Category: Sports & Wellness

Swim Team Food Rituals
Feed a Lifestyle
Food provides athletes with the nutrition they need to sustain their daily activity both in practices and during competitions to fuel their physical activity. Feeding our bodies and creating a healthy lifestyle to assist our daily-activity matters both to athletes and students in need of a boost for school. By instilling daily habits that practice proper nutrition, our body, and our mind benefit from the routine. The Axemen and Axewomen 2020-2021 swim team supports food routines to not only build healthy habits but to treat themselves to the care they deserve. Working hard in sports and school requires a balance in schedule, and without the right care, people burn-out.
Community
Often, food circulates on various occasions. Attending a cocktail party? Chances are the host has set-up a charcuterie board or a table of finger food to nibble on throughout the night. Any Superbowl watch party involves loads of food, which creates a tradition within group settings that surrounds food. Enjoying the Bachelor? May as well pop some popcorn and pop-open the wine. As for students, we tend to forget to enjoy events to the extent we deserve due to budgets, time crunches, and lack of energy. Sports teams learn that regardless of their schedule, food remains valuable. As students, we can adopt these habits and treat our bodies with care.
In your own Setting
Everybody has food routines, whether that be their favourite Meal Hall hack, a guilty-pleasure snack, your favourite dish your parents make, or your go-to meal when you are running late to a class. Routines surround us everywhere, regardless of how we incorporate them into our lives. Sometimes, a change in routine elevates our mood and motivates us by introducing a new theme to lighten our lives. The Axewomen and Axemen swim team has plenty of food rituals to share from their experience with keeping up with school, swim team, and finding time to re-fuel in-between. Below, see the ways both teams prepare for a competition and how they treat themselves afterwards:
“we have huge pasta dinners with teammates before competitions . . . lots of energy, and who knows if that is the best meal to have but having it together gets everyone excited, so who cares if it’s a placebo effect!” -Lia Lancaster
“after meets, we absolutely muck at McDonald’s, because we deserve it! Training 20+ hours a week and eating well all the time to do our best is great, but getting four burgers is pretty great too” -Axewomen swim team
“normally after morning workouts, I’ll visit the boys in my year and make waffles, which helps us eat before class or wind down and chat about pool politics or school affairs so we aren’t always on the go” -Jessica Pelletier
“we all go to McDonald’s or Harvey’s after a swim meet! During the swim meet, usually, a group of parents will make dinner for the entire team, and it will probably be lasagna or pasta. Sushi at the Wasabi House is usually a pretty big staple after the friday night sessions” -Elyott Chang
“I always try to eat lots of protein the few days leading up to racing, although I will only eat white protein and fish compared to red meat as it takes the body 48-72 hours to process red meat” -Guy Harrison-Murray
“I go to Daryll’s and get the peanut butter burger for lunch every year at invites” -Owen Landry
“for breakfast, it’s always eggs, toast, and whatever meat being served (with water). Lunch includes a light pasta & a ham sandwich, and the same always applies to dinner, with non-stop water. If my pee isn’t clear [for a competition] it’s not go-time” -Andre Walcott
You Try
If there is anything that these two teams can teach us as a collective, it’s that food routines bring us closer to others and create a sense of community. Whether that includes drinking a bucket load of water the week before a test to avoid dehydration (maybe not right before not all of us live in a pool), munching some McDonald’s with friends after achieving a goal you worked hard for, or building rituals that to others seem like a placebo, but prepare you for a competition, or the day. Each team believes in food traditions in their unique way and demonstrates the power in building routines that people, as a team, rely on. Let their habits inspire you to try a new food routine to amp up your schedule or to facilitate your efforts. You deserve it.
November 2, 2020
Breaking Technology Routines
Most of the Sports and Wellness articles this year relate to fun routines practiced by the Acadia sports teams, such as pre-game pump-up and self-care, but today the focus is on ridding us of a routine: screen-time. Technology takes over our lives. Throughout the pandemic, most people can attest that their phone screen-time has surpassed regular amounts. We all get the loathsome weekly screen-time notification on our phones at the end of the week and groan when we see the high numbers. Our lives have turned virtual, including our school, for the duration of the year, where many people have classes on Microsoft Teams despite the hybrid approach Acadia University has taken.
We have to limit our screen-time outside of class to prevent technology burnout, the newest 2020 issue. Staring at a screen all day feels defeating and causes people to feel lethargic and distanced. Without an excuse to dress-up and talk to people in a class, people fill the time with phone use after a long day of online school because they do not feel energetic enough to head out and socialize. Especially for those reading this article who enjoy me-time over socialization, school no longer forces you to see people around campus. Despite the adjustment to online school, people should fight the urge to slip further into online life.
Below, see ten reasons to take a screen break to enjoy your life outside of a phone:

-increases time to make connections with people in-person
-increases the likelihood of developing new hobbies
-chance to engage in activities such as self-care
-opportunity to take an hour to exercise
-if you do not like exercise, you can meditate and embrace your spiritual side
-you can go for a walk down to the Dykes for fresh air
-social media harms self-esteem, this impact is reduced with lower screen-time
-you can see your friends in person instead of texting them
-you make real connections by stopping to talk to people on campus
-screen breaks can increase your motivation to work/study

October 26, 2020
Cross-Country Self-Care Rituals

Self-Care and Health go Hand-in-Hand
Self-care is vital to a student’s education. When students stop taking care of themselves, they soon burn-out. Practicing regimens that indulge in pampering yourself both mentally and physically practices self-love, and in return, boosts self-esteem. Athletes, as a collective, tend to know a thing or two about taking care of themselves. With 6 AM training, workouts to keep in shape, schoolwork, social life, and preparing meals, athletes learn to treat their body well to keep their energy and motivation high. Keeping your mind fit, as we do with our bodies, is equally important. Eventually, if one falls behind, so does the other. Both mental and physical health go together, as one starts to show symptoms of abandonment when the other holds priority. The Axewomen cross-country team appreciates self-care, and they practice daily routines to engage in a healthy lifestyle that supports them both mentally and physically. Self-care represents different values for everyone. Although we should all build our self-care based on what makes us happy, individually, hearing other routines inspires us to practice our versions of self-care.
The Effect of Covid19 on Routine
Students endured a seven-month break over the length of the summer due to Covid19 rushing everyone home last March. The long break appears to the public as a stress-free time for students to end school early, but considering the circumstances, most students were facing confusion and loss of a routine. Without a school schedule, last-minute runs to class, and staying in for a weekend to finish assignments, students were no longer forced to sacrifice one activity for another. No routine to take a break from leaves students in a lull, with loss of self-care. Instead, students fight to finish their exams at home, surrounded by distracting house-hold stimuli. Plenty of students forgot to take care of themselves during this time, and others took advantage of the opportunity to learn new recipes, meditation, art, and other hobbies. When people experience fewer tasks, they take the time to engage in new activities; however, once the work settles in, self-care disappears.
Stigmatization Against Self-Care
Destigmatizing the idea that people do not need breaks from work to properly function is valid to not only students and athletes but people in any setting. Athletes feed their bodies with proper nutrition to fuel their training and treat their bodies with care leading up to their game. The Axewomen cross-country team takes self-care seriously and makes a conscious daily effort to engage in self-care to boost their routine. Below, the Axewomen have provided a list of ways they take care of themselves during their training season, which we can all integrate into our lives as Acadia students.
Axewomen Cross-Country Team 2020-2021
Jessy Carveth
“so for me, before a race or tough workout, I like to eat a bagel and iced coffee, because it’s very familiar and has become a sort of ritual. I also have a playlist that I like to listen to as I get closer to race/workout time that puts me in a zone. I find putting in my headphones and keeping to myself gets me in a good space mentally” -Jessy Carveth

Lindsay Myles
“Epsom salt bath, and drinking lots of water” -Lindsay Myles

Madalyn Higgins
“for me, number one is 100% a good breakfast! Especially lots of delicious carbs. I also always try to get a good night sleep and shut down extra early on race days” -Madalyn Higgins
Your turn
The Axewomen have just set the standard for your new routine. By gifting yourself positive rewards before and after working, the rituals fuel your motivation and lift you. Engaging in healthy daily habits lets your body and mind know what to expect and learn the respect you deserve. Indulging in an Epsom bath or grabbing an iced coffee and a bagel before a daunting task or workout provides a treat to push you through. Eating a filling breakfast in the morning lets your body know your day is starting and to begin your routine. Next time you have free time (or make time), incorporate a new self-care routine into your day until the habit becomes a daily ritual.

