WOLFVILLE, N.S. - By Chris Richards (axemenhockey.com) - Normally when a U Sports hockey team brings in 12 new players, it's called a rebuilding year… for the Acadia Axemen, 2018-19 is a year filled with optimism and high expectations. With an A+ recruiting year, the team feels they have every opportunity to make a march right back to the University Cup tournament this season, in Lethbridge, Alberta.
The players that graduated and moved on from the program were not only statistical leaders, but team leaders as well, and will be tough to replace. Gone from last year's lineup is top scorers Boston Leier, Sam Fioretti, Remy Giftopoulos, Michael Clarke; along with the gritty play of Taylor Makin, Chance Braid, & Kris Hodge.
On the backend, all-stars Geoffrey Schemitsch & Matt Pufahl are gone, along with stalwart defenders Tyler Ferry & Stephen Woodworth. Starting goalie Robert Steeves also graduated from the program.
That's a ton of scoring, heart, and experience gone. But cue the recruits.
Jackson Houck, who red shirted last year is now eligible to suit up and will be relied on to be an offensive threat every night for Acadia. Houck is a fourth-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers and won an ECHL championship before joining Acadia last year.