Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Thrust into the spotlight this week after David Ayres had his 10 minutes of fame in the Carolina Hurricanes' net last Saturday, Edmonton Oilers' emergency backup goaltender Marc-Olivier Daigle has been making the media rounds himself this week.
He can only speculate what it would be like to be called out of the press box and suit up against NHL players.
"At every game I go to, I always tell myself 'maybe today there's a chance,'" said the MacEwan Griffins' starting goaltender, who has been the Oilers' EBUG for all home games this season that haven't conflicted with the Griffins' schedule. "Obviously, I don't wish any injury on anybody, but injuries happen in hockey. I'm only two injuries away from playing NHL minutes, which is kind of crazy when you think about it.
"Looking back at (Saturday's game), I'm really happy for that guy and I hope I get some time to shine like he did."
When it comes to the spotlight, Daigle is no stranger. Over four seasons with MacEwan, he has led the Griffins to three-straight Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championships and the team's in contention for a fourth. His finest work may have been during the 2017-18 final when he was named ACAC playoff MVP after stopping 112 of 119 shots in the three-game series against NAIT.
That was certainly special, but the one that really stands out for the graduating senior – who will be feted in a Senior Night ceremony on Friday prior to the final regular season home game of his Griffins career vs. NAIT (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, ACAC TV) – is last March when the Griffins beat the Ooks for their third-straight title at home.
"Every year was great, and every year was different from one another," he said. "I think last year was such a special year for many reasons. Winning the championship at home – my parents flew in for the weekend, my girlfriend's family was there as well. It was just amazing to be able to celebrate a championship at home.
"The previous two were at NAIT, which was obviously different than being at home. I think for me the best memory was just to raise that championship trophy last year and being able to celebrate with all my teammates, friends and family who were there."
Marc-Olivier Daigle is surrounded by members of his family - including parents Alain Daigle and Guylaine Deslandes - and his girlfriend Kristine O'Driscoll and her family after the Griffins won the 2018-19 ACAC Championship at the Downtown Community Arena last March (Matthew Jacula photo).
As great as his memories are, the program won't soon forget the legacy that their starting netminder has left. Daigle has the accolades and numbers to make a strong case he's the best goaltender the Griffins have had in a 22-year ACAC history.
And that's saying something considering Canadian Olympic women's hockey champion Shannon Szabados suited up for MacEwan's men's team for three seasons.
Daigle has played behind stronger Griffins teams than Szabados did, but there's no denying his statistics. The Delson, Que. product enters the weekend first in program history in career regular season goals against average (2.15), shutouts (7) and wins (55), and is second in career save percentage (.928), although leader Kyle Fraser (.930) played more than six times fewer minutes than he has.
"When I reflect on my time with the program, there's not anybody you could point to who's had a bigger impact than Daigs," said Griffins head coach Mike Ringrose. "He's won a championship in every year he's suited up for the Griffins.
"He's the type of goaltender you can rely on, game in and game out. He's consistent, he's an incredible leader for our group and he's a consummate professional, always working to better his game and perform at the highest level."
The season Daigle had in 2018-19 when he was named MacEwan male athlete of the year saw him post the best regular season numbers by a goaltender in program history (.937 save percentage and 1.85 GAA).
"It's hard to argue against the fact that when he came into the program it was really the tipping point," said Ringrose. "He was the stability that the program really needed on the back end in between the pipes. He was able to cover some mistakes, maybe, early on and give the group the confidence (it needed). His legacy in what he's done not only in our program but in the ACAC is certainly something he can be proud of for years and years to come."
Marc-Olivier Daigle enters his final home regular season weekend with the best career goals against average (2.15) in the program's 22-year history (Joel Kingston photo).
Daigle hopes his hockey career isn't done when he graduates from MacEwan in the spring with a degree in Commerce. Serving as the Oilers' EBUG could be a foot in the door to a pro career somewhere. Certainly, his body of work with the Griffins merits a look at the next level.
"Obviously, I'd love to keep playing hockey," he said. "I think I can still play after I'm done playing (at MacEwan), but who knows what kind of opportunities will come my way. If not, I'll be more than happy to continue my business and get that to another level."
Three years ago, Daigle started his own hockey agency (Smart Hockey Advising) and has a stable of clients ranging from as young as 14 to university levels.
"I love doing this," he said. "As a player you see the game a certain way, but as an agent, you see the game a different way. I really enjoy the business side of it. Obviously, my degree with fit right in with that."
When Daigle's MacEwan career comes to an end sometime next month, he will have the degree, the championships, the accolades and the stats to quantify an experience he'll never forget.
"For me, I'd just like to thank everybody," he said. "From my first year at MacEwan until now, everybody's been so great to me. All the friendships I've built with teammates, other athletes from other teams to staff members to different coaches (will stay with me). Those are four years I'll never forget and are some of the best times of my life. I'm really thankful and grateful I've had the opportunity to be a part of this."
