Bio

Liam Heelis, a former Acadia student-athlete, played for the Acadia Axemen hockey program from 2011 to 2015 while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Before joining Acadia, Liam played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the Peterborough Petes and Owen Sound Attack, winning the OHL Championship in 2011. As a two-year captain of the Axemen, he led the team to two national tournament berths (2014, 2015) and an AUS Championship in 2014. He was an Academic All-Canadian, CIS first-team all-star, CIS MVP, BLG Male Athlete of the Year AUS nominee, and a gold medallist with Team Canada at the 2013 FISU World University Games.

After graduating from Acadia, Liam completed a Master of Arts in sport psychology at McGill University, where he honed his skills in leadership and organizational culture. He played one year of professional hockey in the EIHL with the Fife Flyers before transitioning to coaching. He coached four seasons at McGill University, including two as head coach. More recently, Liam spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Halifax Mooseheads (2021-2024), helping guide the team to the QMJHL finals in 2023.

In addition to coaching, Liam has taught Applied Sport Psychology, a third-year course in Acadia’s kinesiology department, and has volunteered extensively with the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre, helping to develop life skills and community engagement among youth. He has also volunteered with Hockey Canada’s Men’s National Para Hockey Program, most recently serving as their mental performance and leadership coach at the 2024 World Championships in Calgary, where the team won its first gold medal in six years.

Liam joined the Acadia Athletics team at the start of the 2024 fall semester.