Category: Team Stories

Acadia looks to depth, structure, and strong goaltending in best-of-three series with the X-Men

The Atlantic University Sport (AUS) playoffs get underway Wednesday night as the Acadia Axemen open their quarterfinal best-of-three series against the StFX X-Men, with Game 1 set for Wolfville.

Acadia enters the postseason as the third seed after finishing the regular season with a 17-8-5 record, while StFX secured the sixth spot at 14-13-3. The season series was tightly contested, with the Axemen holding a narrow 3-2 edge. Both X-Men victories required extra time—one coming in overtime and the other in a shootout in the final game of the regular season last Saturday in Wolfville.

The Axemen will receive a boost to their lineup with the return of Cole Nagy, who missed the season finale due to a one-game suspension.

Ahead of the playoff opener, Acadia head coach Darren Burns emphasized the importance of consistency and identity.
“We need to focus on playing the game with structure and energy. We have focused on being a strong 200-foot team all year and this cannot change.”

Offensively, Acadia has been driven by Brady Burns, who led the team with 31 points in 30 games, alongside linemates Kian Bell (28 points) and Marc Boudreau (26 points). The Axemen have also seen a surge from the line of Liam Kidney, Bailey Peach, and Zak Lavoie. Peach and Kidney each recorded 10 points over their last seven games, with Peach finding the back of the net six times during that stretch.

When it comes to navigating the intensity of playoff hockey, Burns stressed simplicity.
“We need to keep our game simple. AUS playoffs are intense, fast, and they are a short series. Keeping consistency is crucial.”

StFX will counter with offensive threats Ryan McGuire, who paced the X-Men with 27 points, and Lucas Canning, the team’s leading goal scorer with 17. Acadia will also need to be aware of dynamic defenseman Charlie Callaghan, who recorded 23 points in 27 games and is known for jumping into the rush.

Between the pipes, goaltending has been a season-long strength for the Axemen. Thomas Couture appeared in 27 of Acadia’s 30 games, posting elite numbers with a .929 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average, ranking him among the top goaltenders in U Sports. He is expected to play a pivotal role in the short series. StFX is likely to turn to Patrick Lever, who started 22 games this season and finished with a 10-13 record, a .899 save percentage, and a 3.44 GAA.

Depth has been another hallmark of Acadia’s season, something Burns believes will be critical as the playoffs begin.

“Depth is very important for any team. It’s no different for us. This time of year, having everyone ready is extremely important. We have relied on playing a strong team game this year and this needs to be the same focus heading into game one.”

The Axemen blue line has been a staple for the team all season featuring a balanced mix of skill and physicality. Tyler Deline led the defense corps offensively with 25 points in 28 games, while Brendan Tomilson provides defensive stability and Conor Shortall adds a physical presence that will challenge the X-Men forwards to keep their head on a swivel. Freshmen Brayden Schmitt, Cole Whynot, Charlie Desroches, and Luke Zazula have brought strength to the squad at both ends of the ice throughout the season.

Getting off to a strong start in the best of 3 series is a must, and Acadia will look to do that on home ice on Wednesday at 7pm.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Friday night in Antigonish, with Game 3, if necessary, returning to Wolfville on Sunday night.

Tickets for Wednesday night’s playoff opener are available through the Acadia Box Office or online at acadiau.universitytickets.com. #GoAcadiaGo 🏒🔥

2nd place Acadia back in action January 5th

The Acadia Axemen are back on the ice on January 5 following the holiday break, beginning a shortened second half of the AUS regular season with just 12 games remaining.

Through the first 18 games, Acadia has compiled an impressive 11-4-3 record for 26 points, good for second place in the conference—just two points behind Moncton. The strong showing marks a significant improvement from a year ago, when the Axemen finished the entire 2024–25 regular season with 31 points.

Offensively, Acadia is tied for the second-most goals scored in the conference alongside UPEI, trailing only UNB. Defensively, the Axemen have allowed the third-fewest goals against, behind UNB and Moncton.

Axemen head coach Darren Burns reflected positively on his team’s first-half performance.

“I thought our team did a good job at regaining its identity after a tough start. We had really good preparation in August and September which was preceded by a strong off season. We lost our first two but rebounded well. I thought our consistency was solid in the first half as well.”

The Axemen will receive an added boost to the lineup as Cole Nagy returns to the roster. Nagy played three seasons with Acadia before taking the last term off and is expected to make an immediate impact, particularly in the face-off circle and on the penalty kill.

Burns emphasized that Acadia’s success is rooted in a collective effort.

