Russell and Couture named Acadia athletes of the year
Acadia University’s Department of Athletics celebrated the 2025-26 season on Wednesday night at the annual Fred G. Kelly Awards Night, hosted in Festival Theatre.
Thomas Couture and Samantha Russell concluded the evening as recipients of the male and female athlete of the year awards.
Couture delivered one of the top goaltending seasons in the country for the Acadia Axemen. The Acadia netminder led both the AUS and U SPORTS with 861 saves, while posting a .927 save percentage, the best mark in the conference and third-best in the nation. He also recorded 14 wins, ranking sixth in U SPORTS and third in the AUS, and finished the season with a 2.49 goals-against average, the third-best mark in the conference.
Couture’s consistent play between the pipes made him one of the most important players in the Axemen lineup all season. His outstanding year earned him AUS first team all-star honours and, on the national stage, he was named the U SPORTS men’s hockey Goaltender of the Year and a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian.
His selection made program history, as he became the first goaltender in Acadia history to be named U SPORTS Goaltender of the Year.
Russell delivered one of the most complete seasons in the country for the Acadia Axewomen.
The fifth-year wing from Dartmouth, N.S., averaged 16.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 33.1 minutes per game during the regular season, while starting all 20 games. Her dominant all-around play helped lead Acadia to a 15-5 record and a second-place finish in the AUS standings.
Russell led the AUS in scoring, ranked second in the conference with 70 steals, averaging 3.5 per game, and finished fourth with 26 blocks.
Her impact on both ends of the floor also saw her lead the Axewomen in rebounding, as she continued to establish herself as one of the top players in the nation.
Her outstanding season earned her AUS most valuable player honours and AUS first team all-star recognition for the second consecutive year. On the national stage, she was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, recognizing her as one of the top five players in Canadian university women’s basketball.
Men’s basketball’s Malko Young was named this year’s Outstanding First-Year Male Athlete of the Year.
Young made an immediate impact in his first season with the Acadia Axemen. In conference play, he averaged 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 22.2 minutes per game, while shooting 32.2 per cent from three-point range. Across all competitions, he totalled 129 points over 19 games.
His performance earned him a spot on the AUS all-rookie team. Young also delivered one of the top rookie shooting performances nationally, ranking among the U SPORTS leaders with 28 three-pointers in league play. His season included a standout 22-point, seven-three performance against Memorial.
The Outstanding First-Year Female Athlete of the Year award was won by women’s soccer’s Hannah Richardson-McKinnon.
In her first year, Richardson-McKinnon made an immediate impact, adapting seamlessly to the AUS level while excelling in multiple defensive roles. She played and started in 11 of 12 conference matches, along with Acadia’s AUS quarterfinal match.
Tasked with marking some of the conference’s top attackers, she consistently limited scoring chances and provided stability across the backline. Normally a centre back, Richardson-McKinnon transitioned to a fullback role with poise and confidence, bringing intensity and a competitive edge in every match.
This year’s female Community Engagement Award was awarded to Leah Adams, while the male Community Engagement Award was presented to Parker Walsh.
The President’s Award, established in recognition of Acadia’s 175th anniversary to honour individuals displaying the highest standard of leadership, was awarded to Anne-Sophie Le Rudulier and Nick Pilichos.
This year’s Acadia Student Union Jimmy Atomate Award winner is Meg Varden.
The award, dedicated in memory of Jimmy Atomate, is given annually to a varsity athlete who makes an exceptional effort to connect with students and fans while enhancing the wider campus experience.
2025-26 ACADIA ATHLETICS AWARDS
MAJOR AWARDS
Athenaeum Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year – Thomas Couture
Jean Marsh Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year – Samantha Russell
Outstanding First-Year Male Athlete of the Year – Malko Young
Outstanding First-Year Female Athlete of the Year – Hannah Richardson-McKinnon
President’s Award – Anne-Sophie Le Rudulier, Nick Pilichos
Community Engagement Award – Leah Adams, Parker Walsh
DEPARTMENT RECOGNITION AWARDS
Performance Intern of the Year – Rowan Marcil
Athletic Therapy Option Student of the Year – Theo Sgambati
ASU’s Jimmy Atomate Award – Meg Varden
APA Spirit Award – Nelson Ayotte
APA Spirit Award (Peer) – Ashley Davis
Distinguished Service Award – Whitney Gallant
TEAM AWARDS
Women’s Rugby
MVP – Brielynn Murrant
Rookie of the Year – Gabby Shaw
Leadership – Lauren Deal
Rookie Back – Gabby Shaw
Rookie Forward – Stella Feeney
Coaches Award – Sarah Williston
Most Improved Player – Abbie Chisholm
Men’s Football
MVP – Rory Litt
Rookie of the Year – Gabrielos Kho
Leadership – Nick Pilichos
Men’s Soccer
MVP – Jabu Deng
Rookie of the Year – Aaron John
Leadership – AJ Magamura
Axeman of the Year – Anderson Peters
Players’ Player of the Season – Jabu Deng
Goal of the Season – AJ Magamura vs. Saint Mary’s
Women’s Soccer
MVP – Leah Adams
Rookie of the Year – Hannah Richardson-McKinnon
Leadership – Leah Adams
Women’s Cross Country
MVP – Clementine MacLeod
Rookie of the Year – Jillian Hope
Leadership – Anne-Sophie Le Rudulier
Men’s Basketball
MVP – Ryan Regault
Rookie of the Year – Malko Young
Leadership – Erik Hayden
Women’s Basketball
MVP – Samantha Russell
Rookie of the Year – Maria Davignon
Leadership – Sarah Delorey
Women’s Volleyball
MVP – Alexia Lemay-Evans
Rookie of the Year – Anja Erminio
Leadership – Ella Hickey
Men’s Hockey
MVP – Thomas Couture
Rookie of the Year – Brayden Schmitt
Leadership – Liam Kidney
Defensive Player of the Year – Brendan Tomilson
Most Improved Player – Marc Boudreau
Most Valuable Player, Playoffs – Liam Kidney
Randy Dean Farris Memorial Award – Liam Kidney
Paul McFarland Award – Ryder McIntyre
Acadia Athletics extends congratulations to all winners and thanks the student-athletes, coaches and staff for their dedication throughout the season.