ENFIELD: After spending his entire hockey career in the East Hants system, Enfield’s Jaxson Smith is taking a big step in his hockey journey.
Smith has officially committed to play with Atlantic Coast Academy this season, making the move from the familiar surroundings of East Hants to a new hockey environment in the United States.
For Smith, the transition represents a significant change after playing with East Hants his entire life.
“Yea, it’s definitely a big change, moving to a whole different country but it’s lots of fun,” Smith said.
Smith was part of the East Hants U15AA Penguins team that captured the championship at the 40th Pictou County Bantam Memorial Tournament earlier this year.
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Now, he is taking the next step in his development with Atlantic Coast Academy, a high-performance hockey program based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
ACA combines hockey development with academics, with the program designed to prepare student-athletes for the next levels of the game, including junior hockey and NCAA competition.
The academy provides professional coaching, player development and exposure opportunities, while players also have an academic and residential experience through its partnership with Darrow School.
The academy’s players live and attend school in the same environment, with training, academics, housing and meals all built around the demands of being a student-athlete.
While the change is a big one, Smith said he is enjoying the experience and embracing the opportunity.
