Skilled forward from Falmouth, NS joins Axemen

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome the Valley’s own Cole Burbidge to the hockey program. Cole a 6’1” forward from Falmouth, NS, joins the Axemen after 3 years in the QMJHL with the Saint John SeaDogs and most recently the Cape Breton Eagles.

We asked Burbidge what made him choose Acadia, and he said, “I knew it was a place where I could grow both as a hockey player and a student. I had great conversations with the coaching staff as well as current and former players, and everything they said made me feel like this was the right fit. I grew up just outside of Wolfville, which is a small town where the community and fans are passionate and always show up for the team. Acadia offers the opportunity to compete at a high level, earn a good education, and be part of a tradition.” 

Burbidge starred with the Valley (Kings Mutual) Wildcats of the NSMBHL back in 2019-20 scoring 80 points in just 32 games, adding 11 points in 2 playoff games. In the 2021 QMJHL draft, Cole was chosen 29^th overall, in the 2^nd round by the Saint John SeaDogs. After the pandemic year, he then moved on to Mount St. Charles Academy U16 in the United States where he notched 59 points in 52 games.

As a rookie with Saint John he had an impressive 50 points in 68 games in 2022-23, in the off-season he was traded to the Cape Breton Eagles where he would score 57 points in 68 games in 2023-24. This past season Cole notched 43 points in 61 games. Overall in his time in the QMJHL he scored 150 points in 197 career games, adding 12 points in 25 playoff games. Burbidge will have a number of familiar faces on the Axemen, joining former Eagles teammates Brayden Schmitt and Conor Shortall, along with former SeaDogs teammates Brady Burns and Charlie Desroches.

Coach Darren Burns is excited to add the talented local player to the team saying, “Cole has qualities you can’t teach. His intelligence and playmaking ability is second to none. He is an extremely smart player who can make plays when sometimes it doesn’t appear there’s a play to make. Playmaking centers are pivotal in any lineup, in any league, and he is going to be a huge addition for us. An extremely low maintenance player that adds instant offence to our roster.”

We asked Burbidge what Axemen fans can expect from him on the ice, and he described his game saying, “The fans can expect to see a playmaking centerman with good hockey IQ who will be able to contribute in any position required.”

In addition to adding Burbidge, the Axemen have a deep recruiting class which includes defenceman Brayden Schmitt and forwards Justin DeZoete, Jordan Grill, Ryder McIntyre, Zak Lavoie, and Roenick Jodoin. Anticipation is growing for the upcoming season as we welcome a total of 7 new recruits to the Axemen roster for 2025-26 in addition to a strong core of returning players.#GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards

Axemen add forward from the OHL to lineup

The Acadia Axemen are proud to announce the commitment of forward Justin DeZoete to the hockey program. Justin, from Hamilton, Ontario, joins the Axemen following a junior career that saw him play 4 ½ years in the OHL and finishing up with the OJHL’s Milton Menace last season.

On his commitment to Acadia, DeZoete said, “I have always heard nothing but great things about Acadia. I felt a connection right away after my very first conversation with the staff. The hockey program and academics are top notch, and I am extremely excited to continue my career here as a student-athlete.”

Originally drafted in the 2^nd round of the 2020 OHL’s draft, 35^th overall by the Peterborough Petes, he joined the Petes in the 2020-21 season that was cancelled due to the pandemic. 2021-22 saw him play in 64 games with the Petes, recording 23 points. The following season, he split the year between Peterborough and Mississauga adding 22 points in 68 games. 2023-24 saw DeZoete suit up for 3 teams, starting the season with the Steelheads, before moving on to the Guelph Storm, and finishing the season with the Soo Greyhounds, in total playing 55 games and registering 13 points. Last season he split time with the Greyhounds and the Milton Menace of the OJHL, notching 5 points in 17 games in the Soo and 43 points in 26 games with the Menace, before adding 25 points in 20 playoff games enroute to the OJHL league final, eventually losing to the Trenton Golden Hawks.

Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns sees DeZoete as a good fit for the AUS and the Axemen lineup saying, “We are very excited to add Justin to our program. We feel he is a player whose game will transition very well to our league. He is an extremely well-rounded player who is determined to succeed. We really like his focus as a person and as a player. He is a very smart player who moves well has good size and plays with an edge. These are the types of players who help you win during crunch time.”

Justin described his game saying, “I am a 2 way forward that plays extremely hard in all zones of the ice. I love to make plays and generate offence but also take pride in playing well defensively.”

