Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Adding a crucial piece to their blueline as they move into the Canada West conference in 2020, the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey team announced Tuesday that Aryn Chambers is joining the program next season.

The Blackfalds, Alta. product played for Team Alberta at the 2019 U18 national championship and will have the opportunity to step into a major role for the Griffins next season, said MacEwan head coach Lindsay McAlpine.

"We are really excited to add a top-ranked Alberta defenceman to our roster," said McAlpine. "Aryn will bring speed, intensity and offence to our blueline, which will be critical in our move to Canada West.  

"We are losing two big pieces on the back end heading into next year, and we are expecting Aryn to find a spot in the playing roster right away."

McAlpine is referring to graduating seniors Carley Jewell and Kennedy Davidson, who currently log key minutes in all situations for the team. Just as they have made a big impact on the program during their tenure at MacEwan, Chambers also has the potential to be a crucial piece in the Griffins' early Canada West journey.

Chambers is the second member of McAlpine's 2020-21 recruiting class, joining Brooklyn Schroeder, who also has Team Alberta experience.

"This is our second player for 2020 with experience at the U18 level, who have been vetted through numerous coaches and evaluators as one of Alberta's top players," said McAlpine. "To add athletes with experience at a national competition is critical to help build our program in the early years of transition to the next level. These players have competed with the top under-18 players across Canada, and have a better understanding of the pace, intensity, and competition at the elite level."

Chambers currently plays in the Alberta Female Hockey League for the Red Deer Chiefs and has one point through six games. She recorded seven goals and 10 points in 30 games last season.

The Griffins (7-1-0-0) are coming off a bye week, resuming action against cross-town rival NAIT (5-3-0-0) this weekend (Friday, 7 p.m., DCA and Saturday, 6 p.m., NAIT Arena).