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!
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Bears Hockey Team, 1989
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Jim Scott and Stephen ‘Gio’ Gianni, 1993
Bear Hockey All-time GreatsIn 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 BearsIn 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 AlumniIn 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 | — | — | — | |