“It’s not about a single player. Our success has been relying on everyone, and I feel there has been an inter accountability which is crucial in any sport. In saying that in adding Nags we are adding a very good faceoff guy who is an excellent penalty killer. He is a big body who can shut down offensive players and adding a player with his size will help as there is less space in the second half. He’s a smart player and very good two-way player. He’s a big addition for us for the stretch drive.”

Looking ahead to the second half, Burns stressed the importance of preparation during the extended break.

“The short second half started the day after our last game of the first half. There are about five weeks to prepare for game one so the training days are the most important. When we hit the ice for practices hopefully our conditioning is at a high level. This will help with execution for practices preparing for game one. It’s a short second half. If we aren’t prepared physically it’s tough to play catch up. The inputs from the month of December will prove crucial. In the stretch run, everything is magnified now less games, higher intensity level, and smaller margin for error.”

Acadia will benefit from a favorable home schedule in January, playing six of its first eight games at the Andrew H. McCain Arena. The stretch comes after an extended run on the road during the first half while Wolfville hosted the curling tournament. Playing on the Olympic-sized ice at home could provide the Axemen with an added advantage.

The second half gets underway on January 5 with a rare Monday evening matchup as Acadia hosts the Dalhousie Tigers at 7 p.m. at the Andrew H. McCain Arena. Tickets are available now at acadiau.universitytickets.com.

#GoAcadiaGo

Exhibition Preview & New Role for Longtime Axemen Assistant Coach

The Acadia Axemen hit the ice this Saturday at 2 p.m. when they face the Dalhousie Tigers at the Halifax Forum, kicking off their 2025 pre-season schedule. With eight new players joining the lineup and a number of familiar faces moving on, fans will get their first look at a retooled Axemen squad.

We caught up with Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns to ask about the team’s goals heading into the exhibition schedule.

“The three games is a short window, but we want to balance getting everyone a chance to prove themselves while also working on our systems and player combinations,” said Burns. “I feel it’s a balance and both are important. We’re excited to see our new additions and the play of returning veterans who have come back with something to prove.”

Pre-Season Lineup

With three exhibition games on the schedule, Coach Burns says the staff’s goal is to provide as many opportunities as possible for players to showcase their game.

“We are doing our best to get everyone an opportunity,” he explained. “Obviously, playing only three games presents a challenge as certain players and positions need more opportunity to play. That is something we’ve discussed as a staff. We’re no different than any other team—there isn’t a perfect way to do it. However, seeing what everyone has is important to our staff.”

Summer Focus on Development

This past off-season, the Axemen placed a major emphasis on player development, including on-ice sessions throughout the summer and bringing in a special guest coach—Florida Panthers goalie coach and two-time Stanley Cup champion Robb Tallas—who worked with the Acadia goaltenders.

“With recent changes in hockey, recruiting has changed, and I think the challenge for U SPORTS teams to show they can develop players has become even more important,” said Burns. “The AUS is still a great league, but as a team we wanted to adapt and make every effort to promote our players and give them every opportunity to get better.

We increased workout opportunities in the summer and during the season. Our players skated once a week in June and July with our staff. Bringing in Robb Tallas to work with our goalies and players was a huge benefit. These things have paid dividends, and we’re fortunate to have tremendous support from our school, alumni, and community to help us fundraise for these extra opportunities to improve our team and the player experience.”

New Role for Longtime Assistant Coach Mark Richards

The Axemen coaching staff will have a slight adjustment heading into 2025, with assistant coach Mark Richards, who has been with the team for 24 years, moving into a new role.

“Our coaching staff will remain the same except for a change in role for longtime assistant Mark Richards,” explained Burns. “As scouring the country for talent and character across the numerous leagues has become more important, he will move into a role of recruiting and advanced scouting of opponents.

It is vital to be looking at all the leagues in the country. We’ve always had this mentality, but with an influx of major junior players going to the States, this is now a must. Richy has always played a huge part in our recruitment process, and our yearly lineup over the years has always had many players which he identified. Now we can get him on the road earlier in the year.”

Upcoming Pre-Season Schedule

After Saturday’s pre-season opener against Dalhousie, the Axemen return home to Andrew H. McCain Arena to host the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus on Wednesday, September 17, before wrapping up the exhibition schedule against the Saint Mary’s Huskies on Wednesday, September 24 in Wolfville.

🎟️ Get your tickets for both pre-season home games at the Acadia Box Office or online at acadiu.universitytickets.com.

Axemen hockey strive for Excellence for Player Development

The Acadia Axemen hockey program was proud to welcome Florida Panthers goaltending coach Robb Tallas to the Andrew H. McCain Arena this past weekend. Tallas, fresh off helping the Panthers capture back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, worked closely with Acadia’s varsity goaltenders while also dedicating time to minor hockey goalies from the surrounding community.

