Acadia Athletics’ Fred G. Kelly Awards Night
Heelis adds to his hardware for the year; Gibbons awarded the Kevin Powell Memorial Award
The AUS Champion Acadia Axemen hockey team wrapped up the 2013-14 season with the announcement of their team awards at the Annual Fred G. Kelly Awards Night hosted by the Department of Athletics.
The award for Rookie of the Year for the 2013-14 season went to co-winners Geoff Schemitsch and Michael Clarke.
A standout first year defenseman, Geoff Schemitsch played a big role on the team’s back end. Good offensively and responsible defensively, Geoff is a smooth skating defenseman and a player to watch for years to come. This season Geoff was named to the AUS All-Rookie team.
Michael Clarke flew under the radar the entire season. Scoring nine of his 12 regular season goals in the second half of the season, Clarke was one of the Axemen’s top goal scorers. A strong and physical player, Michael shoots the puck like a pro and plays a complete two way game. With great hands, Michael has the ability to take control of a hockey game.
Second year centerman Travis Randell was named the Most Improved Player of the Year. A great leader that can play in all situations, Travis is a centerman that has the ability to produce and play a sound defensive game. While Travis had three goals in the regular season – all three in the second half of the season, he also scored three important goals in eight playoff games including two eventual game winning goals.
The 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year was awarded to fourth year defenseman Chris Owens. Chris had another strong season for the hockey Axemen. Known as an offensive-defenceman, Chris is very responsible in his own end. He is does an excellent job drawing assignments of playing against the countries best players most every night. This season Chris was once again the highest scoring defenseman in the AUS and Acadia’s third leading point go-getter with 31 points including 9 goals. He also picked up nine points including four goals in Acadia’s playoff run. Chris is a strong leader on the defensive unit and an important part of the penalty kill and powerplay.
Third year forward Liam Heelis, who was named co-winner of the Acadia Outstanding Athlete of the Year along with basketball’s Owen Klassen, was named the hockey team’s Top Scorer, Most Valuable Player for the regular season and in the Playoffs. This time last year, Liam was named the Most Valuable Player for the Axemen during the playoffs and he seemed to have kept that momentum going into the 2013-14 season this year. Averaging nearly a goal a game this season, Liam finished with 24 goals in 26 games along with 11 points including five goals in eight AUS playoff games. Liam completed the season tied with Mike Cazzola for the top scoring position in the AUS, however the title was awarded to Liam for having more goals that Mike. Finishing first in the AUS and CIS in goal scoring, Liam was named the AUS and CIS Outstanding Hockey Player of the Year for this accomplishment. Liam was the only male AUS Athlete to receive this national recognition. This past season Liam along with linemates Mike Cazzola and Brett Thompson combined for 117 points including 47 goals – the highest of any line in the AUS. Heelis is Acadia’s nominee for the AUS representation at the CIS BLG – Top male athlete of the year in the Nation.
An endowed award was established in 2004 by Joyce and Grant Powell and family in memory of their son Kevin who was a member of the Acadia Axemen hockey team from 1994 to 1998. Kevin died suddenly during June 2002 in a motorcycle accident. His Acadia Axemen hockey jersey was retired in his honour. This year’s recipient of the award is third year Axemen Travis Gibbons. Congratulations to Travis Gibbons, the eighth recipient of the Kevin Powell Memorial Award.