Spungy
07-31-2008, 05:51 PM
Bruton, Westblom and Kurceba commit to the Acadia University Axemen
Created: Jul 30, 2008
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Wolfville, NS -- Following last season’s roster of 14 rookie starters, the Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns is happy in capturing several top recruits leading into the 2008-2009 season.
Acadia University’s Department of Varsity Athletics is pleased to announce the following recruits who will be attending Acadia this fall including Chris Bruton (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23317) (Calgary, AB), captain of the 2008 Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs.
Bruton, a 20-year-old with the Chiefs, scored a career high 26 goals and 63 points this year, both third on the Chiefs. Chris finished his four year Western Hockey League career with 258 games, 14th all-time in franchise history, while his +33 in 2007-08 was tied for fifth in the WHL.
Head Coach Darren Burns is ecstatic with his recruiting results this season with not only landing Bruton, but his entire 2008 recruits. “Chris Bruton (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23317) is a winner. We are extremely excited that he has chosen Acadia this coming season. He is a born leader who will know doubt be a huge impact player in the league right away”, comments Burns.
Burns hopes that the addition of Jonathan Laberge (Quebec, QC), a senior from the QMJHL’s Acadie Bathurst Titans will add a needed scorer to the Axemen lineup. A great two way centerman who scored 17 goals and accumulated 41 points in 47 games this past season, Laberge will be an impact player who will give the team a scoring punch.
“With great vision and good hands, Jonathan’s skill set will fit right in on the big ice surface of the Acadia Arena”, points out Burns.
Laberge will be joined by former teammate Ryan Graham (St. John’s, NL), also a 30 goal scorer in each of his last two seasons with Acadie Bathurst. A tough two-way forward, Burns sees Graham as a game player when the chips are down. “Ryan is rock solid in the corners and in front of the net. He will not only add some offence to our lineup but will bring toughness and his “A” game when needed most.”
With Acadia’s AUS All-Star goaltender Lanny Ramage (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23554) completing his fifth and final season, a void for a second goalie was filled with the commitment of Kristofer Westblom (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23248) (Meadow Lake, SK). Westblom, a former third round pick (65th overall) of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL, played four years with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, which included a great performance at the 2005 Memorial Cup in London, ON.
Burns hopes Westblom will be a great addition to the Axemen between the posts. “Kris will be a big impact guy in the conference since he has a tremendous work ethic. Kris’ experience at a high level tournament such as the Memorial Cup will be a great benefit to our program”.
The Axemen hope the addition of Paul Kurceba (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23191) (Calgary, AB) from the Kootenay Ice of the WHL will help solidify a shallow defensive squad. A very smooth skating defenceman, who moves the puck very well, is crucial on the Olympic size ice surface of the Acadia Arena. Paul played for Team Canada as an 18 year old at the 2006 World Under 18 Championships in the Czech Republic.
“Kurceba will prove to be a very solid impact defenceman and will help bring much needed offence to the Axemen squad”, comments Burns.
The Axemen also landed Beau Prokopetz (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23970) (Winnipeg, MB), a mobile and tough stay at home defenceman who plays a physical style of hockey and loves the big open ice hits. “From what I have seen, Beau makes the good first pass and will be a great addition in playing a “shut down role” as well as killing penalties”, adds Burns.
A Maritime Junior A League defenceman of the Yarmouth Mariners will round out this year’s early recruiting commitments. Jamie Klie (Harrow, ON), recently named the Most Valuable Defenceman of the MJAHL and was captain of the Mariners last season, brings some experience from the OHL when he spent four seasons with the Saginaw Spirit.
“A solid two way defenceman, Jamie brings a big shot and skates well, allowing him step into a power play role for the Axemen. His foot speed will also help him make the jump into University hockey”, concludes Burns. “Our main focus this year was to add offence and add some toughness. Overall I am very happy with our recruiting effort to date. We feel we have added a couple of impact forwards who will score goals. Adding another impact goalie such as Kristofer is very important, as we will continue to have a strong tandem that includes second year goaltender Michael Chiasson in net for the upcoming season”.
The Axemen open up the Pre-Season at home with the Don Wells Invitation Tournament on September 27-28. Visiting teams include St. F.X., Dalhousie and the Queen’s Golden Gaels.
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Created: Jul 30, 2008
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Wolfville, NS -- Following last season’s roster of 14 rookie starters, the Acadia Axemen Head Coach Darren Burns is happy in capturing several top recruits leading into the 2008-2009 season.
Acadia University’s Department of Varsity Athletics is pleased to announce the following recruits who will be attending Acadia this fall including Chris Bruton (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23317) (Calgary, AB), captain of the 2008 Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs.
Bruton, a 20-year-old with the Chiefs, scored a career high 26 goals and 63 points this year, both third on the Chiefs. Chris finished his four year Western Hockey League career with 258 games, 14th all-time in franchise history, while his +33 in 2007-08 was tied for fifth in the WHL.
