Bearcats grant Lanceleve trade to Mariners
Carson Lanceleve wasn’t necessarily surprised on Jan. 6 when he learned that the Truro Bearcats had just traded him to the Yarmouth Mariners.
“I requested it,” said Lanceleve, a 19-year-old forward from Stewiacke who was in his second Maritime Hockey League season with the Bearcats.
“I was just looking for a change of scenery and wanted to join a contender. I’ve only got a year and a half (of junior A hockey) left, so I wanted to make the most of it. Sometimes you need a fresh start and I just felt that would be best for me.”
Bearcats coach and general manager Shawn Evans promptly acted on Lanceleve’s request, shipping him to the Eastlink South Division-leading Mariners in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2021 and the rights to Timberlea native Jacob Christie, a 17-year-old defenceman playing major midget with Dartmouth-based Steele Subaru.
“Yarmouth was probably the top place I wanted to come to,” Lanceleve said after his first practice with the Mariners. “I did voice my opinion that I wanted to be in Yarmouth. I think Shawn honoured that and (with Mariners coach and GM Laurie Barron) they made a good trade. I was pretty excited to get down here and get started. (I’m) very happy.”
As for Lanceleve’s desire to leave his hometown team, “I wanted to honour his request,” Evans said. “It was that simple.
“I certainly respect the Lanceleve family’s request. In the end, I think that works out well for everyone. It didn’t take very long (to finalize a trade) with Laurie Barron down in Yarmouth. Laurie and I have a good relationship. I felt that was a fair deal for the Bearcats," Evans said. "I wish Carson nothing but the best in his new surroundings. Play on.”
Lanceleve scored six goals and 23 points in 29 games during his second season with the Bearcats.
“I had nothing against Truro or the organization, or Shawn or anybody,” said the five-footnine, 145-pound Lanceleve. “I really did enjoy my time there and I really do think that’s a great organization and they’re great people. I just needed something new.
“(There’s) a little bit more skill and speed in Yarmouth, and I think that fits in well with the way I like to play and the creativity.”