Category: Team Stories

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Flaman Named Captain; Webb, Wilson and Henderson Assistant Captains

2022-23 Acadia Axemen Team Captains pictured from Left to Right: Hudson Wilson, Eric Henderson, Jack Flaman, Reilly Webb

The Acadia Axemen are proud to announce their Captains for the 2022-23 season. Jack Flaman has been named the Team’s Captain, with Reilly Webb, Hudson Wilson, and Eric Henderson being named assistant captains.

Flaman, a 5th year forward from Vibank, Saskatchewan, was named Captain last season following the holiday break, captaining the team as they hosted the University Cup last spring in Wolfville. Flaman played his junior hockey in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks, Vancouver Giants, Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Red Deer Rebels, as well as in the SJHL with the Notre Dame Hounds.

Reilly Webb, a 6’4” defenceman from Stoney Creek, Ontario, enters his 3rd season as an Axemen after 5 season in the OHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Saginaw Spirit.

Hudson Wilson, a 6’3” defenceman from Toronto, Ontario, also entering his 3rd season for Acadia, played his 5 years of junior in the OHL with the Ottawa 67’s, serving as the team’s assistant Captain in 2018-19, finishing his time in the OHL with the Peterborough Petes.

Eric Henderson, a 4th year forward from Kingsville, Ontario, he too played in the OHL previous to coming to Acadia, playing with the London Knights, Oshawa General, and Hamilton Bulldogs. The 6’2″ winger served as the Generals assistant captain for 40 games to begin the 2018-19 season before moving on to Hamilton.

Coach Darren Burns said, “We are extremely excited to announce our Captains for this upcoming season. This is a very significant process, especially at this juncture for our program. Coming out of two unusual years and bringing in so many new players the importance of re-invigorating key elements that go with playing hockey here at Acadia is crucial.  We are fortunate here, as coaches, that many former players live here in the valley and we are continually reminded of what their experience has meant to them, and we need to make sure we work to provide this for our players of the future. It’s 2022 and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for young athletes to lead, but I think the players we have chosen are fortunate because we have assembled a strong group of character kids, who understand how fortunate they are to live here, attend Acadia, and be an Acadia Hockey player.

Leadership is guys who love the game 24-7. Real hockey players love the smell of a rink, the noise from the Zamboni and live the game all day long. It’s crucial to have those behind-the-scenes guys who can not only do the right things on and off the ice but get us to another level. We want people who exude passion for the game and care for others when no one else is looking. This will come to the forefront in their hard work and passion to play the game. We feel strongly about the choices and look forward to working with them, along with the entire team here this season.”

The Axemen open their season on the road on Wednesday, October 5th against the Dal Tigers before returning home for a Saturday night matchup against the Moncton Aigles Bleus in Wolfville.

Posted on Posted in Team Stories

Acadia retools lineup for upcoming season

We are just over a week away from the drop of the puck to open the 2022-23 AUS men’s hockey regular season. The Acadia Axemen will open the season on the road in Halifax, facing the Dalhousie Tigers on Wednesday, October 5th. The Axemen lineup will look much different from the squad Acadia iced when hosting the University Cup tournament last March in Wolfville.

Gone from last year’s team are netminder Max Paddock, forwards Mason McCarty, Johnny Corneil, Jordy Stallard, and Loch Morrison; while the Axemen added 10 new recruits to the lineup as they look to improve on a difficult regular season last year.

Let’s look at this year’s edition of the Acadia Axemen hockey team:

Forwards

The Axemen welcome back the leadership and tenacity of team Captain Jack Flaman (9 points in 18 games), who will return for a fifth season. Adam McMaster (16 points in 22 games) and Peyton Hoyt (13 points in 22 games) will be counted on heavily for production, along with returnees Eric Henderson (14 points in 22 games), Keegan Stevenson (8 points in 12 games), Nick Deakin-Poot (7 points in 22 games), & Cole Rafuse (2 points in 22 games). Colin Marshall who played in 3 games for Acadia last season will add depth to the forward roster.

The Axemen have added six forwards, headlined by Falmouth, Nova Scotia native Bailey Peach. Peach is coming off a standout season with the Victoria Royals of the WHL scoring 78 points in 66 games. He will be counted on for production and should prosper from the large ice surface at the Andrew H. McCain Arena.

Cole Nagy, a 6’6” forward who took part in the Colorado Avalanche rookie camp should make an impact with the Axemen, along with fellow recruits Brendan Sellan, Corson Hopwo, Matt McKim, and Enfield, NS’s Liam Kidney.

Coach Burns is enthused with his forward group saying, “Up front our team has had a huge overhaul. We have some good core leaders returning that we need to set the tone for many new players. Early on, our forwards have shown excellent work ethic and overall speed. We will need them to use these qualities to their fullest to help our team win.”

Defenceman

On the backend, Acadia returns all 6 defenceman from the second half of last season with Luke Zazula (7 points in 22 games), Hudson Wilson (1 point in 15 games), Reilly Webb (7 points in 22 games), Merrick Rippon (4 points in 22 games), Morgan Nauss (1 point in 19 games), and Orie Mainolfi (1 point in 22 games) returning.  Newcomer Brendan Tomilson, who starred in the OJHL last season, will look to round out the defence, while Cole Vardy adds depth to the blueline.

Coach Burns said, “Our defence core is one of maturity. We feel this has to be a position that is a stabilizing force for us. We are returning 6 d and as a core they were good last year. We will need them to go from good to great this year if we are going to be a contender. We feel they have what it takes, and our d will be relied on heavily.”

Goalies

With the departure of Max Paddock, the Axemen recruited two first year netminders to backstop the team this season in former Oshawa Generals Zack Paputsakis & Peterborough Petes alumnus Tye Austin. Returning for a 5th season is Conor McCallum.

Coach Burns is optimistic with the netminding trio for the team saying, “Having two new goalies is not the norm in our league. So, it will prove very exciting to see how things unravel, but both newcomers we believe are late bloomers which is not uncommon at this position. Paps and Tye have looked good early on and are eager to prove themselves. Connor is coming back for his fifth year and although he has not appeared in much game action, he has looked great when he has. He’s an extremely confident goalie who our players have grown to respect immensely. There’s lots up for grabs in our net coming into the season.”

Overall Outlook

The Axemen will be led by a strong defence core, with an improved scoring prowess upfront over last season. Acadia will be a fast, puck moving team that will be difficult to play against each and every night. If the goaltending duo of Austin and Paputsakis can settle into the high octane style of play in the AUS conference, the Axemen have plenty of reason for optimism this season.

Acadia will see their first pre-season action this Thursday night in Halifax when they face the SMU Huskies at the Dauphinee Centre.