Axemen make roster of 2017 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey All-star Team
Acadia Axeman Stephen Harper in action against Saint Mary’s. He made the 2017 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey All-star Team roster.
U SPORTS announced Monday, Dec. 4 the roster of the 2017 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey All-star Team for the upcoming twogame series against Canada’s National Junior Team prospects. Included in the All-star squad roster are Acadia’s Boston Leier and Stephen Harper.
The games are set for Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and Thursday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ont., home of the OHL’S Niagara Ice Dogs.
The games will mark the culmination of a four-day camp for the U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Allstars beginning Dec. 11, while also serving as part of Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship slated for Dec. 26 -Jan. 5 in Buffalo, N.Y.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Hockey Canada for what should be two very entertaining hockey games, and a continued partnership between our organizations,” said Graham Brown, president and CEO of U SPORTS. “We all know how excited Canadians get every December about Canada’s National Junior Team. These games will provide great exposure for U SPORTS men’s hockey, and I know our players and coaches are looking forward to shining on a national stage.”
It will mark the third straight year Canada’s National Junior Team Prospects have faced off against the U SPORTS Men’s Hockey All-stars, all but one of whom have CHL major junior experience, including six returning players from last year’s squad.
Acadia Axemen forward Boston Leier and Stephen Harper are included on the All-star team roster.
Harper, a second-year studentathlete with the Axemen, leads the AUS in scoring and points with 11 goals and 21 assists. Harper sits second in points in U SPORTS with 32 points and second in assists.
Axemen captain Boston Leier is second in points in the AUS with 11 goals and 19 assists and third in the U SPORTS.
“We are extremely happy for both of our players, they have had exceptional first halves for our team. They have been extremely focussed on our team success and it is great to see them recognized by the U SPORTS coaches. We know they will play significant roles in the two-game series,” said Acadia head coach Darren Burns.
Brad Peddle, head coach of the ST.FX X-men will serve as the team’s bench boss alongside assistant coaches Mark Howell of the Calgary Dinos, Trevor Stienburg from the Saint Mary’s Huskies, and Patrick Grandmaître of the Ottawa Gee-gees.
Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team has faced U SPORTS competition on a regular basis since 1988.