Edition]. Daily News [Halifax, N.S] 19 June 2001: 47.
  4. ↑ Van Horne, Ryan. Crosby adapting very well: [DAILY Edition]. Daily News [Halifax, N.S] 10 Sep 2001: 32.
  5. ↑ "Crosbys-visit-to-market-makes-fans-day". Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  6. ↑ Van Horne, Ryan. Mooseheads unbeaten in six: [DAILY Edition]. Daily News [Halifax, N.S] 17 Oct 2001: 51.
  7. ↑ Capitals' sniper among leaders: [Final Edition]. Guardian [Charlottetown, P.E.I] 24 Oct 2001: B4.
  8. ↑ "About the Central Nova Civic Centre". Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  9. ↑ "Bearcats land Fred Page Cup". Truro Daily News. December 5, 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  10. ↑ "New arena to open early next month". Truro Daily News. February 13, 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  11. ↑ "Bearcats pumped to play in new arena". Truro Daily News. February 13, 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  12. ↑ Malloy, Jason (October 10, 2009). "Bearcats looking to limit chances against Lumberjack veterans". Truro Daily News. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  13. ↑ "MHL Announces Awards for Best of 2011-2012". Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  14. ↑ "MHL Announces 2011-2012 Scholastic Player of the Year, CJHL RBC Player of the Year Nominee". Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  15. ↑ "Crosbys-visit-to-market-makes-fans-day". Retrieved 14 April 2012.

External links

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