X-Men looking forward to return to action in tough AUS conference

Peddle expects competitive season, as usual

By Corey LeBlanc

Fans may need to refer to their line-ups early on – considering the STFX X-Men have 15 student-athletes who are donning the White and Blue for the first time this season – but they will be more than familiar with what they see on the ice – a style of play that has helped the program become a perennial contender not only in the conference, but also on the national stage.

"We really like our group – we certainly like what we are seeing so far," veteran X-Men head coach Brad Peddle says.

No matter who dons the uniform, he adds that STFX will focus on a blue-collar identity and being "hard to play against," meaning that they will continue to focus on having a strong work ethic and being "quick on pucks," while speeding up the pace of game; elements of a style that has garnered the program much success, including back-to-back Atlantic University Sport (AUS) crowns (2016, 2017), along with bronze (2019) and two silver-medal performances (2016, 2018) on the U SPORTS national championship stage, over a five-year period.

"We are not getting away from that," Peddle continues in describing an X-Men team that will play a 200-foot game – every night.

When it comes to the STFX roster, he says that – especially up front – it will feature "more skill and speed" this year.

While his forward group will be "young," in terms of AUS experience, Peddle notes that their defense and goaltending is experienced. He says the X-Men will lean heavily on that more veteran backend as the newcomers make the adjustment to the rigors of the highly-competitive conference.

"We are going to be really solid," the former Academic All-Canadian defensemen says of his 'D'.

The five returning student-athletes are fifth-year senior Santino Centorame (Mississauga, ON), Bailey Webster (Kensington, PE), William Thompson (Fredericton, N.B.), Adam Holwell (St. John's NL) and Roddie Sandilands (Williamstown, ON), while Patrick Kyte (Pembroke, ON), Brendon Clavelle (Kapuskasing, ON) and Clarke Webster (Kensington, ON) are the newcomers.

"It is a great problem to have," Peddle says of boasting "eight good 'D'", a group that will be battling for playing time.

He notes that there is not only depth, but also experience and skill. "We expect them to create and get involved," Peddle says, when asked about the group's offensive potential. He adds that chipping in on that end of the ice doesn't mean they can neglect being "solid defensively."

"The boys understand," Peddle notes of those responsibilities.

Between the pipes, the veteran tandem of Joseph Raaymakers (Chatham, ON) and Blade Mann-Dixon (Antigonish, N.S.) is back. "It is up to them," Peddle offers, when asked who will receive the most time in the X-Men crease.

Noting that they have shown they can play well at the AUS level, he says both will have opportunities, especially early on, to lay their claim to the starting position. "We will see what happens," Peddle adds, offering that both goaltenders provide the team with a "chance to win."

He predicts that the X-Men defense and goaltending will be the "backbone of our team."

Lone returnees Declan Smith (Antigonish, N.S.) and William Bower (Saint John, N.B.) will be expected to provide leadership for a forward group that welcomes 11 first-year X-Men.

"We are counting on them, for sure," Peddle says of the veteran duo. He adds the newcomers are "bringing something" to a baker's dozen that is expected to be bigger, more skilled and faster. "Albeit young," Peddle reiterates.

Although new to the AUS, the new talent up front has plenty of experience, including homegrown product Jacob Hudson (Antigonish, N.S.), who recently returned from NHL camp with the Boston Bruins.

"We expect big things," Peddle says of the former Moncton Wildcat captain, adding that the program has been familiar with Hudson for "quite some time," both as a person and a player. He adds that the 5'8" forward "fits our mold."

"Jacob has always been hard to play against and possesses the competitive skill we look for," Peddle notes.

Along with Hudson, the new White and Blue contingent up front includes Matthew Philip (Ilderton, ON), Dallas Farrell (Cardigan, PE), Connor Bruggen-Cate (Langley, B.C.), Josh Nelson (Lockport, IL), Ethan Crossman (Sackville, N.B.), Sam Allison (Cole Harbour, N.S.), Connor Roberts (Owen Sound, ON), Zack Trott (Honeywood, ON), Matthew Struthers (Milton, ON) and Liam Hawel (Arnprior, ON).

"Every team is going through it somewhat," Peddle offers of the adjustment programs are making after an unprecedented layoff, including a lost season, while also inserting new players into the line-up more than usual.

He notes that it includes additions made over a two-year period, so the list of newcomers will be "significantly larger."

With roster depth, Peddle says the level of healthy competition between his players will benefit them as they tackle what he expects to be – as usual – a "tough and intense" regular season.

"The first-year guys are going to get their chance to make an impact," he adds. Peddle notes everyone on the roster will "push each other."

The X-Men finished fifth in the 2019-20 regular season with a 12-13-1-4 record, before making an uncharacteristic early exit from the playoffs, when they were swept by Moncton in a best-of-three quarter-final series.

The X-Men dropped the puck on their four-game pre-season schedule at the Keating Centre on Sept. 17 with a 3-1 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers. "Everyone competed hard," Peddle says, noting the "hockey sense and speed" that he and his coaches are seeing – among other attributes – from the White and Blue newcomers.

This weekend, the X-Men will visit Moncton on Friday, Sept. 24 for a match-up with Les Aigles Bleus before returning home for a Saturday, Sept. 25 game versus the rival Saint Mary's Huskies. Game time on both nights is 7 p.m.

STFX will wrap up pre-season play on Saturday, Oct. 2 – in Truro – against the Huskies, at 7 p.m.

The X-Men will start the regular season on the road against Saint Mary's on Friday, Oct. 8, with their home opener set for Saturday, Oct. 9, when they welcome the Acadia Axemen to the Keating Centre. Puck drop for both tilts is 7 p.m.

"Every team has gotten better, so every night is going to be a battle, and our group will have to be ready for that," Peddle concludes.

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