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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
CityTruro, Nova Scotia, Canada
LeagueMaritime Junior Hockey League
DivisionEastlink South
Founded1997
Home arenaRath Eastlink Community Centre
ColoursRed, white, and black      
Owner(s)Dave Higgins, Jon Stanfield, and Greg Mullen
General managerJames Barbour
Head coachJon Greenwood
Franchise history
1997 - PresentTruro 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

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Metro Valley League years

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Season-by-season results

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Franchise scoring leaders

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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

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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

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Team captains

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  • 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

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

Honoured members

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League awards

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Team awards

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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

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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

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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

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References

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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "League Awards". www.themhl.ca.
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