The Wildcats wrapped-up the first quarter of their 2024-25 season on a high note by defeating the Pictou Crushers this past Sunday at the Apple Dome. Head Coach and GM Brandon Benedict is happy with where the team is at, but knows that there is still lots of work to be done.
16 games in, the Wildcats currently sit third in the MHL South division behind Summerside and Amherst with a record of 7-9 – scoring 56 goals in those 16 games. Home ice advantage is proving to be a help to the Wildcats. The Cats currently hold a record of 6-4 at The Dome, with wins against Pictou (x2), Yarmouth, Truro (x2) & Grand Falls.
Entering this season with a much younger team than in years past with , the re-tooled Cats bring what many are calling a much faster, more physical & even hungrier team to the ice this 2024-25 season.
FORWARDS
Staring up front, 17 year old forwards Jacob Rhyno and Luke Foley have impressed in their first full seasons with the team. Rhyno, a 2023 6th round draft pick currently sits tied for 7th in rookie scoring league-wide, with 8 points in 11 games, while the local product Luke Foley, drafted in 9th round of the 2023 MHL draft has tallied 3 points in 15 games played. Rookie 18-year old forwards Aidan Bent (2023 territorial draft pick), Brady Burke (acquired via trade this past summer), and Drew Lutz (2022 territorial draft pick) have also settled in to the league nicely, and have played a large role on the Wildcats team this season. Bent has suited up for 16 games with the Cats tallying 8 points, while the former Steele Subaru Burke has also has tallied 8 points in 15 games played. After spending part of last season with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, Drew Lutz returns for this is first full season in a Wildcats uniform. The highly-skilled Lutz has produced on a regular basis with the Cats, recording 9 points in 14 games played.
DEFENCE
“He’s one of the most exciting players to watch anytime he is on the ice.” says one Wildcats fan about rookie 18 year old defenceman Ryan Fletcher. Known for his work ethic and puck skills, Fletcher has been a staple on the Cats blue line since game 1. His 7 points in 16 games played tied him for the league lead in rookie scoring for a defenceman.
GOALIES
And in nets, the only 16-year old goaltender in the MHL, Will Cole. Cole has proven not only that he belongs in the MHL, but he has the ability to take games over. In 8 starts this season, The Moncton Wildcats draft pick currently sits with a 3.38 GAA to go along with a 0.896 SV %, and a record of 4-4 and a league-leading two shutouts.
Veteran players have also stepped it up a notch this season.
20-year-old forward Lucas Byrne has picked up right where he left off, leading the Wildcats in points with 21 in 15 games, putting him tied for 7th overall in league scoring. Behind him sits returning 20-year-old forward Cael MacDonald, who has produced 12 points in 15 games. Back for another season as captain of your Bage Valley Wildcats, local forward Dylan Manning is having a nice start to his season tallying 5 points in 14 games.
On the back end, newly acquired 20-year-old defenceman Jake Beardsmore has made his mark thus far with the Wildcats. The 6’2, 205lb Dartmouth, NS native continues to prove why many consider him to be one of the top defenceman league-wide. With 10 points (4G, 6A) in 16 games, Beardsmore sits tied for 7th in defenceman scoring league-wide. Returning defencemen Noah Befekadu, Braedon Hemenway, Dahnte Nackoney and Brady Wambolt also have played a large role in what has been a solid start defensively this season.
Your next chance to catch the Cats in action is this Friday night as the visiting Yamrouth Mariners are in town for a 7pm puck drop at the Apple Dome!