As part of Acadia’s ongoing commitment to player development, Tallas spent extensive time on the ice with the Axemen’s four netminders – Thomas Couture, Nicholas Sheehan, Brayden Peters, and Jett Miller – delivering hands-on instruction and sharing his wealth of professional experience.

In addition to his work with Acadia’s varsity goaltenders, Tallas conducted 12 goalie training sessions with local minor hockey players. His guidance provided aspiring young netminders with exposure to elite-level teaching and further demonstrated Acadia hockey’s dedication to fostering grassroots development.

Axemen Hockey Sport Performance Manager Craig Slaunwhite shared how the idea came together:

“Dan (Axemen goaltending coach Dan Turner) had the original idea of bringing in a high level (hopefully NHL) goalie coach to work with our guys this summer. We talked back and forth about it for a while and then I said, let’s start at the top. Robb Tallas has been a friend ever since working together with the Panthers from 2009-2014, so I suggested approaching him. The timing was good because a few weeks later Dan and I took our kids to Ottawa to watch the Sens play the Panthers and we had a chance to pitch the idea to Robb in person. He was in from the beginning. I was worried that all the extra excitement and commitment from winning the cup again would cause him to cancel but he’s a great guy and still came through.”

The weekend left a major impression on both players and staff.

“It was amazing. The players soaked it up. I actually learned a ton as well. Robb is so good at explaining concepts and thinking outside the box”, said Slaunwhite.

When asked about the impact on Acadia’s goaltenders, Turner said:

“The weekend far surpassed any expectations that I had hoped for. To be able to listen to someone like Tallas, who is arguably the best in the world at what he does, was incredible. His ability to simplify the game will have a lasting impact on our guys. He breaks things down so well, all the little details that he touches on. You try to take as much of it in as you can. To have this opportunity to learn from him is hard to comprehend. It may be a once in a lifetime situation.”

Beyond the university team, Tallas’s experience translated seamlessly to younger players as well.

Slaunwhite added, “Robb has run many goalie camps in the past, so he has lots of experience working with kids. I think he had a lot of fun with that youth session.”

Tallas has served as the Florida Panthers’ goaltending coach for the past eight years, overseeing the training and progression of all goalies within the organization. Throughout his career, he has worked with legendary netminders including Roberto Luongo, Tim Thomas, Jose Theodore, and Tomas Vokoun.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Tallas enjoyed a 13-year professional playing career, suiting up with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Now based in South Florida, he continues to support goaltender development through his highly regarded Tallas Goalie Development camps, offering elite-level instruction to goalies of all ages.

The opportunity to bring a coach of Tallas’s calibre to Wolfville underscores the Axemen’s drive to provide their players – and the next generation of goalies in the region – with access to the highest levels of knowledge and mentorship.

Axemen add Kiefer Avery to the roster

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome Kiefer Avery from Westville, NS to the program. Avery, a 6’3” forward, played the last 4 years with the MHL’s Pictou County Weeks Crushers, serving as Captain of the team the past 2 seasons.

In 4 years with the the Pictou County Jr. A squad, Avery notched 128 points in 173 regular season games, adding 13 points in 23 playoff games. He is coming off his strongest offensive year this past season scoring 60 points in 52 games. The Crushers advanced to the MHL league finals, before being swept 4-0 by the Edmundston Blizzard.

Kiefer is looking forward to joining the Axemen, saying, “I’ve heard nothing but great things about both the program and the school. I know how much Acadia supports their sports teams, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Acadia Axemen head coach Darren Burns likes the addition of Avery to his roster saying, “Kiefer is a player who has an extremely high character level. He was an excellent leader in junior. Any time a forward plays the point on the powerplay it immediately shows that he is a very intelligent hockey player. His work ethic and commitment to the game is something a team can never have enough of. We feel he is a player who continues to get better each year.”

When asked what Axemen fans can expect from his game, Keifer said, “You can expect a 200-foot, responsible game from me every night, taking care of my own end first and then turning that into offence. I love the feeling of winning and I’m excited for the opportunity to have a great year.”

Axemen hockey action is just around the corner, with training camp beginning early in September and the Axemen will host a pair of exhibition games, facing the UdeM Aigles Bleus on September 17^th and the Saint Mary’s Huskies on September 24^th.

#GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards

Skilled forward from Falmouth, NS joins Axemen

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome the Valley’s own Cole Burbidge to the hockey program. Cole a 6’1” forward from Falmouth, NS, joins the Axemen after 3 years in the QMJHL with the Saint John SeaDogs and most recently the Cape Breton Eagles.

