Many student-athletes have a specific memory of a particular goal, big game or defining moment in their university career, but Jeff Macleod’s time as an Acadia Axemen afforded him more than a few highlights.
A 1995 graduate, Jeff recalls fondly the hockey team’s 1993 National Championship win; Conference Championship in ’92 and ’94; and being named a National Championship All-Star, an All-Canadian Defenseman, and Acadia’s Male Athlete of the Year.
He remembers the contributions to his personal and professional development of Acadia stalwarts Don Wells, Tom Prescott and Connie MacNeil, and thanks Coach Tom Coolen for recruiting him and convincing him to come to Acadia.
Current Acadia head hockey coach Darren Burns was a teammate of MacLeod’s, and says, “Jeff MacLeod is one of the most selfless players I’ve ever met. He was a tremendous leader in our program and one of the best players to play in the CIS. His team-first attitude coupled with his skill level made him a force at all times. There’s no doubt if Jeff was playing in this era he would be in the NHL.”
When you ask, Jeff says that Acadia University was and still is a second home. Experiences on and off the ice gave him the confidence to succeed after graduation. He was a professional hockey player from 1995-2004, and played over 80 games for Team Canada throughout his career.
He was part of the team that won the Spengler Cup in 1996, he played seven years in the German Elite League, and has coached Tier 2 junior, senior and major junior hockey. More recently, Jeff has coached minor hockey, youth soccer and is an active member of the Senobe canoe club board.
Jeff is married to Anita (formerly Blanchard), a ’96 BPE grad who teaches PE at Caledonia Jr. High. They currently reside in Dartmouth and have two children: Gregor and Lea. Jeff is director of hockey and admissions associate at King’s-Edgehill School in Windsor, Nova Scotia. He also coaches and oversees both the male and female varsity hockey teams.
The Acadia Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct All-Canadian Defenseman and National Championship All-Star, in the athlete category, Jeff MacLeod.
