Jeans Experts had ‘team-first mentality’ to win Atlantic title
SYDNEY — Scott Gouthro played on many hockey teams during his career but none were as special as the 1998-99 Cape Breton Jeans Experts.
“What I remember the most about that group of individuals is right off the bat the chemistry and the teamfirst mentality was the best I’ve ever been around,” said Gouthro.
“It all started with our coaching staff wanting us to buy into that mentality and it definitely paid off for us.”
While some teams tend to have one or two players who lead the way, it wasn’t the case for the Jeans Experts. In fact, it was the complete opposite.
“We didn’t have any superstars,” said Gouthro. “When we went into that season the only people who believed in us was the group in the dressing room.”
Although they didn’t consider themselves to be star players, the team didn’t lack offensive power to go along with strong defence and goaltending.
The team was led in the regular season by Richard Tubrett, who finished fifth in the league in points with 20 goals and 30 assists, while Aaron Rice had 19 goals and 20 assists, and Jason Snow buried 19 goals and added 18 assists.
In goal, Gouthro (2.47) and Rick Jones (4.10) combined to lead the league with the lowest goals-against average.
Despite the individual success, the Jeans Experts’ biggest accomplishment of the season came on April 4, 1999, when they captured the Atlantic major midget hockey championship, defeating the host Dartmouth Subways 4-3 on a goal by David Pitcher in overtime at the Dartmouth Sportsplex.
“When we went to the rink for the championship game everyone was nervous and excited,” said Gouthro, the Cape Breton Eagles goaltender consultant, who calls Sydney River home.
“It was a big moment in our lives and our careers. I remember going to the rink and everyone having that belief in each other.
“We had such a positive vibe before the game and the coaches came in with a great game plan and kept us loose. I remember a sense of relief when David scored the winner – having all our family on the ice celebrating was one of those core hockey memories I’ll always have.”
THE SEASON
The Jeans Experts finished the regular season first overall in the eight-team Nova Scotia Midget ‘AAA’ Hockey League, which included the Subways, Cape Breton West Ron’s One Stop Eagles, Cole Harbour Dairy Queen Blizzard, Halifax McDonalds, Pictou County Weeks Construction, South Shore Mustangs and Valley Pepsi Wildcats.
Cape Breton went on to play in the provincial final against Dartmouth but was knocked off 3-1 in the bestof-five series. Because the Subways were hosting the
Atlantic championship, the Jeans Experts had already secured their spot in the tournament, despite losing in the league final.
Mike Johnston, originally of Sydney, was the team’s captain. He said the team wasn’t discouraged with not winning the league final and knew the club still had a chance.
“We knew we’d be able to put up a good fight with the teams at the tournament,” said Johnston, who was named to the league’s first allstar team.
“We realistically knew that we would need to get through Dartmouth and it came down to that final game, which was pretty memorable and pretty fun to look back and think about all the great moments.”
Other highlights from the 1998-99 season include Rice being named the league’s rookie of the year, while Paul Coleman took home the coach of the year honours. Tubrett and Gouthro were part of the league’s second allstar team.