Jason Hills 
For MacEwan Athletics 
 
EDMONTON – In many ways, it has come full circle for MacEwan Griffins forward Spencer McLean. 

When he first joined the program for the 2019-20 season, he remembers he and a couple fellow rookies would give friendly jabs to the older players on the team. 

Now, he's the one receiving some of those friendly jabs. 

"It's funny, when I first got here, we had a couple guys on the team that were 26, and myself and a couple of the young guys with joke with them about how it's time for them to get a real job," laughed McLean. 

"Now, I'm one of the oldest guys here... I've been part of the program for six years." 

McLean joined the Griffins in their final season of play in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), where the program was coming off three straight league championships. 

But COVID-19 dashed any chance of the Griffins making it a fourth, and for the past four seasons he's been part of the Griffins' integration into the Canada West conference. 

Part of teams that struggled in their early years, to being part of the team that made the Canada West playoffs for the first time in the program's history, McLean has been along for the ride. 

"It's been an absolute blast at MacEwan. From my first year being at the ACAC level and competing for a title, to our first few years in Canada West," said McLean. 

"I can't lie, it was tough, we lost a lot of games, but we learned so much along the way. Last year, making the playoffs was huge for us, and we're using that experience to build on this year." 

The Griffins (3-3-0) will face a stiff test this weekend when they host the defending Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds (3-4-1) on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).

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McLean is off to a strong start for the Griffins who have their sights set on making the playoffs again in the ultra-tough Canada West conference. 

Through the first six games of the season, McLean has one goal and three assists and is playing on a line with veteran Vincent Scott and rookie Caden Cabana. 

"He's been really important to our program. He was the last guy here from ACAC days, and made the jump with us," said Griffins head coach Zack Dailey. 

"The thing I really admire about him is his work ethic and dedication. When he first started with our program, he wasn't getting a lot of ice-time, but that didn't faze him, he always brought the same work ethic day in and day out." 

Some nights, McLean sat and watched from the stands, while other nights he'd be on the ice playing an energy role, or if the team needed a spark, he'd get put on a scoring role. 

Throughout his time with the program, McLean has played almost every role he can, outside of strapping on the pads and playing goalie. 

"As a coach, you know exactly what you're going to get every game. Some guys are inconsistent, and you don't always know what type of effort you'll get. We know Spencer will bring his strong work ethic in every game he plays," said Dailey. 

"He's very receptive to feedback. The growth in his game has been substantial. He's taken the feedback and put it back in his game, and he's taken advantage of the opportunity he's been given, and he's really ran with it." 

Growing up just outside of Trail, B.C. McLean was indoctrinated to be a fan of the Trail Smoke Eaters, who are one of the longest running junior A franchises in the country, and as a senior franchise also won two Allan Cups (1938, 1962) and two World championships for Canada in 1939 and 1961. 

"From the moment I saw my first game as a six-year-old, I wanted to play for the Smoke Eaters. I think that's every kid's hockey dream who grows up in Trail," said McLean. 

"The history there is incredible. The championship win in 1962 is always talked about in Trail. Everyone knows about the (Trail) Smoke Eaters. The fan base was incredible when I played there." 

McLean said he learned early on in junior in Trail that he may have to change his style of play to get more ice-time and carve out a bigger role. That allowed him to live out his dream playing for his hometown Smoke Eaters. 

When he made the jump to the Griffins and playing in the ACAC and Canada West, he went through a similar experience. 

Spencer McLean, right, and his 2019-20 Griffins teammates celebrate a goal against Briercrest. As a rookie, he played all kinds of roles for the team, which set the stage for his versatility now (Joel Kingston photo).

"Everybody wants to be on the power play and score the goals, but young players need to realize that not everyone is that type of player... you can still be an effective player without scoring 20 goals a season," said McLean. 

"I've always brought my work-ethic, and I'll play any role the coaching staff asks of me. I'll keep pushing and bring a positive attitude. 

"I think you can plug me in the fourth line, and I'll work hard and block shots, and you can put me on the first line, and I will forecheck and get the puck and get it to whoever is open." 

Dailey said McLean has made a big impact not just on the ice, but off the ice. Making the jump from junior to the university ranks is big – and not just on the ice. Suddenly, there are expectations, not just on the ice, but in the classroom, and McLean has been a great veteran who the younger players can lean on when it comes to balancing hockey and school. 

"He doesn't wear a letter, but he's a great leader for us. He's a quiet guy, who leads by example," said Dailey. 

"He's the epitome of what we want our players to be. We want them to be resilient and have the same work-ethic and great attitude."