TRURO - The Truro Bearcats are getting some help in reinforcing their blueline.
Patrick Downe, a 20-year-old New Maryland, N.B., native, is scheduled to arrive in the Hubtown today from the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL.
"We're getting a solid citizen and a team player and a good solid defenceman with a lot of experience," Bearcats general manager and head coach Shawn Evans said.
Downe, six feet, 195-pounds, was traded last week from Moncton to the defending Memorial Cup champion Shawinigan Cataractes after notching a goal and an assist in six gams for the Wildcats.
The addition comes at a perfect time for the Bearcats, who recently lost defenceman Zach Evans-Renaud following a four-month jail sentence for leaving the scene of an accident.
"To be able to replace (Evans-Renaud) is really good for our team," Evans said. "We'll have Patrick and get Zach back at Christmastime and that's a pretty solid group of D and puts us in pretty good shape."
Downe was drafted in 2009 by the Bearcats and has been kept on Truro's protected list since. Downe has skated with the Wildcats since 2009-10, playing in 180 games. His best season was last year when he recorded three goals and 15 assists.
"We had a number of players his age on our protected list and didn't get any this summer so to have him want to come here this season is huge for us," Evans said, adding Downe is a responsible player at both ends of the ice.
Downe is joining a Bearcats squad off to a perfect 8-0 start to the Maritime Junior Hockey League season after cruising to a 7-3 win over the Metro Shipbuilders in front of 539 fans Saturday at Colchester Legion Stadium. Truro is the lone unbeaten squad in the 11-team circuit.
Brandon Pye, Kyle Morrison and Mitchel Scott each scored twice for Truro while Philip Fife added the single tally. Rookie Jacob Fancy made 24 saves for his second victory of the season.
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