By John DeCoste '77

When he arrived at Acadia in the fall of 2015 to study engineering and play varsity hockey for the Axemen, Liam Maaskant likely wondered what kind of impact being an Acadia student-athlete might have on him – and vice-versa.

"I've loved being here," he says. "You grow up here, find your way. I really can't say enough about all the people I've met here and the relationships I've been able to develop." He acknowledges, "I'll miss it. I'm already thinking of ways to not lose touch."

Maaskant grew up on a farm outside Clinton, Ontario. His mother is a retired nurse; his dad a chicken farmer. "I can't imagine anything else but as much space as you'd want to play," he says.

As a youngster, his parents encouraged him "to get into as many sports as I could," and he did several, but his favorite was always hockey. "I had your prototypical Canadian hockey childhood. I started at around age four. My dad built an outdoor rink each winter."

Maaskant played Junior B hockey in Stratford, then began his major junior career with the 2011-2012 season. He also began to develop a network of teammates and friends that remains in place today.

"I played with the Erie Otters, the Barrie Colts (two seasons) and the Kitchener Rangers (where he was team captain)." He and current Axemen teammate Stephen Harper "were rookies together in Erie," and he was also briefly a teammate of Connor McDavid.

"I played with Alex Lepkowski in Barrie, and with Dawson Carty in Kitchener. I've gotten to meet a lot of people, see how different teams operate, coaching styles and leadership styles. I've learned from it all."

When it came time to choose a university – and a university hockey program – Mike Cazzola, a former teammate for a season in Erie, was playing hockey for the Axemen. Maaskant also knew "a few families from home who had kids who had come here," so he chose Acadia and has never looked back.

He recalls Cazzola "was like an older brother. He took me under his wing when I first came here. Ironically, now I'm in the same position he was back then, mentoring younger players."

In that role – in fact, in everything he has done during his time at Acadia – Maaskant has "tried to do the right things as much as I can and hope something gets passed along. I don't think Caz thought of himself as a mentor, just a good friend, but that went a long way."

Maaskant has embraced everything about being an Acadia student-athlete. He has been heavily involved in the Acadia Players Association (serving as co-president), participated in the S.M.I.L.E. program, assisted with the induction ceremonies for the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame, and taken part in team-based activities in the surrounding community.

This year, he has helped spearhead Acadia 4 U, a program initiated through Acadia Athletics to provide support for student-athletes. Acadia 4U is based on four pillars – academics, wellness, health and performance. "Whatever you're facing," Maaskant says, "there's someone to talk to."

Along with helping found Acadia 4 U, Maaskant serves as its student coordinator. "It's super rewarding. Kevin really wanted me to come back and head this up, and I'm glad I did."

He adds, "it's not hard to find things to do in the community here. We're encouraged from the start to be visible and involved. That's why athletes here are so successful in building relationships in the community." To cap his Acadia career, Maaskant was chosen as the 2019-2020 recipient of the AUS Godfrey Student-Athlete Community Service Award for men's hockey.

On the ice, he has been a defensive force and team leader throughout his career, serving as team captain the past two seasons. "I can't believe it's been five years," he says. "The time has really flown by. I thought I grew a lot (as a person) in junior, but I've grown 10 times as much since I've been here."

Maaskant originally planned to spend four years at Acadia, and four seasons playing hockey. "I graduated last spring, and I knew I still had two more years (at Dalhousie) ahead of me to finish my engineering degree." He acknowledges, "I hadn't planned to come back this year. I was looking at other options, but last season ended on a down note, and I didn't want to leave on those terms."

The fact that Acadia was hosting the 2020 University Cup (in Halifax) "was a huge factor" in his decision to come back for a fifth year. "Both Kevin (Dickie) and Darren (Burns) said they didn't want me to be sitting in a library somewhere watching Acadia play at the U-Cup."

When it came down to it, "it really wasn't much of a decision at all." He has no regrets whatsoever. "It's been such a rewarding year." He adds, "I've always felt I had a duty to leave (Acadia) a better place than I found it."

It has been a satisfying and rewarding year for Maaskant, and as he points out, "it's not over yet." There is plenty of hockey left to be played – hopefully two playoff series plus the nationals.

When Maaskant and his teammates take to the ice at the University Cup, it will mark his third appearance at the national tournament in five years. (The Axemen also qualified in 2016 and 2017).

"We've always found our way to nationals through the 'consolation round'," as a wildcard selection. As tournament hosts, the Axemen have an automatic berth in this year's U-Cup, but they have their sights set on more.

"Winning the conference would be great," Maaskant says. "The past two seasons, the league has been so competitive, with anyone capable of beating anyone on any given night. It's great for the fans, and while it's a little stressful at times for the players and coaches, it's always been fun."

Maaskant feels privileged to have been able to play five seasons in the AUS conference. "UNB has been the 'top dog', but they've pushed everyone else to be better. You can't take anything for granted." Acadia (19-9-2 in the regular season) defeated UNB twice and lost a third meeting in a shootout.

Asked the highlight of his five years at Acadia, Maaskant says, "graduating was pretty cool, from an educational standpoint. After all, that's why we're here." On the ice, "showing up for the bronze medal game (at the 2017 University Cup), and winning it, was pretty special, too."

More than anything, though, "it's all the relationships I've made here that have given me the most joy. Teammates, fellow student-athletes, people in the community – everything, in fact, about being here."