Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Rediscovering his scoring touch after crossing the country to play Tier II Junior in P.E.I., talented, gritty forward Blake Eastman is returning home to start a promising U SPORTS career.
The Ardrossan, Alta. product will join the MacEwan men's hockey team in 2024-25, head coach Zack Dailey announced Monday.
A four-year veteran of the Prince George Cougars, Eastman was an odd-man out under the Western Hockey League over-ager rule that limits teams to just three 20-year-olds and had to travel 5,425 kilometres east to finish his junior career with the Summerside Western Capitals in the Maritime Junior Hockey League this past season.
It wound up being one of the most memorable years of his career as he scored at the best pace he ever has – 1.63 points per game (tied for eighth in the MJAHL) – after recording 31 goals and 67 points in 41 games. Then he added nine goals and 18 points in 17 playoff games as he helped lead the Caps to the league final, proving he can be counted on big time for offensive production.
"In their playoff games there, I think they had a couple double overtime games and he either scored or assisted on both goals, so he's a clutch pressure player and he's someone we're very excited to have in our program," said Griffins head coach Zack Dailey.
Eastman also has 19 goals and 44 points in 180 WHL games on his resume after playing for Prince George from 2019-23. He added 194 penalty minutes, using his 6-foot-3 frame to play heavy hockey for the Cougars.
The right winger has the potential to be a key contributor on a scoring line for a Griffins team looking to replace 30 goals from last season that went out the door with departing forwards Ethan Strang, Kole Gable and Jordan Taupert.
"He's a big body who found his scoring touch again in Junior A," said Dailey. "I think he's someone who can come in and help us help fill the void with the scoring from those guys we're losing. Really great kid. Great work ethic. Great teammate. He's experienced as a leader on his team, as well."
Early in his Prince George tenure, he was a linemate of current Griffin Brendan Boyle, so there's also some familiarity at MacEwan for Eastman, who rose out of the Fort Saskatchewan elite hockey program and also played a season for OHA Edmonton, among the variety of experiences he's had.
"He's played multiple roles in his career and is a very versatile player," said Dailey. "He's big, competes hard, skates well – exactly what we're looking for."
