ANTIGONISH, N.S. – Kelvin Grove’s Bailey Webster is along the players that have joined St. F.X. men’s hockey program for the 2018-19 season.
Webster is a big, steady defenceman who played his entire junior career with the Saint John Sea Dogs and has championship experience, winning a QMJHL title in 2018.
“Bailey has tremendous character and leadership abilities finishing his last year as captain in Saint John,” said Brad Peddle, head coach. “He comes highly recommended from former coaches and teammates and will be a great addition to our program. He is very good on the penalty kill, and will give us the size and dependability we were looking to add to our defence. He will compliment a strong returning core very nicely.”
Also joining the X-Men are former Charlottetown Islander Blade Mann-Dixon, a goaltender and local Antigonish, N.S. product who comes via way of the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL.
“He is very familiar with our program and will be the first junior X-Men play for St. F.X. Blade has been a member of all our junior programs and has developed into a very good goaltender. He is a great kid, and is a very competitive and athletic goalie that gives us great depth and security in the nets. He has tremendous potential and it will be great to see his development in blue and white over the next few years.”
Adam Holwell, a defenceman with the 2018 Memorial Cup and QMJHL champion Acadie-Bathurst Titan, is also on board.
The list also includes former Charlottetown Islander Will Thompson, a strong skating two-way defenceman from the QMJHL’s Rouyn Noranda Huskies and Will Bower, a forward who spent time with both the Charlottetown Islanders and Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.
“Will is a hard-working, gritty forward that plays with an edge and comes highly recommend from both coaches and teammates,” said Peddle.
“He will fit into our style of play nicely. He has some valuable playoff experience from his Moncton Wildcat days; he is very good on face-offs, but can also play any position and will give us great depth up front. Will is a tremendous student and a great teammate that will do anything to win.”
