Nicholas Sheehan commits to Acadia
Axemen add top Goaltender from the MHL to program
The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome, from Moncton, New Brunswick, goaltender Nicholas Sheehan, to the hockey program. Sheehan, is a 6’0”, left handed catching netminder, who starred for the Edmundston Blizzard of the Maritime Junior Hockey League this past season.
We asked Sheehan what made him choose Acadia, and he said, “First of all it is a great honour to have the chance to become an Axemen and attend Acadia. I have heard nothing but great things about the program and the University, which is why it felt like a no-brainer to spend the next chapter of my life in Wolfville. With the hockey program being such a first-class program and so well recognized around USports. I am truly honoured to become an Axemen and can’t wait to get started.”
In 2020-21, in the pandemic shortened QMJHL season, Nicholas played in 3 games with the Moncton Wildcats. In 2021-22, he started the season in Edmundston with the Blizzard of the MHL for 11 games where he had a 2.38 GAA and a .920 save percentage and 2 shutouts to go along with a 7-3-0 record, before being called up to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on the QMJHL where he would play in 22 games, going 10-8-4. In 2022-23 he played the entire season with the Armada, in 28 games he posted a .893 save %, a 3.54 GAA and a 6-12-3 record.
For his overage season, he returned to the the Edmundston Blizzard where he sparkled, being named the 2023-24 MHL Goaltender of the Year. Among the many categories Sheehan led this season were games played (40), wins (30), goals against average (2.29), minutes played (2,383), saves (1,135), save percentage (.926), shutouts (5), and shootout wins (3). Overall, he posted a 30-9-1-0 record for the Blizzard.
Sheehan will join a talented group of netminders, led by AUS 1st team All-Star and All-Rookie team member Thomas Couture, along with Brayden Peters who had off-season surgery and is expected to be rehabbing for majority of the season, and Jett Miller. Acadia’s depth in net was important last season as they were forced to dress 4 different goalies throughout the season due to injuries.
Acadia head coach Darren Burns likes the depth with adding Sheehan, saying, “We are very excited to be bringing Nic to Acadia. He is a very positive kid, who loves playing the game and exudes the confidence to get better. We are very familiar with him following his junior career with Blainville and Edmundston. He comes highly recommended as a person, and in consulting with goalie coaches who have worked with him in his past, we are confident he will adjust well to this league. He will also benefit from the leadership and focus of Thomas Couture. The mentorship and example he can provide will help Nic and provide strength for us in the crease this coming season.”
As for Nicholas, he says, “the Axeman fans can expect to see me as a goalie who works hard every time he steps on the ice, competes for every puck, will never give up on trying to keep it out of the net, and a guy who hates to lose. I would describe myself as a composed goalie in net, with quick feet, and the ability to play the puck well.”
Sheehan joins defenceman Conor Shortall as newly announced commitments for the Axemen. Stay tuned for more updates! #GoAcadiaGo
Story by Chris Richards