TRURO, N.S. – Persistence and hard work has paid off for Gavin Hart.
The Bible Hill native and former member of the Truro Jr. A Bearcats has made the Halifax Mooseheads’ roster for the upcoming Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season.
“I’ve been trying out there for the past three years and to crack the roster is obviously a big accomplishment and I’m very proud of myself and my family, and the coaching staff of the Truro Bearcats really helped me crack that roster and be the player I am today,” Hart, an 18-year-old right-winger, told the Truro News on Thursday.
Hart was selected by the Mooseheads in the 12th round, 203rd overall in the 2017 Q-league draft. He attended training camp in 2017 and 2018 and was one of the team’s final cuts both times. On Thursday, he was told by general manager Cam Russell during a meeting that he had made the team this season.
“I worked hard and a lot of dedication over the summer and I couldn’t be happier,” said Hart, who played a handful of games with the Mooseheads over the past two seasons as a call-up.
“It’s a high-class organization and you get nothing but the best there, and it’s a great feeling.”
Hart, five-foot-six, 160 pounds, had one goal in four pre-season games for Halifax. Playing as an undersized forward against bigger and stronger players throughout the process was no easy task, however, he held his own and felt he had a strong training camp and a real shot at making the team.
“It’s a lot tougher than you would imagine,” he said. “I’m not an overly big guy but you’ve just got to go into camp and have the right mindset and work as hard as you can to crack a spot on the roster.”
Hart played for the Bearcats for the past two seasons. He had 10 goals and 18 assists during his Maritime Junior Hockey League rookie year, and upped his point total last season with 16 goals and 15 helpers.
His role with the Mooseheads hasn’t been defined just yet, however, Hart hopes to bring “a lot of hard work and dedication” to the team.
Hart said his parents – Dale and Nicole – have been his biggest supporters over the years, and sharing the news with them was a thrill.
“My parents have definitely been rooting for me over the past years to make this team and to finally hear that I made it, they really couldn't be (happier) for me.”
