Atlantic University Sport (AUS) has unveiled its major award winners and all-stars for the 2023 season, headlined by a healthy contingent from the undefeated St. Francis Xavier University.
X-Men quarterback Silas Fagnan took home the Chris Flynn Trophy as the conference’s most outstanding player, earning one of four coveted nominations for the Hec Crighton Trophy.
The six-foot-two, 200-pound pivot from Bonnyville, Alta., produced the eighth-highest single-season passing total in conference history, throwing for 2,075 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games. He is the fifth St. FX player to earn the award in the last seven seasons, achieving the feat himself in 2021.
No AUS player has won the Hec Crighton since Saint Mary’s quarterback Erik Glavic in 2007.
Joining Fagnan on the list of award winners was teammate Alexander Fedchun, who was named Outstanding Lineman of the Year. The six-foot-five, 240-pound defensive end will be nominated for the J.P. Metras Trophy for a second straight year.
Selected by the Ottawa Redblacks in the seventh round of the 2023 CFL Draft, Fedchun returned to school and racked up 29.5 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks — third most in the country. The native of Calgary, Alta., ends his collegiate career as the X-Men’s all-time sack leader with 23.5, good for third in conference history.
Also representing St. FX is head coach Gary Waterman, who received the Larry Uteck Trophy as conference coach of the year after finishing the regular season 8-0. It is the sixth time he has received the awards, including the last three years straight.
Elsewhere in the conference, Mount Allison defensive back Malcolm Bell was awarded the Tony Proudfoot Trophy as the most outstanding stand-up defensive player. The Saint John, N.B. native previously took home the award in 2021 and will be nominated for the President’s Trophy.
Bell led the nation with 63 total tackles, averaging 7.9 per game. The six-foot-two, 200-pound safety added a sack and five tackles for loss while recovering two fumbles and breaking up four passes.
Bishop’s offensive tackle Mikael Pattin was named Rookie of the Year and will be in contention for the national Peter Gorman Trophy. The six-foot-one, 245-pound blocker from Mandeville, Que., played in all eight of the Gaiters’ games this season and helped the team average a league-leading 186.0 rushing yards per game.
Rounding out the player awards was Acadia linebacker Spencer Richard, who received the Student-Athlete Community Service Award and a national nomination for the prestigious Russ Jackson Award. Saint Mary’s H-Backs coach Matt Elliott will contend for the Gino Fracas Award after being named Assistant Coach of the Year.
In addition to the major awards, 29 players were named to the AUS all-star team. St. FX led the way with 11 selections. The full list can be read below.
2023 AUS FOOTBALL ALL-STARS
Defensive tackle: Vincenzo Frangione, Mount Allison (5th year – Ottawa, ON)
Defensive tackle: Kyle Chappus, Acadia (5th year – Back River, N.S.)
Defensive end: Alex Fedchun, STFX (5th year – Calgary, AB)
Defensive end: Samuel Robichaud, Bishop’s (3rd year – Quebec, QC)
Linebacker: Gabriel Royer, Bishop’s (3rd year – Lawrenceville, QC)
Linebacker: Owen O’Neal, Mount Allison (3rd year – Sackville, N.B.)
Linebacker: Josh Connors, STFX (3rd year – Toronto, ON)
Rush/cover: Riley Gabriel, Acadia (5th year – North River, N.S.)
Safety: Yani Gouadfel, Bishop’s (3rd year – Mitry-Mory, France)
Halfback: Daniel Bell, Mount Allison (4th year – Saint John, N.B.)
Halfback: Brandyn Martin, STFX (4th year – Melfort, SK)
Cornerback: Jassin States-McClean, Saint Mary’s (5th year – Halifax, N.S.)
Cornerback: John Agette, Mount Allison (4th year – Ottawa, ON)
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Centre: Nicolas Pilichos, Acadia (3rd year – Bedford, N.S.)
Guard: Will Chapman, STFX (4th year- Bedford, N.S.)
Guard: Olivier Fournier, Bishop’s (4th year – Frampton, QC)
Tackle: Mikaël Pattin, Bishop’s (1st year – Mandeville, QC)
Tackle: Mitchell Martel, Bishop’s (3rd year – Pointe-Claire, QC)
Receiver: Zachary Houde, STFX (2nd year – Thetford Mines, QC)
Receiver: Ben Harrington, STFX (3rd year – Dartmouth, N.S.)
Receiver: Oliver Burnett, Bishop’s (3rd year – Fredericton, N.B.)
Receiver: Liam Stewart, Saint Mary’s (3rd year – Port Coquitlam, B.C.)
FB/TE/H-Back: Marco Briones, Bishop’s (3rd year – Guadeloupe, Mexico)
Running back: Malcolm Bussey, STFX (3rd year – Hammonds Plains, N.S.)
Running back: Brandt Burzuk, Mount Allison (2nd year – Red Deer, AB)
Quarterback: Silas Fagnan, STFX (3rd year—Bonnyville, AB)
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Punter: Max Capriotti, STFX (4th year – Mount Hope, ON)
Placekicker: Ben Hadley, STFX (4th year – Halifax, N.S.)
Kick returner: Ben Harrington, STFX (3rd year – Dartmouth, N.S.)
