Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – A year before they move into the U SPORTS/Canada West ranks, the Griffins women's hockey team is facing a different kind of preparation for the upcoming Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season.
They're focused on the present and the future at the same time.
"I think that's tough for us right now," said head coach Lindsay McAlpine, who is entering her 10th season at the helm of the Griffins. "We're in an interesting period of transition where we can't lose sight of the importance of this season but also need to have that mindset and that preparation heading into what I would argue is a more elite competitive league."
Their preseason schedule reflects a dual purpose. Already the Griffins have knocked off the rust with an ACAC tournament at Red Deer College earlier this month – beating the host Queens 1-0 and SAIT 7-1, while dropping a 2-1 decision in a shootout to Olds College.
Now, their focus shifts to two road trips against Canada West teams. On Friday, they visit the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (7 p.m.) and face the Saskatchewan U18s on Saturday (3 p.m., also in Saskatoon). Next weekend, the Griffins head to Vancouver for a pair of matches against the UBC Thunderbirds (Sept. 27, 8 p.m. MT and Sept. 28, 4 p.m. MT).
"We had good competition against ACAC teams, and I think we'll take a jump up playing U of S this weekend and UBC the following weekend," said McAlpine. "It's a good test to gauge not only where we're at in our league but where we're at in our future league for next year."
MacEwan's preseason slate will finish on Oct. 5 when they meet NAIT in a rematch of the 2019 championship final in Fox Creek, AB. The weekend will also include clinics for players and coaches in the area.
Then it will be on to the 2019-20 ACAC regular season, which begins Oct. 11-12 with a home-and-home series against NAIT.
McAlpine has a veteran team which will be gunning for a fourth-straight ACAC Championship; 20 players return from the roster that swept the Ooks in the finals last March.
"It's great to start with a group of senior players," she said. "My fourth- and fifth-year players drive culture and drive that championship mentality.
"I look to them heavily to set the tone and I think we were able to start at a higher level this year, almost where we finished off of last year, so expectations are high from the outset."
Key rookies have also been making their mark early in the preseason.
"I think we're going to get some offensive production out of a player like Rylee Gluska, as expected," said McAlpine. "She came out of the Manitoba Midget AAA League as the leading scorer. She's got some good size – a true power centre – has great touch around the net, likes to get to the gritty areas, so that's where we'll see some offensive production from her.
"Another highlight through camp would be Sydney Hughson," she added. "A really smart defenceman with great offensive flair. A great first pass out of the zone and has some great deception. I think those are two players to watch early."
