Rapaces GapAcadia Axemen alumnus goaltender Kristofer Westblom will be playing overseas this season (2014-15) for Les Rapaces de Gap of the Magnus League in France.

Westblom spent last season with the Central Hockey League’s Brampton Beast after spending the past 2 seasons with the Dayton Gems and Fort Worth Brahmas, also of the CHL.

Westblom spent 3 seasons playing for the Axemen from 2008-11, including 62 regualr season games, amassing a 34-27 record. kris_westblomWestblom (class of 2011) was the 2010-11 Atlantic Conference recipient of the Godfrey Award. The Godfrey Award, named after Dr. Bill Godfrey, is given annually to the player who best represents the spirit of intercollegiate hockey by his leadership both on and off the ice and by his conduct throughout the season.

Kris was named to the AUS first team all stars in the 2009-10 season, and was also named to the AUS All-Rookie team in 2008-09.

Prior to playing for Acadia University, Kristofer was a standout goalie in the Western Hockey Junior League for the Kelowna Rockets. He was drafted in the 2005 NHL Amateur draft, in the third round, 65th overall by the Minnesota Wild.

To follow Kris throughout the year, check out Gap’s website at http://lesrapacesdegap.free.fr/accueil.php

MALLARDS RE-SIGN FOX, WELCOME NETMINDER MOSHER

EvanMosher
Axemen Alumnus Evan Mosher
The Quad City Mallards today announced they have re-signed forward Justin Fox and have signed goaltender Evan Mosher.
Mosher, a 23-year old rookie, is fresh off a standout junior season at Acadia University in Wolfsville, Nova Scotia. Β Mosher was named to the 2013-14 All-Canadian second team after going 17-5-0 in 22 games to finish tied for first in in the nation in wins in addition to finishing fifth in goals against average (2.12), seventh in minutes played (1358:42) and tenth in save percentage (.919). Β The Conception Bay, Newfoundland, product backstopped the Axemen to the Atlantic University Sport conference playoff title and a berth in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport University Cup national tournament.
β€œEvan is a very good young goaltender who had a great year in college hockey last season,” said Ruskowski. β€œHe’s an exciting prospect and has had a lot of success both in junior and at Acadia and has the potential to make the next step.”
The 6’ 0”, 186-pound Mosher went 32-19-0 In 52 career games at Acadia while posting a 2.64 goals against average and a .902 save percentage along with a pair of shutouts.
Mosher moved on to Acadia after tending goal for all or part of five seasons with the Prince Edward Island Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Β In 117 career QMJHL games, Mosher went 50-57-0 while turning in a 3.17 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and three shutouts. Β In 2010-11, Mosher completed his junior career in style by leading the β€œQ” in minutes played (3266:38) and total saves (1694) and finishing second in save percentage (.918), eighth in goals against average (2.19), tied for eighth in shutouts (2) and ninth in wins while going 25-22-3 in 57 games.

Read more »

VETERANS, KEVIN BAKER AND MICHAEL COUCH RETURN FOR A SECOND SEASON

player-baker

Prescott Valley, AZ – The Arizona Sundogs announced today a pair of returning veterans for their upcoming 2014-15 Central Hockey League (CHL) season. Forward, Kevin Baker and defenseman, Michael Couch will both call Arizona home for another season.

Sundogs Coach, Kevin Colley said, β€œWe’re very happy to have both of them returning. Couch came in and provided our team with the much needed experience on the blueline and Bakes is a points man. He’s always in the right place at the right time and is hard to deny when he’s on the ice. The experience and leadership they both bring on and off the ice is something that is hard to find and the guys in the locker room respect that.”

