Acadia Axemen Hockey

Exhibition: SMU Huskies vs Acadia in Truro

Posted on September 17, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Atlantic University Sport exhibition hockey comes to the town of Truro, NS on Wednesday, September 20th as the Saint Mary’s Huskies battle your Acadia Axemen. Be sure to get out to the Rath Eastlink Community Centre to catch the action, puck drop is set for 7pm.

The contest is a fundraising game for the Truro Bearcats major bantam hockey program. Tickets are $5, while kids five and under will be admitted free of charge.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticket Pro (www.ticketpro.ca) or at the RECC box office.

Posted in Team Stories

Axemen Alumnus signs with Witchita

Posted on September 14, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Thunder Adds Acadia Product Makin

Story courtesy of wichitathunder.com

Wichita, KS (Sept. 14th) – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and powered by Toyota, announced today the signing of forward Taylor Makin.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play for the Thunder,” stated Makin. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Coach Cameron and am looking forward to playing for him. I’m excited to play in Wichita as I’ve been told awesome things about the fans, the organization and the city and I can’t wait to get the season started!”

Makin, 25, turns pro after playing the last four years at Acadia University (USports). A native of Blairmore, Alberta, the 6-foot, 202-pound forward collected 19 points (6g, 13a) and 147 penalty minutes in 71 career games for the Axemen.

“Taylor is a high energy, physical presence on the ice,” said Head Coach Malcolm Cameron. “He plays 100 miles an hour, 100% of the time. We look forward to seeing his energy in a Thunder jersey.” Read more ›

Posted in Alumni News

Axemen Alumnus Anderson Heads to EIHL

Posted on August 2, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Edinburgh Capitals sign Canadian forward Dylan Anderson

Story courtesy ofedinburghnews.scotsman.com by Ross Dewar

The 26-year-old, who can play both wing and centre, has signed his first professional contract having spent the last five years playing in the Canadian University League – last season with Queens University following a four-year spell with Acadia University, where he was a team-mate of Caps recent signing Mike Cazzola.

Anderson revealed Cazzola, last season’s East Coast Hockey League rookie of the year, was instrumental behind his move to the Capital and now the duo can’t wait to team up again at Murrayfield. “The team contacted me a while back and things were all worked out pretty quickly,” Anderson explained. “We [Anderson and Cazzola] played four years together at Acadia, he’s a tremendous player and a big part in me deciding to come to Edinburgh. He was a big reference for me, which I appreciate, and we’re both excited to be back playing together and help Edinburgh win games.”

Anderson looks the ideal replacement for Taylor MacDougall, who last month asked to be released from the second year of his contract, and appears to revel in the workmanlike role that is so important to any team craving success.

Asked to describe himself when on the ice, Anderson said: “I’m a big skating centre-man who can play a strong game defensively, and I’m good in all three zones. I’m reliable, good on the penalty kill and strong on face-offs.” Last season Anderson bagged ten goals and eight assists in 38 appearances as Queens University reached the play-off quarter finals. He now hopes he can replicate that kind of form with his new club.

He said: “They’ve told me they like the fact that I can play wing or centre and that I can jump on to that third line and just play my game and do what I do best, playing strong defensively and killing penalties.

“I’ve always wanted to play professionally in Europe, this is a big goal of mine.”

Axemen Great Signs with EIHL’s Fife Flyers

Posted on July 28, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Heelis Looking to Make an Impact for Fife

Story courtesy of the Fife Flyers

Fife Flyers sponsored by Arnold Clark Mercedes-Benz are delighted to confirm the signing of Canadian forward, Liam Heelis.

Heelis joins Flyers having just finished a Masters Degree in Sports Psychology at McGill University in Montreal. Heelis brings versatility to the line-up being able to play in all 3 forward positions.

Heelis was part of the Owen Sound Attack side that captured an OHL championship in 2011, having spent the previous 3 seasons playing with Peterborough Petes.

Over his 4 years in the OHL, Heelis iced in 265 games scoring 56 goals and 66 assists.

Despite not playing last season due to commitments completing his Masters degree Heelis, 26, has spent the previous 5 seasons icing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport league with Acadia University from 2011 to 2015, being named team captain in his final 2 seasons, as well as icing for McGill University in 2015/16.