October 19, 2020
Rugby Pre-Game Rituals
Due to Covid19, university sports have temporarily evaporated, but not our team spirit. The Axewomen rugby team is here to remind you of why you loved Acadia sports so dearly. The big rush before a game ignites audiences of Acadia students flooding the stands with pools of red and blue and proud hollers that echo in memories years later. Acadia pride is contagious; especially, to the Axewomen, as they engage in their pre-game rituals to focus and bring praise to the students who gather around them in hopes for another win. As students, faculty, and Acadia Alumni shake their noisemakers that fade into the Wolfville winds and scream cheers to pump the team up, the rugby team has their separate ways of gearing up for a game.
During this pandemic, the excitement over a game, or a blip in time, remains relevant in our daily lives. Better yet, rituals teach us how to enjoy the moments we overlook. Feeling motivated to walk to the grocery store or to write a test the same way we do skipping over to the Athletics complex to watch players compete against each other means making the most out of the mundane activities in life. While reminiscing on sports memories, remember the feeling of attending an Acadia game, and employ the spirit of the pre-game rituals, seen below, in your daily lives. Here are five pre-game habits presented to you by the Axewomen 2020-2021 rugby team:
Amanda Jardine
- “pre-game and pump up is crushing some Tums.” -Amanda Jardine
Sarah Palfy
- “picturing myself tackling people and listening to hype music.” – Sarah Palfy
Kylie Manser
- “listening to music with the team in the change room!” -Kylie Manser
Katya Dondi
- “so, one thing I have to do for games is making sure my hair is straight. I also listen to the karate kid soundtrack to get hyped up.” -Katya Dondi
Savannah Wheatley
- “putting my hair in Dutch braids tightly, listening to music and repeating my goals for the game in my head.” -Savannah Wheatley
So, the next time you hit the gym, walk to your class, or feel sad, blast hype music, tie your hair into tight braids, eat Tums (with discretion), picture yourself tackling your problems or listen to the Karate Kid soundtrack.
October 11, 2020

Maaskant named Randy Gregg Award winner, Flodell named All-Canadian

HALIFAX (U SPORTS) – Saskatchewan netminder Taran Kozun was honored with the Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy as U SPORTS men’s hockey Player of the Year Wednesday night, as the national award winners were celebrated at the annual All-Canadian gala. Also included in the major awards was Axeman Liam Maaskant who was named the Dr Randy Gregg (Community Service) Award winner. Axemen goaltender Logan Flodell was named as a second-team all-Canadian goaltender as well.

Past Award Winners

Kozun also took home the Goaltender of the Year honour, while McGill blueliner Nikolas Brouillard was named Defencemen of the Year. In addition, Saint Mary’s forward Mitchell Balmas captured the Clare Drake Award as Rookie of the Year, Saskatchewan forward Levi Cable was named the winner of the R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award as most sportsmanlike player and Acadia defenceman Liam Maaskant earned the Dr. Randy Gregg Award for Student-Athlete Community Service.

Finally, Toronto bench boss Ryan Medel is the winner of Father George Kehoe Memorial Award as Fox 40 Coach of the Year.

As the Exclusive Provider of championship rings and recognition jewelry of U SPORTS, Baron will provide customized rings to the First Team All-Canadians in football, basketball and hockey, as well as other major award winners.

The puck drops on 2020 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup – hosted jointly by the Acadia Axemen and Sports & Entertainment Atlantic (S|E|A) – on Thursday and concludes Sunday with the gold medal game at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT. All games will be played at the Scotiabank Centre, home of the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) Halifax Mooseheads.

Livestreaming in English is available for free worldwide on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices, with French digital coverage carried on USPORTS.LIVE.

SENATOR JOSEPH A. SULLIVAN TROPHY (Player of the Year) & Goaltender of the Year: Taran Kozun Saskatchewan

It was another dominant season for Saskatchewan Huskie Taran Kozun, who is a dual award winner, claiming the nation’s Player and Goalie of the Year awards.

Kozun is the first player in U SPORTS history to claim both awards in the same season, since the goaltending honour was introduced in 2009-10. This marks his second straight Goaltender of the Year award, and the fourth time in five seasons it has been won by a Saskatchewan netminder, after Jordon Cooke captured back-to-back honours in the crease in 2016 and 2017. He is also just the second Huskie to win Player of the Year, and the first since Jon Barkman in 2002.

The former Seattle Thunderbird led the conference in every major goaltending category, posting a 1.87 goals-against average, .931 save percentage, five shutouts, and 17 wins. Along with those sparkling numbers, the third-year arts and sciences major from Nipawin, Sask., also became just the second goalie in CW history to score when he found the net in January against the Calgary Dinos.

Thanks in large part to Kozun’s stellar season, the Huskies finished second in the conference standings, as the program’s all-time leader in shutouts (11) posted a third consecutive season with a save percentage north of .920.

“For as long as I’ve been here – including as an athlete – we’ve always had good goaltending and Taran provides the level of play that our program expects,” said Saskatchewan head coach Dave Adolph. “He’s earned the respect of the league over the last two years with the way he’s played. He’s consistently been a high achiever and obviously people respect him for his consistency at the top level.

Player of the Year & Goaltender of the Year Nominees

CW: Taran Kozun, Saskatchewan (Winner)

OUA: Logan Flodell, Acadia

AUS: David Thomson, Toronto (Player of the Year); Louis-Philip Guindon, McGill (Goaltender of the Year)

CLARE DRAKE AWARD (Rookie of the Year): Mitchell Balmas, Saint Mary’s

In just his first year with the Huskies program, Balmas scored the second most points in the conference and third most in the nation – amassing 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points on the season. A commerce student from Sydney, N.S., he was also named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and earned a place on the U SPORTS all-rookie team.

Before joining the Huskies, Balmas played most recently for the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Prior to that, his QMJHL career included seasons with the Acadie-Bathurst Titans, the Gatineau Olympiques, and the Charlottetown Islanders.

This season, he led the Huskies to a 17-12-1 regular season record and a third-place finish in the conference standings.Saint Mary’s went on to sweep the UPEI Panthers in their best-of-three quarterfinal series, with Balmas contributing a goal and an assist in Game 2.

He is the third consecutive AUS player to win the award and the first from the Saint Mary’s program.

Nominees

CW: Jared Dmytriw, Saskatchewan

OUA: Chris Paquette, RMC

AUS: Mitchell Balmas, Saint Mary’s (Winner

DEFENCEMAN OF THE YEAR: Nikolas Brouillard, McGill

A native St. Hilaire, Que., Brouillard earns a spot as First Team All-Canadian in his fourth year thanks to his potent play on the blue line. Brouillard posted 23 points to rank fifth among OUA rearguards and 10th nationally, while his seven goals put him in the top three among conference defencemen and tied for sixth at the U SPORTS level.

In addition to his defensive ability in his own end, Brouillard also forces the opposition to defend differently with the puck on his stick. As one of the most fearsome power play weapons across the league, wielding a shot as hard as any U SPORTS blueliner, Brouillard made himself at home at the point to claim this year’s honour.

He is the fourth McGill defenceman to win the award, after former blueliner Ryan McKiernan in 2014 and Marc-André Dorion (2010, 2012)

“Nik is an instrumental part of our hockey club, he plays in all situations for us and quarterbacks our power-play,” said McGill head coach Liam Heelis of the wiry 5-foot-11, 168-pound economics junior, who possesses a shot as hard as any blue-liner in the country and forces opposing teams to defend differently when he is on the ice. “He sees the ice extremely well and also has the ability to finish whenever he gets a scoring chance. I consider him a big game player and someone that can shift the momentum on any given night. He’s a dynamic skater and a dynamic shooter.”

Since joining the university ranks after stints in the ECHL and AHL, the two-time OUA all-star has tallied 22 goals and 49 points in 57 regular season games. He also has a 3-12-15 record in 17 career post-season contests.

Brouillard played for U SPORTS all-stars against Canadian junior prospects in each of the last two years and has registered five points in those five games. He also played for a university all-star squad from the Quebec-based teams in the OUA East against the Montreal Canadiens rookie team (Oct. 2019) and was previously invited to NHL training camps with Winnipeg (2013), San Jose (2014) and Toronto (2015, 2016).

