Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Chantal Ricker became the seventh player in MacEwan Griffins women's hockey history to be named Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference player of the year on Thursday.

Ricker's honour headlined a huge day at the awards table for the Griffins as the forward was one of five MacEwan players named to the ACAC first all-star team, while they also garnered a second all-star selection, cleaning up after posting a dominant 21-3-0-0 record in 2019-20.

Forwards Shyla Jans and Morgan Casson, defenceman Jaime Erickson and goaltender Brianna Sank joined Ricker on the ACAC first team, while defenceman Carley Jewell was named to the second team all-stars.

"To be honest, I was quite shocked," said head coach Lindsay McAlpine, whose team earned all but one of the spots on the first all-star team. "Not to say any of those players aren't deserving of that, but we've never cleaned up the first team in any capacity like we have this year. All of those players certainly deserve the recognition."

In her fourth season with the Griffins, Ricker led the team with 12 goals and 22 points in 24 games. Five of her goals came on the powerplay – tops in the ACAC.

The Calgarian is the seventh Griffin to win the ACAC women's hockey MVP award, following Melody Howard (2008-09), Sasha Lutz (2014), Michelle Pochapsky (2016), Sandy Heim (2017) and Carley Jewell (2018).

The MVP award and first team all-star selection comes after Ricker was named to the ACAC second all-star team in both 2018 and 2019. She was also awarded ACAC playoff MVP in 2019.

"I'm really proud of her," said McAlpine. "She's someone who puts the work in and has been rewarded for it."

The 2019-20 production is a single season high for Ricker, who now has 63 regular season points in her MacEwan career – second in program history. She had point totals of 10, 13 and 18 in her first three ACAC seasons, respectively, but demonstrated a new level of dominance in 2019-20.

"It speaks to her growth and development physically and mentally as a player over her 4 years with our program," said McAlpine. "Chantal has found a way this year to bury more of those point-blank opportunities that she's created for herself and score some really critical goals in big games." 

Jans finished second in Griffins' scoring with eight goals and 19 points in 24 games, becoming both the program's career goals (38) and points (73) leader. Jans has previously been named to to the ACAC second all-star team twice (2016, 2017).

"She's a very dangerous player in the offensive zone, that's her strength," said McAlpine. "She's also somebody who puts in extra time. In all five years, if there's an extra 15 minutes before or after practice, Shyla's out there working on something – deflections, shooting, hitting a target and that has paid off for her."

Shyla Jans makes the ACAC all-star team for the third time in her career (and first time on the first all-star team) after recording 17 points in 21 games (Joel Kingston photo).

Casson finished third in MacEwan's scoring race with eight goals and 17 points in 21 games – a new career high in offensive production for the fifth-year captain. This is her first ACAC all-star selection, but she was previously named ACAC playoff MVP in 2017.

"I'm really excited for Morgan to finally be recognized in her last season," said McAlpine. "She's someone who wasn't an offensive player for us at the outset, but has grown into that role.  She has scored our two most important goals in the last three seasons-getting the OT winner in 2 different Championships.  Morgan has worked for every ounce of her success."

Morgan Casson had a dominant campaign in her senior season with the Griffins and was named to an ACAC all-star team for the first time in her career (Joel Kingston photo).

Erickson's strong defensive play was undeniable in her fourth year with the Griffins and she was named to an ACAC all-star team for the first time in her university career. She also produced offensively, chipping in four goals and 11 points in 21 games – tied for tops with Jewell among MacEwan rearguards.

"This is an opportunity for defence to get recognition and Jaime is one of the strongest defensive players in our league," said McAlpine. "I can't speak highly enough about her. When she's on the ice in our D zone, there is an absolute calm throughout our group knowing she will get that puck out of our end."

Jaime Erickson not only produced 11 points this season, her rock-solid defensive play drove the Griffins' success (Joel Kingston photo).

As a first-team selection, Sank was essentially named ACAC goaltender of the year – an amazing performance in her rookie season. Sank led the conference in goals against average (1.35), was tied for second in save percentage (.923) and won 10 of her 11 starts.

"What a phenomenal achievement for Brianna Sank to come in and be recognized as a first team goalie," said McAlpine. "She's been strong for us – got into her first playoff game last weekend and was great, securing the sweep for us."  "Sank's strength comes from her emotional composure."  

Sank's honour marks the seventh time in program history MacEwan has had the ACAC goaltender of the year, following Trina Hamm (2002-03), Kristle Beaudry (2007), Morgan Glover (2015) and Sandy Heim (16-17).

Brianna Sank led the ACAC in goals against average (1.35) in her rookie season. It's the seventh time in program history that the Griffins have had a goaltender named to the ACAC first all-star team (Joel Kingston photo).

Jewell, who has previously won ACAC player of the year (2018) – an honour that came with a first team all-star selection that season – made the second team in her final season. She tied for the team lead among blueliners with four goals and 11 points in 20 games and was her usual responsible defensive self as well.

"Jewell is an easy player for other coaches to recognize," said McAlpine. "She has major offensive upside and dominates the game for us. She heads up our first powerplay, and that unit has found success throughout the year.

"She's got a great shot, she moves the puck well, and loves to rush the puck. She drives a large part of our team offence."

Carley Jewell is an ACAC all-star for the second time in her career after 11 points in 20 games and strong defensive play for the Griffins (Joel Kingston photo).

Fresh off the awards, MacEwan opens the best-of-five ACAC championship series against NAIT on Thursday night (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, ACAC TV).