Headed for Halifax

TRURO - Former Truro Bearcats goaltender Kirk Rafuse has landed with the Halifax Wolverines after a goaltenders game of musical chairs across two levels of junior hockey.
Bearcats coach and general manager Shawn Evans loaned the 17-year-old Kentville native to the Wolverines for the remainder of the season late Wednesday and picked up a third-round draft choice in 2009 as the Maritime Junior A Hockey League's trade deadline approached at midnight last night.
Rafuse, who has spent the season with the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, will join his new team Sunday in Yarmouth.
Although he's not returning to Truro, where he won a MJAHL title with the Bearcats in his rookie season last year, Rafuse said he's excited to get the chance to play more.
"I would have liked to come back to Truro but I needed a place to go play for the rest of the year," he said. "To get some more ice time is great."
With Jonathan Bernier being sent back to the Maineiacs by the Los Angeles Kings early in the season and backup Peter Delmas playing solidly, Lewiston coach Ed Harding didn't have many minutes to offer Rafuse and thought it would be best to send him back to Truro where he could continue to develop and return to Lewiston next season.
But with Truro set in goal with Pierre-Alexandre Marion and Luke Gallant, Evans didn't have much to offer either.
"Lewiston is looking for a place for Kirk to play games," Evans said. "Pierre is playing the games here. I'm happy with my guys. Pierre's my guy and Luke has earned his way here."
Rafuse was drafted in the sixth round, 108th overall, by Lewiston in the 2007 QMJHL entry draft. So far this season he has a 5.17 goals against average in 22 appearances and a 2-0 record.
Evans said he feels everybody wins in the deal.
"I'm happy to stockpile picks because that's how we build this team and continue to be successful and Kirk will get the chance to play and Halifax gets a good young goalie for the rest of the season. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in winning we forget to help the kids."
Although he's disappointed to be leaving Lewiston, Rafuse said he's just happy he'll get the chance to log some minutes.
"I just want to get some games in and get some experience."
Earlier in the week the Bearcats sent defenceman Justin Russell to the Miramichi Timberwolves for a fourth-round pick in 2008 and a fifth rounder in 2009. They also acquired Adam Laite from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's OCN Blizzard for future considerations.
Laite will be playing with Truro tonight on a line with KC Brown and Mike Veysey as the Bearcats kick off the first of three games this weekend in Restigouche at 7:30 p.m. They face Miramichi Saturday before hosting the Woodstock Slammers at Colchester Legion Stadium at 2 p.m. Sunday.

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