Busy month as Bruins prepare for new season

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Front office changes, player trades and exhibition games: the last few weeks have been busy for the Uxbridge Bruins as they approach a new season and the hustle continues this weekend with their appearance at the annual Alliston Hornets exhibition tournament.

The Bruins recently announced that Trevor Cox will take over the position of general manager. He replaces Jay Simmonds, who was named team president at the annual general meeting earlier this summer. Cox was assistant GM under Simmonds and also served as an assistant coach.

Last month, the Bruins opened their pre-season schedule with a 2-1 victory over the Stayner Siskins in Wasaga Beach. The exhibition tour continued with a game against the Orillia Terriers at the Uxbridge arena on Tuesday, and then moves to the Alliston tournament this weekend.

The real action starts with the first game of the 2024-25 season on Sept. 20, when the Bruins face the Ice in Georgina. The home opener will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, against the Clarington Eagles, with the opening face-off at 6:15 p.m. To mark the occasion, the team is offering free admission to all local young players who arrive with a paying adult and wearing their North Durham Warriors, North Durham Blades, Brock Wild, or Sunderland Stingerz jersey.

The Bruins will be facing a different set of opponents this year. The PJHL's Orr Division sees the Schomberg Cougars and Caledon Golden Hawks joining, while the division's northern-most teams, the Lakefield Chiefs and North Kawartha Knights, will move over to the Todd Division.

There will also be some new faces on the Bruins bench with the acquisition of forward Mateo Geurrieri from the Port Perry LumberJacks, Joe Boice from the Eagles and Jordan Bonner, who played with the Oshawa Generals Under 16 team. Among returning players are Ryan Shier, Evan Gilbert and Tanner Ryan. Leaving the team is Jack Davis, who was traded to Clarington.

Finally, the Bruins have put out a call for game day volunteers. From high school students to retirees, the club needs volunteers who can commit to being at the arena for home games from 7 p.m. to 10.pm.