The Bears

Bears Hockey was founded in 1986. The Bears had many successful seasons playing in Hockey North America and the Pacific Hockey Association before settling into the Oakland Ice Center’s Adult Hockey League when Andre Lacroix, former National Hockey League and World Hockey Association All-time Points Leader, opened the facility in 1996. The Bears played at rinks in Belmont, Berkeley, Redwood City, Dublin, Cupertino and San Jose and never missed post-game beers at the local bars. The team traveled to tournaments in Burbank, Las Vegas and Reno, won two championships and finished second more times than anybody wants to remember.

Below you can view a complete compiled roster as well as view the All-Time Great Bear players. Relive the colorful last ‘active’ year of the Bears all over again. Read the game recaps!

Bears Hockey Team, 1989
Bears Hockey Team, 1989
Jim and Gio, 1993
Jim Scott and Stephen ‘Gio’ Gianni, 1993

 

Bear Hockey All-time Greats

In alphabetical order

Name No. Position First Year Current Team Notable
Thor Dahle 11 Forward 1990 Oslo League
Stephen Gianni 6 Forward/Defense 1989 Retired (Hellcats)
Ted Holman 35 Goalie 1998 Hellcats Wednesday
Eric Horschman 4 Forward/Defense 1989 Hellcats Sunday
Mark Karma 41 Forward/Defense  1998 Hellcats Wednesday
Bob “Spike” Kelly 11 Forward 1991 Retired
Tuomas Lumikko 17 Forward 1996 Hellcats Sunday/Hellcats Tuesday
Paul McClellan 9 Defense 1989 Arizona Leagues
Tim Montague 16 Forward 1987 Anchorage League
Steve Nelson 21 Forward 1986 Retired (Hellcats)
Dave Ramsey 12 Defense 1987 Retired (Hellcats)
Jim Scott 5 Forward/Defense 1986 Hellcats Sunday/Hellcats Thursday
Kip Whiteman 10 Forward 1991  Retired

 

Distinguished Bears

In alphabetical order

Name No. Position First Year Current Team Note
Steve Nelson 21 Center 1986 Retired Club President, Bears founding member
Steve Gianni 66 Center 1986 Retired Bears Legacy member

 

Bear Hockey Alumni

In alphabetical order

Name No. Position First Year Current Team Notable
Sean Ahlquist
Boni Bigornia
Don Bruzdzinski 18 Forward
Sean Burke Defense 1986
Kevin Byrne 14 Defense 1997 Retired (Hellcats)
Chris Campbell
John Colletto
Ben D’Ewart 16 Defense
Brad Davis 14 Forward 1990
Thor Dahle 11 Forward 1990
Ron Desmarais 15 Forward 1989 Cupertino League
Karl Erickson 24 Forward 1986 Retired
Noah Gelfand 10 Forward
Jim Giolitto 16 Forward 1997
Jeff Gong 7 Forward 1987
John Grossi 35 Goalie San Mateo League
Gary Ferragamo Forward 1988
Mike Fletcher 24 Forward Hellcats Thursday
Alex Foos 34
Stephen Gianni 6 Forward/Defense Retired (Hellcats)
Mike Gwynn
Eric Handlow 3 Forward
Pat Hayes Goalie 1986 Fog
Ryan Hegman 00 Forward Minnesota Pond Hockey Leagues
Ted Holman 35 Goalie Hellcats Wednesday
Eric Horschman 4 Forward/Defense 1989 Hellcats Sunday
Karl Isotalo 2 Defense 1986 Retired
Steve Jablow 21 Goalie 1989 Institutionalized
Mark Karma 41 Forward/Defense Hellcats Wednesday
Bob “Spike” Kelly 11 Forward 1991 Retired
Jay Khan 9 Forward/Defense 1997
Don King 1986 Retired
Mark Lajoi 9 Forward Kingfish
Tuomas Lumikko 17 Forward 1996 Hellcats Sunday/Hellcats Tuesday
Chris Legg 1996
Pierre LePage 21 Forward 1991 Montreal League
Mark McCord Forward 1986
Paul “The Hammer” McClellan 9 Defense 1989 Arizona Leagues
Brian MacDonell 26 Forward San Mateo League
Rob MacDonell Forward
Alex Mawhinney Forward
David Mease 19 Forward 1990 Retired
Tim Montague 16 Forward 1987 Anchorage League
Jason Moreau 10 Forward Skateful Dead A
Jim Moretti Forward 1986
Steve Nelson 21 Forward 1986 Retired (Hellcats)
Peter Parkinson 88 Forward 1991 Ottawa League
Dave Ramsey 12 Defense 1987 Retired (Hellcats)
Richard Raye 13 Goalie 1991
Jim Rayold 20 Forward 1989
Lars Richardson 24 Forward 1990
Misha Rosenberg 13 Defense 1987
Ted Rowlands 7 Forward/Defense 1995 Does Not Play
David Salustri Defense VEO & Fremont League
Jim Scott 5 Forward/Defense Hellcats Sunday/Hellcats Thursday
Rafi Silberblatt 0
Mark Simon-Cotton 14 Forward
Eric Soffin
Jeff Surowitz 18
Tony Tattersfield 8 Forward 1988
Steve Torpey Forward
Bob Tranchida 80 Forward
Bill Ward 28 Forward
Kip Whiteman 10 Forward 1991
Gary Wiederman 40