X-Men hockey welcomes nine new players

ANTIGONISH, NS - StFX men's hockey head coach Brad Peddle is pleased to announce and welcome nine new student-athletes to the AUS champion X-Men hockey program for the 2016-17 season, including six forwards, two defencemen and one goaltender.

"We are very excited with the quality of this year's recruiting class," comments Coach Peddle, the reigning CIS Coach of the Year. "Coming off a very successful year, we have lost some key pieces, and had specific types of players we needed to bring in, in preparation for another upcoming tough and competitive AUS season." 

"We have addressed this by adding exactly the type of players we need - high character individuals and two-way athletes with strong leadership abilities, including several captains of their junior teams. These athletes will compliment a very solid returning group of committed veterans."

The new forwards that Coach Peddle has recruited include Bryson Cianfrone, Sam Studnicka, Matt Needham, Anthony DiFruscia, Marcus Cuomo and Regan Spears. Additions to the defensive corp will be Cole MacDonald and Mitch Wheaton, while Chase Marchand from the QMJHL champion Rouyn Noranda Huskies has been added as a goaltender.

Bryson Cianfrone played with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL and brings an element of skill, speed and grit to the X-Men team. A former OHL captain, Coach Peddles notes that he is a "high character individual that has a tremendous work ethic. Cianfrone is coming off a great year in Owen Sound where he led his team in scoring and was awarded both the unsung hero and players choice award for his team."

Sam Studnicka played with the Sarnia Sting in the OHL and is a big strong center that "plays the game the right way," comments Peddle. "He plays hard at both ends of the ice and is a great leader, captaining his team in Sarnia this past year. Sam is a very smart player and has the ability to produce offensively, but is also very tough to play against. He comes highly recommended and will be a tremendous addition to our program."

Matt Needham if a forward who played with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, captaining the team for three years. "Matt is an outstanding leader who has great hockey sense, high skill level and can create offence as he put up great numbers in the WHL. He is also well known for his ability to play on both sides of the puck, and plays a very strong defensive game. His work ethic is outstanding and he will be a great addition to our group."

Anthony DiFruscia played with the OHL's Niagara Ice Dogs. Coach Peddle comments, "He brings a very gritty, two-way game where he has the ability to score, but also plays a tough physical game. He is a very honest player with great leadership qualities and was the captain of a very good Niagara Ice Dogs team this past season. A tremendous person, DiFruscia's style of play will suit the X-Men team perfectly."

Marcus Cuomo was a member of the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL and plays a very physical style of game. After coming back from a tough injury early last season, he was a key member of the Quebec Remparts Memorial Cup team previous to that. "He was a very popular teammate in his time in the QMJHL and we look forward to the energy and grit he will bring to our program," says Peddle.

Regan Spears played locally with the Pictou Weeks Crushers of the MHL. Coach Peddle notes that Regan is "a player that we know well and has come through many of our hockey camps. He is coming off his best year and was a key member of his Weeks Crushers MHL championship team. A great kid with outstanding work ethic, he is a 6'4 power forward who can produce offence and plays with and edge. He has tremendous potential as he continues to develop."

Cole MacDonald from the WHL's Everett Silvertips will be joining the X-Men defense this fall. Coach Peddle is excited to add Cole to the program, commenting that "he knows our program well through family connections and will be a great addition. He is a very good defenseman who plays a very solid game in his own end, but is also a tremendous skater who moves the puck very well and can help generate offence. He will be a great fit to our style of play and really help our transition game."

Mitch Wheaton played defense with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. He is a very strong defender at 6'5", 225 pounds who will add some size and stability to the X-Men back end. Peddle notes that Mitch "is solid shut-down D that also makes a great first pass and moves the puck well. He comes highly recommended from his WHL coaches and was an integral part of the defense of this year's WHL champion Brandon Wheat Kings. He is former NHL pick with Detroit and will be a great addition to our blue line."

Chase Marchand has been added to the X-Men line-up, a goaltender coming off a career year, winning the QMJHL championship with Rouyn Noranda. He backstopped his team to the Memorial Cup final and also picked up the QMJHL Goaltender of the Year award. "Chase is a high character individual with an outstanding work ethic, athleticism and competitive drive," says Peddle. "He will be a great addition to our team and gives us a great tandem with returning goalie Brandon Hope. Chase is still pursuing pro options and hoping for an NHL contract, but has elected to come to StFX and pursue his education if that pro contract does not present itself."

When looking at the overall group of nine new recruits, X-Men head coach Brad Peddle comments that "each of these individuals will make a significant impact to our team in different ways, and all are great fits for our program, university and community. We certainly look forward to seeing all of them in X-Men hockey jerseys in the fall."

The X-Men open 2016-17 AUS regular season play on the road when they visit Dalhousie on Friday, October 7th. Their home opener follows the next evening on Saturday, October 8^th when the defending AUS champion and CIS silver medalists will host Acadia.