DeZoete joins an impressive recruiting class including Brayden Schmitt, Jordan Grill, Ryder McIntrye, Zak Lavoie, and Roenick Jodoin. Stay tuned for more recruiting news from the Axemen in the coming days! #GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards

Axemen bolster lineup adding SJHL grad

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome Jordan Grill to the program. Jordan, a 6’1” native of Battleford, Saskatchewan played his junior hockey in the SJHL with the Battlefords North Stars for the past 4 years.

Over his time with the North Stars, he scored 101 points in 168 regular season games, along with 176 minutes in penalties. Grill, was primarily a defenceman with Battlefords but will suit up as a forward with the Axemen, has been model of consistency the past 2 years as Grill had 30 points in 44 games, including 12 goals in 2023-24 and 33 points in 47 games last season.

We asked Jordan what made him choose Acadia for his next chapter on and off the ice, he said, “Acadia has shown a lot of interest in me as a player and a person and seeing that made me decide Acadia was my best choice. The community and campus definitely caught my eye. I chose to be an Axemen because of how the team sets its goals to push each other on and off the ice. I believe in the team’s values, the coaching staff’s vision, and the opportunity to grow as a player, and a person as well.”

Gill joins former Battlefords teammate Kian Bell with the Axemen, the two played together in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. In 2022-23, they were a part of the Battlefords SJHL championship team, adding 9 points in 13 playoff games, and then making it to the Centennial Cup Junior A national finals, losing 4-0 to the Brooks Bandits. Grill added 2 points in 6 games in that tournament.

Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns sees Grill as a strong fit for the team saying, “Jordan is a very low maintenance player with an extremely strong work ethic. He is very well conditioned, can skate and plays an extremely physical brand of hockey. He has the ability to be an effective power forward in the league. Character, team first attitude and tough is how many coaches in his former league describe him and this translates well to the AUS. We needed to add physical play up front in our roster and we are confident that he will bring this on a consistent basis. We are excited to add him to our team.”

Grill added that, “The fans and coaches can expect a fast, physical player who works every minute. Someone who will always have a teammates back and not be scared to get his hands dirty.“

Grill joins a strong recruiting class for the Axemen with defenceman Brayden Schmitt, and forwards Ryder McIntyre, Roenick Jodoin, and Zak Lavoie. Stay tuned for more Axemen recruiting news in the coming weeks! #GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards

Axemen add size to the roster with addition of  6’4″ forward

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome Ryder McIntyre to the hockey program. The 6’4” forward from Stouffville, Ontario joins the Axemen after spending 3 ½ seasons in the OHL and finishing last year in the OJHL.

We asked McIntyre what led him to commit to Acadia, and he shared: “I have always wanted to continue my hockey career as a student-athlete out east, and after my first conversation with the staff, I felt a connection right away. Hearing from former teammates and players, I heard nothing but great things about the town of Wolfville, and I look forward to joining the community. The hockey program is first-class, the arena and facilities are top-notch, and the program always competes for a championship in the AUS. It checked all the boxes as a student-athlete.”

McIntyre was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2020 OHL Draft by the Sarnia Sting. He joined the Sting for the 2021–22 season, appearing in 58 games as a rookie, recording 9 points and 55 penalty minutes. After beginning the 2022–23 season in Sarnia, he was traded to the Oshawa Generals, where he tallied 17 points and 64 penalty minutes in 58 games. He opened the following season with Oshawa before being traded to the Peterborough Petes, where he posted 27 points, including 12 goals, in just 43 games.

Last season, McIntyre started with the Petes, registering 12 points in 35 games before moving to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the OJHL. With the Jr. Canadiens, he added 11 points in 16 regular season games and contributed 7 points in 11 playoff contests. Over his OHL career, he accumulated 69 points in 211 regular season games.

Axemen head coach Darren Burns is excited to add McIntyre to the roster: “Ryder is an extremely well-respected player on and off the ice. Through our research it is evident he is a player who will bring strong character to our program. He is a very rugged forward who can play all positions.

We wanted to make sure we have size on our roster and he’s a player who we feel will be able to give us consistent physicality. He has the ability to get better because of his work ethic and his hockey sense and we feel with his frame and attitude he will be a real solid two-way player for us. You need size and toughness in this league and we know he will provide this.”

While with the Oshawa Generals, Ryder was the recipient of the 2022–23 Roger Neilson Memorial Award, presented annually to the OHL’s Top Academic Post-Secondary Student.

On the ice, McIntyre describes his game as: “Axemen fans can expect someone who competes every night. I am a power forward who is hard to play against all over the ice, plays physical, and uses my size and skill to make plays in the offensive zone. I look forward to doing whatever it takes to win a championship and make a positive impact in the community.”

