Bearcats grant Lanceleve trade to Mariners
Truro also loses forward Gordon to Quebec major junior’s Cape Breton Eagles
TRURO, N.S. – Carson Lanceleve wasn’t necessarily surprised Monday 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 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,” Lanceleve said Tuesday night 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.”
The final week of the MHL trade period began with a bang for the Bearcats on Monday as they not only lost Lanceleve, their fourth-leading scorer, but also promising 18-year-old forward Matt Gordon, who was fifth in Truro scoring. Gordon was called up to the Cape Breton Eagles for the second half of the QMJHL season.
“I honestly didn’t see the recall for Matt Gordon coming for the rest of the year,” Evans said. “It just came (Monday), basically out of the blue. There’s nothing you can do about it, except be happy for the young man, and then you move on.
“Matt came (to Nova Scotia from Ontario) in August to try to make the (QMJHL). So, in the end, it worked for Matt. If we were his stop-gap to Quebec major junior, well, sometimes that’s what our league is all about. I’m pleased for Matt to get the opportunity.”
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. I wish Carson nothing but the best in his new surroundings. Play on.”
Christie, the newest
Bearcat, is slated to remain with his midget team for the rest of this season. His coaches with Steele Subaru include Truro scout Steve Crowell.
“Jacob Christie is coming through Steve’s program and that is certainly a plus for the Bearcats,” Evans said. “We think he’s going to be a real good player down the road. And also, to pick up a first-round draft pick, we can do whatever we like with that (asset).”
Lanceleve scored six goals and 23 points in 29 games during his second season with the Bearcats. Gordon had eight goals and 21 points in 29 games.
“I had nothing against
Truro or the organization, or Shawn or anybody,” said the five-foot-nine, 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.”
Monday’s moves left Truro with just 10 forwards, so more transactions were expected before the MHL trade deadline this Friday evening. The Bearcats host the Campbellton Tigers on Friday and the Valley Wildcats on Saturday. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
The Bearcats are hot, and enter the contests riding a fourgame winning streak.