The Bearcats’ ‘Music Man’
Colchester teen Brayden Cream ready to provide tunes for upcoming provincials
“I like to pick some new songs and there are a few older ones I’ll throw in there sometimes. Get the crowd energized, that’s what I try to do.” Brayden Cream
TRURO - For 16-year-old Brayden Cream, playing music during stoppages in play at hockey games is the coming together of two of his passions – music and hockey.
Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) when he was only one, an inherited disorder characterized by rapidly worsening muscle weakness, Brayden started playing music during his younger brother Keenan’s games.
For the 2018-19 season, Ainsley Mullen, wife of Major U-15 Bearcats’ head coach Greg Mullen, asked him to do their games as well.
“I said, yes, I would like to do that,” Brayden said, adding he was “proud” to see Keenan suit up for a game with the Major U-15s this season, as a callup from the AA team.
“I like to pick some new songs and there are a few older ones I’ll throw in there sometimes,” Brayden said, adding his goal is to not let his song list become repetitive. “Get the crowd energized, that’s what I try to do,” Brayden said.
Brayden said he enjoys working the U-15 games, which are normally scheduled on Saturdays at 4 p.m. or 1 p.m. on Sundays at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre. In his setting up the game as far as lineups and on-ice officials, veteran announcer and timekeeper Harold Barkhouse always lets fans know Brayden will be handling the music to add to their enjoyment.
Brayden talked about having many friends pass through the team, especially the couple of years his age matched with the 13- and 14-years olds who suit up for the Bearcats. He counts former Bearcats’ captain and star defenceman Brayden Schmitt as not only one of those friends, but also his favourite former Major U-15 player.
The warm feeling is mutual for Schmitt, now in his second year with the Blainville Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He described Brayden as a “beam of light” anytime he saw him at the rink.
“All the players loved him and treated him with respect,” Schmitt said. “Sometimes, he would come down to the dressing room after a game, and it was always nice seeing him.
Schmitt said Brayden’s sunny disposition made tough losses easier to take.
“If it was after a loss, it was better just seeing him smiling,” he said.
Displayed prominently near the entrance to the Cream’s Valley, Colchester County home is a picture of Brayden as a sledge hockey player, given to him by Schmitt and his family. Brayden pointed out the appreciated gift also included a sweatshirt.
OTHER PASSIONS
Brayden played sledge hockey for a few years as well as wheelchair basketball.
His dad, Greg, said he loved both sports but had to give up the sledge as it became a little too difficult to play.
Greg added Brayden does enjoy a sport that is somewhat of a family trait – swimming.
“We love to swim,” Greg said as Brayden enthusiastically agreed.
“I love to do that,” Brayden said, adding his opportunities were impacted by the pandemic. “I swam less with all the restrictions and fewer people being allowed in the pool,” he said. “So I haven’t been in for a few months.”
As far as school, Brayden said his best subjects are ones that test his memory, like sciences and history, because he is good at studying and retaining information. With his senior year coming up next fall, he said his career thought right now is to attend the local Nova Scotia Community College and take a business course.
Brayden said he could see himself perhaps working as a consultant for businesses and organiwzations on accessibility. That idea came to him recently as he did exactly that for the reachabilty Association, which contacted him as part of their development of a report for the towns of Truro and Stewiacke, villages of Bible Hill and Tatamagouche, and Colchester County.
“They asked if I would come on a call and give them some ideas, thoughts, feedback,” Brayden said.
CHILDREN’S WISH
Getting back to his association with the Major U-15s, Brayden dropped the ceremonial opening puck at the team’s Make a Wish game last month, held in support of the Make a Wish Foundation.
Brayden had his ‘wish’ in 2013 when he and his family went to Disney World.
“It’s a magical place and I’ve always wanted to go there,” he said. “Really, because of all the rides, I like going on the rides.”
“He likes the wild rides … he is not scared at all,” Greg said, adding to the story.
Greg went on to talk about Brayden being a very social teen who, like most boys his age, likes to hang out with his friends and play video games.
“That was probably one of the biggest things for Reta (wife and mom) and I when we were first learning about all of this, how was he going to be perceived and all that,” he said. “But when anyone is with Brayden, they don’t see all of this (wheelchair). They see Brayden,” he said.
“We owe a lot to his character and everyday attitude.”
Greg said they also owe a lot to the Major U-15 organization.
“To Ainsley, Greg, Dave (Higgins) and Jon (Stanfield), all the players and coaching staff … I don’t think they realize what it has meant to him. It gives him a sense of purpose and he loves hockey so much.”
The U-15s will be hosting the provincials April 21 to 24 at the Colchester Legion Stadium. Music man Brayden said he’ll have no trouble making the move from the Bearcats’ regular home at the RECC.
“Yes, I’ve done it (stadium) there without any trouble,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”