Nominees

CW: Adam Henry, Manitoba

OUA: Nikolas Brouillard, McGill (Winner)

AUS: Nick Welsh, Saint Mary’s

R.W. PUGH FAIR PLAY AWARD (Most Sportsmanlike Player): Levi Cable, Saskatchewan

Cable posted the third 20-point season of his career in 2019-20, registering 10 goals and 14 assists. He also registered a second consecutive penalty free season, as he concluded his five-year U SPORTS career with just 18 penalty minutes.

“Levi has been the best two-way forward in the league since about mid-way through December in his first year,” said Adolph. He brings it, is a reliable player at both ends of the rink, and scores game-winning goals week-after-week. He’s first on the puck, aggressive, and physical.”

Cable is the sixth Huskie to win the award, joining Brian Purdy (1996), Sheldon Moser (2000), John Barkman (2002), Dean Beuker (2006) and Kyle Ross (2012).

Nominees

CW: Levi Cable, Saskatchewan (Winner)

OUA: Austin Eastman, Ontario Tech

AUS: Vincent Deslauriers, Moncton

RANDY GREGG AWARD (Student-Athlete Community Service): Liam Maaskant, Acadia

A fifth-year engineering student from Clinton, Ont., Maaskant has served as team captain for two consecutive seasons.

He played in 28 games this season, anchoring the Acadia defence and scoring 15 points (four goals, 11 assists).

In the classroom, Maaskant is a three-time academic all-Canadian. Despite the heavy demands of being a student and a varsity athlete, he also contributes in the university and wider Wolfville communities, volunteering in a number of capacities.

He serves as the co-president of the Acadia Players’ Association and is actively involved with the S.M.I.L.E. program (Sensory Motor Instructional Learning Experience) as a leader and program buddy. Maaskant has volunteered his time to a number of fundraising and minor hockey events, including Acadia’s Hearts on Ice which raises money for the Valley Cardiac Rehab Society and the Hannah Miller Memorial Tournament, which gives back to the local hockey community.

Maaskant is the first member of the Axemen to win the award.

Nominees

CW: Adam Henry, Manitoba

OUA: Brendan Jacome, Ottawa

AUS: Liam Maaskant, Acadia (Winner)

FATHER GEORGE KEHOE MEMORIAL AWARD (Fox 40 Coach of the Year):

Ryan Medel, Toronto

With now three years under his belt behind the bench, Medel guided the Blues to a program-best tying 21 wins this season. The native of Ruthven, Ont., helped U of T rise the ranks, going from an eighth-place result a year to a first-place finish in 2019-20.

Under his guidance, the Blues churned out a top-ranked power play (30.8 per cent), scored the most goals in the OUA and fourth-most nationally (125), and allowed the third fewest in the conference (71).

Medel is the second Varsity Blues coach to win the award and the first since former NHL coach Tom Watt, who took home the inaugural award in 1971.

Nominees

CW: Todd Johnson, Regina

First Team All-Canadians
Pos.	First Name	Last Name	School	Elig.	Hometown	Program
F	Tyler	Boland	UNB	3	St. John’s, N.L.	Recreation & Sport Studies
F	David	Thomson	Toronto	2	Vaughan, Ont.	Psychology / Criminology
F	Grayson	Pawlenchuk	Alberta	2	Edmonton, Alta.	Business
D	Nikolas	Brouillard	McGill	4	St. Hilaire, Que.	Economics
D	Nick	Welsh	Saint Mary’s	2	Halifax, N.S.	Commerce
G	Taran	Kozun	Saskatchewan	3	Nipawin, Sask.	Arts & Sciences
Second Team All-Canadians
F	Mitchell	Balmas	Saint Mary’s	1	Sydney, N.S.	Commerce
F	Matt	Alfaro	Calgary	3	Calgary, Alta.	Science
F	Chris	Paquette	RMC	1	Kingston, Ont.	Military Arts & Science
D	Adam	Henry	Manitoba	5	Winnipeg, Man.	Management
D	Owen	Headrick	UPEI	4	Garden River, Ont.	Arts
G	Logan	Flodell	Acadia	2	Regina, Sask.	Business Admin.
All-Rookie Team
F	Mitchell	Balmas	Saint Mary’s	1	Sydney, N.S.	Commerce
F	Chris	Paquette	RMC	1	Kingston, Ont.	Military Arts & Science
F	Jared	Dmytriw	Saskatchewan	1	Craven, Sask.	Business
D	Dawson	Davidson	Alberta	1	Moosomin, Sask.	Arts
D	Jordan	Sambrook	Brock	1	Markham, Ont.	Social Sciences
G	Samuel	Harvey	UNB	1	Alma, Que.	Business Admin.

OUA: Ryan Medel, Toronto (Winner)

AUS: Darren Burns, Acadia

ALL-CANADIAN & ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS

First Team All-Canadians
Pos.	First Name	Last Name	School	Elig.	Hometown	Program
F	Tyler	Boland	UNB	3	St. John’s, N.L.	Recreation & Sport Studies
F	David	Thomson	Toronto	2	Vaughan, Ont.	Psychology / Criminology
F	Grayson	Pawlenchuk	Alberta	2	Edmonton, Alta.	Business
D	Nikolas	Brouillard	McGill	4	St. Hilaire, Que.	Economics
D	Nick	Welsh	Saint Mary’s	2	Halifax, N.S.	Commerce
G	Taran	Kozun	Saskatchewan	3	Nipawin, Sask.	Arts & Sciences
Second Team All-Canadians
F	Mitchell	Balmas	Saint Mary’s	1	Sydney, N.S.	Commerce
F	Matt	Alfaro	Calgary	3	Calgary, Alta.	Science
F	Chris	Paquette	RMC	1	Kingston, Ont.	Military Arts & Science
D	Adam	Henry	Manitoba	5	Winnipeg, Man.	Management
D	Owen	Headrick	UPEI	4	Garden River, Ont.	Arts
G	Logan	Flodell	Acadia	2	Regina, Sask.	Business Admin.
All-Rookie Team
F	Mitchell	Balmas	Saint Mary’s	1	Sydney, N.S.	Commerce
F	Chris	Paquette	RMC	1	Kingston, Ont.	Military Arts & Science
F	Jared	Dmytriw	Saskatchewan	1	Craven, Sask.	Business
D	Dawson	Davidson	Alberta	1	Moosomin, Sask.	Arts
D	Jordan	Sambrook	Brock	1	Markham, Ont.	Social Sciences
G	Samuel	Harvey	UNB	1	Alma, Que.	Business Admin.

Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.

March 28, 2020

Glen-Carter named to 1st Team, Zakutney to All-Rookie Team

CALGARY, AB – Acadia’s Lucy Glen-Carter was named as a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, while teammate Sydney Zakutney was named to the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. Glen-Carter is the first Axewomen to be named as a first team All-Canadian

Dalhousie setter Courtney Baker was honoured with the Mary Lyons Award as U SPORTS women’s volleyball Player of the Year Thursday night, as the national award winners were celebrated at the annual All-Canadian gala.

Past Award Winners

UBC Okanagan outside hitter Amaya Perry captured the Mark Tennant Award as Rookie of the Year, while McGill outside hitter Rowan Fletcher earned the Marilyn Pomfret Award for Student-Athlete Community Service for her outstanding contribution both on and off the court. Finally, MacEwan bench boss Ken Briggs took home the Thérèse Quigley Award as Fox 40 Coach of the Year.

Hosted for the fifth time by the Calgary Dinos, first serve on the 2020 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship flies on Friday and the event concludes Sunday with the gold medal game at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. All games be played at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium

Livestreaming is available via subscription on USPORTS.LIVE.

MARY LYONS AWARD (Player of the Year): Courtney Baker, Dalhousie

A fifth-year kinesiology student from Bridgewater, N.S., Baker finished second in the conference in both assists (607) and assists per set (8.93).

The setter appeared in 21 matches for the Tigers this season, helping the team finish first in the AUS standings with a 19-1 record.

In addition to being selected as U SPORTS MVP, Baker earned a spot on the First Team All-Canadian squad for the third consecutive year.

She is the second player from the Dalhousie Tigers to be named the nation’s most valuable player, after Karin Maessen took home the honour in 1981-82.

Nominees

CW: Kory White, Alberta

OUA: Cailin Wark, Ryerson

RSEQ: Maud Chapleau, Laval

AUS: Courtney Baker, Dalhousie(Winner)

MARK TENNANT AWARD (Rookie of the Year): Amaya Perry, UBC Okanagan

Amaya Perry is the first UBC Okanagan Heat volleyball player to earn the nation’s top honour for a first-year player.

The Chin, Alta., native finished inside the top 25 in Canada West in several key statistical categories this season, including second in service aces with 59. Other top 25 stats included: kills per set (2.36), total attacks (679), and points per set (3.2).

Starting all 24 of UBCO’s games this season, Perry was the best of an excellent Heat rookie group that also included fellow CW All-Rookie team member Abigail Dueck.

“We counted on Amaya to play like a veteran all season, and she did not disappoint. Fearless from the service line, she used her devastating float serve as a weapon to keep teams off balance every single time she stepped back to the end line,” said UBC Okanagan head coach Steve Manuel. “A joy to coach and a fierce competitor, our coaching staff is excited to continue to work with her in the coming years and we couldn’t be happier for her win of this much deserved award.”

Nominees

CW: Amaya Perry, UBC Okanagan (Winner)

OUA: Jasmine Rivest, Ryerson

RSEQ: Marianne Boucher, Sherbrooke

AUS: Sydney Zakutney, Acadia

THÉRÈSE QUIGLEY AWARD (Student-Athlete Community Service): Rowan Fletcher, McGill

A 23-year-old political science senior from Montreal West and Martlets team captain, Fletcher is a six-foot right-side hitter and was the team’s only member to play in all 80 sets, for the second straight year. A key stalwart on defence, she registered a team-leading 2.81 digs per set – with a season-high of 26 digs in one game — and tallied 29.5 blocks. Offensively, she produced 72 kills, 13 aces and 34 assists.

Off the court, aside from serving as a team marketing rep and spearheading team fundraising projects, she served as VP of community outreach on the McGill Varsity Council. Elected as the athletics representative on the Students Society of McGill University, she also chaired the Student Athletics Council. She has been a volunteer in numerous projects, including an annual varsity Christmas gift-wrapping event in support of the Sun Youth organization for under-privileged families and the team’s annual “Pink Game” in support of breast cancer awareness. She has served with the Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Foundation for children, the McGill Community Engagement committee, the McGill Athletics & Recreation Advisory Board, the varsity athletics gala nomination committee and the McGill Sports Hall of Fame Committee.

This summer, Fletcher has signed up for an internship with Artistri Sud, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering women artisans in developing countries to fight poverty through an entrepreneurial program. Among their projects is collaboration with women in Montreal, Vietnam and Ecuador to prepare teaching programs for impoverished female artisans. Since 2013, she has helped organize an annual “Shave to Raise” event for the Andy Collins Kids Foundation, benefitting the Montreal Children’s Hospital. She sits on the city of Montreal West’s planning advisory committee and volunteers for their annual “Santa’s Breakfast”. She also served at the Royal Vale elementary school’s “Jump Rope for Heart” fitness program.

“Rowan is a true role model, both on and off the court,” said McGill head coach Rachèle Béliveau. “A hard and disciplined worker, she puts in a consistent effort every day. As team captain, she brings a positive attitude and leads by example. Fluently bilingual, she makes her teammates feel comfortable and has developed strong relationships with everyone. She has an impressive ability to multi-task and manage to excel in all areas, whether it be team-related or for the community.”

Fletcher is the second McGill player to earn the award after former Martlet Myriam Robitaille in 2017.

Nominees

CW: Kendra Finch, Thompson Rivers

OUA: Sophia Currier, Toronto

RSEQ: Rowan Fletcher, McGill (Winner)

AUS: Margaret Henley, Memorial

MARILYN POMFRET AWARD (Fox 40 Coach of the Year): Ken Briggs, MacEwan

Briggs guided the Griffins to their best Canada West finish ever – a fourth-place finish during the regular season with a record of 17-7 – earning MacEwan its first playoff appearance since joining U SPORTS volleyball for the 2014-15 season

The Griffins have been trending upwards under Briggs the last several seasons, going from four wins in 2017-18, to 12 a year ago when they narrowly missed out on the postseason.

“I think it’s a tremendous honour for the institution and a testament to all the hard work of the student-athletes and coaching staff. We’re really proud of their accomplishments and Ken’s ability to motivate those young women to higher levels,” said MacEwan Athletic Director Ken Schildroth. “He’s got a very experienced roster and he’s put in a lot of time in developing their skills, so it’s nice to see him get rewarded. They came together at the right time. I think that’s a tremendous credit to them as a group of women.”

Briggs is the first Griffins coach to win the award.

Nominees

CW: Ken Briggs, MacEwan (Winner)

OUA: Dustin Reid, Ryerson

RSEQ: Olivier Trudel, Montreal

AUS: Michelle Wood, Acadia

First Team All-Canadians
Pos.	First Name	Last Name	School	Elig.	Hometown	Program
S	Courtney	Baker	Dalhousie	5	Bridgewater, N.S.	Kinesiology
OH	Kory	White	Alberta	4	Edmonton, Alta.	Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences
OH	Maud	Chapleau	Laval	4	Quebec City, Que.	Health and Security in the Workplace
RS	Cailin	Wark	Ryerson	4	Georgetown, Ont.	Geographic Analysis
OH	Hilary	Howe	Trinity Western	4	Calgary, Alta.	Business
RS	Alina	Dormann	Toronto	5	Ottawa, Ont.	Health & Disease
OH	Lucy	Glen-Carter	Acadia	3	Toronto, Ont.	Kinesiology
Second Team All-Canadians
OH	Sarah	Glynn	Waterloo	2	Fredericton, N.S.	Kinesiology
OH	Kendra	Finch	Thompson Rivers	5	North Vancouver, B.C.	General Studies
OH	Maude	Babin	Montreal	3	Montreal, Que.	Security and Police Studies
MB	Nyadholi	Thokbuom	Mount Royal	2	Calgary, Alta.	Arts
OH	Laura	Condotta	Brock	4	Etobicoke, Ont.	Sport Management
MB	Victoria	Haworth	Dalhousie	5	Waverley, N.S.	Medical Sciences / Engineering
OH	Emily	Koshinsky	Saskatchewan	4	Jansen, Sask.	Kinesiology
All-Rookie Team
OH	Amaya	Perry	UBC Okanagan	1	Chin, Alta.	Sciences
S	Sydney	Zakutney	Acadia	1	Ottawa, Ont.	Science
MB	Marianne	Boucher	Sherbrooke	1	Chambly, Que.	Physical Activity Sciences Applied to Sports Training
OH	Jasmine	Rivest	Ryerson	1	Montreal, Que.	Arts & Contemporary Studies
OH	Trinity	Solecki	Calgary	1	Cochrane, Alta.	Open Studies
S	Audrey	Trottier	McGill	1	Longueuil, Que.	Kinesiology
MB	Light	Uchechukwu	Manitoba	1	Winnipeg, Man.	Arts

Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.

March 28, 2020

UNB wins the AUS Hockey Championship
FREDERICTON, NB – The UNB Reds are the 2020 Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey champions after defeating the Acadia Axemen 5-1 in game three of the best of three championship series.
Alexandre Goulet (Disraeli, QC) scored three goals to lead the Reds in a 5-1 win over the Acadia Axemen on Friday, in the third and deciding game of their AUS championship series.
The game was played before a sell-out crowd of 3,374 people at UNB’s Aitken Centre.
Goulet was named the Subway Player of the Game, while Reds goaltender Samuel Harvey (Alma, QC) was named the most valuable player of the AUS playoffs.
Friday’s game began with both teams playing a close, tight-checking game.
They played a scoreless first period, but the at capacity crowd didn’t have to wait long for a goal in the second period.
Oliver Cooper (Fredericton, NB) fired a quick shot from the slot that beat Axemen goalie Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) at the 2:51 mark.
UNB’s Mark Rassell (Calgary, AB) started the play, rushing the puck in on a partial breakaway, but firing the puck over the Acadia net. The Reds gained possession of the loose puck in the corner, before working it in front to Cooper.
With time winding down in the period, and the Reds buzzing inside the Acadia zone, Tristan Pomerleau (Riviere-du-Loup, QC) fed Goulet at the point. His low blast found its way through traffic and beat Flodell, giving UNB a 2-0 lead.
The Axemen came out swinging in the third, and at 1:08, Ross MacDougall (St. Stephen, NB) put the Axemen on the board. His point shot ended almost 146 minutes of shut-out hockey by Harvey in the UNB net.
Goulet’s second goal, at 14:27, restored UNB’s two-goal lead. It was a rocket of a shot off another nice feed from Pomerleau.
Mark Simpson (Rothesay, NB) scored into an empty Acadia net at 16:23, and Goulet completed his hat-trick 29 seconds later, beating Flodell after he’d returned to the Axemen net.
Harvey stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced for the win, allowing a total of three goals in the series.
“It’s a small margin of error for us, against them, and a couple of plays in the second that they got two goals on, a couple of them didn’t really have to happen, but that’s the way it is,” said Axemen head coach Darren Burns. “We were in the box a lot. That kind of takes the energy out and turns the momentum. That’s what hurt us in the second, those momentum switches.”
“That was great entertainment,” said Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “It was a hard-fought game, two teams that are pretty close. We had a great opponent.”
Both teams now prepare for the 2020 Cavendish Farms University Cup national championship tournament, in Halifax. That begins Thursday.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics
March 16, 2020
McDonald & Veinot named as All-Star, Rice recipient of MacLeod Award
(HALIFAX, N.S.) – Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the 2019-20 AUS women’s basketball all-stars and major award winners as selected by the conference’s eight head coaches following regular season play.
Acadia’s Haley McDonald was named to the AUS First Team All-Star squad, while teammate Jayda Veinot was named to the Second Team All-Star list. Senior forward Kelsey Rice was named the AUS Tracy MacLeod Award winner.
Fourth-year UPEI Panthers guard Jenna Mae Ellsworth of Charlottetown, P.E.I., was named the AUS most valuable player today as well as the AUS defensive player of the year.
Other AUS major award winners announced were Cape Breton’s Hailey MacLeod of Marion Bridge, N.S., who was named AUS rookie of the year; Acadia’s Kelsey Rice of Beaverbank, N.S., who is the AUS Tracy MacLeod Award Nominee; UNB’s Mikaela Dodig of Bolton, Ont., who received the student-athlete community service award; and Memorial Sea-Hawks head coach Mark English, who was named AUS coach of the year for the first time in his career.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jenna Mae Ellsworth, UPEI Panthers
Jenna Mae Ellsworth, a five-foot-10 guard with the UPEI Panthers, is the Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball most valuable player.
A fourth-year science student from Charlottetown, P.E.I., Ellsworth led the Panthers with 20.5 point per game this season. She averaged 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
UPEI finished in first place in the regular season standings with a 17-3 record and have earned a bye through to the playoff semifinals.
In addition to being named conference MVP, she also earned defensive player of the year honours and a place on the AUS first team all-star squad today.
This marks the first time Ellsworth has been named an AUS first team all-star. She is a three-time AUS second team all-star and also earned rookie of the year nods and a place on the AUS all-rookie team in her inaugural season with the Panthers in 2016-17.
With 1,231 career points scored in four seasons, she now sits tied for second in UPEI school history with a year of eligibility remaining.
Ellsworth is just the third player in UPEI history to earn the conference MVP award and the first since 1998-99 when former Panthers standout Jennifer Johnston won the award. The only other UPEI player to be named AUS MVP was Paula Edwards in 1985-86.
Ellsworth now becomes the AUS nominee for the Nan Copp Award for U SPORTS player of the year.
Only two players from the AUS conference have earned the national honour: Acadia’s Paloma Anderson who took home the award in 2017-18 season, and Saint Mary’s Justine Colley who earned back-to-back Nan Copp awards in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Hailey MacLeod, Cape Breton Capers
Hailey MacLeod of the Cape Breton Capers is the AUS women’s basketball rookie of the year.
A five-foot-11 forward from Marion Bridge, N.S., MacLeod made an immediate impact with the Capers this season, starting in eight games and playing in all 20.
She boasted the second-best field goal percentage in the conference (50.8) and averaged 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season.
In a Feb. 8 game versus Saint Mary’s, MacLeod posted a career-high 31 points and 12 rebounds.
Along with being honoured as the conference’s top rookie, she also earned a place on the AUS all-rookie team.
She is the fifth player from the Capers to earn the honour as the conference’s top rookie. Former Cape Breton winners include Alison Keough (2013-14), Colleen Keane (2012-13), Amanda Fisher (1998-99) and Janice Moseychuck (1994-95).
MacLeod will now represent the conference as the AUS nominee for the Kathy Shields Award for U SPORTS rookie of the year.
Alison Keough is only player from the Capers to ever win the national rookie of the year award.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jenna Mae Ellsworth, UPEI Panthers
Jenna Mae Ellsworth of the UPEI Panthers women’s basketball team is the 2019-20 AUS defensive player of the year in addition to earning the conference’s top honour as AUS MVP.
The fourth-year guard from Charlottetown, P.E.I. led the Panthers with 2.1 steals per game. She also averaged 3.8 defensive rebounds per game.
UPEI boasted the most effective defence in the conference this season, limiting their opponents to an AUS-best 61.9 points per game.
This marks the third consecutive year a player from the Panthers has been named AUS defensive player of the year. Teammate Carolina Del Santo earned the honour the past two seasons.
Ellsworth will now become the Atlantic conference nominee for the U SPORTS defensive player of the year award.
Former Saint Mary’s Huskies standout Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse earned the national honour in 2015-16. She is the only AUS player to ever be honoured with the U SPORTS award.
TRACY MACLEOD AWARD NOMINEE: Kelsey Rice, Acadia Axewomen
Kelsey Rice of the Acadia Axewomen is the 2019-20 nominee for the U SPORTS Tracy MacLeod Award.
This award rewards a women’s basketball player who demonstrates determination, perseverance and unwavering spirit to continue playing the game of basketball.
A fifth-year forward from Beaverbank, N.S., Rice has displayed resilience and passion for the game throughout a five-year AUS career plagued with injuries.
Throughout her first four seasons, she suffered multiple concussions which sidelined her several times. Last season, after missing 12 games in the second half following a concussion, she was medically cleared to return to play in the final regular season game.
At the AUS championship, she played in all three games, helping the Axewomen to their second straight conference title.
Unfortunately, during Acadia’s final game of the U SPORTS championship last season, Rice suffered an ACL tear which she had to undergo surgery to repair in May 2019.
This season, she spent months rehabbing the injury, determined to return to play. She was medically cleared in February and played in Acadia’s final three regular season games.
“Kelsey has shown an extraordinary amount of resilience and a pure love for the game of basketball,” said Acadia head coach Len Harvey. “Kelsey was an AUS all-rookie team member in her first year, and though much of her career potential has been derailed due to her concussions and her ACL injury, she remains as steadfast as ever to return to play the game she loves during her final year of university.”
“Kelsey’s toughness and desire to return to play are inspiring,” said Harvey. “Through it all, she has kept her wonderful, positive attitude and has been relentless in her pursuit of getting back on the court.”
Rice’s win marks the second consecutive year a player from the Axewomen has earned this honour. Lanae Adams won the AUS award for Acadia last season and went on to earn the national honour.
Rice now becomes the AUS nominee for the U SPORTS Tracy MacLeod Award. Prior to Adams’ win last season, the only other AUS players to take home the national honour have been Memorial’s Brittany Dalton (2010-11) and Dalhousie’s Janet Wells (1999-00).

