Axemen announce Five Recruits for 2012-13 Season

Randell Among 5 Axemen Recruits

WOLFVILLE, NS, August 13, 2012 – Only losing three players to graduation from last year’s roster, the Acadia University Axemen hockey team are pleased to announce commitments by two Ontario Hockey League seniors, two Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players and one Western Hockey League defenceman.

“Overall we are extremely excited with our recruiting class”, said 11 year veteran head coach Darren Burns. “We felt we needed to improve offensively as well as adding to our overall grit and physical play which with these additions we feel we have accomplished”.

After five seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads, Twillingate, N.L. native Travis Randell joins the neighbouring Axemen. A forward who has also been tested as a defenceman is noted as an intelligent player.

“Travis is a well respected player and is a student of the game. We feel he will be an excellent penalty killer in our league and be able to chip in offensively as well”, points out Burns.

From Greely, Ont., Dylan Anderson spent his last two seasons in the QMJH, playing for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada last year. A high character player and an excellent face-off man, Anderson also plays defence. Burns sees his role this season as a defenceman.

“Dylan has a strong work ethic and has a sound defensive game. Having a player who can play both forward and defense is invaluable”, Burns commented.

The Red Deer Rebels’ Colin Archer will be added to the game day roster this season. Archer, who attended Acadia in January of last year, will bolster the defensive unit. Raised in Red Deer, Alta., Archer played all four years of major junior hockey with the Rebels.

“Colin is an excellent leader who we see as being an impact shut down defenceman. He is a very tough player who has very good mobility. He will no doubt draw duties in playing against the oppositions top players. He will also be able to contribute offensively as well”, points out Burns.

With several past Axemen from the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s, Burns is pleased to add ex-67 Mike Cazzolla to the 2012 roster. From Guelph, Ont., Cazzolla spent four of his five junior hockey seasons with the Erie Otters, Cazzolla joined the 67’s for the last half of the season, racking up 36 points including 27 assists in 28 games. With great playmaking skills, Cazzolla sees the ice well.

Burns sees Cazzolla as a great offensive addition to the Axemen this season. “Mike is also a very gifted offensive player. His ability to distribute the puck will immediately add to our offensive game and give us another true powerplay forward”.

Rounding out the list of committed players for this season is Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. centreman Brett Thompson. Scoring 42 goals in 67 games during the 2009-10 season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Thompson finished his OHL career with the Sarnia Sting netting 27 goals in 52 games.

The very high end offensive player is a boost to the Axemen’s scoring power this season notes coach Burns. “It is no secret that we needed a boost in our offensive attack and he will be a big part in our offence this year. He is a very gifted scorer who is very strong on the puck. His skill set will be a big boost to our powerplay as well”.

The Axemen, who were ranked in the CIS Top Ten 11 of the 18 week last season, open up the pre-season at home in the annual Don Wells Memorial Hockey Tournament slated for September 22- 23 in Wolfville featuring the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men, Saint Mary’s University Huskies and Carleton University Ravens.