# 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. 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 During the 2001-02 season, as a call-up, Crosby played a two-game call-up stint with the Bearcats. 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. 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) .
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. 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.

## 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.
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
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
| 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
* Jimmy Soper, 2015-2016
* Kyle Tibbo, 2016-2017
* Campbell Pickard, 2017-2018
* Dylan Burton, 2018-2019
* Ben Higgins, 2019-2020
* Leon Denny, 2020-2021
* Holden Kodak, 2021-2022

### 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

### 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Alex Dalley | Scholastic Player of the Year | 2011–12 |
| 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 |
| Jacob Fancy/Luke Melanson | Top Goaltending Tandem - Young/Knickle Trophy(GAA) | 2015-2016 |
| Jimmy Soper | MHL Character Award | 2015-2016 |
| Kyle Tibbo | MHL Player of the Year, MHL Character Award | 2016-2017 |
| Jason Rioux | MHL Playoff MVP | 2016-2017 |
| Campbell Pickard | MHL Character Award | 2017-2018 |
| Kevin Resop/Alec MacDonald | Top Goaltending Tandem - Young/Knickle Trophy (GAA) | 2017-2018 |
| Luke MacMillan | MHL Scholastic Player of the Year, CJHL Academic Player of the Year | 2018-2019 |
| Cole Julian | MHL Community Spirit Award | 2019-2020 |
| Bair Gendunov | Regular Season Scoring Champion | 2020-2021 |
| Dell Welton | MHL Scholastic Player of the Year | 2020-2021 |
| Mavrick Goyer | MHL Goaltender of the Year | 2021-2022 |

## 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