South Shore Lumberjacks

South Shore Lumberjacks
City:	Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada
League:	Maritime Junior A Hockey League (2008-2023) Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League (2023-present)
Division:	Eastlink
Founded:	2004 (Halifax Wolverines)
Home Arena:	Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre
Colors:	Polar Night Blue, White, Aviator Blue, Silver, Goal Red
Owner(s):	Larry Creaser
General Manager:	Brad Muise
Head Coach:	Brogan Bailey
Franchise history
2004-2008:	Halifax Wolverines
2008-2014:	Bridgewater Lumberjacks
2014-2023:	South Shore Lumberjacks
2023-present:	West Kent Steamers
2023-present:	South Shore Lumberjacks'

The South Shore Lumberjacks are a Junior B ice hockey team based out of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. They play their home games at the 1300 seat Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The current incarnation of the team is a member of the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League coming into existence after the Maritime Junior A Hockey League version of the Lumberjacks relocated to Grand-Bouctouche, New Brunswick following the 2022-23 playing season and then the Liverpool Privateers relocated to Bridgewater during the same off-season.

Junior A History

This franchise was born as the Halifax Wolverines in 2004, on the same day the former Halifax Team Pepsi relocated to New Glasgow to become the Weeks Crushers. Interestingly enough, Bridgewater was also considered as a destination for Team Pepsi.

Team Pepsi had struggled in Halifax's crowded hockey market and it was no different for the Wolverines.

In 2008, the Wolverines decided to test the waters outside the city. They played a pair of regular season games in Bridgewater and attracted a combined 1,500 spectators to Bridgewater Memorial Arena. They also played two games in Kentville but ultimately Bridgewater was chosen as the team's new home. Shortly after the end of the season, the relocation to the south shore's largest town was announced.

On June 7, 2008 the club's new name, major sponsor, logo, and colors were announced. The Lumberjacks name was chosen through a name the team contest. The moniker pays tribute to Lunenburg County's forestry, logging and Christmas tree industry.

The team colors are Navy Blue, Red and White.

2008-09

The Lumberjacks' inaugural season saw growing pains on and off the ice. Attendance wasn't as strong as the team had hoped it would be. Halfway through the campaign, ownership switched to local ties. The new bosses immediately dropped ticket prices, which resulted in larger crowds coming through the gates during the second half.

On the ice, the team finished fifth out of six teams in the Bent Division. Bridgewater earned the right to play the Weeks Crushers in a best-of-3 mini series. The Crushers swept the brief encounter 2-0.

2009-10

The Lumberjacks second season was a success. They won their best of 3 mini-series 2 games to none. They gave Truro a good run in the next round but ended up losing in 6 games.

The team would be renamed the South Shore Lumberjacks in 2014.

On April 23, 2023, the transfer of the Lumberjacks to the JK Irving Centre in Grand-Bouctouche, New Brunswick for the 2023-24 season. The team would be announced as being renamed the West Kent Steamers.

Junior B History

On July 7, 2023 the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League announced the realocation of the Liverpool Privateers to the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia for the 2023-24 season replacing the South Shore Lumberjacks of the Maritime Junior Hockey League who had relocated to Grand-Bouctouche, New Brunswick for the 2023-24 season. On July 13th the team announced they would assume the tradition Bridgewater Junior South Shore Lumberjacks moniker.

Season-by-season record

Junior A

Season	GP	W	L	T	OL	GF	GA	P	Results	Playoffs
2004-05	56	14	38	2	2	148	254	32	12th MJAHL	DNQ
2005-06	56	16	34	0	6	192	255	38	11th MJAHL	DNQ
2006-07	58	34	19	0	5	247	210	73	6th MJAHL	Lost Division Final
2007-08	58	18	33	-	7	166	242	43	10th MJAHL
2008-09	53	18	26	-	9	164	202	45	9th MJAHL	Lost Division Mini Series
2009-10	50	21	23	-	6	179	213	48	7th MJAHL	Lost Division Semi-final
2010-11	52	24	26	-	2	219	237	50	8th MHL	Lost Division Semi-final
2011-12	52	15	36	-	1	166	258	31	10th MHL	DNQ
2012-13	52	10	39	-	0	144	255	23	9th MHL	Lost Division Mini Series
2013-14	52	5	40	-	7	123	269	17	11th MHL	DNQ
2014-15	48	16	29	-	3	144	169	35	10th MHL	DNQ
2015-16	48	24	21	-	3	138	142	51	10th MHL, 4th South	Lost South final
Season	GP	W	L	OL	SL	GF	GA	P	Results	Playoffs
2016-17	50	17	30	2	1	171	232	37	10th MJAHL, 5th South	DNQ
2017-18	50	31	15	2	2	193	132	66	t-4th MJAHL, T-2nd South	W. DSF 4-3 (Ramblers) L, DF 1-4 (Mariners)
2018-19	50	27	20	3	0	211	200	57	t-5th MJAHL, 3rd South	W. DSF 4-3 (Ramblers) L, DF 2-4 (Mariners)
2019-20	52	26	22	4	-	182	186	56	9th MJAHL, 5th South	DNQ
2020-21	34	6	26	0	2	79	142	.206	12th MJAHL, 7th South	Playoffs suspended
2021-22	39	7	28	2	2	86	159	18	12th MJAHL, 6th South	DNQ
2022-23	52	10	39	2	1	130	250	23	12th MJAHL, 6th South	DNQ

Junior B

Season	GP	W	L	OL	SL	GF	GA	P	Results	Playoffs
2023-24	32	24	7	1	0	142	89	49	2nd Fox	Lost Final

External links

• Bridgewater Lumberjacks official web site