Zazula signs professional contract with Nantes Corsairs
Axemen defenceman joins French club after five seasons at Acadia
Acadia Axemen defenceman Luke Zazula has signed a professional contract with the Nantes Corsairs in France.
The Corsairs are based in Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, and compete in FFHG Division 1. The club was promoted to Division 1 in 2013.
Since the late 2010s, Nantes has emerged as one of the leading candidates for promotion to Ligue Magnus.
Zazula said the opportunity to continue his career in France came through a combination of connections, patience and preparation.
“Connections are helpful in the hockey world while combining hard work and patience,” said Zazula. “I’m pumped to move on to the next level and showcase myself in Europe.”
Zazula played five seasons with the Axemen from 2021 to 2026, appearing in 104 regular season games. He recorded three goals and 26 assists over that stretch.
A steady presence on the Acadia blue line, Zazula was part of an Axemen group that advanced to the AUS semifinal in 2025-26 after defeating STFX 2-1 in the conference quarterfinal round.
He said his time at Acadia helped prepare him for the next step in his hockey career.
“Throughout my career at Acadia, I learned a lot and gained a lot,” said Zazula. “Incorporating discipline into my life allowed me to balance school and hockey while succeeding at both. Go Axemen!”