ANTIGONISH, NS – StFX men's hockey head coach Brad Peddle is pleased to announce additions to the coaching staff of the X-Men program.
Current assistant coach Dave Stewart has been promoted to associate coach, while new additions to the X-Men staff for the upcoming 2015-16 season include assistant coaches Brian Casey and Sean Donovan, goaltender coach Brad McCharles and manager of community and technical services Mike Stewart.
"I am extremely excited and pleased with the staff we have been able to put together for the upcoming season," comments Coach Peddle, who is heading into his 11th season as bench boss.
"In addition to a very committed, existing group from last year, we have added great people with tremendous knowledge and experience behind them that will be both welcomed and valuable additions to our program, school and community. The chemistry amongst the staff will be instantaneous and will benefit our programs' goals and objectives very positively as we get set for another very tough competitive AUS season."
Dave Stewart is heading into his sixth season with the X-Men and accordingly to Coach Peddle has earned his new title of associate coach. "He has a tremendous knowledge, work ethic and passion for X-Men hockey and is great with our players," says Peddle. "He has also been a big part of our development programs and has invested significant time with X-Men hockey camps and our Antigonish Minor Hockey technical development program. We have been together as teammates and coaches for a long time and he has been a very loyal assistant, I look forward to working closely with Dave again to achieve our programs' goals."
Brian Casey joins the X-Men program as an assistant coach. A ten-year professional player and former Canadian national team player, Casey was a player/assistant coach in Europe. He is the former President and Technical Director of Grand Falls-Windsor Minor Hockey Association in Newfoundland and former coach of the year in the NFLD senior hockey league. During his CIS playing career he was an AUS all-star with Acadia.
"Brian has been a good friend for many years and will be a great addition to the X-Men staff," comments Coach Peddle. "He is a tremendous person with outstanding hockey knowledge and experience. He was a premier defenseman and has both played and coached at high levels, including numerous Team Canada experiences. Brian will bring a great personality and strong work ethic to the rink on a daily basis and will fit into our group very well. He has significant experience is minor hockey and hockey schools and will be a great asset to our community and minor hockey development camps as well."
Former Cape Breton West head coach Sean Donovan has joined the X-Men program as an assistant coach. A former X-Men defenseman, Donovan is a familiar face to StFX and is a welcomed addition to the program.
Coach Peddle comments, "As a former X-Men player and captain he brings great character and leadership skills. He has firsthand knowledge of our programs' values and objectives, and the passion and pride that goes along it. Sean will be able to relate to our student-athletes very well and will be another great fit to our staff. He has been a popular coach for Cape Breton West the last four years and has a bright future in coaching."
The X-Men are pleased to welcome Brad McCharles as their goaltender coach for the upcoming season. "Brad started with our program late last year and we are excited to have him now for a full season," says Peddle. "He is one of the top goaltender instructors in the province and we look forward to him working with our X-Men goalies and taking a lead in our X-Men hockey goalie camps throughout the season."
Rounding out the X-Men coaching staff is Mike Stewart who has been added as the manager of community and technical services. "Mike has been very loyal to X-Men hockey for many years," says Peddle. "He has been involved in numerous ways, in particular with the development of our summer and spring hockey programs. Mike brings forth over 25 years of coaching and teaching, and will be very involved in all of our hockey camp development programs and community initiatives. He brings great coaching knowledge and minor hockey experience and we are happy to officially welcome him into our X-Men staff."
The complete StFX X-Men hockey coaches and staff for the 2015-16 season is as follows.
Brad Peddle: Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations (11th season)
Dave Stewart: Associate Coach
Brian Casey: Assistant Coach
Sean Donovan: Assistant Coach
Mike Stewart: Manager of Community and Technical Services
Richie Connors: Assistant General Manager
Brad McCharles: Goalie Coach
John Landry: Equipment Manager
Alex Ryan: Student Equipment Manager
Ryan Mailman: Student Manager
Kyle MacLennan: Strength and Conditioning
Daniel Clarry: Student Therapist
Wayne Mattie: Videographer
The X-Men open 2015-16 AUS regular season play on the road when they visit Acadia on Saturday, October 10th. Their home opener will be Wednesday, October 21st, when the Saint Mary's Huskies come to town.
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