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 South
Founded	1997
Home arena	Rath Eastlink Community Centre
Colours	Red, white, and black
Owner(s)	Dave Higgins, Jon Stanfield, and Greg Mullen
General manager	James Barbour
Head coach	Jon Greenwood
Franchise history
1997 - Present	Truro Bearcats

The Truro Bearcats are a Junior "A" ice hockey 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.

2015–present

These home and away jerseys were first introduced for use in the 2015-16 season. They are a similar but updated version of the previous design. They keep the history of the team while modernizing the look of the jersey.

2009–2015

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 Bent	4th MJAHL	Lost Division-Final
1998-99	48	31	16	1	2	222	154	63	3rd Maurice Bent	4th MJAHL	Lost quarter-final
1999-00	52	32	17	3	0	231	180	67	3rd Maurice Bent	4th MJAHL	Lost quarter-final
2000-01	52	22	21	7	2	202	201	53	3rd Maurice Bent	6th MJAHL	Lost quarter-final
2001-02	52	28	16	6	2	195	155	64	2nd Maurice Bent	3rd MJAHL	Lost quarter-final 4th at Fred Page Cup
2002-03	52	34	14	2	2	211	164	72	1st Maurice Bent	2nd MJAHL	Lost Division-Final
2003-04	52	33	10	7	2	193	146	75	2nd Maurice Bent	2nd MJAHL	Lost Division-Final
2004-05	56	24	15	12	5	183	159	65	2nd Maurice Bent	4th MJAHL	Won League 4th at Fred Page Cup
2005-06	56	28	20	0	8	193	166	64	4th Maurice Bent	7th MJAHL	Lost Preliminary
2006-07	58	42	12	0	4	257	138	88	1st Maurice Bent	1st MJAHL	Won League 4th at Fred Page Cup
2007-08	58	37	11	-	10	210	138	84	2nd Maurice Bent	4th MJAHL	Lost quarter-final
2008-09	54	36	12	-	6	212	127	78	1st Maurice Bent	2nd MJAHL	Lost final
2009-10	50	37	7	-	6	214	104	80	1st Maurice Bent	2nd MJAHL	Lost quarter-final
2010-11	52	30	18	-	4	166	128	64	2nd Maurice Bent	4th MHL	Lost quarter-final
2011-12	52	29	20	-	3	190	155	61	3rd Maurice Bent	4th MHL	Lost quarter-final
2012-13	52	38	9	-	5	226	124	81	1st Eastlink	2nd MHL	Lost final Won Fred Page Cup 5th at Royal Bank Cup
2013-14	52	38	11	-	3	243	131	79	1st Eastlink	1st MHL	Won league 3rd at Fred Page Cup
2014-15	48	25	19	-	4	180	154	54	4th Eastlink	8th MHL	Lost League Final
2015-16	48	25	15	-	8	134	116	58	1st South	4th MHL	Lost quarter-final
2016-17	50	35	13	-	2	196	154	72	2nd South	3rd MHL	Won Div. Semifinal 4-1 (Mariners) Won Div. Finals 4-1 (Ramblers) Won League Finals 4-3 (Timberwolves) MJAHL Champions
2017-18	50	28	20	-	2	150	130	58	4th South	6th MHL	Lost div. semi-final 3-4 (Mariners)
2018-19	50	24	21	-	5	135	158	53	4th South	7th MHL	Lost div. semi-final 0-4 (Mariners)
2019-20	52	28	18	-	8	170	166	60	4th South	8th MHL	Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020-21	32	21	10	-	1	125	94	43	3rd South	3rd MHL	MHL Round Robin Play-in(3-1-0) Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021-22	36	19	15	-	2	116	111	40	3rd South	7th MHL	Won Div. Semifinal 4-1 (Ramblers) Won Div. Finals 4-3 (Wildcats) Lost League Finals 4-1 (Western Capitals)
2022-23	52	33	16	1	2	214	174	69	2nd South	4th MHL	Won Div. Semifinal 4-2 (Wildcats) Lost Div. Finals 0-4 (Western Capitals)
2023-24	52	25	21	4	2	212	193	56	5th South	8th MHL	Did Not Qualify for Post Season

Fred Page Cup

Eastern Canada Championships
MHL - QAAAJHL - CCHL - Host
Round robin play with 2nd vs 3rd in semi-final to advance against 1st in the finals.

