Hockey Axemen crack preseason CIS Top Ten #5

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The defending AUS Champion Acadia Axemen hockey team find themselves ranked No. 5 in the CIS Top Ten hockey preseason rankings. The rankings, released today, has three AUS programs in the CIS Top Ten including UNB at #3 and Saint Mary's at #9. 

The Axemen finished the 2013-14 campaign with 21-4-3 record and four points out of first place but captured the title with a 3-1 best of five series win over the Saint Mary's Huskies.

With a solid core of returning players along with the departure of several key veterans, the Axemen hope to challenge for the AUS championship this year. With a recruiting season that has filled some gaps with quality first year players, Acadia's head coach Darren Burns knows that plenty of work lies ahead to be worthy of a Top Ten ranking.

"Over one third of our team is new from last year. This is a whole new group and a whole new season. We certainly have lots of work to do heading into our last week of preparation for our first game", pointed out Burns. "This weekend will be a huge test for us playing two strong teams south of the border. Playing in the AUS you cannot let your guard down and we have discussed this from day one".

The Axemen head south of the border to take on Quinnipiac and Northeaster Universities beginning on Saturday night at 8:00 pm against the NCAA No. 15 ranked Quinnipiac and then wrapping up the road trip versus the No. 16 ranked Northeastern Huskies at 4:00 pm (AT).