Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – A power forward on the ice and a powerhouse student off of it is what the Griffins women's hockey team is gaining with their first recruit to be announced in their 2024-25 class.
In a special moment for her family, Karington Mollin will be following in the footsteps of her father Dwayne, who graduated from MacEwan with a Bachelor Science in Nursing degree – exactly the same program she will be entering in the fall.
"When he came on the (recruiting) tour, he was pretty excited to see the expansion of the institution itself and how it's grown," said MacEwan head coach Chris Leeming. "It's kind of a cool (story) with her following in her father's footsteps and adding to the family legacy at MacEwan.
"She's academically a high achiever," noted Leeming of Mollin, who had a 4.0 GPA throughout Grades 9-12, earning her way onto the Dean's List each year. "To get into the Nursing program is pretty demanding and she's found a way to balance success on and off the ice for hockey and academics."
Interestingly, Mollin's older sister Kaedence is a defenceman on the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association and is also pursuing a Nursing degree.
On the ice, Karington Mollin will bring a blend of size, power, and skill to the Griffins' forward group next season.
"She has a competitive nature, making her difficult to play against, has a great shot release, owns the offensive net front and has shown the ability to capitalize on secondary chances," said Leeming.
The 5-foot-9 Kelowna, B.C. product excelled during the 2023-24 season with the Delta Hockey Academy U18 Prep Green squad, recording 17 goals and 30 points in 27 regular season games. That was tied for fourth in scoring on her team, which finished second in the CSSHL standings. She also previously played U18AAA with the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers.
"She's a big, strong player who plays physical and assertively," said Leeming. "She shoots the pucks well and has a great release.
"Watching her play the last two seasons, she's consistently gone to the dirty areas and scores goals as a result. She can also beat goalies clean with her shot."
