Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — Coaches wanting to teach young kids the fundamentals of the game of hockey could simply show highlights of Joie Simon.
The third-year MacEwan Griffins forward won't dazzle you with highlight reel goals that may get plastered all over social media, but when it comes to playing the game the right way, Simon does it all.
She's becoming one of the best defensive forwards in the Canada West conference with her relentless work ethic and willingness to do all the little things that can make a big difference on the ice.
"I've always taken a lot of pride on the defensive side of the game. I hate to see the other team score goals," said Simon.
"When I'm in the defensive zone, I want to do everything I can to protect our net, help out our goalie and just get the puck out."
The Griffins (1-3-0) will battle their cross-town rival, Alberta Pandas (3-1-0) this weekend in a home-and-home series and will look to shut down the potent offence of the Pandas.
MacEwan will visit Alberta on Friday (7 p.m., Clare Drake Arena) and host them on Saturday (5 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, both Canada West TV). Former Griffins student-athletes who wear their alumni 'M Sweater' will get in free.
Griffins student-athlete alumni will get in free to Saturday's game if they wear their M Sweater.
Despite the Griffins entering the weekend on a three-game losing streak, MacEwan's penalty kill is a perfect 16-for-16 to start the season.
Simon has played a pivotal role on the team's PK over the last three seasons. Last week they shut down the No. 2 ranked power play of the Saskatchewan Huskies, and this weekend, they'll face the Pandas' top-ranked power play (27.8%).
"In games, Joie is without a doubt the hardest working player on our team, both with and without possession," said Griffins head coach Chris Leeming.
"Especially for the PK, she sacrifices every night by putting her body on the line and blocking shots — which is a huge momentum build for our team."
Growing up in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Simon played boys hockey up until her first year of U-15, then she made the transition to playing girls hockey.
She also made the move from the blueline to forward.
"My coach thought I was fast, and he said we needed more speed in the offensive zone, so he switched me to forward," recalled Simon.
"He'd move me back and forth sometimes during games, and when I'd play up front, I always felt I had to really focus more. It was definitely an adjustment."
Playing with the boys earlier in her hockey career gave her the mindset that she always had to outwork them and be ready to battle.
That hasn't changed. When Simon hits the ice for the Griffins, she's always ready for battle. She never takes a shift off, and certainly leads by example for the rest of her teammates.
Joie Simon gets off a shot against Saskatchewan in a game last weekend (Joel Kingston photo).
"She also has great skating ability which allows her to create offensive opportunities and draws many penalties as she constantly keeps her feet moving and battles through the opposition's attempts to slow her down," said Leeming.
"Joie thrives in competitive environments and leads by example in work ethic capacity and just plays the game with a level of enthusiasm and intensity that inspires her teammates and essentially drags them into battle with her when they see her grind every single shift and at practice."
Simon scored three points (2g, 1a) in 20 games in her first season as a Griffin and then followed it up with seven points (4g, 3a) in 28 games last season.
Two of Simon's six-career goals have come short-handed.
So far, through four games this season, Simon hasn't recorded a point, but with how hard she works on the ice, the points will surely follow.
"I know I'm a two-way player, and I will continue to work hard to make plays and generate more scoring chances," said Simon.
"The points will come, but my biggest focus is to shut the other team down."
She's become a leader on and off the ice, and is certainly someone her teammates can lean on and learn from.
"I always try to lead by example and make sure I'm doing things to help our team be successful," she said. "I always want to be that player that my teammates can trust to bring that positive energy. I'm always telling my teammates not to give up. Just keep working hard, and I'll always be there to support them."