During his 5 years in the CIS Heelis iced in 160 games scoring 72 goals and 96 assists.

In 2013/14 Heelis was awarded the CIS Player of the Year, just one of many awards he picked up that season, including a gold medal at the University World Championships with Team Canada playing alongside Lucas Bloodoff, older brother of new Flyers signing Evan Bloodoff. Read more ›

Posted in Alumni News

Acadia Hockey Showcase Recap

Posted on July 28, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Posted in Team Stories

Acadia Hockey Showcase Schedule

Posted on July 23, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

2002 GROUP SCHEDULE

THURSDAY

11:15am: REGISTRATION

11:45-12:15pm: SUMMER CONDITIONING/SUPPLEMENTS PRESENTATION

12:45-2:15pm: ON-ICE (GREENWOOD LEAD)

3-4pm: OFF-ICE

5:30-7pm: ON-ICE (GUITE LEAD)

FRIDAY

8:30-9:30am: NCAA PRESENTATION

10-11:30am: ON-ICE (GREENWOOD LEAD)

11:30-12:30pm: LUNCH/REST

12:30-1:30pm: MAJOR JUNIOR PRESENTATION

1:45-2:45pm: ON-ICE (MIDGLEY LEAD)

3-4pm: ACADIA CAMPUS TOUR

4:45-6:15pm: ON-ICE SKILL STATIONS SESSION (GUITE LEAD)

SATURDAY

8:45-9:45am: ON-ICE (YOUNG LEAD)

10-11am: BREAK

11:15-12:15pm: ON-ICE (Scrimmage/3vs3/Small area games)

2003/2004 GROUP SCHEDULE

THURSDAY

10:30am: REGISTRATION

11-12:30pm: ON-ICE (GREENWOOD LEAD)

1-1:30pm: SUMMER CONDITIONING/SUPPLEMENTS PRESENTATION

2-3pm: OFF-ICE

3:45-5:15pm: ON-ICE (GUITE LEAD)

FRIDAY

8-9:30am: ON-ICE (GREENWOOD LEAD)

10-11am: NCAA PRESENTATION

11-12pm: REST/LUNCH

12:15-1:15pm: ON-ICE (MIDGLEY LEAD)

1:45-2:45pm: MAJOR JUNIOR PRESENTATION

3-4:30pm: ON-ICE SKILL STATIONS SESSION (GUITE LEAD)

SATURDAY

7:30-8:30am: ON-ICE (YOUNG LEAD)

8:45-9:45am: BREAK

10-11am: ON-ICE (Scrimmage/3vs3/small area games)

Posted in Team Stories

Mooseheads Coach Added to Acadia Showdown

Posted on July 19, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Jim Midgley named a guest coach for Acadia hockey camp

Acadia hockey announced today that they have added Halifax Mooseheads newly named head coach Jim Midgley as a guest coach to the Acadia Showdown hockey camp which runs from Thursday July 27^th – Saturday, July 29^th for age groups born 2002-2004. Midgley joins a star studded group of guest coaches including his Halifax Assistant Coach Jon Greenwood, Valley Wildcats Jr A Head Coach Travis Young, University of Maine Coach Ben Guite, Goaltending coach Charles Grant, with off-ice training led by Acadia’s Elliott Richardson.

Acadia Axemen head coach Darren Burns welcomed his former Axemen assistant coach to the event saying, “We are so pleased to be able to have Jim here for the showcase. Having a coach of his caliber coming in to work with the kids is going to be an exceptional opportunity for the players.”

Midgley becomes the Mooseheads 10th coach in franchise history as he enters his seventh season on the Halifax bench after serving as an Assistant Coach under Dominique Ducharme from 2011-2016 and Andre Tourigny last season. The Cole Harbour resident has also worked as an Assistant Coach with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Acadia Axemen and has held multiple roles with Hockey Canada and Hockey Nova Scotia. Jim had a very successful junior hockey career in the OHL before starring for the Saint Mary’s Huskies in the AUS.

Coach Burns summed his thoughts on the announcement up saying, “Jim was hired by one of the most prestigious franchises in the CHL for a reason. To have him coming to Acadia to help guide the kids over the weekend is very exciting for our program.”

