Kyle Farrell Joins the Axemen
By John Decoste
WOLFVILLE – Head coach Darren Burns is adding two forwards and two defencemen to the Acadia hockey Axemen bench this fall.
Kyle Farrell, a five-foot-eight forward from Howie Centre, Cape Breton, played four full seasons and 26 games of a fifth with the QMJHL Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, after playing major midget with the Cape Breton Tradesmen.
Farrell scored 103 goals and had 217 points in his major junior career, topping out with 42 goals in 63 regular season games in 2014-2015.
“Kyle is an extremely hard-working player who plays a complete 200-foot game,” Burns said. “He is a very quick player whose skating ability and tenacity will help him be an impact player in this league.”
He called Farrell “an extremely dedicated player who always strives to get better. His leadership skills and desire to succeed will be a huge asset to our program.”
Daniel Pettersson, a native of Toronto, played his major junior hockey with the Moncton Wildcats, for whom he played in the 2010 Memorial Cup tournament.
Twice a 20-goal scorer with Moncton, Pettersson played the bulk of the past two seasons overseas in Sweden and France.
“Daniel is a very experienced player,” Burns said – and at 24, Pettersson is also a bit older than a typical AUS rookie. “He has excellent vision and is a very good skater.”
Burns expects Pettersson’s “high hockey IQ” will help ease his transition to university hockey.
Liam Maskaant, a 21-year-old native of Clinton, Ont., will join the Acadia blueline this fall. At six-foot-four and 214 pounds, he has a real physical presence and will add both size and strength to the Axemen defence.
Maskaant split his junior career between the Erie Otters, Barrie Colts and Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and the Stratford Cullitons of the Greater Ontario Junior League.
Burns described him as “a very tough, stay-at-home defenceman,” and “an excellent leader who possesses a lot of integrity. He has very good mobility and makes an excellent first pass.”
Maskaant, he added, is well known for sticking up for his teammates.
“His toughness and physical play will make him an excellent addition,” Burns said.
The other blueline recruit is Brett Cote, a 21-year-old native of Oakbank, Man. Cote spent his final year in major junior with the Red Deer Rebels after having played the previous three seasons with the Victoria Royals.
Cote, a six-foot, 207 pounder, was described by Burns as “an excellent two-way defenceman.” He had 24 goals and 138 points in 281 major junior games.
“He will be a big boost to our power play on the blueline, as he sees the ice very well and has excellent puck-moving skills with a hard shot.”
Cote also does well in penalty killing situations, Burns said.
“His calm presence will help our team’s transition from the blueline.”
Asked if there would be any more recruits added this off-season, Burns said he was not certain at this point, but that as a coach, you never stop looking.
