Antigonish native named goaltender, video coach for Cape Breton
SYDNEY: A former StFX X-Men hockey player from Antigonish – one with deep maternal family ties to Richmond County – is the new goaltender and video coach for the Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL.
Blade Mann-Dixon spoke to The Reporter on Aug. 1, which marked his first day with the Sydney-based major junior organization.
“I am super excited,” he said, describing having the chance to join the Eagles as an “unexpected” opportunity.
Mann-Dixon added, “The opportunity came up, and it is a perfect fit.”
He replaces goalie guru Scott Gouthro of Little Bras D’or, a long-time friend who recommended the former Halifax Mooseheads’ backstop for the role to Eagle general manager Sylvain Couturier.
“I am extremely excited to have Blade join the organization on a full-time basis. He is not only a great coach, but also a great person who will help guide our goaltenders in a positive direction. This organization is trending in the right direction and I am excited to still be a small piece of the puzzle moving forward,” Gouthro, who will remain with the organization as a goaltender advisor, said in a July 24 press release issued by the Eagles.
When Couturier asked him for recommendations for position, Gouthro noted that Mann-Dixon’s was the only one he provided.
“Blade knows the league, is young and wants to learn. Having a guy like Scott Gouthro to mentor Blade will be the perfect situation,” the Eagle GM offered.
It will be the first time in a few seasons that Cape Breton will employ a full-time goaltender coach, with Couturier noting that having access to someone available on a day-to-day basis as “fantastic.”
After wrapping up his varsity career with the X-Men and graduating from StFX in 2022, Mann-Dixon launched BMD Goaltending (bmdgoaltending.com), a coaching business and goaltender school; one that offers camps. Last season, he also worked extensively with the Pictou Weeks Crushers – of the Maritime Junior Hockey League – and the NSU18MHL’s Cape Breton West Islanders.
“I am really enjoying it. I think this is what I was meant to do – not playing,” Mann-Dixon said of coaching and mentoring players.
When it comes to his style, he described it as “super technical.”
At 5’7”, Mann-Dixon explained he has always battled the idea that he was too small to be a goaltender, which made him focus even more sharply on fundamentals. He tries to instill the same approach in his students – regardless of their height.
With his extensive QMJHL experience, which included time with four organizations, he agreed he can also serve as a sounding board for every player on the roster; not just goaltenders.
“I can relate to them, and what they are going through,” Mann-Dixon said.
As for the upcoming campaign for the Eagles, he described having a “super good feeling,” while noting the strong mix of youth and returnees on the roster.
“I think everyone is ready to get down to business,” Mann-Dixon offered.
Cape Breton Eagles’ training camp for the 2023-24 season opens on Thursday, Aug. 18.