Muskoka Bears (PJHL)
The Muskoka Bears are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team based in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL). The last time Bracebridge had a junior C team was the Bracebridge Bears 1974-78. In between the Jr C affiliations Bracebridge had junior teams involved with the independent Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League and the Canadian International Hockey League.
| Muskoka Bears | |
|---|---|
| City | Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada |
| League | Provincial Junior Hockey League |
| Division | Carruthers |
| Founded | 2012 (refounded 2024) |
| Home arena | Muskoka Lumber Community Centre |
| Colours | Brown, Orange and Black |
| Owner(s) | not-for-profit |
| General manager | Mike Carlsson |
| Head coach | Jason Dawe 2024 |
| Franchise history | |
| 2012–2014 | Bracebridge Phantoms |
| 2014–2016 | Bracebridge Blues |
| 2024–preset | Muskoka Bears |
History
The Bracebridge Blues were a Canadian Junior ice hockey team based in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL).
The Phantoms were announced on April 14, 2012, by the GMHL. In 2014, after a rough season and some ownership woes, the team was supposed to move out of the GMHL and into the rival Canadian International Hockey League.[1] The GMHL ownership stepped in and stopped the move. In April 2014, the ownership of the team was changed by the league and the team became the Bracebridge Blues.[2] After playing five games and forfeiting the sixth game of the 2016–17 season, the Blues were removed from the GMHL schedule.
The Provincial Junior Hockey League announced the Muskoka Bears as an expansion team starting in the 2024 season. The team was placed in the North Conference in the Carruthers Division.
Season-by-season standings
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Results | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bracebridge Phantoms | ||||||||||
| 2012–13 | 42 | 28 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 263 | 174 | 58 | 3rd GMHL | Won Div. Semifinal 3–0 (South Muskoka Shield) Lost Div. Final 3–4 (Temiscaming Titans) |
| 2013–14 | 42 | 19 | 19 | — | 4 | 199 | 221 | 42 | 11th GMHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals 2–3 (Rama Aces) |
| Bracebridge Blues | ||||||||||
| 2014–15 | 42 | 10 | 32 | — | 0 | 140 | 286 | 20 | 4th NC Div. - 19th GMHL | Lost Conf. Elim. Rd 1 0-– (Knights of Meaford) |
| 2015–16 | 42 | 19 | 20 | — | 3 | 194 | 220 | 41 | 6th Northern Div. - 18th GMHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 1–3 (Spartans) |
| 2016–17 | 6 | 0 | 6 | — | 0 | 15 | 71 | 0 | Folded mid-season | |
| Muskoka Bears | ||||||||||
| 2024–25 | ?? of 8 Carruthers ??of 63 PJHL | pending | ||||||||
References
- McShane, Kelly (2014-04-02). "New beginning for the team formerly known as Phantoms". Bracebridge Examiner. Metroland Media. Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
- Sitler, Matt (2014-04-23). "Agreement would pave the way for new junior 'A' hockey club to operate out of Bracebridge Memorial Arena". Moose FM 105.5. Archived from the original on 2014-05-18. Retrieved 2014-09-16.