Former NHLer McCarthy named Jr. Trappers head coach

Tom McCarthy speaks with the media the the Monday press conference. Submitted Photo.

Tom McCarthy is the new head coach of the North Bay Junior “A” Trappers. Tom was introduced at a press conference today at Memorial Gardens. His most recent coaching gig was last season with the Trenton Golden Hawks. But McCarthy’s resume is highlighted by helping the struggling Huntsville Otters of the OJHL turn things around from a team that was close to folding to making the league final 3 years in a row.

McCarthy is excited to bring back the buzz for Trappers hockey in North Bay.

"There are many different ways to be a winner. I use the expression that I teach life skills first and use hockey as the learning tool as hockey is one of the best things I know and do," said McCarthy.

The management of the Trappers is excited about McCarthy’s passion, experience and charisma.

“We had a lot of tremendous candidates who applied for this position, but Tom’s hockey background and his ability to develop young hockey players really stood out,” admitted Jr. Trappers President/GM Chris Dawson.

McCarthy seems keen on a philosophy of not only success on the ice for the players, but success off of it as well.
“Hockey is a chance to teach young men life skills that can be applicable on the ice and carry over to the street, and their personal lives so that they not only become better young men but also become better hockey players,” stated McCarthy.

Both the President/GM and the new coach mentioned how important becoming a part of the community is for the organization.

“I think Tom is going to become a big part of the community,” said Dawson.

McCarthy added: “I intend to become a North Bayite while I’m here.”

McCarthy is ready to go and believes his biggest challenge will be to get everyone on the same page as soon as possible.

"There may be some beliefs that need to be retrained, or overlapped that the player thought was okay last year but won’t be now,” said McCarthy.

Returning player Scott Pawson got to meet McCarthy before the press conference.

“He seems like a really good guy. It seems like he’s bringing a good philosophy here. I’m really looking forward to working with him,” stated Pawson.

McCarthy the Player

He was the number 1 overall pick in the 1977 OMJHL Midget Draft making him one of two players drafted ahead of Wayne Gretzky. He had 69 goals for the Oshawa Generals in the 1978-79 season.

In the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, he was chosen in the first round (tenth overall) by the Minnesota North Stars.

He was selected to play in the 1983 NHL All-Star Game and finished the season with 39 goals. McCarthy went on to play seven seasons for the North Stars and two for the Boston Bruins, finishing his career with 178 goals and 399 points. He had 12 goals and 38 points in the playoffs.