St. Cloud Bearcats

The **St. Cloud Bearcats** are a team of the Granite Hockey League, where they have played as a charter member since the league's inaugural 1953-54 season. Based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Bearcats play their home games at the 5,750-seat National Hockey Center on the campus of St. Cloud State University.

## History

Before joining the Granite League, the Bearcats played their first seven seasons (1947-1953) as a member of the Northland Hockey League. Until 1958, the team was known as the **St. Cloud Bear Cats** before rebranding and combining their nickname to the **St. Cloud Bearcats** in 1959.

The Bearcats have won 1 Kellogg Cup (1988), 11 League Titles (2 Northland League & 9 Granite League) and have appeared in 4 Super Series.

Thanks to a donation from a local business owner, in 1977-78 the Bearcats became the first MAHL team to have all of their players wear helmets.

### Culture

#### Traditions

Bearcat fans are known as "The Black Hole" and they live up to that nickname. Fans come to games dressed in black from head to toe. That along with their incredible support help make St. Cloud one of the most intimidating atmospheres in all of the MAHL.

St. Cloud has used "Back In Black" by AC/DC as their entrance song. Fans clap and bang on the boards to the beat with the Bearcats hitting the ice as the guitar kicks in.

#### The Sieve Chant

The Bearcats have used Gary Glitter's "Rock 'n' Roll (Part 2)" as their goal song since 1972. Fans clap along to the beat before yelling *"Sieve! You Suck!"* and pointing their right arms at the goalie (as if signaling goal) instead of *"Hey!"* The chant has become synonymous with the Cats, with fans clapping and singing before yelling the chant even when St. Cloud is on the road.

A Sieve is a utensil consisting of a wire or plastic mesh held in a frame, used for straining solids from liquids. So when fans call the opposing goalie a Sieve, it means that they let pucks go through like a Sieve lets liquid.

The chant is also used by the Bearcats arena-mates, the St. Cloud State University Huskies.

### George T. Bearcat

Beginning in 1987, the Bearcats have a body-costumed mascot named George T. Bearcat, a black and silver bearcat with red eyes. Named after the Bearcats' original home of Lake George, George can be seen at all Bearcats' games at the MAC, both home games and away games against in-city rivals the St. Cloud Storm.

### Rivalry Trophies

#### The Chunk of Granite

The Bearcats' in-city rivals are the St. Cloud Storm, against whom they compete for The Chunk of Granite, decided by the winner of each season series (or, when the season series is tied, who scored more goals between the two teams). The Chunk is an homage to St. Cloud's nickname of the "Granite City" (which is also the namesake for the Granite League).

Currently, the Bearcats hold the Chunk, having won it back in 1988. The Cats lead the trophy series 15-1.

#### The Champions Trophy

In addition, the Bearcats have a strong rivalry with the Brainerd Lumberjacks, with whom they combine for all but six titles in the Granite League's history and against whom they compete for the Champions Trophy, decided by the winner of each season series (or, when the season series is tied, who scored more goals between the two teams).

Currently, the Bearcats hold the trophy, having won it for the first time in 1984 and holding it the following five years to lead the all-time trophy series, 6-3.

### Retired Numbers

* **5** - LW Noah Sauer (1950-1971): Played for the Bearcats for 22 seasons, leading them to seven league titles and three Kellogg Cup Finals.
* **12** - C Kurt Schmidt (1947-1959): Inaugural and two-time Tschida Trophy winner (1951 & 1955), led the Bearcats to seven league titles and four Kellogg Cup Finals.