Year	Round Robin	Record	Standing	Semifinal	Gold Medal Game
2002 HOST	L, Halifax Oland Exports 0-5 L, Ottawa Jr. Senators 0-6 W, Valleyfield Braves 4-0	1-2-0	4th of 4	did not qualify for playoffs
2005	L, Vaudreuil Mustangs 1-3 L, Hawkesbury Hawks 1-2 L, Yarmouth Mariners 2-3 OT	0-3-0	4th of 4	did not qualify for playoffs
2007	L, Joliette Action 2-3 L, St. Jerome Panthers 3-5 W, Pembroke Lumber Kings 3-2	1-2-0	4th of 4	did not qualify for playoffs
2013 HOST	W, Collège Français de Longueuil 4-1 W, Cornwall Colts 6-2 W, Summerside Western Capitals 3-2	3-0-0	1st of 4	Semi-final bye	Won 3-2 2OT Summerside Western Capitals advance to Royal Bank Cup
2014	W, Granby Inouk 5-4 OT L, St. Jerome Panthers 6-7 OT L, Carleton Place Canadians 1-2	1-1-1	3rd of 4	Lost 2-5 St. Jerome Panthers	Did not qualify
2017	L, Terrebonne Cobras 2-8 L, Collège Français de Longueuil 4-6 L, Carleton Place Canadians 1-3	0-3-0	4th of 4	did not qualify for playoffs

Royal Bank Cup

CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dudley Hewitt Champions - Central, Fred Page Champions - Eastern, Western Canada Cup Champions - Western, [[Western Canada Cup|Trenton Golden HawksWestern Canada Cup - Runners Up]] and Host
Round robin play with top 4 in semi-final and winners to finals.

Year	Round Robin	Record W-OTW-OTL-L	Standing	Semifinal	Gold Medal Game
2013	L, Brooks Bandits 1-7 L, Surrey Eagles 0-7 L, Minnesota Wilderness 3-5 W, Summerside Western Capitals 4-2	1-0-3-0	4th of 5	did not qualify for playoffs

Franchise records

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

A picture of the 2014 Truro Bearcats with the Kent Cup (click to expand).

Team Records for a single season
Statistic	Total	Season
Most Points	88	2006–07
Most Wins	42	2006–07
Most Goals For	257	2006–07
Fewest Goals For	180	2014–15
Fewest Goals Against	104	2009–10
Most Goals Against	201	2000–01

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	79	121	200	2006–2009, 2010–11
Dana Fraser	69	124	193	2007–2010
Jon Reid	50	139	189	2006–2009
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	156	2005–2009
Jordan Mock	57	88	145	2009–2012

Records – skaters

Career

• Most seasons: 5, Travis Moore
• Most goals: 97, T.J. Smith
• Most assists: 139, Jon Reid
• Most points: 200, Stephen Horyl
• Most penalty minutes: 675, Donald Johnstone

Season

• Most goals in a season: 47, Kyle Tibbo (2016–17)
• Most assists in a season: 63, Dana Fraser (2009–10)
• Most points in a season: 90, Dana Fraser (2009–10)
• Most penalty minutes in a season: 348, Vincent Muller (2002–03)

Leaders

Team captains

• Robbie Dickson, 1997-1999
• Todd Kennedy, 1999-00
• Alan Dwyer, 2000–01
• Bryant Fraser, 2001–02
• Joel Isenor, 2002–03
• Jim White, 2003–04
• Glenn Frazee, 2004–05
• Matt Beaver, 2005-2007
• Rodi Short, 2007–08
• Sam Hounsell, 2008–09
• Ben MacAskill, 2009–10
• Evan Watts, 2010–11
• Matt English, 2011–12
• Travis Moore, 2012–13
• Phillip Fife, 2013–14
• Brandon Pye (home) and Jake Primeau (road), 2014-2015 ^[13]
• Jimmy Soper, 2015-2016 ^[14]
• Kyle Tibbo, 2016-2017 ^[15]
• Campbell Pickard, 2017-2018 ^[16]
• Dylan Burton, 2018-2019 ^[17]
• Ben Higgins, 2019-2020 ^[18]
• Leon Denny, 2020-2021 ^[19]
• Holden Kodak, 2021-2022 ^[20]

Head coaches

• Steve Crowell, 1997-2001
• Dave Barett, 2001
• Shawn Evans, 2001–present

Honoured members

• David Brine, 2002–03, jersey retired May 3, 2013
• Matt Climie, 2002-2004, jersey retired May 3, 2013
• Zach Sill, 2005-2007, jersey retired April 17, 2015 ^[21]

League awards

Team awards

Team Trophies and Awards
Award	Description	Times Won	Seasons
Kent Cup	League Champions	4	2004–05, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2016–17 [22]
Nova Scotia Jr. "A" Provincial Champions	Bent/Eastlink Division Champions	8	2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016-2017, 2021-2022 [23]
MHL President's Cup	Regular Season Champions	2	2006–07, 2013–14
Fred Page Cup	Eastern Canadian Champions	1	2012–13
Executive of the Year Award	Top Executive Team of the MHL	1	2012–13