The Acadia Showcase camp runs from Thursday July 27^th – Saturday, July 29^th for age groups born 2002-2004.

To register please click the following link:

https://central2.acadiau.ca/my/camps?step=1

For any questions please contact:

Kris MacDonald – Asst. Coach

E-mail: kris.macdonald@acadiau.ca

Cell #: (306)-216-1079

Posted in Team Stories

Register Now, Bantam/Midget Camp!

Posted on July 5, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

ACADIA HIGH PERFORMANCE BANTAM/MIDGET PREP TRAINING CAMP

The Program:

This program is aimed at providing Bantam & Midget players an opportunity to train together in a very competitive environment; and help prepare players for their training camps. This high performance camp will consist of six sessions that will be 75 minutes long. The sessions will include flow drills, battle drills & scrimmaging.

Session will be lead by:

Darren Burns – Head Coach Acadia Axemen

Kris MacDonald – Asst. Coach Acadia Axemen

Dates and Times

**All ice times at Acadia Arena

Tues July 25^th – 6:00pm-7:15pm

Mon July 31^st – 10:45am-12:00pm

Tues Aug 1^st – 10:45am-12:00pm

Wed Aug 2^nd – 10:45am-12:00pm

Thurs Aug 3^rd – 10:45am-12:00pm

Friday Aug 4^th – 10:45am-12:00pm

**We can also add more sessions after August 4^th if there is interest

Cost: $150 (Cheques payable to Acadia Hockey Camps)

To register please e-mail Kris MacDonald – kris.macdonald@acadiau.ca

Posted in Team Stories

Axemen great sets sights on Denmark

Posted on July 5, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Thompson signs with Herlev Eagles

He came, he saw, he dominated. And now he heads to Denmark to likely do the same for the Herlev Eagles.

Axemen coach Darren Burns expressed his excitement for Thompson saying, “We are extremely excited for Brett to have earned this contract. He has had a tremendous five years here for our our program. His statistics over the five years speak for itself and I believe he has earned a spot among the all time Acadia greats. His big game performances will always stand out in my memories of Brett as a player. He has developed into an excellent leader. There are many of our current players who chose our program because of their time they spent with Thomper when visiting Acadia. To me that speaks volumes about a players impact and what their peers think of him.”

Brett Thompson skated the past 5 seasons as an Acadia Axemen and he was a dominant force in University hockey. In 141 regular season games Thompson put up 151 points, including 60 goals. The 5’8” sniper was not only a regular season threat, in 30 post season games, Brett put up 29 points including 9 goals over his CIS career.

After a successful junior career in the OHL, the Sault Ste. Marie native came into the CIS with a bang, earning AUS All Rookie Team honors in 2012/13 with 26 points in 28 games. 2013-14 saw Thompson skate on arguably the most dominant line in CIS hockey with Liam Heelis and Mike Cazzola. The trio put up 117 points in the regular season, with Heelis taking home awards for top player in the nation. Acadia won the AUS championship for the season. 2014-15 was Thomper’s time to shine, scoring 19 goals and 38 points in 28 regular season games for the Axemen, and being named an AUS first all-star team member and a CIS All-Canadian second team member. Read more ›

Posted in Alumni News

McFarland joins NHL ranks as Florida Panthers Assistant Coach

Posted on June 24, 2017 by acadiaaxemenhockey

Axemen Alumnus & Former Captain hired in Florida

Acadia alumnus Paul McFarland, who suited up for the Axemen from 2006-2010, has been named assistant coach with the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

Axemen coach Darren Burns reflected on the Panthers hiring and his time coaching McFarland saying, “We are absolutely ecstatic about his new position with the Florida Panthers. It couldn’t have happened to a better person. We all knew at Acadia that Paul was destined to coach in the NHL, but to see it happen at such a young age shows what he has already accomplished in his short coaching career. He is arguably the best leader I have encountered in sports.

In spending 1 hour with him as a 20 year old when he played for the Windsor Spitfires, I knew he was a guy we needed to lead our program. His work ethic, passion, and integrity, make everyone around him better everyday. “

Paul was the captain of Acadia for three years and shared his thoughts on his time at Acadia back in 2010 in this clip: