Axemen announce 2013-14 commitments

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia University and Axemen hockey head coach Darren Burns are pleased to announce this year’s committed recruits for the 2013-14 season. The recruiting class of 2013 includes two defencemen and three forwards.

This year’s recruits will add size to the 2012-13 AUS third place finishing Axemen including 6’2″ defenceman Geoffrey Schemitsch of Thornhill, Ont. A former Oshawa General (OHL), Geoff was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Highly skilled and an excellent puck moving defenceman, Burns is happy on Schemitsch’s choice of Acadia. “Geoff sees the ice extremely well and has the ability to log a lot of minutes. His smooth skating and great passing skills will help our powerplay this season”.

Joining Schemitsch as the second defensemen is former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound (OHL), Chris Buonomo. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. native is a “stay-at-home” 6′ 190 lbs. defenceman who will add some grit and size to the Axemen’s lineup. “He sees the ice very well and makes a great first pass”, points out Burns. “Chris is a very well-liked teammate and his attitude to compete will help in the transition from junior to the AUS”.

London Knight (OHL) Tyler Ferry, who is listed as a defenceman, will play forward for the Axemen. The ultimate “role player” for the Knights this past season, Axemen head coach feels he can play a more offensive role with Acadia. “Tyler is taylor made for AUS hockey. He is an extremely gritty player who skates well. His determination will help him create offence for our team”. Ferry played in back to back Memorial Cups in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and will bring great leadership and work ethic to Acadia this season.

From St. John’s, Nfld., Scott Trask of the Summerside Capitals (MHL) will add some size at left wing with a 6’1″, 190 lbs. frame. Prior to the Capitals, Trask spent three seasons with the Moncton Wildcats including a 2009-10 QMJHL championship before landing in Summerside in 2012-13. Burns is excited about Trask’s excellent work ethic and gritty style that will help him create an immediate impact in the Axemen’s lineup. “He is an extremely well-conditioned  two-way forward who has a high intelligence level. His team first attitude and willingness to stick up for teammates will help improve our teams physical play”. Trask also brings leadership skills as the captain of the Summerside Capitals who were finalist at the National Junior Royal Bank Cup.

Another six footer will tie up the skates for the Axemen this season. Taylor Makin, of the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) will help up front as a winger. Taylor, from Lethbridge, Alta. is a two way forward who spent one season with the Bandits after time in the WHL with Prince George and the Vancouver Giants. Burns indicated that Makin possesses an excellent physical presence and will give the Axemen some added physical play and toughness up front. “After playing three years in the WHL his leadership helped guide Brooks to a National Title this past season. He has very good speed and always finishes his checks. Taylor, no doubt, will be a tough player to play against in our conference”.

The Axemen open the exhibition season in the annual Don Wells Memorial Tournament on the Sept 21-22 weekend. the tournament will include Saint Mary’s, Dalhousie and StFX. Following the Wells Tournament, the Axemen head south of the border on Oct 5 and 6, visiting the University of New Hampshire followed by the University of Vermont.