Individual awards

Individual awards won by Bearcat players and staff
Player	Award	Season
Chris Wilcox	League MVP	1997–98
Chris Wilcox	Playoff MVP	1997–98
Mark Lynk	Most Sportsmanlike	1998–99
Josh Boulton	Most Sportsmanlike	1999–00
Donald Johnstone	Academic Achievement Award	2002–03
Matt Climie/Daniel Turner	Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2003–04
Matt Climie	RBC Player of the Year	2003–04
Matt Climie	League MVP	2003–04
Matt Climie	Top goaltender	2003–04
Matt Iorianni	Playoff MVP	2004–05
Shawn Evans	Coach of the Year	2004–05
Victor Saari/Corey Chipman	Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2005–06
Darcy Stewart/Kirk Rafuse	Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2006–07
Jon Reid	Rookie of the Year	2006–07
Andrew Harmes	Academic Achievement Award	2006–07
Zach Sill	Playoff MVP	2006–07
Shawn Evans	Coach of the Year	2006–07
Pierre Alexandre Marion/Luke Gallant	Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2007–08
Stephen Horyl	Most Sportsmanlike	2007–08
Pierre Alexandre Marion	League MVP	2007–08
Pierre Alexandre Marion	Top Goaltender	2007–08
Richard Gagnon/Kirk Rafuse	Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2008–09
Shawn Evans	Coach of the Year	2008–09
Richard Gagnon/Kirk Rafuse/Alex Scola	Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2009–10
Kirk Rafuse	Top Goaltender	2009–10
Dana Fraser	Most Sportsmanlike	2009–10
Kirk Rafuse/Spencer Scott	Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2010–11
Colin Beck	Community Leadership Award	2011–12 [24]
Alex Dalley	Scholastic Player of the Year	2011–12 [25]
Kyle Morrison	League Top Scorer	2012–13
Shayne Campbell	League Top Goaltender	2012-2013
Jacob Fancy and Chris Festarini	Top Goal-tending Duo	2013-14
Dan Poliziani	Playoff MVP	2013-14
Jordan McNaughton	League Top Defensemen / CJHL Team East First Team All-Star	2014-2015
Jacob Fancy	League Top Goaltender	2015-2016 [26]
Jacob Fancy/Luke Melanson	Top Goaltending Tandem - Young/Knickle Trophy(GAA)	2015-2016 [26]
Jimmy Soper	MHL Character Award	2015-2016 [26]
Kyle Tibbo	MHL Player of the Year, MHL Character Award	2016-2017 [26]
Jason Rioux	MHL Playoff MVP	2016-2017 [26]
Campbell Pickard	MHL Character Award	2017-2018 [26]
Kevin Resop/Alec MacDonald	Top Goaltending Tandem - Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA)	2017-2018 [26]
Luke MacMillan	MHL Scholastic Player of the Year, CJHL Academic Player of the Year	2018-2019 [26]
Cole Julian	MHL Community Spirit Award	2019-2020 [26]
Bair Gendunov	Regular Season Scoring Champion	2020-2021 [26]
Dell Welton	MHL Scholastic Player of the Year	2020-2021 [26]
Mavrick Goyer	MHL Goaltender of the Year	2021-2022 [26]

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.

• Andrew MacDonald
• Zach Sill
• Matt Climie
• Mark Cody
• David Brine
• Franklin MacDonald
• Rodi Short
• Sidney Crosby ^[5]

See also

• List of ice hockey teams in Nova Scotia

References

1. "1975-76 Truro Jr Bearcats Hockey Team | Truro Sport Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2014-07-28. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
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". Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. 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". Archived from the original on 2012-06-16. 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. "Two heads are better than one | Truro News". www.trurodaily.com.
14. "Buzzer Beater: Meet your captain | Truro News". www.trurodaily.com.
15. "Captain Tibbo leads the way | Truro News". www.trurodaily.com.
16. "Veteran centre Pickard to wear the 'C' for the Bearcats | Truro News". www.trurodaily.com.
17. "Burton wearing the "C" for junior A Bearcats | Truro News". www.trurodaily.com.
18. Smith, Joey. "Higgins named captain of Bearcats | SaltWire". www.saltwire.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
19. MacKenzie, Richard. "Bearcats captain settling back into Truro and junior A | SaltWire". www.saltwire.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
20. "Bearcat Bytes: Holden Kodak". www.trurojrabearcats.ca. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
21. "Homepage | GOALLINE - Simply Organizing Sport". www.goalline.ca.
22. "Bearcats win MHL championship | The Journal Pioneer". www.journalpioneer.com.
23. "Bearcats capture 8th provincial championship". 21 April 2022.
24. "MHL Announces Awards for Best of 2011-2012" . Retrieved 14 April 2012.
25. "MHL Announces 2011-2012 Scholastic Player of the Year, CJHL RBC Player of the Year Nominee" . Retrieved 14 April 2012.
26. "League Awards". www.themhl.ca.

External links

• Official Bearcat Web Site
• Official MHL Web Site