WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen men's basketball team will start a new season by reaching into its storied past.

The Axemen are bringing back the Stu Aberdeen Challenge to War Memorial Gymnasium which will combine the rich tradition left by late coaching great Stu Aberdeen and provide an opportunity to unveil new bleachers and the renaming of the home court as Stu Aberdeen court.

"This is huge for us. Our alumni are excited to have that this tournament back in War Memorial Gymnasium," Acadia men's coach Kevin Duffie said. "We're renaming the court the Stu Aberdeen court, as well as unveiling some other renovations that have taken place over the summer in our gym. Very excited about that, Stu Aberdeen is a big piece of our tradition, culture. He built the foundation of excellence that is now Acadia men's basketball."

The tournament takes place Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

Duffie, entering his third year as Acadia's bench boss, said he is excited about the upcoming season and feels the team has all the necessary ingredients to be successful.

The Axemen are coming off a year that saw them finish 12-8 in the regular season and lose in the AUS semi-final to UPEI.

It is also a year which sees the men's CIS nationals return to Halifax for two years, with Dalhousie University hosting in March 2017 and Acadia will host nationals in March 2018. 

He pointed to key returnees, which include 6-foot-10 forward Erik Nissen, Quispmasis, N.B., who will be the key piece of the Axemen offence and will also be relied upon to protect the basket in the defensive end.

Six-foot-2 point guard Ben Miller, Winnipeg, Man., is coming off a solid sophmore season and Duffie said he will have the basketball in his hands a lot and the team will rely on him to make decisions as playing a key role defending some of the top guards in the conference.

Duffie said the Axemen will also rely on the scoring touch of fifth-year forward Kyle Arseneault out of Fredericton. He said the 6-foot-5 Arsenault will also be a leader on and off the floor for Acadia.

Nick De Palma, a 6-foot shooting guard out of C.P. Allen High School in Bedford, enters his third year and also figures to be a key part of the Axemen offence.

Auburn High product A.J. Simmonds, a 6-foot guard from Dartmouth, enters his final year of eligibility and will play a key role in the team's rotation, handling point guard and off-guard duties.

Key additions to the Axemen roster include Holland College transfer Trevone Grant, a 6-foot-2 guard from Nassau, Bahamas.

"He's a veteran guy that's going to come in and play some major minutes for us," said Duffie. "He will produce at both ends of the floor. He's a really good player."

Grant, entering his third year, was Holland College's athlete of the year last season as well as team MVP for the bronze-medal team at nationals.

The Axemen also add 6-foot-6 Jerome Mugambi out of Oakville, Ont.

Duffie said the Axemen will rely on the first-year small/power forward to guard some of the tougher forwards in the league.

"We are excited about his upside and work ethic," said Duffie.

Other recruits added to the lineup include Matt Ingham from the provincial champion Horton High Griffins and Jack Campbell from Citdael High.

Returning to Duffie's coaching staff are Kevin Veinot and Nick DeAdder, as well as Daniel De Palma, who coached the Nova Scotia men's U17 team to a national championship over the summer along with Duffie and is now a full-time assistant working with both the men's and women's teams.

Joining the coaching staff are Luc Stevenson of Oakville, Ont., who starts his education degree in the spring, as well as former Axemen and AUS all-star Anthony Ashe, who is also doing his education degree.

The Stu Aberdeen Challenge features Carleton, Laval and St. F.X. Carleton plays Laval at 6 p.m. Friday Sept. 30, followed by St.F.X. and Acadia at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 1 Laval plays St.F.X. at 6 p.m. Acadia and Carleton square off at 8 p.m.

On Sunday it is Carleton and St.F.X. at 3 p.m., followed by Acadia against Laval at 3 p.m.

Acadia travels to Sydney Oct. 20-22 to play in the Caper Classic.

The Axemen kick off their regular season at home on Thursday, Nov. 3 against Saint Mary's.

By Frank De Palma