Just over three years ago, Maaskant came to Wolfville on a recruiting trip and fell in love with everything Acadia University has to offer academically and athletically.
Choosing Acadia, he said, was an easy decision.
“Honestly, my first night in the town, I knew this was the place for me, and I committed that night,” he said.
Now an assistant captain and integral member of the men’s hockey team, he also dedicates many hours to the Acadia Players’ Association as a co-president on top of his studies. As
Across the country
Moving from Clinton, ON to Wolfville, Maaskant is comfortable being far from home. This summer, instead of heading back to Ontario to work and train, he moved out west. Maaskant was hired by PwC in Calgary for an accounting co-operative education position, where he worked in the assurance department.
With two years of his bachelor of business administration under his belt, Maaskant headed to Calgary eager to learn more. After four fantastic months with PwC, Maaskant returned to Acadia with more experience in the business world, and also a new perspective on his program choice heading forward.
“It was unbelievable,” said Maaskant of his experience. “Super good experience, it helped me find out what I want to do with my life after school is done.”
Maaskant returned to Acadia in August and decided to continue his studies in engineering.
“I was seriously considering both when I first came here," he said. "I decided to choose business and I don’t regret my last two years at all, but I just kind of wanted a new way of approaching things. I wanted to learn how things work rather than work in a business and manage the books.”
On the ice
Maaskant, who has been playing hockey since the age of four, is excited for what this season with the Axemen has to offer.
“I think the team is going to do well,” he said with a big grin on his face.
While Maaskant’s parents originally registered him in hockey, it is definitely his love of the game that keeps him playing.
“(My) dad made me an outdoor rink, I slowly started playing, and I fell in love with the game.”
Unwilling to make any solid predictions, Maaskant is looking forward to the season and says anyone could take the AUS banner this year.
“I think the league is wide open this year, who knows what’s going to happen," he said.
He’s optimistic for the Axemen but recognizes they need to work hard if they want to compete with the best teams in the country.
“We didn’t lose too many players, and our rookies are looking really good this year,” said Maaskant.
Life after Acadia
While Maaskant may have decided to change from a business degree to studying engineering, he is still unsure what he wants to do after Acadia. But, with three more years in Wolfville, he’s excited to simply enjoy his time here.
“I want to work outside of an office, to be able to work abroad, to work up north, see the country, and see other countries. I don’t really know what I want to do, but I’m also not too worried about that.” Maaskant explained.
For now, he’s happy focusing on his first year of engineering, and balancing all of his labs with hockey practices.