Ryder McIntyre joins a strong 2024 recruiting class for the Axemen, which also includes forwards Roenick Jodoin and Zak Lavoie, and defenceman Brayden Schmitt.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more exciting recruitment announcements!
#GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards

Inductions to take place at the Acadia Celebrity Hockey Dinner June 19^th

The Acadia Hockey Program is proud to induct another 3 members to the hallowed hockey honour roll list. This year’s inductees include Milan Dragicevic, Jeff Mercer, and Mark Richards.

Dragicevic, a defenceman originally from Edmonton, Alberta, now calls Richmond, British Columbia home, was an Axemen from 1990-94 and was a key member of the 1993 National Championship team.

Mercer, a physical forward originally from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, was an Axemen from 1995-1999, and was a member of Acadia’s 2^nd National Championship, in 1996. Jeff now lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Richards, an assistant coach with Acadia’s hockey program for over 23 years from 2002 to present, winning a pair of AUS titles, a U Sports Bronze Medal in 2017 and coached in 6 national championship tournaments. Mark resides in New Minas, Nova Scotia.

Congratulations to our Hockey Honour Roll inductees, you are #ForeverAnAxemen.

Former Axemen Forward Lew Robicheau Continues Remarkable Recovery

Lew Robicheau, a native of Middleton, NS, suited up for the Acadia Axemen from 2001 to 2005. A hard-working forward during a rebuilding era for the program, Lew tallied 26 points across 92 games while bringing grit and determination to the ice each night.

Following his time at Acadia, Lew returned to his hometown where he married his wife Sarah, and together they are raising two children, Austin, 14 years old, and Lila, 11. Both Austin and Lila are avid hockey players, who share the love of hockey like their dad, Lew.

Life changed dramatically for Lew and his family over a year ago, on May 16, 2024, when Lew was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident. With a traumatic brain injury, Robicheau was given less than a 5% chance of survival, his prognosis was grim—but in true Robicheau fashion, he has fought every step of the way.

Now 44, Lew continues his recovery at the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. He is able to move his whole body, but due to muscle spasticity, he can’t move his left side well and for the time being is in a wheelchair. While the road ahead remains long and some lasting effects are likely, recent progress has sparked hope that he may return home in the near future, once home renovations are complete to accommodate his needs—something few would have believed possible just months ago. Lew will need intense physio, occupational, and speech therapy as he continues his recovery.

Former Axemen Mike Fougere described Robicheau as a great teammate saying, “Lew was always a no nonsense guy. He worked very hard on and off the ice and that shows in the success of his family business and not surprisingly that he has worked through the odds that were stacked up against him with his accident.”

Before joining the Axemen, Lew was a standout with the U18 Valley Wildcats from 1995–1998. He posted an incredible 76 points in just 34 games during the 1997–98 season, earning NSMMHL league MVP honours. He was selected by the Halifax Mooseheads in the 13th round of the 1997 QMJHL Draft, then went on to play for the Antigonish Bulldogs of the MJAHL from 1998–2001. There, he amassed 184 points over 142 regular season games—including an impressive 78 points in his final year.

Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns sends his encouragement saying, “Lew was a very beloved teammate with the Axemen, a consummate team player during his career. We are so happy that he is making such positive progress and we continue to think of him everyday.”

Lew has always valued the connections he’s made through hockey, and while recovering he would love to hear from former teammates or anyone he crossed paths with during his Acadia years, both on and off the ice. If you’d like to send Lew an encouraging text message or give him a call, please send us a private message through our social media accounts to request his contact information.

Skilled Forward Commits to Acadia

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome forward Zak Lavoie to the hockey program. The 5’11” native of Ottawa, ON joins the Axemen after 4 major junior seasons in the OHL and finishing up last season in the QMJHL.

Lavoie is looking forward to his time at Acadia saying, “I felt a connection from my very first conversation with the staff. It’s a great fit for me as a student athlete.”

In 2020, he was picked in the first round, #7 overall by the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL draft and after the cancelled 2020-21 season due to the pandemic, Lavoie broke into the OHL in 2021-22 with the Mississauga Steelheads where he scored an impressive 44 points in just 64 games, including 23 goals.

After a strong start to the 22-23 season, with 19 points in 28 games, Lavoie was traded to the Niagara Icedogs where he would continue his strong season adding 38 points in 41 games, for 57 points and 29 goals in 69 games overall.