Baker, 35-years returns to the Sundogs for his second season. The 6-foot-1, Ontario native was signed as a free agent on March 5, 2013 after playing for both the Evansville Icemen (ECHL) and the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) at the start of the 2012-13 season. Baker, hit the ice strong posting eight goals and six assists in 10 games helping him earn Oakley’s CHL First Star of the Month. Last season he continued to dominate on the ice leading the team with 34 goals and 30 assists for 64 points in 65 games. Prior to joining the Sundogs, Baker saw a handful of games in the American Hockey League (AHL) playing for the Milwaukee Admirals, Toronto Marlies, Rochester Americans and the Albany River Rats. His best season to date came during the 2008-09 season while playing for the Florida Everbaldes where he spent two seasons and collected 57 goals and 45 assists for 102 points in 70 games in 2008-09.

Couch, 31-years joined Arizona in January after being acquired in a trade from the newly formed expansion team, the Brampton Beast. A native to Nova Scotia, Couch began his career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and played for St. Thomas University before turning pro in 2006-07 while playing in Italy. Upon his return stateside he signed with the Mississippi Sea Wolves where he played in 81 games and tallied three goals and 18 assists for 21 points. Couch later played for the now defunct Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (CHL) where he won his first championship in 2011. From 2011-13 the defenseman played two seasons for the Rapid City Rush (CHL) where he posted seven goals and 28 assists for 35 points in 119 games. Last season Couch posted five points in 10 games while with the Beast and collected four points in 32 games with the Sundogs.

Couch expressed, β€œI am very excited to be returning to the Sundogs organization. It was a no brainer for me to re-sign. From the minute this organization traded for me, I was treated with nothing but the utmost respect and professionalism. I can’t say enough good things about team ownership, management, staff and the fans of Prescott/Prescott Valley. I have a great relationship with coach Colley and feel his approach to the game is similar to mine which makes coming to the rink enjoyable and makes it more than a job, it makes it fun. We have some unfinished business this season and look forward to nothing short of a Presidents Cup brought back to this winning organization.”

The Arizona Sundogs are the Central Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. Season tickets, mini-plan, and single-game ticket information is now available by calling (928) 759-6600 or visiting arizonasundogs.com.

Read more »

MEET YOUR MOOSE – ASST. COACH JIM MIDGLEY

Jun 26, 2014 – 18:16 GMT
Written By: MacIntosh, Scott posted at http://www.halifaxmooseheads.ca/article/meet-your-moose—asst-coach-jim-midgley

crop_190417_27_1403807551

Halifax Mooseheads Assistant Coach Jim Midgley is a busy man this summer. He’s preparing for another exciting season with the Herd, while at the same time getting set to open training camp for the Nova Scotia Canada Games team for which he is the Head Coach.

Midgley however has another important life milestone on the way, as he and fiancΓ© Laura are getting set to tie the knot in August.

Yes he has great organizational skills, as all good coaches do, to be able to juggle all of those duties in life.Β  Midgley is entering his fourth season with the Mooseheads as the assistant to Dominique Ducharme.

He played with both North Bay and Belleville during his three year OHL career, before coming to Saint Mary’s in 1998 where he put up big numbers with the Huskies, including capturing an AUS title in 2002. Read more »

Mike Johnston has been named the new coach of the Penguins

Mike JohnstonDarmouth native and former Acadia Axemen player, Mike Johnston has been named head coach of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins today.

The Penguins have been without a coach since firing Dan Bylsma on June 6.

Johnston has been the coach of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League since early in the 2008-09 season. In his first full season he led the Winterhawks to the biggest turnaround in team history in 2009-10, improving the team by 48 points.

Prior to coaching Portland, Johnston served as an associate coach in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks (1999-2006) and Los Angeles Kings (2006-08).

Mike attended Acadia University in the late 1970’s, where he graduated with a bachelor of physical education, and starred for the Axemen hockey team; he was named to Acadia’s Hockey Honor Roll in 2008.

He played hockey for the Brandon University and Acadia University and then became a coach at the age of 23. He at first coached Camrose College in Alberta and then was an assistant coach at the University of Calgary. In 1989 he took over as head coach at the University of New Brunswick, a job that lasted until 1994.Read more »

Moose Tracks Interviews Brandon Benedict

Jun 10, 2014 – 11:49 GMT
Written By: MacIntosh, Scott original post at http://www.halifaxmooseheads.ca/article/brandon-benedict

His love of the game was evident each and every time he hit the ice as a member of the Halifax Mooseheads. A relentless digger in the corners, he paired that hard working mentality along with his offensive talents that have him sitting atop the franchise leaderboard in points (303), goals (119) and assists (184).

