Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Flush with left-handed centremen, the MacEwan Griffins men's hockey team is busy chasing what they're missing this off-season – a right-handed faceoff artist (or two), who can give them an advantage on that side of the ice this season.
Head coach Zack Dailey expects his latest recruit – Sam Simard from the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Drumheller Dragons – to provide just that for a team looking to take the next step by qualifying for the Canada West playoffs in 2023-24.
"We don't have any right-handed centremen on our team," said Dailey, whose squad is stocked with left-shooting pivots in Brendan Boyle, Zach Webb and Ryley Appelt. "We've been looking for some, so he fits a role that we've certainly needed.
"We're super happy to have Sam. I think he's someone who will come in and have a chance to prove himself, earn a regular spot."
Of note, Simard is the third-straight AJHL captain the Griffins have added in their 2023-24 recruiting class. The Drumheller leader joins Vincent Scott (Canmore) and Ben Bygrove (Lloydminster), who also wore the 'C' for their respective squads.
Simard finished third in scoring on the Dragons last season with 22 goals and 53 points in 52 games, adding 10 points in 13 playoff games.
"He's a player who brings energy, competes, finishes checks, and is hard to play against, which is what we were missing last year," said Dailey. "He skates well, kills penalties and played net front on the powerplay. Sam wins faceoffs and is a really good teammate.
"Again, he's just checking all these boxes of a mature kid who wants to get better, works hard, competes and is going to push the program forward."
The 6-foot-1 product of the Okotoks Oilers U18AAA program – where he was also a captain – Simard also brings the requisite character that Dailey covets, proving he's a leader both on and off the ice. In the Dragons' end-of-season awards, he was named Fan Favourite.
"Simard is known for his outgoing and positive personality, both in the dressing room and when interacting with fans in the community," the club wrote on their website in announcing the award. "He has played three seasons with the Dragons and has made a lasting impression both in the community and with fans of all ages during his last year of junior hockey."
