Memories to last a lifetime
Valley veterans will remember their times playing for the Wildcats
Justin Bourque packed a lot into his three-year career with the Valley Wildcats.
“All the memories. The fans, the coaches and players. All of the great friendships I’ve made through these last three years. I think that’s really what I am going to miss the most,” the 21-year-old goalie from Candiac, Que., said. “I’ve appreciated every second I spent here.”
He remembered being traded to the Wildcats by the Valleyfield Braves, of the Quebec junior A circuit, in September 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He remembered getting to the Halifax airport but being unable to find head coach and general manager Brandon Benedict. He remembered having to quarantine and making new friends.
“Ever since I got to Berwick, the Annapolis Valley, I’ve loved it here.”
The first season was challenging with the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and not knowing if, and when, the team would be able to play and if it would get through the season.
Year 2 saw the team knock off the heavily favoured Yarmouth Mariners before losing in Game 7 of the Maritime Junior Hockey League semifinal to the Truro Bearcats. Bourque took on the No. 1 role in Year 3 and led Valley to a strong showing against the higher-ranked Bearcats in the quarter-final. Truro won the series by defeating Valley 4-0 in Game 6 March 28 in Berwick. Four of the six games were determined by a goal with three requiring overtime.
“(They are) moments, the older you get, you learn to appreciate and really just let them sink in a little more than they used to,” said Bourque, who spoke glowingly about the organization. “I am just so thankful that they gave me a chance and an opportunity to play for this team for these last three years.”
FOREVER FRIENDS
Ethan Landry and Ethan Kearney lived together, cheered for the same NHL team and shared the Wildcats’ captaincy in their final season of junior hockey.
“It’s been incredibly special,” said Landry, a three-year Wildcat from Halifax.
“Everybody throughout the organization from coaches to volunteers, billets, everything – it’s made my experience here very memorable and very enjoyable. …
“Being able to share the captaincy with Ethan this year was really special.”
Kearney, who grew up in Petawawa, Ont., wore the Wildcats logo on his chest for six years. His father Tony was transferred to 14 Wing Greenwood in 2017. Kearney played two seasons of under18 hockey with the Wildcats and when his father was transferred again, his parents (Tony and Beverly) moved but Kearney stayed to play his junior hockey here.
“It’s absolutely amazing. The organization has just been fantastic to us and helped me grow as a player on the ice as well as off the ice,” said Kearney, a 21-year-old forward.
“In my final year, to be able to share the captaincy with one of my best friends, it’s awesome. … These are memories you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”
The veterans who finished their junior careers also included defencemen Matt Power and Aiden Clarke as well as forwards Jason Kwestel and Josh Crooks.
The team handed out its year-end awards March 31. Bourque was named the team’s MVP, a recognition he was “extremely honoured” by.
“I couldn’t have done it without everybody’s support and everybody believing in me. I felt like I always had the confidence of everybody and that means the world to me.”
Team owner Graham Baxter thanked all those involved with the team, both on and off the ice.
“It’s a big machine to keep running,” he said.
Baxter told the young men that these years will be some of the best times of their lives. Kearney nodded as he heard Baxter mention those words. It brough him back to his rookie season.
“I remember being in the room at 17, just finished my first year, and one of the 20-year-olds said, ‘It goes by fast. You’ll miss it when it’s over,’” he recalled, but thinking at the time he had three more seasons left.
“In the blink of an eye, it’s over.”
FINAL GAME
Kearney said he couldn’t sleep the night before Game 6 with the excitement of knowing they were playing before a sold-out crowd.
They worked hard but trailed 1-0 heading to the third. Truro added a second and third goal, but Valley tried to get back in it. When the Bearcats potted an empty-net goal, it started to sink in for the players that there would be no Cinderella ending to this game.
“At the end of the day, I know we worked hard, we did the best we could, and I had fun doing it,” Kearney said.
“Obviously with the support of the community … we wanted to win that Game 6 for them and bring it home,” added Landry, a 21-year-old forward “I am really proud of the guys’ effort.”
Landry dropped to a knee near centre ice as the gravity of the moment hit him after the contest.
“It was an emotional end for me – and for a lot of other guys too – to take off the jersey,” Landry said. “I am really proud of what everybody accomplished.”
Teammates came to his side and supported one of their leaders.
“To know the guys had my back and they cared about me … it meant a lot to have their support.”
Bourque, who was the last player to leave the ice, called it a bittersweet moment.
“It’s where you see all the hard work, all these last four years for me that I’ve spent playing junior hockey, finally come to an end,” he said. “I wish I could have come back next year again.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Kearney is heading home to Ontario to continue his education and play hockey at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston. His grandfather also served in the navy in the 1960s.
His grandmother lives in Kingston and his parents will be about two hours away.
“It’ll be really great,” Kearney said.
Bourque is looking to continue at the U Sports level while Landry is heading back to Acadia University where he has two years left in his business degree with a major in employment relations.
Landry said while he and his teammates became better hockey players during their time with the Wildcats, they also learned life lessons and grew as people.
“We’re in good shape to make sure we have great years after hockey as well,” he said.
GROWTH
The trio have been part of a group that helped the organization turn the corner.
The squad had the deepest run In franchise history in 2022 before pushing a tough Bearcats team to Game 6 this spring in a series that could have went either way.
“It’s been incredible,” Landry said. “I know they’ve been trying to shift the culture and trying to get on a more of a winning track. I think they’ve done that. I think Brandon’s done an incredible job with that and Graham. I think they are two huge pieces and Rhonda Baxter as well.”
And the players want to be here and work towards a common goal.
“Just getting the right people in the room and finding guys who are willing to play for each other, work hard and win games,” Landry said.
Kearney has witnessed the transformation first-hand.
“I am glad I was able to be part of it. When … you have guys like Landry in your locker room it definitely makes your organization a lot better team.”
NEXT YEAR
While the Wildcats graduated the seven 20-year-olds, a strong core could return for the 2023-24 season.
“We’re going in the right direction,” Baxter said.
Kearney said his message to those guys is the same as he heard as a rookie.
“I promise you it does go by fast.”
Landry echoed the sentiment and suggested the players embrace every moment with their teammates.
“We’ve built a real good brotherhood here,” he said.
“I think those guys are going to have a great room next year. … There’s a great group of guys coming back and we’re confident in their abilities to be leaders and perform on the ice.”