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Mikaela Dodig, UNB Reds
Fourth-year UNB guard Mikaela Dodig is the 2019-20 recipient of the AUS student-athlete community service award and the AUS nominee for the U SPORTS Sylvia Sweeney award.
A five-foot-six guard from Bolton, Ont., Dodig has achieved success on the basketball court and in the classroom, while also being heavily involved in the community.
She started in all 20 games for the Reds this season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season.
Following this season, she now sits second in UNB history with 113 career three-point field goals made.
She was named an AUS second team all-star today for the second consecutive season. She was also named to the AUS all-rookie team in her inaugural season with UNB in 2016-17.
Dodig holds a 4.1 GPA and has maintained academic all-Canadian status since her arrival at UNB.
Her extensive volunteer efforts include founding and co-chairing the first student-led Women in Sport conference to be held at UNB. The conference, which aims to empower, educate and support girls and women as participants and leaders in sport, is set for April 4, 2020.
She serves as vice president of the athlete’s council on campus and initiated the She is Active program with the Reds—a day where young girls join Reds varsity student-athletes to play various sports.
She is a member of SAMHI (Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative) on campus and she is a volunteer at the Fredericton Community Kitchen.
Dodig has also served as a volunteer coach for multiple teams, including the U17 provincial team and the Jr. Reds U13 team.
She is the fourth player from the Reds to take home this honour and the first since 2011-12 when Melissa Foster won the award. Other winners from UNB include Amanda Sharpe (2010-11) and Emily Murphy (2005-06)
Dodig now becomes the AUS nominee for the U SPORTS Sylvia Sweeney Award.
AUS student-athletes have taken home the national honour in three of the past four seasons. UPEI’s Kiera Rigby won the award in 2017-18, Acadia’s Katie Ross took home the honours in 2016-17 and Dalhousie’s Ainsley MacIntyre won in 2015-16.

DR. CAROLYN SAVOY AWARD (AUS COACH OF THE YEAR): Mark English, Memorial Sea-Hawks
Memorial Sea-Hawks head coach Mark English has been chosen by his peers as the recipient of the Dr. Carolyn Savoy Memorial Award for AUS coach of the year for the first time in his career.
In his fifth season at the help of the program, Coach English led the Sea-Hawks to a 13-7 regular season record and a third-place finish in the AUS standings.
The Memorial squad averaged 75.7 points per game this season—good for second best in the conference.
Last season, the Sea-Hawks finished as runners up at the AUS championship after entering the playoffs as a No. 5 seed and upsetting the fourth-seeded UNB Reds in the quarterfinals and No. 1-seeded Cape Breton Capers in the semifinals.
English now becomes the Atlantic conference nominee for the U SPORTS coach of the year award.
Saint Mary’s head coach Scott Munro is the most recent AUS coach to win the national award. He took home the honour in 2012-13.
FIRST AND SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
The Atlantic University Sport first and second team all-stars were also announced today, along with this year’s all-rookie team.
First Team All-Stars
Jenna Mae Ellsworth, UPEI (4th year – Charlottetown, P.E.I.)
Haille Nickerson, Memorial (5th year – Grimsby, Ont.)
Haley McDonald, Acadia (4th year – Port Williams, N.S.)
Reese Baxendale, UPEI (3rd year – Sussex, N.B.)
MacKenzee Ryan, Cape Breton (3rd year – Glace Bay, N.S.)
Second Team All-Stars
Jayda Veinot, Acadia (2nd year – Port Williams, N.S.)
Mikaela Dodig, UNB (4th year – Bolton, Ont.)
Alaina McMillan, Saint Mary’s (2nd year – Brantford, Ont.)
Alana Short, Memorial (2nd year – Barrie, Ont.)
Monique Calliste – Cape Breton (4th year – Toronto, Ont.)
All-Rookie Team:
Hailey MacLeod, Cape Breton (Marion Bridge, N.S.)
Aliyah Fraser, StFX (New Glasgow, N.S.)
Lucina Beaumont, Saint Mary’s (Fredericton, N.B.)
Chloe Wilson, Dalhousie (Dartmouth, N.S.)
Lauren Rainford, UPEI (Toronto, Ont.)
Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics
March 8, 2020
Axewomen fall short in three-peating as AUS champions
HALIFAX, N.S. – The UPEI Panthers are AUS champions after defeating the Acadia Axewomen by a score of 78-59 in Sunday’s Subway AUS Women’s Basketball Championship final. This mark’s the Panthers’ first conference banner since the 1997-98 season.
AUS first team all-star Reese Baxendale led the way for the Panthers with 25 points on 9-of-20 from the floor, including 5-of-12 from three. She also contributed seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in the effort, winning her Championship MVP, Subway Player of the Game honours and a place on the tournament all-star team.
Acadia was led in scoring by AUS first team all-star Haley McDonald who chipped in 18 points (7-of-23 from the floor, 1-of-8 from three), four assists, three rebounds and three steals in the loss.
Acadia opened the game’s scoring with a driving layup by Rachel Clouatre-Trudeau, however the Axewomen struggled to knock down some long jumpers early, going 0-for-5 from three over the first 10 minutes.
McDonald led the way for Acadia with seven first-quarter points, helping the Axewomen to an 18-17 lead heading to the second.
The Panthers led by as many as six points in the opening quarter as AUS first team all-star Reese Baxendale found her shot early, matching McDonald’s seven points on 3-of-4 shooting while picking up three assists in the opening frame.
AUS most valuable player, defensive player of the year, and first team all-star Jenna Mae Ellsworth, who was held to two points in the opening quarter, knocked down two threes at the beginning of the second on her way to 10 points in the quarter, and helped UPEI take a 37-31 lead into halftime.
Baxendale and Ellsworth led all scorers at the break with 12 apiece for the Panthers, while McDonald and Clouatre-Trudeau led the Axewomen with nine points each.
Mia Roberts started the third quarter on a mission, scoring eight straight Axewomen points over the first five minutes of the second half, but the Panthers always had an answer, keeping Acadia at bay.
UPEI’s defence, anchored by Ellsworth, held the prolific-scoring McDonald in check through three quarters with 13 points on 5-of-17 from the field and 0-for-5 from deep.
Baxendale continued to score well in the third with seven in the quarter en route to 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting heading into the fourth as the Panthers led the Axewomen 54-47 with just 10 minutes to play.
Acadia began the fourth showing full-court pressure on defence, turning a couple of UPEI turnovers into easy points at the rim and cutting the lead down to three points with 7:07 to play, but Baxendale immediately knocked down yet another timely three, pushing the lead back to six.
The Panthers refused to be denied, though, as they ended the game on a 16-0 run that began at the 5:12 mark, holding the Axewomen scoreless over the final 5:42 of the game, and ending the game with their biggest lead at 19 points.
This is the Panthers’ first women’s basketball banner since the 1997-98 season.
Tournament all-stars for the women’s event are Memorial’s Haille Nickerson, UNB’s Michaela Dodig, Acadia’s Haley McDonald and UPEI’s Ellsworth and Baxendale.
The Panthers will travel to Ottawa, Ont. for the U SPORTS Final 8 women’s basketball championship being co-hosted by the University of Ottawa and Carleton March 5-8.
Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics. Acad
March 8, 2020
Huskies beat Axemen in must-win game three
HALIFAX, N.S. – The Saint Mary’s University Huskies men’s hockey team staved off semifinal elimination with a 6-2 win over the Acadia Axemen. The Axemen headed into the game up two games to none in the series, but home-ice advantage worked in the Huskies favor as their playoff hopes stay alive for at least one more game.
The Huskies opened the scoring less than three minutes into the period after a flurry of shot attempts. After a wrist shot from the point, Keith Getson (Bridgewater, NS) grabbed the rebound, but goalie Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) made a nice stop. Joel Bishop (St. John’s, NL) got the puck, however, and passed it to Dawson Theede (Brooklin, ON) who put it over Flodell and into the net.
Halfway through the period, Bishop fought to carry the puck into Acadia’s zone. He was taken down near the corner, but got the puck to Noah Zilbert (Fredericton, NB), who threaded it through the slot to Stephen Johnson (Moncton, NB). Johnson got the puck to the net before Flodell could come across to stop it, making it 2-0 for the Huskies.
In the second half of the period, the Axemen had some sustained pressure, forcing the Huskies to ice the puck several times. Acadia got 14 shots on net in the first period, but the bulk of scoring opportunities belonged to the Huskies. Acadia’s best chance came midway through the period when a one-timer from Loch Morrison (Christopher Lake, SK) rang off the post.
Saint Mary’s extended their lead, however, with four and a half minutes to go. A shot from the point from Sam Dunn (Hamilton Township, ON) was redirected by Zilbert. Flodell made the initial save but Sam King (Hampton, NB) put the rebound home.
Conor McGlynn added another tally for the Huskies with just over a minute left in the period. Picking up a bouncing puck in the neutral zone, he rushed down the left-wing and fired a slap shot top corner.
On the next play, Acadia had a good scoring chance on a three on two, but goalie Eric Brassard (St. Hubert, QC) was solid and kept them off the board.
The Huskies led 4-0 heading into the second period.
Special teams made the second period an exciting one. Early on, over a minute of four on four hockey led to end-to-end chances. Midway through the period, Acadia had a five on three advantage. Their good puck movement caused the Huskies to scramble a few times, but the penalties ended with no scoring.
The Axemen had the only goal of the second period, getting on the board with under five minutes to go. A turnover by the Huskies’ defense inside the Acadia blue line was jumped on by Mason McCarty (Blackie, AB). He chipped the puck up to Stephen Harper (Burlington, ON) for a breakaway. Harper beat Brassard blocker side, narrowing the lead to 4-1 at the end of the second period. Shots in the second frame went 12-11 in favor of the Huskies.
The Axemen had a strong start to the third period, scoring less than two minutes in. At the end of a dominant shift cycling the puck, McCarty almost split the defense and sent a wrist shot that beat Brassard’s glove side.
The Huskies had a quick response, however, getting a power-play goal less than 30 seconds later. On the right half-wall, Mitchell Balmas (Sydney, NS) passed to Johnson at the far side of the net. Johnson got his second goal of the game with a low shot. Nicholas Welsh (Halifax, NS) also assisted as the Huskies regained their three-goal lead.
The game got a little chippy after that, with lots of penalties assessed to both teams.
Acadia had a great chance on the power play when a shot from Liam Maaskant (Clinton, ON) at the point was redirected and hit the post.
With six and a half minutes to go, the Axemen were on the power play and pulled their goalie for the six on four advantage. When that play didn’t work, Flodell went back between the posts for another couple minutes. They pulled him again with over three minutes to go, but King scored an empty-net goal to make it 6-2 for the Huskies. That would be the final score of the game.
The Subway Player of the Game, with two goals, was Stephen Johnson.
Game four of the series will be back at the Dauphinee Centre tomorrow night (February 25th) and game five, if necessary, will be played at Acadia on Thursday, February 27th.
Provided by Sarah Moore, SMU Athletics Communications
Photo Nick Pearce
February 29, 2020
Randy Ferbey and Mark Duffey Announce that Everest is the New Title Sponsor of the Canadian Curling Club Championships.
MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan, Feb. 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Everest Funeral Concierge will be the title sponsor of The Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships (formerly the Travelers Curling Club Championships), which will take place Nov. 22-28, 2020 at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
Everest also is the title sponsor of the 2020 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, which are scheduled for March 16-22, 2020 in Portage la Prairie, Man.
“We couldn’t be happier to see Everest grow its investment in the sport of curling — especially with such a wonderful event as the Canadian Curling Club Championships, which connects with our grassroots across Canada,” said Katherine Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Curling Canada. “Everest has proven to be not just a supporter of our sport, but a stakeholder in every sense of the word. Like us, they want to see these events thrive and grow, and we love their enthusiasm in making that happen.”
The Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships have been contested since their debut in 2009 at Toronto and were introduced to give club-level players the chance to compete at a national championship.
“We are thrilled to be the new title sponsor of the Canadian Curling Club Championships,” said Mark Duffey, Everest’s Chief Executive Officer. “The Club Championships celebrate the grassroots competitiveness of curling at the club level so it’s a perfect fit for Everest. As we have demonstrated through our sponsorship of the Seniors, the Everest-Ferbey National Pro Am and the Everest Curling Challenge on TSN, Everest fosters and celebrates the unique culture of community and caring that runs deep through this special sport. We want to be more than a sponsor of the Club Championships; we want to be a partner in growing curling in every club in Canada.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, our management team, and all the members of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, we are delighted and honoured to be hosting the 2020 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships,” said Gino Picciano, president of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. “We are especially pleased to be hosting this event during our 60th year of curling at our club. A warm welcome and best wishes to all participants for a successful event.”
At the 2019 championships, in Leduc, Alta., Ontario’s Paul Moffatt from the Kitchener-Waterloo Granite Club and Alberta’s Nanette Dupont from the Lethbridge Curling Club won the men’s and women’s titles respectively.
Follow @EverestCurling and on Facebook and Twitter for more information. Watch a video here to learn more about Everest.
About Everest
Everest is a funeral planning and concierge service rolled into a life insurance plan. When help is needed, our 24/7 Advisors are one phone call away, ready to personalize the funeral plan, compare and negotiate best prices, and work with the insurance company to get monies to the beneficiary in as little as 48 hours after death. An independent consumer advocate, Everest was launched in Canada in 2001 with the goal of creating a continent-wide service to help streamline and simplify the process for grieving families. Its sole purpose is to provide information to consumers when they need to make informed choices about funeral-related issues. Serving as an impartial advocate, Everest is not a funeral home, nor does it sell funeral goods or services and does not receive commissions from funeral homes or other providers in the funeral industry. Today, Everest services are available to more than 25 million people in Canada and the United States. Visit www.Everestfuneral.com for more information.
Media inquiries
Robyn Mattie
Manager, Curling Club Championship
Tel:. (613) 240-7594
[email protected]
Al Cameron
Director, Communication & Media Relations
Curling Canada
Tel: 403-463-5500
[email protected]
Kyle Jahns
Manager, Communication and Media Relations
Curling Canada
Tel: 204-803-8221
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Joline Matika
VP, Client Success (Everest)
Tel: 416-617-0569
[email protected]
February 29, 2020
Tigers top Axewomen 3-1 in last regular season game
HALIFAX, N.S. – The Dalhousie Tigers defeated the Acadia Axewomen 3-1 (25—23, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19) Saturday afternoon in the final match of the 2019-20 AUS regular season.
Both teams traded points in the first set, with the Tigers leading most of the set until the Axewomen made a six-point surge and took a 16-15 lead into the technical time out. Down, but not out, the Tigers battled back and took the set 25-23.
Acadia came out firing in the second set and were up 6-1 early one. The Tigers slowly started to close the gap and were up 16-15 at the technical time out. The Axewomen scored just three more points in the set, falling 25-18.
The Axewomen got off to another early lead in the third set, but the Tigers again clawed their way back in. The teams traded leads in the second half of the set and it was the Axewomen who came out on top this time, taking the third set 26-24.
Dalhousie rebounded in the fourth and were up 12-7 thanks in large part to three-consecutive service aces from Courtney Baker (Bridgewater, N.S.). Acadia’s Peyton DeWolfe (Conquerall Mills, N.S.) answered with two aces of her own bringing the score to 12-12. From that point on, it was all Tigers and they took the fourth and final set 25-19.
Julie Moore (Halifax, N.S.) had a match-high 16 kills for the Tigers, earning Subway Player of the Game honours. She also had 16 digs and two aces for 18.0 total points. Victoria Turcot (Halifax, N.S.) and Victoria Haworth (Waverley, N.S.) added eight kills apiece while libero Catherine Callaghan (Halifax, N.S.) had 16 digs. Baker had 38 assists, nine digs and five service aces in the win.
Acadia’s Becky Dorsey (Toronto, Ont.) earned player of the game honours for Acadia, collecting 16 digs in the loss. Lucy Glen-Carter (Toronto, Ont.) had a team-high 13 kill and added five digs and two aces. Taylor Collombin (Victoria, B.C.) had eight kills, 10 digs and four blocks.
After finishing in the top spot of the AUS standings, the Tigers will host fourth-place UNB in one of two-semifinal series. The best two-of-three series will be hosted by Dalhousie on Thursday, February 20, Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22 (if needed). All games will start at 7 p.m.
Acadia placed third in the regular season standings and will face the number-two ranked Saint Mary’s Huskies next week. Hosted by Saint Mary’s, the games take place on Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. If needed, the third and final match of the series will be played on Saturday, February 22 at 4:00 p.m.
Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.
February 23, 2020
Axewomen split weekend vs Capers with a 79-60 win
SYDNEY, NS – In Sunday afternoon basketball action, the Cape Breton Capers hosted the Acadia Axewomen at the Sullivan Field House in Sydney. The Axewomen were able to earn a weekend split by handing the CAPERS a 79-60 defeat.
The CAPERS were unable to stop the Axewomen offence in the first quarter and gave up 29 points. The CAPERS couldn’t mount much offence in response and only put up 15 in the first quarter. It was more of the same in the second quarter as Acadia was scoring at will and took a huge 51-27 lead into half-time.
The CAPERS got off to a rough start in the second half as well and at one-point Acadia held CBU without a point for 5 minutes. The CAPERS did come alive in the 4th and outscored Acadia 20-11 in the final quarter but it was much too little too late. Acadia had better numbers in all shooting categories. They were also dominant on the defensive end forcing 18 turnovers and getting 10 steals.
The CAPERS were led in scoring Monique Calliste (Toronto, ON) with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Audrey Rankin (Prince George’s County, MD) also had a strong showing in her final home game as a CAPER. The 5th-year senior put up 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds despite the loss.
The Axewomen were once again led in scoring by current AUS scoring leader Haley MacDonald who had an efficient 21 points to go along with 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Acadia also received a strong game from Jayda Veinot who had 20 points and 4 rebounds in the victory. Rachel Cloutare-Trudeau, 13 and Mia Roberts, 10 also hit double figures for the victors.
The Axewomen’s Haley MacDonald was named the Subway Player of the Game. Acadia remains in 1st place with a record of 15-4 with the win. The CAPERS fall to 8-11 on the year and are in 5th place.
The Axewomen wrap up their regular season on Wednesday, February 19th when they host Saint Mary’s at 6 pm. The CAPERS play their last regular-season game Friday, February 21st when they travel to Antigonish to take on ST.FX at 6 pm.  All the action can be seen on AUSTV.CA.
Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.
February 23, 2020
Axewomen post 3-0 sweep of U SPORTS No. 2 Dalhousie
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Axewomen volleyball team stunned the visiting U SPORTS No. 2 ranked Dalhousie Tigers with a three-set win in Sunday afternoon play. The Tiger loss is the first match lost since February 15 last season.
“Today was a great team win! We had multiple individuals rise today which contributed to our success,” said Axewomen head coach Michelle Wood. “There is always emotion involved in any match that we play, however today in particular the team played for the senior athletes that have helped build our program. Ultimately, we accomplished our goal today, but our sights are still set on something greater. The beautiful part about sport is that it’s the moments along the way that help propel programs.”
The undefeated Tigers jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the opening set, but the Axewomen tied the game up at six on a Dalhousie attack error. A kill by Peyton DeWolfe sparked a run that ended at 13-7 on an Acadia service error.
The Tigers battled back to tie the match up at 14 on a Victoria Turcot service ace, but the Axewomen once again took control and the lead. The action was neck and neck until 20-20 when two Dalhousie attack errors combined with a Jamie Crocket kill and a Hannah Helm service ace ended the set at a 25-20 win for the hometown Axewomen.
More of the ‘see-saw’ battle continued into the second set with no more than two points separating the teams until a 12-12 tie was broken by a kill by Bianca Ruiz triggering a rally that included three Lucy Glen-Carter service aces in a row, a Hannah Helm kill and another Glen-Carter ace to give Acadia a 20-13 lead.
The Tigers responded six-point rally, but it wasn’t enough and the Axewomen collected a 25-22 second set win.
Could the Tigers face a three-game sweep? Once again only two points separated the teams in the opening minutes of the third and eventual final set. Dalhousie pushed to a 9-6 lead on a Victoria Haworth service ace and an Acadia attack error, but the Axewomen would post another rally to give them a comfortable 12-9 margin.
Acadia pushed to a 17-12 advantage and retained the lead until Tiger Julie Moore nailed two consecutive kills to give Dalhousie a 21-20 lead. Lucy Glen-Carter landed four kills in the closing of the third set for the eventual 27-25 win. One of Glen-Carter’s kills broke the 25-25 tie and her last of four ended the match.
Glen-Carter ended with match high 12 kills and a hitting efficiency of 0.355. Subway Player of the Game Jamie Crocket added nine kills for an amazing efficiency of 0.438. Rookie setter Sydney Zakutney handled the playmaking with 31 sets, while Becky Dorsey had a team high 14 digs. Hannah Helm had 3 solo and 1 assisted blocks in the win.
Tiger Victoria Haworth had a team high eight kills and teammates Julie Moore and Victoria Turcot added seven each. Haworth had four solo blocks in the loss.
The Axewomen take on Moncton this Monday night in a make-up game that was postponed on Friday due to inclement weather. Next weekend the Axewomen head to Saint Mary’s on Friday followed by Saturday’s season-ending matchup against Dalhousie in Halifax.
The Tigers’ season wraps up with a rematch against Acadia next Saturday night.
Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.
February 15, 2020
Axemen are champions, by snapping 21-year hold of title by Tigers
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – At the end of the third and final day of the 2020 Subway AUS Swimming Championships, presented by Keep It Social, the Dalhousie women’s team won their 19th straight AUS championship title while the Acadia Axemen earned their first championship title in 38 years, snapping a winning streak by the men’s Tigers which lasted 21 seasons.
Dalhousie’s Reagan Crowell led a podium sweep of the women’s 800m freestyle event to start the night. She posted a U SPORTS qualifying time of 8:50.06. Teammates Imani Theodore and Amelia Lane were second and third respectively.
Noah Horwood earned UNB their first gold of the session, touching in with a U SPORTS qualifying time of 28.74 in the men’s 50m breaststroke. Acadia’s Andre Walcott was second, followed by Dalhousie’s Evan Feick in third.
Abbey Corish won gold in the women’s 50m breaststroke, to earn Dalhousie their second gold of the evening. She was followed by Memorial’s Polina Konstantinova and Acadia’s Cali Bruce in second and third respectively.
Acadia’s Dean Sangster won the 200m backstroke in a U SPORTS qualifying time of 2:00.82. Dalhousie’s Christian Payne was second, followed by fellow Axemen Benjamin Henger in third.
UNB’s Leah Smal was first to the wall in the women’s 200m breaststroke. She clocked in with a U SPORTS qualifying time of 2:14.29. Dalhousie’s Claire Yurkovich and Sarah Bond were second and third, respectively.
Less than a tenth of a second separated the top three swimmers in the men’s 100m freestyle final. Acadia’s Brett Liem won the event with fellow Axeman Reilly Baker taking second place. Dalhousie’s Tyler Immel-Herron was right on their heals with a third-place finish.
Dalhousie’s Isabel Sarty set a new AUS record in the women’s 100m freestyle which she had broken during the heats earlier in the day. She posted a time of 55.19, bettering the time of 55.26 she set at the Kemp-Fry Invitational in November. Fellow Tiger Martine Nyhof was second, followed by Mary Beth Brown of Acadia in third.
Acadia’s Gordon Shortt won the 200m IM. Dalhousie’s Evan Feick was second, followed by Axemen swimmer Grier Kershaw in third.
Axewoman Cali Bruce out-touched Dalhousie’s Madeline Shivgulam to win the women’s 200m IM. Fellow Acadia swimmer Madison Morrison was third.
Dalhousie’s Quinn West won the final single event of the evening, earning a gold medal in the men’s 1500m freestyle event. Memorial’s Thomas Chafe was second, followed by Acadia’s Joshua Nowlan.
The Dalhousie team of Martine Nyhof, Abbey Corish, Lise Cinq-Mars and Isabel Sarty set a new AUS record to win the women’s 4x100m medley relay. They posted a time of 4:11.46 to beat the time of 4:11.64 previously set by Dalhousie at the 2016 AUS championships. Acadia was second in the event, followed by UNB in third.
Not to be outdone, the Acadia team of Dean Sangster, Andre Walcott, Shane Kenny and Brett Liem set a new AUS recorded in the men’s 4x100m medley relay. They touched in with a time of 3:43.01, topping the time previously set by the Dalhousie Tigers at the 2016 AUS championships. Dalhousie was second, followed by Memorial.
Acadia’s Madison Murray and Dean Sangster were named the female and male rookies of the championship meet.
Dalhousie’s Isabel Sarty was the female swimmer of the meet, while Acadia’s Brett Liem earned the men’s title.
At the end of the third and final day of competition, the team standings are as follows: 
Women’s 
Dalhousie - 1043.50
Acadia - 677
University of New Brunswick - 482
Memorial – 479
Mount Allison - 261.50
 Men’s 
Acadia - 1034
Dalhousie - 734
Memorial - 439
University of New Brunswick - 372
Mount Allison - 150
Everyone who posted a U SPORTS qualifying time during the AUS season will be headed to the U SPORTS championships, hosted by the University of Victoria, February 20-22, 2020.
Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.
February 15, 2020