The Kincardine Bulldogs are at the intersection of the past and the future.
The Bulldogs come into the 2024-25 PJHL season much younger than they were last year.
The team had 11 overage players eligible to come back and the team had to make some choices.
Those have been made and the team is a mix of veterans, experience and skilled youth.
But before we take a look at the roster, the Bulldogs lost a part of their family in August.
Doug Kennedy passed away on August 15, in his 70th year.
Kennedy was the force that brought junior hockey back to Kincardine, and for over 25 years moulded it into a success.
General Manager Warren Beisel was a good friend of Kennedy, and it’s been Beisel’s job over the past few seasons to continue the drive towards excellence.
“It was his energy and his initiative to bring Junior C hockey back to Kincardine,” said Beisel. “And over his 25 years plus with the organisation he did just about everything.”
For the Bulldogs, this season will be about the past and the future, remembering the fine details and the passion that Kennedy brought to local hockey along with driving towards future goals.
As mentioned earlier in this story, the Bulldogs had 11 overage players eligible to come back but could only take four.
Those returning four include Kincardine natives Jordan Moulton, Jordan Beisel and Wilson Shipp. Carter Servais (Listowel) will also suit up again. He was tied for second in team scoring with 23 goals and 40 points.
Leading scorer Liam Colhoun played his last season as a junior in 23-24.
The team has also added Aiden Yarde (Owen Sound) to their roster. Yarde has played at the junior level in the GOJHL with Elmira, CCHL with Brockville and spent last season with Halliburton in the OJHL.
Also turning heads in the preseason were rookies Dustin Heipel, Maddox Burgess, Sawyer Olmstead, Austin Dunlop and Wyatt Thomas.
“We’re excited with the youth movement and the energy that the kids are bringing,” stated Beisel.
As for goaltending, Rowan Cherrett (Kincardine) is returning. He carried a 2.53 GAA and .917 save percentage in 20 games last season. He ended with a 9-4-4 record with 2 shutouts.
Joining him is Ryan Tanner (Kincardine). The 20-year old returned to Kincardine after playing with the Bulldogs in 2021-22 and spent 2022-23 with the Fort Frances Lakers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League the following season.
Kincardine is aiming to keep pace with their performance last season in a competitive Pollock Division. The Bulldogs finished third in the regular season, then squeezed by Wingham in a seven game opening round playoff series. Kincardine then lost the second round in five games to Mount Forest.
“When you have people committed and dedicated, really want to scout and recruit and put a good product on the ice, we end up with eight teams that, on any given night, can beat anybody,” said Beisel.
And he is welcoming the challenge and hoping their efforts continue to bring out the community support that has been solid over the years.
“You certainly have to have a passion and love for the game,” said Beisel. “You can put as many hours as you want into it.”
Kincardine will open their season on the road this weekend with a couple of playoff rematches.
The Bulldogs are in Mount Forest Friday night at 8:30 p.m.
That will be followed by the Bulldogs’ home opener Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. versus the Wingham Ironmen.
For more on the upcoming Kincardine Bulldogs season, check out the full interview with GM Warren Beisel here, courtesy of Instigating with Clarkey and Drury: