Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Four more newcomers have joined one of the largest recruiting classes the MacEwan men's hockey program has ever seen.

Defencemen Zach Aston and Payton McIsaac, along with forwards Spencer McLean and Brayden Hyland bring the rookie class total to 11 on the three-time defending Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Champion Griffins.

They join previously announced first-years, goaltender Thomas Davis, defenceman Cale Chalifoux, and forwards Zach Webb, Chase Miller, Joseph Karpyshyn, Kole Gable and Jordan Taupert.

Coaches and fans will get a first look at the team in action this weekend as the Griffins travel to Calgary to meet SAIT in preseason action on Friday (7 p.m.) before hosting the Trojans on Saturday (6 p.m., Downtown Community Arena).

To say the roster has had a bit of a makeover is an understatement after several veterans from a season ago – including leading scorer Brett Njaa and former ACAC rookie of the year Tyler Morrison – decided not to return.

"Obviously, it's a huge turnover year for us," said head coach Michael Ringrose. "Our team will definitely look different than it has in years past."

That's not to say they won't be competitive in a bid for their fourth-straight ACAC championship before the MacEwan program moves into the Canada West conference in 2020-21.

"I'm really happy with the level of skill we've been able to bring in up front," said Ringrose. "I think we have some solid pieces on the back end that will allow us to defend hard. Obviously with Marc (Olivier Daigle) in net, it's going to be difficult to score every night. Having Thomas come in and push him is only going to make them both better. Marc's always at his best when there's someone chomping at his heels. I like the makeup of our group."

Aston joins the Griffins from the Drayton Valley Thunder, where he served as an assistant captain last season. He also played for the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Bonnyville Pontiacs in his career.

"Big, big strong defender," described Griffins head coach Michael Ringrose of the St. Albert product. "Hard to play against. Plays a very simple and effective game. He's another guy who has tremendous leadership skills. He's a guy we expect to come in and really be a solid defensive presence on our blueline."

McIsaac finished his junior career with the Grande Prairie Storm last season and also played for the Sherwood Park Crusaders, while sprinkling in 16 Western Hockey League games with Saskatoon and Seattle.

"Payton's injured right now, but he's a guy who spent some time in the Western league and in Junior A and has decided to come to school early," said Ringrose of the Fort Saskatchewan product. "We're excited to get him. Right now, he's working on rehabbing a knee injury, but I expect him to come in and be an impact guy when he gets back."

Newcomers Spencer McLean, left, and Brayden Hyland will add to MacEwan's deep forward group.

McLean, from Montrose, B.C., spent his entire junior career with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL where he proved his versatility and leadership abilities.

"Spencer will be an impact forward for us, has the ability to play wherever you need him," said Ringrose.  "Very versatile. Good vision, good playmaking ability. Just another one of these 200-foot guys who's going to help contribute on a nightly basis."

Hyland, of Edmonton, finished his junior career with the Sherwood Park Crusaders last season, but also had stops in Spruce Grove and Lloydminster of the AJHL.

"He's a guy who's going to come in and provide us with some depth," said Ringrose. "He's an exceptional teammate who has the ability to put the puck in the net. He's going to come in and push for minutes right from the get-go."

MacEwan's preseason road will also include a visit to Vancouver next weekend to face future Canada West opponent UBC Sept. 20-21. The ACAC regular season begins on Oct. 11 when the Griffins host Red Deer College (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena).

"We're excited for what are going to be two really good tests off the hop then have a couple of weeks to re-evaluate where we're at and work on some things heading into the regular season," said Ringrose. "The energy is different being a young team. The excitement is contagious. I know our veteran players are feeding off that right now. They've mentioned how much we're enjoying being amongst a new group of guys who are looking to really make their mark on the league.

"It will be a different look team this year, for sure, but we feel we have the pieces in place to continue to push forward to compete for that fourth championship in a row."