Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Bursting on the scene as a university hockey rookie in 2019-20, Jordan Taupert made an instant impact with the Griffins, recording 28 points in 28 games.
He was recognized for his efforts as MacEwan's Male Rookie of the Year.
After a pandemic-lost campaign in 2020-21, Taupert went through a learning curve as he and the Griffins levelled up to the Canada West conference last season.
"In ACAC, I started out and had a pretty good year in my first year," said Taupert. "Last year was definitely a jump – guys are faster, stronger, bigger. So, I had to step up my game a little bit. Obviously, some of the results as a team and as an individual weren't there for me, but this year I think I'm doing a better job being a leader on and off the ice."
That's certainly the case, as the veteran has four goals and 14 points in 20 games this season and is showing the potential impact coaches believed he could make at the Canada West level.
"I just think it's experience," said Griffins' interim head coach Zack Dailey. "Everywhere he's gone, he's put up points, so it was just a matter of time for him to get more comfortable, get adjusted to the speed, get adjusted to some bigger bodies.
"This was the expectation we had bringing him here that he could be a guy we could lean on offensively and he's been doing a good job for us this year."
Taupert will lead the Griffins into their second-last weekend of the U SPORTS men's hockey regular season – a home-and-home series against Mount Royal University on Friday (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena) and Saturday (7 p.m. in Calgary, both Canada West TV).
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Jordan Taupert has been a solid, hard-working veteran forward for the Griffins this season (Joel Kingston photo).
It's crunch time for the Griffins (8-15-1), who trail Regina (8-14-2) by one point for the final playoff spot. Manitoba (8-15-1) is even with them also.
All three have four games left against teams above them in the standings.
MacEwan has two against third-place MRU (16-5-3) and finish against first-place Calgary (21-3-0).
Regina finishes with two each against fifth-place Saskatchewan (12-8-4) and fourth-place UBC (16-6-2), while Manitoba has the toughest schedule of them all, facing Calgary and second-place Alberta (18-5-3).
Don't expect the Griffins to be scoreboard watching, though. They know they need to take care of their own business.
"All year, we've talked about the process," said Griffins' interim head coach Zack Dailey. "This is the time where you hope your process is working and you're playing your best hockey. I think we've done a good job after Christmas with our efforts and execution.
"Obviously, I wasn't very happy with our last game on Saturday against UBC (a 9-0 loss), but up until that point, I thought we put together seven or eight really good games where we're building and getting better.
"We just have to get back on track there. We have to be a team that's desperate and looks like we're desperate because our season is on the line. We have two very good opponents that we're playing. We're just looking for effort and execution. If we do those things, we'll give ourselves a chance to win."
Griffins players celebrate a 3-2 overtime win over Mount Royal University on Oct. 22. They're looking for more success against the Cougars this weekend (Joel Kingston photo).
Taupert and his linemates Marc Pasemko and Elijah Brown will be key to MacEwan's efforts this weekend.
"Our thought for that line is use their speed together," said Dailey. "They're all three great skaters, the work ethic is there. They're a line that sets the pace for our group, in terms of getting up the ice, putting pressure on people.
"Brown is a first-year guy and is able to look up to Jordan and Marc," he added. "Just how they skate every game consistently, practice hard every day and how they care about this program, it's a great example to set for a young guy like Elijah."
That's a big reason why Taupert earned an 'A' on his sweater this season as an assistant captain for the first time.
"I just think he leads by example," said Dailey. "He came into camp the first day of our skates and was skating circles around some people. His work ethic is there every day. He doesn't complain. During games, he does things correctly. I've been super impressed with him.
"In previous years, he's been good for us, but this year on a consistent basis. If you look who the hardest worker is on the ice, most days it's Jordan. He's done a really good job setting an example of what we expect on a day-to-day basis and that's a big part of why he's wearing a letter this year."
It hasn't always been easy as the Griffins have had their share highs and lows, injuries, and other setbacks, while also celebrating some of the biggest wins in program history, including one over MRU back on Oct. 22.
"We are a very tight group," said Taupert. "Obviously, we've had some ups and downs, but the leadership group keeps it pretty tight. There's a lot of really good hockey players and guys in that room, and everyone believes in each other."
