2014-15 AUS Men's Hockey Preview:   StFX X-Men

The StFX X-Men finished in sixth place in the AUS conference last season with a 12-16 regular season record, eventually bowing out to the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus in the best two-of-three AUS quarter-finals in two games.

After the disappointing playoff result last year, the X-Men are prepared to improve upon their accomplishments in 2014-15.

The X-Men are the host team for the 2015 CIS University Cup slated for March 12-15 at the Halifax Scotiabank Centre and many key elements of their team have returned, including fourth-year veteran Michael Kirkpatrick at the forward position and Gabriel O'Connor on defence.

Forwards Kirkpatrick and Jarrad Struthers, who led the X-Men with 13 goals in 2013-14, along with new captain Rob Slaney will be called upon to lead the StFX scoring charge, while veterans O'Connor, Nathan Chiarlitti and Bronson Maschmeyer will anchor the blue line.

Drew Owsley returns for his third year between the pipes, along with fourth year goalie Morgan Clark.

Slaney will wear the "C" as team captain this season while O'Connor, Chiarlitti, Steven Kuhn and Cole Grbavac will serve as assistant captains.

Head coach Brad Peddle enters his tenth season at the helm of the X-Men program and will be joined by assistants Erin King (4^th season) and Dave Stewart (5^th season).

The X-Men posted a 2-2-1 pre-season record after posting wins over conference opponents Saint Mary's (4-1) and University of Moncton (4-3), while dropping a 5-4 decision to Saint Mary's in a shootout. StFX also defeated University of New Hampshire 2-1 and played Merrimack College to a 2-2 tie in Andover, Massachusetts.

The AUS regular season play begins for StFX at home on October 11th in Antigonish where they will take on the Saint Mary's Huskies at the Keating Centre at 7:00pm.

Notes: The X-Men received 24 votes in the most recent CIS Men's Hockey Top 10 poll released this week to sit just outside the top ten in 11th spot ... All of the StFX home games this season will be available via live webcast at www.AUStv.ca ... The X-Men will have an automatic berth into the 2015 CIS national championship as the host team … Fourth-year forward Michael Kirkpatrick enters the 2014-15 season as the StFX active leader in career points scored. In three previous seasons with the X-Men, Kirkpatrick has 30 goals and 38 assists for 68 points in 80 regular season games played … The StFX all-time career leader in points scored is Dave Purcell, who scored 224 points (116 goals, 108 assists) in four seasons from 1984-85 to 1987-88.

Team Profile:

2013-14 regular season record: 12-16
2013-14 regular season standings: Sixth place in AUS 
2013-14 playoff record: 0-2
2013-14 playoff finish: Lost in best two-of-three AUS quarter-final to Moncton (2-0)

Head Coach: Brad Peddle

Quotes from head coach:

"We look forward to another competitive AUS season in what looks to be one of the tightest conferences top to bottom in years. We have a solid returning group from our squad last year and will need to count on the maturity and experience from these veteran players to lead the way."

"We will lean on the experience of key veteran players up front like Michael Kirkpatrick, Robert Slaney, along with veteran defensemen Gabriel O'Connor and Nathan Chiarlitti to provide valuable leadership."

"Drew Owsley is coming off a strong year in net and will be counted on to take another step up in his game this year and provide a solid presence in goal."

"We have added solid recruits, four forwards and three defensemen, and we expect all of them to make immediate contributions to our team, especially in this year as we host the CIS University Cup."

Key returning players:

F - Michael Kirkpatrick: Forward Michael Kirkpatrick from North Sydney, NS returns for his fourth season. The 2012 AUS rookie of the year scored nine goals to go along with 11 assists for 20 points in 24 games last season.

F – Robert Slaney: Forward Robert Slaney from Upper Island Cove, NF returns for his second season after playing three seasons of professional hockey. Slaney scored 12 goals and added 12 assists for 24 points in 28 games last season.

F – Jarrad Struthers: Forward Jarrad Struthers from Port Morian, NS returns for his fourth season with the X-Men. Struthers scored a team leading 13 goals in 13-14 and added 7 assists for 20 points in 28 games.

D – Bronson Maschmeyer: Defenseman Bronson Maschmeyer from Bruderheim, AB returns for his third season. Maschmeyer had 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in 28 games for the X-Men last season, while leading the defense with 50 shots on goal.

Key recruits or transfers:

D – Jagger Dirk:  From Penticton, BC, Jagger played 5 seasons with the Kootenay Ice of the WHL. In 2010-11, he was a member of the WHL Championship team in Kootenay. Jagger scored 26 goals to go along with 113 assists for 139 points in 310 career WHL games.

D – Trey Lewis: From Aldoyne, NB, Trey played 4 seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads and captured the Memorial Cup in 2013 while serving as team captain. Trey played 206 games with Halifax over his career, and amassed 16 goals and 47 assists for 63 points in that time.

D – Craig Duininck: From St. Cloud, Minnesota, Craig played 5 seasons in the OHL, the majority of that time with the Sarnia Sting where he served as team captain. Craig scored 28 goals and added 69 assists for 97 points in 309 OHL career games.

F – Eric Locke: From Mississauga, ON, Eric played 5 seasons in the OHL, the majority of that time with the Saginaw Spirit where he served as team captain. Eric was a 7^th round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He was also a member of the National Canadian Under-18 team in 2011 that competed at the World Junior U-18 Championship. In 233 career OHL games, Eric scored 116 goals and added 135 assists for 251 points.

Key losses:

F – Jason Bast: From Regina, SK, Bast graduated with a degree in Human Kinetics and has gone on to play with the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL. Bast led the X-Men in points last season.

D – Josh Day: From St. John's, NF, former team captain Day graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and is now enrolled at Memorial University to complete his education degree. Day led all defensemen on the X-Men in points last season.

D – Spencer McAvoy: From St. Albert, AB, McAvoy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and is pursuing professional hockey with the Kalamazoo Wings in the ECHL. McAvoy was an AUS second team all-star in 2010-11.