STFX Athletics announces changes to X-Men Hockey coaching roles

ANTIGONISH, NS – STFX Director of Athletics & Recreation Leo MacPherson has announced upcoming changes to coaching roles within the X-Men Hockey program, effective September 4^th.

Current head coach Brad Peddle has accepted an NHL professional opportunity with the Columbus Blue Jackets as an amateur scout but will maintain general manager duties of the X-Men Hockey program. Current assistant coaches David Stewart and Sean Donovan will assume associate head coaching responsibilities, while recently hired Daniel Nikandrov will maintain his role as the full-time assistant coach of the team.

"I am fully supportive of Brad pursuing this opportunity as he has earned it," comments Director of Athletics & Recreation Leo MacPherson. "This will be an invigorating experience for him. Our hockey program will be in great shape as I have full confidence in our long-time assistant coaches, Dave and Sean, who will be supported by our newest assistant Daniel Nikandrov."

Brad Peddle has been at the helm of the X-Men for the past 18 years, amassing a 311-273-2 coaching record in regular season and playoff games and a 371-313-7 career coaching record (including non-conference games). Peddle's STFX squads have never missed an AUS playoff berth and he's led his teams to eight U SPORTS national championship appearances. The X-Men won  back-to-back AUS championship titles in 2016 and 2017 and were AUS finalists on five more occasions, the latest in 2022 when they were also national bronze medalists at the University Cup. Peddle also guided the X-Men to U SPORTS bronze in 2019 and a pair of silver medals in 2018 and 2016. He is a two-time AUS Coach of the Year, and was honored as the 2016 U SPORTS Coach of the Year.

"I will be taking a leave from coaching this upcoming season to pursue an NHL scouting opportunity that will be excellent personal and professional development," notes Peddle. "I am very thankful to the administration at STFX to approve this leave, and am grateful to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the opportunity provided." 

"I have full confidence in a tremendous X-Men staff and the leadership veteran coaches Sean and Dave will provide as associate head coaches, along with the valuable contributions our newly appointed full-time assistant coach Danny Nikandrov will make. It's a strong group and I look forward to staying very involved as we look to contend once again in a very competitive AUS conference."

Dave Stewart has completed 13 seasons as an assistant coach with the X-Men hockey program, and along with fellow assistant coach Sean Donovan, will assume associate head coaching responsibilities with the team for the upcoming varsity season. A former X-Men hockey player and STFX graduate, Stewart was an assistant captain at StFX and went on to play eight years of professional hockey in the ECHL and UHL.

Sean Donovan has wrapped up nine years as assistant coach with the blue and white and is also a former X-Men captain, graduating in 2011. He was the head coach of the Cape Breton West Islanders of the Nova Scotia Major Midget League for four seasons prior to joining the STFX coaching staff.

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