DeZoete Commits to Acadia

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 2nd round of the 2020 OHL’s draft, 35th 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