Head Coach Darren Burns is ecstatic with his recruiting results this season with not only landing Bruton, but his entire 2008 recruits. “Chris Bruton (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23317) is a winner. We are extremely excited that he has chosen Acadia this coming season. He is a born leader who will know doubt be a huge impact player in the league right away”, comments Burns.
Burns hopes that the addition of Jonathan Laberge (Quebec, QC), a senior from the QMJHL’s Acadie Bathurst Titans will add a needed scorer to the Axemen lineup. A great two way centerman who scored 17 goals and accumulated 41 points in 47 games this past season, Laberge will be an impact player who will give the team a scoring punch.
“With great vision and good hands, Jonathan’s skill set will fit right in on the big ice surface of the Acadia Arena”, points out Burns.
Laberge will be joined by former teammate Ryan Graham (St. John’s, NL), also a 30 goal scorer in each of his last two seasons with Acadie Bathurst. A tough two-way forward, Burns sees Graham as a game player when the chips are down. “Ryan is rock solid in the corners and in front of the net. He will not only add some offence to our lineup but will bring toughness and his “A” game when needed most.”
With Acadia’s AUS All-Star goaltender Lanny Ramage (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23554) completing his fifth and final season, a void for a second goalie was filled with the commitment of Kristofer Westblom (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23248) (Meadow Lake, SK). Westblom, a former third round pick (65th overall) of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL, played four years with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, which included a great performance at the 2005 Memorial Cup in London, ON.
Burns hopes Westblom will be a great addition to the Axemen between the posts. “Kris will be a big impact guy in the conference since he has a tremendous work ethic. Kris’ experience at a high level tournament such as the Memorial Cup will be a great benefit to our program”.
The Axemen hope the addition of Paul Kurceba (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23191) (Calgary, AB) from the Kootenay Ice of the WHL will help solidify a shallow defensive squad. A very smooth skating defenceman, who moves the puck very well, is crucial on the Olympic size ice surface of the Acadia Arena. Paul played for Team Canada as an 18 year old at the 2006 World Under 18 Championships in the Czech Republic.
“Kurceba will prove to be a very solid impact defenceman and will help bring much needed offence to the Axemen squad”, comments Burns.
The Axemen also landed Beau Prokopetz (http://whl.ca/en/stats/player.php?id=23970) (Winnipeg, MB), a mobile and tough stay at home defenceman who plays a physical style of hockey and loves the big open ice hits. “From what I have seen, Beau makes the good first pass and will be a great addition in playing a “shut down role” as well as killing penalties”, adds Burns.
A Maritime Junior A League defenceman of the Yarmouth Mariners will round out this year’s early recruiting commitments. Jamie Klie (Harrow, ON), recently named the Most Valuable Defenceman of the MJAHL and was captain of the Mariners last season, brings some experience from the OHL when he spent four seasons with the Saginaw Spirit.
“A solid two way defenceman, Jamie brings a big shot and skates well, allowing him step into a power play role for the Axemen. His foot speed will also help him make the jump into University hockey”, concludes Burns. “Our main focus this year was to add offence and add some toughness. Overall I am very happy with our recruiting effort to date. We feel we have added a couple of impact forwards who will score goals. Adding another impact goalie such as Kristofer is very important, as we will continue to have a strong tandem that includes second year goaltender Michael Chiasson in net for the upcoming season”.
The Axemen open up the Pre-Season at home with the Don Wells Invitation Tournament on September 27-28. Visiting teams include St. F.X., Dalhousie and the Queen’s Golden Gaels.
Chiefs' Bowman signs with Carolina Hurricanes (http://whl.ca/news/?id=9775&showToc=1&game_id=)
Jul 30, 2008
Bruins and Fraser Valley Health Foundation announce partnership (http://whl.ca/news/?id=9774&showToc=1&game_id=)
Jul 30, 2008
Bruton, Westblom and Kurceba commit to the Acadia University Axemen
Jul 30, 2008
Silvertips Looking for Edmonton-Based Scout (http://whl.ca/news/?id=9746&showToc=1&game_id=)
Jul 28, 2008
Lethbridge Hurricanes Seek Account Representative (http://whl.ca/news/?id=9744&showToc=1&game_id=)
Jul 28, 2008
Veteran Scout Ray Dudra joins Prince Albert Raiders staff (http://whl.ca/news/?id=9741&showToc=1&game_id=)
Jul 28, 2008
Headlines Archive (http://whl.ca/news/?toc=1&showToc=1&)
http://whl.ca/img/sponsors/sponsor-kaltire_large.png (http://www.kaltire.com/) http://whl.ca/img/sponsors/sponsor-mnp_large.png (http://www.mnp/) http://whl.ca/img/sponsors/sponsor-wm_sm.png (http://www.wmcanada.com/) http://whl.ca/img/sponsors/sponsor-toyota.png (http://www.toyota.ca/) http://whl.ca/img/sponsors/sponsor-sobeys.png (http://www.sobeys.com/)