It’s great when everything is positive at camp.
Leadership is developing, those needing support receive it and all are given a fair shot at making the team. Unfortunately the number in attendance has to be reduced to a manageable number in preparation for the start of the season.
The start of school this week and the start of regular season play next week make decision time more urgent. Intra-squad games and exhibition play help the process but make decisions more difficult. It’s the same in every camp.
Fans are always anxious to see the local content in any given year. To date, there’s been plenty of it.
Two new faces in this camp are reuniting as teammates. Sam Archibald from Debert and Merle Putnam from Masstown have been teammates from novice through to midget. The 2019 draft picks separated ways during the 2020-2021 season.
Archibald suited up with the Bearcats and last year split his time between the Charlottetown Islanders and Moncton Wildcats. Putnam was a South Shore draft pick but played with the Pictou County Crushers his two junior years. They should enjoy being back in Bearcat colours.
Local players returning for their second Bearcat season are defenceman, Simon Mullen (Truro), and up front are Bryson Currie (Truro) and Andyn Furmidge (Brookfield). These sophomores had a great rookie season where they were given
the opportunity to play straight through to the MHL Finals.
The Bearcats continue their exhibition play this week. The team is in New Glasgow Tuesday to face the Crushers, then return to the RECC Saturday to host the Crushers. The concludes the two week camp. Those who survived the cut will
focus on playing the Bearcat way. Management has been high on praise for the season prospects. There’s plenty of work to do but everyone is keen.
The season opens Thursday, September 15, the Bearcats start on the road in Bridgewater then host the Home Opener against Pictou County Friday, September 16.