Russell and Couture named Acadia athletes of the year

Acadia University’s Department of Athletics celebrated the 2025-26 season on Wednesday night at the annual Fred G. Kelly Awards Night, hosted in Festival Theatre.

Thomas Couture and Samantha Russell concluded the evening as recipients of the male and female athlete of the year awards.

Couture delivered one of the top goaltending seasons in the country for the Acadia Axemen. The Acadia netminder led both the AUS and U SPORTS with 861 saves, while posting a .927 save percentage, the best mark in the conference and third-best in the nation. He also recorded 14 wins, ranking sixth in U SPORTS and third in the AUS, and finished the season with a 2.49 goals-against average, the third-best mark in the conference.

Couture’s consistent play between the pipes made him one of the most important players in the Axemen lineup all season. His outstanding year earned him AUS first team all-star honours and, on the national stage, he was named the U SPORTS men’s hockey Goaltender of the Year and a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian.

His selection made program history, as he became the first goaltender in Acadia history to be named U SPORTS Goaltender of the Year.

Russell delivered one of the most complete seasons in the country for the Acadia Axewomen.

The fifth-year wing from Dartmouth, N.S., averaged 16.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 33.1 minutes per game during the regular season, while starting all 20 games. Her dominant all-around play helped lead Acadia to a 15-5 record and a second-place finish in the AUS standings.

Russell led the AUS in scoring, ranked second in the conference with 70 steals, averaging 3.5 per game, and finished fourth with 26 blocks.

Her impact on both ends of the floor also saw her lead the Axewomen in rebounding, as she continued to establish herself as one of the top players in the nation.

Her outstanding season earned her AUS most valuable player honours and AUS first team all-star recognition for the second consecutive year. On the national stage, she was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, recognizing her as one of the top five players in Canadian university women’s basketball.

Men’s basketball’s Malko Young was named this year’s Outstanding First-Year Male Athlete of the Year.

Young made an immediate impact in his first season with the Acadia Axemen. In conference play, he averaged 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 22.2 minutes per game, while shooting 32.2 per cent from three-point range. Across all competitions, he totalled 129 points over 19 games.

His performance earned him a spot on the AUS all-rookie team. Young also delivered one of the top rookie shooting performances nationally, ranking among the U SPORTS leaders with 28 three-pointers in league play. His season included a standout 22-point, seven-three performance against Memorial.

The Outstanding First-Year Female Athlete of the Year award was won by women’s soccer’s Hannah Richardson-McKinnon.

In her first year, Richardson-McKinnon made an immediate impact, adapting seamlessly to the AUS level while excelling in multiple defensive roles. She played and started in 11 of 12 conference matches, along with Acadia’s AUS quarterfinal match.

Tasked with marking some of the conference’s top attackers, she consistently limited scoring chances and provided stability across the backline. Normally a centre back, Richardson-McKinnon transitioned to a fullback role with poise and confidence, bringing intensity and a competitive edge in every match.

This year’s female Community Engagement Award was awarded to Leah Adams, while the male Community Engagement Award was presented to Parker Walsh.

The President’s Award, established in recognition of Acadia’s 175th anniversary to honour individuals displaying the highest standard of leadership, was awarded to Anne-Sophie Le Rudulier and Nick Pilichos.

This year’s Acadia Student Union Jimmy Atomate Award winner is Meg Varden.

The award, dedicated in memory of Jimmy Atomate, is given annually to a varsity athlete who makes an exceptional effort to connect with students and fans while enhancing the wider campus experience.

2025-26 ACADIA ATHLETICS AWARDS

MAJOR AWARDS

Athenaeum Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year – Thomas Couture

Jean Marsh Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year – Samantha Russell

Outstanding First-Year Male Athlete of the Year – Malko Young

Outstanding First-Year Female Athlete of the Year – Hannah Richardson-McKinnon

President’s Award – Anne-Sophie Le Rudulier, Nick Pilichos

Community Engagement Award – Leah Adams, Parker Walsh

DEPARTMENT RECOGNITION AWARDS

Performance Intern of the Year – Rowan Marcil

Athletic Therapy Option Student of the Year – Theo Sgambati

ASU’s Jimmy Atomate Award – Meg Varden

APA Spirit Award – Nelson Ayotte

APA Spirit Award (Peer) – Ashley Davis

Distinguished Service Award – Whitney Gallant

TEAM AWARDS

Women’s Rugby

MVP – Brielynn Murrant

Rookie of the Year – Gabby Shaw

Leadership – Lauren Deal

Rookie Back – Gabby Shaw

Rookie Forward – Stella Feeney

Coaches Award – Sarah Williston

Most Improved Player – Abbie Chisholm

Men’s Football

MVP – Rory Litt

Rookie of the Year – Gabrielos Kho

Leadership – Nick Pilichos

Men’s Soccer

MVP – Jabu Deng

Rookie of the Year – Aaron John

Leadership – AJ Magamura

Axeman of the Year – Anderson Peters

Players’ Player of the Season – Jabu Deng

Goal of the Season – AJ Magamura vs. Saint Mary’s

Women’s Soccer

MVP – Leah Adams

Rookie of the Year – Hannah Richardson-McKinnon

Leadership – Leah Adams

Women’s Cross Country

MVP – Clementine MacLeod

Rookie of the Year – Jillian Hope

Leadership – Anne-Sophie Le Rudulier

Men’s Basketball

MVP – Ryan Regault

Rookie of the Year – Malko Young

Leadership – Erik Hayden

Women’s Basketball

MVP – Samantha Russell

Rookie of the Year – Maria Davignon

Leadership – Sarah Delorey

Women’s Volleyball

MVP – Alexia Lemay-Evans

Rookie of the Year – Anja Erminio

Leadership – Ella Hickey

Men’s Hockey

MVP – Thomas Couture

Rookie of the Year – Brayden Schmitt

Leadership – Liam Kidney

Defensive Player of the Year – Brendan Tomilson

Most Improved Player – Marc Boudreau

Most Valuable Player, Playoffs – Liam Kidney

Randy Dean Farris Memorial Award – Liam Kidney

Paul McFarland Award – Ryder McIntyre

Acadia Athletics extends congratulations to all winners and thanks the student-athletes, coaches and staff for their dedication throughout the season.