Keagan Slaney commits to Acadia

Axemen add physical defenceman to lineup

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome Airdrie, Alberta native Keagan Slaney to the hockey program. The 5’9” 185lbs defenceman played five seasons in the WHL, with this past season with the Regina Pats.

We asked Keagan, what made him choose Acadia for his schooling and his next chapter in his hockey career, he said, “Since I have grown up in Alberta, I have always wanted to experience life on the other side of the country. Finally being given the opportunity to decide for myself where I get to play, I knew right away I was going to lean towards somewhere out east. All the knowledge I had about Acadia made it very clear that this was a top quality school, for both hockey and academics, which made the decision pretty easy. With that I also get the bonus of being closer to my extended family as they live in Newfoundland.”

Slaney was originally drafted into the WHL in 2018 in the 1st round, 20th overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings. After his season with Edge School Prep, he would go on to finish that season with the Oil Kings playing in 5 regular season games.

He would earn a regular spot on the Oil Kings blue line in 2019-20, playing in 48 games, prior to the pandemic, and then 20 games in the shortened 2020-21 season.

In 2021-22, after 5 games with the Oil Kings, he was dealt to the Calgary Hitmen, which was essentially like going home for the Airdrie native. He would go on to play 37 games with the Hitmen that season, before suiting up in 60 games in 2022-23 putting up a career-high, 5 goals and 13 points and 94 PIMs, and wearing an ‘A’ as an assistant captain for the team.

He was picked up by the Regina Pats in 2023-24, where he would play in 62 games, scoring 11 points and adding 57 PIMs.

For his junior career in the WHL, Slaney played in 237 regular season games, notching 45 points and adding 314 PIMs.

Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns is pleased to add Slaney to his defence corps saying, “Keagan is a player we feel will bring energy and grit to our lineup. He’s a good skater who makes a good first pass and likes to be physical. We feel he is a player who will make the opposition aware of when he’s on the ice and be able to bring a competitive daily edge to practice. He is well regarded as a teammate and a player who will look after his teammates. He will definitely add to a couple of key intangibles that we want to make sure are a staple for our team this coming season.”

As for what to look for from Keagan this fall, he says, “I think Axemen fans can expect a very solid defensive game from me. I’ve always liked to play a physical game and make it difficult for the other teams offensive players to enter the defensive zone. I have always and will continue to prioritize my position of defence, but I am hoping to have the opportunity to contribute a little bit more offensively than I have my previous years in the WHL. I’ve been taking some big strides on my skill work this summer and am really looking forward to being apart of the Axemen’s success this season.”

Slaney joins 2 previous announced new recruits for Acadia, defenceman Conor Shortall and goaltender Nicholas Sheehan. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more announcements! #GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards