National bronze medal winners shooting for first conference banner since 2017
By Corey LeBlanc
The defending U SPORTS bronze medallists in men's hockey aren't satisfied; they're hungry.
With 16 newcomers, the STFX X-Men skated to a podium finish last season, on the heels of a runner-up finish in the AUS playoffs. In what veteran White and Blue head coach Brad Peddle describes as a "one-game showdown," they dropped a 3-1 road decision to the rival UNB Reds in the championship tilt.
"We learned so many lessons from it," he offers of the third-place performance, noting that – although the goal in any tournament is to win gold, it was a "great achievement, considering that the bulk of the roster "hadn't played yet" at the university level.
But, once again, taking pride in that result does not mean that the X-Men are satisfied.
"Everyone feels good – we are excited to get going," Peddle says of the upcoming AUS regular season.
He contrasts the mood in the locker room this season to the last one, which came after a 2021 campaign that was wiped out by the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, where he suggests players were "just grateful to be back playing hockey."
Peddle also notes the hiccup in January, which threatened shelving the second half that shortened the regular season and playoffs. Each program – because of the abbreviated campaign – made the postseason.
"Nevertheless, by all accounts, it turned out to be a successful season – not only for the AUS, but also U SPORTS," he offers.
A familiar formula
Whether it is with a younger line-up or a veteran-laden one that was the foundation of other successful White and Blue seasons, Peddle says playing a strong two-way game has been "our strength for a long time."
Noting that there have been successful seasons when the program wasn't one of the most talented ones, he adds, "We have always found a way to win."
"We are a team that needs to be gritty and hard to play against."
Even with more offensive firepower – last and this season – then the X-Men have had in a long time, he stresses that commitment "hasn't changed." Peddle explains that a key focus is continuing the process to couple that offensive prowess – particularly up front – with a constant effort to make their opponents work hard at both ends of the ice.
The line-up
"You certainly have to start with the reigning [AUS] MVP and U SPORTS rookie of the year," Peddle offers of Liam Hawel (Arnprior, ON) when asked who has to lead the way for the White and Blue, describing the dynamic forward as a "key cog."
There are also the Matthews – surnames Philip (Ilderton, ON) and Struthers (Milton, ON) – the latter an AUS first-team all-star and all-rookie skater last season, along with tough-as-nails, two-way forward Jacob Hudson (Antigonish, NS).
"They are going to be counted on," Peddle says, while noting there are plenty of other student-athletes on the roster who will "share that responsibility."
He adds, "We have a lot of guys who are going to play a key role for us."
And, much like last season, the players 'buy-in' will be crucial.
"We had guys in different roles," Peddle explains, noting that some played top-six minutes in major junior, but accepted the responsibility as a penalty killer or third-liner with the X-Men.
With William Bower the lone departing forward, the X-Men welcome a pair of skaters who grew up a stone's throw away from the Antigonish campus: Logan Chisholm (Antigonish, NS) and Jacob Stewart (Antigonish).
"We know a lot about these guys, with them having come up in the local minor hockey system," Peddle says.
He adds, "They have great character and are incredible guys in the [locker] room."
On defense, the White and Blue will miss the departed Santino Centorame and rock-steady Will Thompson.
"A new guy is not going to embrace his minutes and responsibilities," Peddle says of Centorame – an All-Canadian performer, noting that those will be distributed amongst a "deep and talented" defense corps.
Bailey Webster (Kensington, PE), Patrick Kyte (Pembroke, ON), Roddie Sandilands (Williamstown, ON), Brendon Clavelle (Kapuskasing, ON) and Adam Holwell (St. John's, NL) are members of a returning group that is battled-tested at a high level.
"We are going to rely heavily on those guys," Peddle notes.
An important newcomer on the backend will be Mark Woolley (St. Thomas, ON), who captained the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season.
"He is big and physical," Peddle informs, noting the freshman was voted top shot blocker and hardest hitter in the OHL last season.
Speaking of size on the blue line, freshman Sean Stewart (Antigonish, NS) will also be part of an eight-deep defense.
"Sean is hard to play against and physical," Peddle says.
Those forwards and defensemen will be playing – for the most part – in front of senior goaltender Joseph Raaymakers (Chatham, ON).
"Joseph had a great season for us last year," Peddle says, noting his experiencing playing at the national championship level will be invaluable.
With the departure of Blade Mann-Dixon, the White and Blue added the tandem of Ewan MacDonald (Antigonish, NS) and Lucas Pfeil (Owen Sound, ON), which he adds are "both pretty capable."
Peddle notes this year's recruiting class – considering the influx of student-athletes last season – is smaller than usual; only two goaltenders and three skaters are gone from last season's group.
"We have a lot of experience in that area," he says of leadership, with several newcomers and returnees having captained teams.
Set for regular season
In what has become a disjointed pre-season for the X-Men – due to the effects of Hurricane Fiona – they dropped the puck on their 2022-23 campaign on Sept. 16 with a 4-1 road loss versus the rival Saint Mary's Huskies. Freshman Logan Chisholm (Antigonish, NS) – on the power play – scored for the White and Blue, while Pfeil and Raaymakers made 16 and 12 saves, respectively.
Pre-season match-ups with the Dalhousie Tigers (Sept. 23) and Huskies (Sept. 27) were cancelled, while the X-Men lost a close 5-4 overtime game against the the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus on Saturday.
Due to extended power outages, ice has been affected at a variety of venues in Nova Scotia, including STFX's Keating Centre and Antigonish Arena. Because of that, the X-Men regular season and home opener scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 5 has been postponed.
The White and Blue will skate for the first time in the AUS regular season on Saturday, Oct. 8, when they visit the Acadia Axemen in Wolfville. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
STFX's home opener is set for Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m., when they host the Tigers.
"I know every coach probably says it every year, but it is going to be a dog fight this season," Peddle says of the battle for AUS supremacy.
He adds, "Every program in the AUS has a lot of pride that – I think – fuels a high level of competitiveness."
And, if anyone needed any more motivation, the 2023 U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championships will be hosted by the UPEI Panthers in Charlottetown, with two more AUS programs punching their tickets to the tournament on conference soil.
"It should be an exciting and competitive season," Peddle says.
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