Hart to play pro hockey in Sweden

Junior A Bearcats grad signs with Söderhamn/ljusne

TRURO — Gavin Hart is getting to do something most young hockey players can only dream about.

The 21-year-old Bible Hill native has signed to play hockey next season with Söderhamn/ljusne HC, a Swedish Division 2 team.

“After the season ended, an agent reached out to me and offered to find me a contract there,” Hart said. “He thought I could play there.”

Söderhamn is where former Bearcats’ defenceman Zack Bennett played last season. It’s a town of about 11,000 people (comparable in size to Truro) on the Gulf of Bothnia, located approximately 250 kilometres north of Sweden’s capital, Stockholm.

“I don’t know a lot about the league, but I know it’s a pretty good league and it’s going to be fast. I know it’s going to be a challenge, but I know if I work hard, I will make something out of it.”

Hart played 160 games for the Jr. A Bearcats over four seasons. He was a territorial selection of the Bearcats at the 2017 MHL draft and had 10 goals and 18 assists in 47 games in his rookie season, as well as a goal and three assists in seven playoff games.

This past season, he had seven goals and 20 assists in 36 games as well as four goals and four assists in 17 playoff games as the Bearcats knocked off the Amherst Ramblers in five games and the Valley Wildcats in seven to win the Nova Scotia Jr. A and Eastlink South Division championship, before falling in five games to the Summerside Western Capitals in the Canadian Tire Cup.

“Coach (Shawn) Evans has been a big help in preparing me for this step, along with everyone else on the staff,” Hart said. “They really helped me along the way and because of that, it’s where I’m at today.”

Evans is very happy for him. “He’s a local boy that I’ve known for a long time. I’m very pleased for him,” Evans said. “You only live once and you only get play hockey for a limited time. It’s a great opportunity for him to go see another part of the world. It’ll be a great life experience.”

Evans thinks it’s a great place for Hart to start his pro career.

“When he plays with confidence he can be a really good hockey player,” Evans said. “Gavin can be hard on himself, but when he has that little ball of hate attitude, he can be very good. He doesn’t have to score to contribute and be noticed.”

Hart admits it’s going to be difficult not pulling on the Bearcats’ jersey next season after so many years playing both minor hockey and junior.

To prepare, Hart is working hard in the gym and is getting on the ice as much as possible. He also works an outdoor job landscaping, which is physically demanding.

“It’ll keep me in shape,” he said. “I want to go in the best shape possible.”

Hart said he has been in contact with the coach and team owner to help prepare for the next step on his hockey journey. He is hopeful Söderhamn will be a steppingstone to further opportunity.

“It’s a start, we’ll see how it goes and how I like it. It should be an awesome experience,” Hart said. “It’s a really great opportunity. I spoke to Zach about it and he had nothing bad to say about playing in Europe. He loved it.”

During his Jr. A career in Truro, and briefly with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, Hart was known for his gritty, in-your-face style of play that reminded people of Brad Marchand. Hart expects his style to fit into the European game, especially with the big ice surface where he can use his speed to create opportunities. And like he was in the MHL, Hart wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t continue to be a thorn in the side of opposing players.

“If I use my body and skate hard, I know I will be able to keep up with the play and make things happen,” Hart said. “I’m really looking forward to going there, it’s going to be quite an experience.”

When he gets to Sweden, he’ll be joined on the team by former Valley Wildcats’ forward Julian Vander Voet, who also signed with Söderhamn.