Wildcats – Year six - 2001-02

The winds of rebuilding change could be felt as the Wildcats launched their sixth season.

While they failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, finishing second last in the 16 team league with a record of 20 wins, 41 losses, 4 ties and 7 overtime losses, the youth movement was beginning the maturing process.

Midget sensation Steve Bernier was the Cats first draft pick, the power right winger netted 31 goals and set a team record for a 16 year old with 59 points, good for third place in team scoring. There were countless offers from other Q teams for Bernier’s services but Moncton was determined to hold on to the future star. The Wildcats had a second first round pick in the draft and wasted no time picking up Ken Dryden awarding winning goaltender Corey Crawford.  Along with second year goalie Matt Davis, Crawford made appearances in 38 games and had a respectable goals against average of 3.74 and an 88.9 save percentage.

“I have to give Frantz Bergevin-Jean a lot of the credit for my development. Right from the start, he worked with me on different aspects of my game and he definitely made me a better goalie,” Crawford said.

Other key cogs in the future look of the Wildcats included Karl Gagné, Kevin Glode, Ryan Salvis, Luke Pelham, Nathan Saunders and Salisbury native Bruce Graham, who appeared in only three games.

Patrick Thoresen was the European draft pick and set another team record, most points for a rookie with a total of 73.  James Sanford, in his second year with the team set another record scoring 19 goals, the most ever by a Moncton defenceman.  Free agent, Collin Circelli was a bright light for the team, over his two years with the Cats, he accumulated 128 points playing in 135 games, placing him 10th among Wildcats scorer.

There were negative records as well, 23 losses at home, and eight straight losses at the Coliseum.

A coaching change was made in mid-November when Tom Coolen was dismissed and long time assistant coach Christian La Rue took over behind the bench.  Darrell Young finished out the season as Director of Hockey Operations but was let go when the season ended.

The long range plan was beginning to take shape and a promising future was emerging.

Team Photo

View Individual Stats

QMJHL Standings 2001-02

2001 QMJHL Entry Draft

2001 CHL Import Draft