The countdown to the Cape Breton Eagles’ 30th anniversary season is finally over. “It’s going to be a great year,” said third-year defenceman Aiden McCullough. “We just try and block the noise out.” The chatter heading into the season includes the fact that in three decades, the Eagles have never won a Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) championship or even made it to a league final. This year, the team has added several veteran players in an all-in push to try to change that. “It’s good to know that people know we’re going to be strong,” McCullough said. “We know ourselves that we have a great team here.” Looking to spoil Friday night’s home opener were the Halifax Mooseheads, who are also expected to have a strong season. “It’s exciting,” said Brad Cuzner, manager of hockey operations for the Halifax team. “Cape Breton is going to be a great team. They’re going to be hard to play against.” A Glace Bay, N.S., native, Cuzner is a Cape Bretoner who works for the Mooseheads and used to play for both teams. That gives him a unique perspective on the rivalry, often referred to as the Battle of Nova Scotia. However, he added that there are other Maritime teams that could contend. “Moncton is going to be good,” Cuzner said. “Saint John is going to be good. It’s going to be a tough division to get out of.” Although it is still mid-September, the hope heading into Friday’s home opener in Cape Breton is for a big crowd of more than 4,000 people. “Cape Bretoners are tough, man,” said Eagles majority owner Irwin Simon. “They should be. They want to win.” Only adding to the expectations: the Eagles are ranked number two in the country in the Canadian Hockey League’s preseason top 10. The Saint John Sea Dogs come in at number seven. Simon said while he is confident in the team assembled for this season, the preseason hype also comes with pressure. “When you’re ranked, it puts added pressure on,” Simon said. “It’s your 30th year and the expectations are tremendous so it absolutely does put pressure.” With a new playoff format this year in the QMJHL, what if Cape Breton and Halifax – or any two Maritime rivals – were to meet in the final? “That would be great,” Cuzner said. “As long as Halifax comes out on top, that would be fantastic.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
