The Bobcats Remembered

THE BOBCATS REMEMBERED By: James Hurst

BELLEVILLE

The history of the Bobcats is really a tale of two Chris Rutledge. He began as a stick boy, then cities. The team began playing in 1972, at the became trainer for the Bobcats and the Bulls. Junior B level, but moved to Trenton when the Bob Ricketts, Doug Murray, Russ Soule, George Belleville Bulls began playing at the Quinte Sports Rutledge, and Ted Soule all helped out in the Centre in 1981. They returned to Belleville for a brief period from 1987 to 1989. At that point in time, the team was purchased and moved to Wellington, and early days. Bob Boyle and Meehan Bonnar coached the team for BOBCATS became the Dukes, a franchise which still exists. one year. Moe Hunter and Floyd Crawford served The very nature of Junior hockey is that players are together the Bobcats, then out of Trenton, captured the Sutherland Cup. for a short period of time. Most of the time, they get two or They defeated the Windsor Bulldogs in four straight games to three years with the same teammates. Occasionally, a player win the Ontario Championship. might get a fourth year as an “overage” player. For most of the Bobcats, the team concept was critical. Once a Bobcat, always The team from 1975-76 won the league championship, a Bobcat. knocking off their opponents from the Metro Junior “B” League. There was junior hockey in Belleville prior to the 1972 crowds were enthusiastic, perhaps intimidating. Many future season. The team was called the Fairways, who played with NHL stars made appearances at the Memorial, including moderate success. Once the 1972-73 season got underway, Wayne Gretzky. He slipped three goals in the Belleville net, but that all changed. The managers, coaches, and the owners had was outscored by Eric Powell of the Bobcats. experienced the frenzy that went with the experience with the McFarlands. They knew that if they put an exciting brand of The Bobcats were a stepping stone for young Belleville boys hockey on the ice at the Memorial Arena, they could attract to move on to many different levels of hockey: American good crowds. And so they did. scholarships for some, professional ranks for others. Fond Fans lined up to watch the Bobcats, but Jim “Snipe” Matthews, longtime team manager, made sure that the crowds never exceeded the capacity. Smoking was permitted in those days, and when the puck was dropped for the third period, it was CALLING ALL ALUMNI!!! SEE POSTER ON OPPOSITE PAGE always a little foggy. Bob Temple, a Belleville lawyer, served for OR VISIT WWW.WELLINGTONDUKES.COM several years as owner and assistant manager. No one served hockey in Belleville longer, nor more diligently than trainer longer terms behind the bench, Floyd was coaching when The Toronto area teams did not enjoy playing in Belleville. The memories of the great game of hockey.