Zak was named the IceDogs Captain in 23-24, and was moved to the Brantford Bulldogs midway through the season. Combined between the 2 teams he recorded 55 points and a career high 31 goals.

2024-25 saw Lavoie begin the season in Brantford for his overage season scoring 20 points in 35 games before moving to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL where he would add 5 points in the final 11 games. For his CHL career, he notched 181 points in 246 regular season games.

Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns liked the addition of the skilled forward to the offence saying, “Zak has a passion for the game of hockey. He is a very intelligent player who wants to score goals and create offence. He’s a pure shooter who will always be an offensive threat inside the opponent’s blueline.

Lavoie summed up his game for Axemen fans saying, “I love to score goals and play with skill.”

Lavoie is the 2^nd Axemen recruit named for the 2025-26 season joining defenceman Brayden Schmitt.  Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we continue to introduce our new additions to the roster! #GoAcadiaGo

Story By Chris Richards

Axemen add talented defenceman to the roster

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome Brayden Schmitt to the hockey program. The agile, two-way defenseman from Truro, NS joins the Axemen after playing 5 seasons in the QMJHL, most recently with the Cape Breton Eagles.

Schmitt says, “I decided to choose Acadia University because I love the Valley and the town of Wolfville. The coaching staff was extremely welcoming and kind in our talks, and with old teammates and friends currently on the team I felt it was a perfect fit for me to pursue my schooling and hockey career here. The rink and facility are top-notch and I love playing on the big ice.”

Brayden began his junior career in 2020-21 with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, being named Captain of the team in 2022. After 2 and a half years with the Armada, he was traded at the holiday break in 2022 to the Cape Breton Eagles.

In 2023-24 he recorded his best statistical season scoring 49 points in 68 games. Brayden was named an assistant captain of the Eagles in 2024-25 where he would post 27 points in just 45 games, due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was also named QMJHL’s student athlete of the month in February of this year.

Over his 5 seasons in the QMJHL, Schmitt played in 273 regular season games, scoring 135 points, and adding 8 points in 29 playoff games.

Axemen head coach Darren Burns is excited to add Schmitt to their defense core saying, “Bringing Brayden into our program is extremely significant on and off the ice. He personifies leadership and character and he’s a widely respected player in Atlantic Canada and in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League. He is an excellent skating defenceman who has the ability to bring the puck up the ice with ease. His ability to jump in the rush and his polished puck moving ability immediately helps a team’s transition. He plays the game with grit and passion which are key ingredients in the AUS.”

As for Brayden, he says “The Axeman fans should expect to see a smooth-skating defenceman that loves to join the rush and get involved offensively, whilst being able to get back and shut down defensively.”

Schmitt is the first announced Axemen recruit for the upcoming season and he reunites with former Eagles teammate Conor Shortall on the Axemen blueline. Stay tuned for more Axemen commitment announcements in the coming weeks. #GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards

For Immediate Release

Montreal Canadiens Legend Larry Robinson to Headline Acadia Hockey Fundraiser

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Darren Burns, head coach of the Acadia University men’s hockey team, announced today that Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens legend and Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman, will headline this year’s Acadia Axemen Celebrity Hockey Dinner in June.

Nicknamed “Big Bird” in part for his size (6’4’’ and 225 pounds), Robinson was a big and strong yet highly mobile defenceman. He played 17 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens and another three seasons for the Los Angeles Kings, until his retirement after the 1991–92 season. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice (1976–77 and 1979–80) as the league’s most outstanding defenceman and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 1978 playoffs. He was named to the league’s first and second all-star teams three times each. Larry Robinson’s name appears on the Stanley Cup ten times, six as a player, three as a coach or assistant coach and once as a scout. He turned professional in Halifax, spending 1971 to 1973 with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the American Hockey League before making it to the National Hockey League with the Canadiens.

“We’re so excited to have Mr. Robinson headline our silver anniversary dinner,” said Burns. “The man is a legend, one of the greatest defenceman in NHL history and a hero to generations of hockey fans. We are fortunate to have him.”

The 25th Acadia Axemen Celebrity Hockey Dinner takes place on Thursday, June 19^th at the Andrew H. McCain Arena in Wolfville.  Since starting in 1998, the event has raised close to $500,000 in support of the men’s varsity hockey program at Acadia. Tickets and corporate tables are available by visiting the Acadia Box Office or calling 902-542-5500 or by visiting: https://acadiau.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2572

For further information on the Celebrity Dinner event, contact Len Hawley, Chairperson at (902) 698-9692 or via email len.hawley@acadiau.ca.

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