Bancroft grew up in the small Ontario community of Madoc, Ontario, and was selected as 21st overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft (held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota) by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bancroft grew up in the small Ontario community of Madoc, Ontario playing his minor hockey for the local Madoc Minor Hockey Association clubs from novice to bantam. Selected 21st overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he played in 6 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks. The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. 
