Gloade valuable on the Bearcats blueline

‘ We are well focused and we know we have to concentrate hard on this first round’

F or the second straight season, Truro Bearcats defenceman Cal Gloade has achieved ironman status. Gloade, a four- year veteran on the blueline, was one of nine Bearcats on his team to play in all 52 regular season Maritime Junior Hockey League games. Gloade was strong offensively, as well as defensively, firing four goals and adding 21 assists. Two of his goals were game winners. “I felt I played fairly well this season,” Gloade, 20, of Millbrook, said. “It was easy to play paired up on defence with Jordan McNaughton. We worked well together. I thought the season went by really quickly and I have certainly enjoyed the year to date.” The Bearcats had a banner season, finishing first overall in the Maritime Junior Hockey League. “It has been a surprise in a way,” Gloade said. “Earlier on we probably never expected to finish so high in the standings. But everyone worked hard. Everyone did their own job and we took care of things as a team. ( Coach) Shawn ( Evans) gave us his game plan and we followed it.” The Bearcats begin their playoffs tonight when they host the Valley Wildcats at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre at 7 p. m. The Wildcats pulled off an upset victory over the Yarmouth Mariners this week in a best- ofthree mini- series. “We realize it’s a whole new season we’re beginning Saturday night,” Gloade said. “I think we have a lot going for us as a team. We are well focused and we know we have to concentrate hard on this first round. We’re not looking that far ahead. We’re going to take it a period at a time and a game at a time. We realize any team can beat any team this time of year. We’re aware of this and every player will have to get himself up for every game.” The Bearcats, coming off a Fred Page Cup championship and Royal Bank Cup appearance in 2012- 13, last won the Maritime Hockey League title during the 2006- 07 season. Gloade, a 20- year- old from Millbrook, smiled as he was asked to reflect back seven seasons. “That would have been my first year playing bantam AAA with the Truro Kwik Kopy Bearcats,” Gloade recalled. “I would have been 13. We won provincials that year.” Gloade said he had his sights set on playing junior A hockey for the Bearcats even earlier. “From a real young age I followed the Bearcats. When I played peewee up to playing two seasons major midget with Pictou County Weeks, I felt that playing for the junior Bearcats was the thing to do. During my younger years, I remember attending many of the Bearcats games at Colchester Legion Stadium. The place would be packed. It was exciting and a fun environment to be in.” Gloade, a quiet, friendly individual, appreciates having played his entire junior career with Truro. “I certainly liked playing all my junior hockey here,” Gloade told me. “I’m really happy about the opportunity I was given by the Bearcats. Knowing members of the coaching staff before I played on the team helped me with my outlook and preparation. It’s been a great experience playing these four years for the Bearcats.” Gloade said he’ll study and look at all hockey options following the completion of this 2013- 14 hockey season. Gloade has a lot going for him, including size and plenty of hockey ability. Importantly, Gloade is also a real team player and he has an outstanding attitude. But for now it’s all about the 7 p. m. opening faceoff at the RECC tonight when Gloade and the Bearcats host the Wildcats. Like Gloade said, “we’re going to take it a period at a time and a game at a time.”