Brandon Benedict did everything his coach asked of him, and then some. The Avondale, Nova Scotia native was drafted by the Mooseheads in the 2nd round of the 1998 QMJHL Draft, and played his entire five year junior career in Halifax.

He later enjoyed a successful university career with the Acadia Axemen.

At age 32, Benedict is still playing competitive hockey in the EIHL, in fact he’s preparing for his fourth season with the Nottingham Panthers which begins in August. He said he initially moved across the pond to Belfast to play while taking his MBA.

Speaking from his childhood home in Hants County, Benedict says he’s home for a visit with his wife Kirsty and their newest addition to the family, four-month-old son Austin.

β€œWe live in England basically from August until May, and then we split our time between Kirsty’s hometown just outside of Belfast, Ireland and Nova Scotia,” he said.

Benedict says even though soccer will always be #1 in the United Kingdom, it’s been a great place to play hockey.Read more »

John John Browne Published on June 03, 2014

article_large

TC MEDIA

Calling Chris Owens β€œone of the smartest and most dynamic players that’s been at Acadia in the last 25 years,” Axemen coach Darren Burns said the Newfoundlander rates up there with the best players ever at the university.

Burns says he believes Owens can take his game to the next level.Β Acadia grad Owens hopes he’s right.

β€œHe’s been one of the top defenceman in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) the past four years,” said Burns. β€œHe has been an extremely pivotal player in the programs success especially this past season.”

Burns said he felt Owens took his game to a new level this season and he can go further in his hockey career.

β€œI feel he can definitely make the jump to the AHL next year, but it will take a lot of work,” the coach said. β€œThe bottom line is when a player dominates at a level I feel he deserves a shot at the next level. That’s where Chris is at in his career.” Read more »

MacDonald new Assistant Coach

Jun 02, 2014 – 22:00 GMT
Written By: Albert, France of en.letitan.com

The QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan have nominated Kris MacDonald as assistant coach for the 2014-2015 season. MacDonald, from Prince Edward Island, will replace Kevin Desrochers behind the bench.

Kris is a former Titan player from the 2005-2006 season. Β He played with the University of Acadia from 2007-2010 and completed his university career with UPEI in 2010-11. He was coaching at the Midget AAA level in Saskatchewan at the Notre-Dame College and is happy and ready to make the jump to the QuΓ©bec Major Junior Hockey League.

Kingston Frontenacs tap Paul McFarland to be OHL’s youngest head coach

McFarland-was-Oshawas-assistant-coach-for-2-seasons-Terry-Wilson-OHL-Images

McFarland was Oshawa’s assistant coach for 2 seasons (Terry Wilson, OHL Images)

The Kingston Frontenacs believed they underachieved this season. Their rivals down Highway 401 in Oshawa overachieved, so there’s a clear rationale for taking from the competition.

Say whatever you want about what has to go on behind the scenes before an OHL team turns to someone still on the good side of 30 years old to fill a key job. Entrusting Kyle Dubas, who was only 25 on his start date, as its general manager has worked out wonderfully for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, who recently won their division for the first time in six seasons. Now it appears Frontenacs GM Doug Gilmour, coming off a stomach-punch playoff loss where a 3-0 series lead evaporated, is turning to 28-year-old Paul McFarland as the club’s head coach.

View Paul McFarland's Kingston Frontenacs welcome interview here: http://www.station14.ca/video.html?id=497Read more »

Laberge a Champion with the Lyon Lions

Former Acadia Axemen Jonathan Laberge captured the France Division 1 Championship this year with the Lyon Lions. This was Jonathan’s first year with the Lions, after spending 5 seasons with the Acadia Axemen last season.

Laberge turned in a strong regular season with 26 points in his clubs 11 games and a team leading (+/-) of +19.

Read more »