The Acadia Axemen Hockey Honour Roll grew by three members June 19. This year’s inductees, from left, are Milan Dragicevic, Jeff Mercer and Mark Richards. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentMark Richards jumped at the opportunity when asked to join the Acadia Axemen hockey team’s coaching staff.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe assistant coach, who is now in his 24th year with the Axemen, said he’s enjoyed every minute of it.Article contentArticle content“It’s really a love of the game,” he said. “I grew up as a kid that was hockey crazy. Hockey cards, hockey sticks, Hockey Digest, ice hockey, table top hockey – anything hockey.”Article contentArticle contentRichards, along with national champions Milan Dragicevic and Jeff Mercer, was inducted into the team’s honour roll during the celebrity dinner June 19 in Wolfville. There are now 133 members of the honour roll.Article contentArticle contentDragicevicArticle contentDragicevic, a defenceman from Edmonton, Alta., played for the Axemen from 1990 to 1994, winning a national title in 1993.Article contentIt was a chance encounter with Axemen Dan Holden in a Spokane, Wash., bar during Christmas break that led Dragicevic to the East Coast. Two days later, head coach Tom Coolen called and the rest is history, he said.Article contentArticle content“If I didn’t go out that night in Spokane and I didn’t see Dan Holden, I probably wouldn’t be here.”Article contentArticle contentDragicevic was one of about 13 new players on the team in his rookie season. It included eight or nine from Western Canada. In his second year, the team lost to Alberta in the 1992 national final before getting to the top of the mountain the following season.Article content“It took us a couple of years to figure things out and how to truly become a team,” Dragicevic said.Article content“Everyone had a role,” he added, noting Coolen let the players be themselves. “We were such competitive players that we made each other better.”Article contentDragicevic got into coaching after his time at Acadia and spent a dozen years as the bench boss of the UBC Thunderbirds. He is currently coaching the under-17 team at the Delta Hockey Academy in Vancouver.Article contentDragicevic’s son, Lukas, was drafted by the Seattle Kraken in the second round in 2023. A right-shot defenceman completed his junior career in 2024-25 with 70 points, including 18 goals, in 66 games for the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League.
Dragicevic, Mercer, Richards inducted into Acadia honour roll
