With consistent improvement since the 2014 season the Axemen are again in position to chop down their competition to the Championship game. Coming up short in last year’s semi-final game against St. FX left the Axemen with a bad taste in their mouths and are looking to bring their best against the top teams of the league for 2016.
Given the close proximity of the campus to the HRM, the Axemen have gathered a strong roster of talent that have plenty of experience of playing with the best players in the region. With an experienced and strong senior class and some rookie talent looking to come in and make an immediate impact, the Axemen should have all of the tools to make a run at the ship.
Senior Players:
John Macdonald – Attack
Luke Byrne – Attack
Chris Clifford – Midfield
Charlie Clary – Midfield
Kurtis Westbury – Midfield
Zach Julian – Defense
Lucas Kennie – Defense
The list of senior players is a lengthy one. It was this group of young players that ignited the competitive juices for the Axeman 4 years ago. John Macdonald, Chris Clifford and Zach Julian who each took home 2nd team all-star awards in 2015 are the back bone of each of their respective sides of the field. Macdonald(10G, 23A), much like he is in the ECJLL, is the set-up man for the attacking core, with fellow senior Luke Byrne(27G, 2A) happily being on the receiving end of Macdonald’s passes. Byrne is coming into his senior year with a wealth of experience in both the MUFLL and ECJLL. Having a record 2015 season, the Axeman will need to ride Bryne all season if they want a berth in the Championship game and this year’s student rep for Acadia just might have the legs to do it. Chris Clifford(22G, 1A), Charlie Clary(12G) and Kurtis Westbury(3G, 5A) are all coming off positive seasons but want to avenge their loss to the X-Men in the semi-finals. Each of them will need to make an impact on the offensive end of the field to make up for graduating players Gavin Quigley and Robbie Grant who combined for (52G, 14A). Defensively look for Zazh Julian, the all-time leading scorer and former assistant captain for the Mikmaq Warriors, to eat up opposing teams best offensive players while Lucas Kennie, defensive specialist and captain for the Halifax North West Marley Lions keeps the Axeman defensive unit on the same page.
Key Returnees:
Luke Byrne – Attack
Clark Hannam – Defence/LSM/Midfield
Errol Spring – Goalie
The Axemen have a player at each position that can take over a game. Starting on the offensive side of the field, Luke Byrne, member of the Halifax South West Hurricanes club in the ECJLL, has a nose for the net and along with a consistent attacking core is in line for a record season in points. Clark Hannam is this teams workhorse who can pick up a pole or short stick and make something happen on the field. Finally, teams that have an experienced goalie in net never feel like they are out of any game, Errol Spring is just that. Having a spectacular rookie season in 2015, Spring is looking to bring that positive momentum into the 2016 season.
Incoming Players:
Oliver Dickson – Midfield
Alex Campbell – Midfield/Attack
Ayden Pierro – Midfield
All three rookies have plenty of experice in the ECJLL with Dickson and Campbell playing transition and offensive roles, respectively, for the Halifax North West Marley Lions and Pierro coming off of an ECJLL Championship while back stopping the Dartmouth Bandits. Look to see Campbell making an immediate impact on the field as his provincial experience with the NS Field program will pay dividends early in the season when teams are still figuring each other out.
The Axemen are a momentum team, they can score 5 in a row in one quarter, and then let in 7 the next. To obtain their goals this year they will need to learn how to manage their emotions through their games and season. If they all can keep their emotions in check and on an even keel, don’t be surprised if they end up playing on a Sunday in early November.
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