We asked Burbidge what made him choose Acadia, and he said, “I knew it was a place where I could grow both as a hockey player and a student. I had great conversations with the coaching staff as well as current and former players, and everything they said made me feel like this was the right fit. I grew up just outside of Wolfville, which is a small town where the community and fans are passionate and always show up for the team. Acadia offers the opportunity to compete at a high level, earn a good education, and be part of a tradition.” 

Burbidge starred with the Valley (Kings Mutual) Wildcats of the NSMBHL back in 2019-20 scoring 80 points in just 32 games, adding 11 points in 2 playoff games. In the 2021 QMJHL draft, Cole was chosen 29^th overall, in the 2^nd round by the Saint John SeaDogs. After the pandemic year, he then moved on to Mount St. Charles Academy U16 in the United States where he notched 59 points in 52 games.

As a rookie with Saint John he had an impressive 50 points in 68 games in 2022-23, in the off-season he was traded to the Cape Breton Eagles where he would score 57 points in 68 games in 2023-24. This past season Cole notched 43 points in 61 games. Overall in his time in the QMJHL he scored 150 points in 197 career games, adding 12 points in 25 playoff games. Burbidge will have a number of familiar faces on the Axemen, joining former Eagles teammates Brayden Schmitt and Conor Shortall, along with former SeaDogs teammates Brady Burns and Charlie Desroches.

Coach Darren Burns is excited to add the talented local player to the team saying, “Cole has qualities you can’t teach. His intelligence and playmaking ability is second to none. He is an extremely smart player who can make plays when sometimes it doesn’t appear there’s a play to make. Playmaking centers are pivotal in any lineup, in any league, and he is going to be a huge addition for us. An extremely low maintenance player that adds instant offence to our roster.”

We asked Burbidge what Axemen fans can expect from him on the ice, and he described his game saying, “The fans can expect to see a playmaking centerman with good hockey IQ who will be able to contribute in any position required.”

In addition to adding Burbidge, the Axemen have a deep recruiting class which includes defenceman Brayden Schmitt and forwards Justin DeZoete, Jordan Grill, Ryder McIntyre, Zak Lavoie, and Roenick Jodoin. Anticipation is growing for the upcoming season as we welcome a total of 7 new recruits to the Axemen roster for 2025-26 in addition to a strong core of returning players.#GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards

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

Axemen bolster lineup adding SJHL grad

The Acadia Axemen are proud to welcome Jordan Grill to the program. Jordan, a 6’1” native of Battleford, Saskatchewan played his junior hockey in the SJHL with the Battlefords North Stars for the past 4 years.

Over his time with the North Stars, he scored 101 points in 168 regular season games, along with 176 minutes in penalties. Grill, was primarily a defenceman with Battlefords but will suit up as a forward with the Axemen, has been model of consistency the past 2 years as Grill had 30 points in 44 games, including 12 goals in 2023-24 and 33 points in 47 games last season.

We asked Jordan what made him choose Acadia for his next chapter on and off the ice, he said, “Acadia has shown a lot of interest in me as a player and a person and seeing that made me decide Acadia was my best choice. The community and campus definitely caught my eye. I chose to be an Axemen because of how the team sets its goals to push each other on and off the ice. I believe in the team’s values, the coaching staff’s vision, and the opportunity to grow as a player, and a person as well.”

Gill joins former Battlefords teammate Kian Bell with the Axemen, the two played together in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. In 2022-23, they were a part of the Battlefords SJHL championship team, adding 9 points in 13 playoff games, and then making it to the Centennial Cup Junior A national finals, losing 4-0 to the Brooks Bandits. Grill added 2 points in 6 games in that tournament.

Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns sees Grill as a strong fit for the team saying, “Jordan is a very low maintenance player with an extremely strong work ethic. He is very well conditioned, can skate and plays an extremely physical brand of hockey. He has the ability to be an effective power forward in the league. Character, team first attitude and tough is how many coaches in his former league describe him and this translates well to the AUS. We needed to add physical play up front in our roster and we are confident that he will bring this on a consistent basis. We are excited to add him to our team.”

Grill added that, “The fans and coaches can expect a fast, physical player who works every minute. Someone who will always have a teammates back and not be scared to get his hands dirty.“

Grill joins a strong recruiting class for the Axemen with defenceman Brayden Schmitt, and forwards Ryder McIntyre, Roenick Jodoin, and Zak Lavoie. Stay tuned for more Axemen recruiting news in the coming weeks! #GoAcadiaGo

Story by Chris Richards