David Brine
I played my 17 yr. old year with the Bearcats and it was very
beneficial in my development as a player, for my career, and me as a
person. I was given an opportunity to play with and against older
players and was challenged to earn my ice time.
I learned a great deal from Shawn and the coaching staff on and off
the ice. Defense and face-offs are a big part of my game and it was
in Truro where I began to hone these skills.
I feel my time with the Bearcats helped me get to where I am today
and I still look back on my time there with fond memories. Almost 10
years later I still keep in touch with the coaches and some of my
teammates from that year. It was a great environment for me to begin
developing into the professional and person I am today. I am proud
to say where I began my career.
David Brine
San Antonio Rampage
AHL
Andrew MacDonald
My decision to go to Truro ended up being one of the best decisions I
could have possibly made. Aside from Truro as an option, I was
entertaining playing at the Major Junior level as well as attending a
preparatory school in the US.
Since I was undrafted to the QMJHL, I felt my best option was to pursue
a scholarship to a US college and continue to play hockey. Upon
reviewing all my options, I felt that Truro gave me the best opportunity
to reach my ultimate goal.
I'll be the first to admit that upon arriving in Truro for my first
season, I wasn't sure what to expect. But shortly thereafter, I knew I
was in a place where I would learn and become a better player. I still
credit Coach Evans and his staff for building me into the player that I
am today. They gave me guidelines under which I was expected to play,
but at the same time, gave me the opportunity to grow and develop
through my own creativity.
There was special emphasis on team defense and discipline along with
many of the small details that make players successful. There were no
shortcuts and everything was earned, the way it should be.
The organization also knew my goal was to use my years as a Bearcat as a
stepping stone to a US college and they did whatever they could to help
me achieve that goal. They sent tapes of games to different schools and
encouraged scouts from various schools to come watch our games live and
meet with me. This hard work on their behalf paid off and I was awarded
a scholarship to a Division I school in Minnesota called Bemidji State
University.
Although I was given the scholarship, I was given a golden opportunity
to play for the Moncton Wildcats whom were hosting the Memorial Cup that
season and decided to take the chance and go with them. It was a
decision that was not taken lightly. I wagered the pros and cons of both
for the entire summer leading up to that season and one of the reasons
the decision was so difficult was that I was supposed to return to the
Bearcats lineup that season for one more year before leaving for school.
I had a very difficult time leaving the Bearcats and although the
organization was not convinced it was the right decision at the time,
they sincerely wished me the best of luck and kept in contact, something
I can proudly say still happens to this day.
The professionalism and matter in which Stu Rath and the organization
treats its players makes it the best place to play in the Maritime
Junior A Hockey League. I will be forever grateful for everything the
Truro Bearcats have done for me personally as well as my career as a
player. It was the lessons and habits I learned in Truro that I took
with me and applied to each level of hockey I was exposed to after and
molded me into the player that I am today.
Andrew MacDonald
New York Islanders
NHL
