Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Among all the work implementing systems, building top fitness levels, and gelling as a team, there is one theme of the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey training camp that really stands out.
"The biggest thing is I see the whole group having a lot of fun right now," said interim head coach Chris Leeming. "They've been working hard, having fun, and pushing each other.
"We've really tried to work hard to create a positive environment for everyone to have an opportunity to express their talents at the highest level possible."
Fun leads to chemistry, which is what the Griffins are building ahead of their preseason opener vs. Calgary on Friday (3 p.m.). They will also host Mount Royal University on Saturday (7:30 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena).
Six rookies have joined a group of 21 returning players on a team that came close to a playoff spot in their inaugural Canada West season in 2021-22.
"Now, the majority of the team has a year of U SPORTS hockey under their belts, whereas last year it was all brand new for everybody," said Leeming, who is replacing long-time head coach Lindsay McAlpine, on secondment as MacEwan's Associate Director of Athletics.
"They've had a really open mindset to a new coach and new voice coming in. It's been exciting for me, as well. We're looking forward to this weekend with a couple of games against a team that finished just ahead of the program last year and a team at the top of the league. So, it will be a good test to gauge where we're at."
What Leeming and his staff are preaching heading into the weekend is focusing on the things they can control.
"We want the group to have a positive attitude and strong work ethic," he said. "There are going to be mistakes and we've just got to move past them on both sides of the game.
"The main objective is to get some reps under us in a game situation because it's not always replicated as much as we'd like to in practice.
"We'll get some healthy competition here this weekend and we'll make some adjustments and grow from there. We're just looking for them to implement some of the concepts and tactics we've been working on the last two weeks here."
After two exhibition games this weekend, the Griffins will play four more non-conference games before their Canada West season opener at Regina on Sept. 30.