Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Opportunities are beginning to open up on the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey blueline, so head coach Chris Leeming has recruited three more for next season.
The second of those to be announced is Fort McMurray's Jordan Brown, who is making the jump to U SPORTS after a terrific final season with the St. Albert Slash in U18AAA.
"Her commitment to blocking shots and winning puck battles makes her a difficult player to compete against in the D-zone," said Leeming.
"She also has an underrated offensive skill set in her transitional play and ability to generate quality shots on net."
The 5-foot-8 Brown brought a solid defensive style to the Slash last season, while chipping in offensively with three goals and 10 points in 28 games. She also played with the Slash in 2023-24 after a season with the Edmonton Junior Oilers in 2022-23.
Brown was also an assistant captain with the Slash, so she brings a leadership element to the Griffins, as well.
"We're trying to get a little bit bigger, and she brings the size element to our back end," said Leeming. "She's difficult to play against in her own zone and she doesn't shy away from the physicality. She's got a good stick, has great awareness and is a great communicator in the D zone. She blocks shots and takes the body. She doesn't give up anything for free.
"With our D zone structure, that's something she's going to fit into really well, along with the pieces of her game that she already excels at."
Like previously announced defensive recruit Marley Howes, Brown was also among the top 46 prospects in Alberta last summer. Both will have an opportunity to get on the ice for the Griffins immediately as they begin to form the future core of the team.
"There are going to be some opportunities for first-year D to get some experience playing this year," said Leeming. "We're bringing in three this season. We're losing three key pieces to our D core next season, so that was kind of the idea – we wanted to make sure we have players in line and have a year of development under their belt with Syd (Olsen), Rob (Short) and A Mac (Macaulay) all graduating after this season.
"So that's going to be important for them to get opportunities to play, contribute, learn the league and get up to speed with what we're doing. It will be a big development year for those D."