Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Leadership comes naturally for the latest Griffins women's hockey recruit to be announced in head coach Chris Leeming's 2024-25 class.

When not busy playing hockey, Megan Dolynchuk is a platoon leader for the City of Edmonton's Fire Cadets program.

"One thing that really impressed me about her is her composure on and off the ice," said Leeming, who will add the NAX U18 Prep forward to his roster in the fall. "I actually had an opportunity to speak to the captain of the Fire Cadets program and he had nothing but good things to say about her. So, we're really excited about the leadership and team dynamic, she's going to bring to the roster."

Dolynchuk, who recorded six goals and 13 points in 30 games for Devon, Alta.-based NAX Hockey Academy last season, will join her Xtreme teammate Aspen Checknita at MacEwan, as both make their U SPORTS debuts in the fall.

Dolynchuk also previously played for the Edmonton Pandas in 2019-20 and spent two seasons on Okanagan Hockey Academy's U18 Prep team before finishing her minor hockey career with NAX.

"I think she's just a really well-rounded player," said Leeming. "She's got some size (5-foot-9) and she skates well for being a bigger player. She doesn't shy away from the dirty areas of the ice. She goes to the net front. 

"She's a great penalty killer and she can get pucks out of her own zone," he continued. "She's got good IQ and good decision making."

All are attributes welcome on a Griffins team that prides itself in its work ethic and willingness to do the hard tasks on the ice necessary to win battles, shifts and games.

A member of the Honour roll for three-straight seasons, Dolynchuk will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science at MacEwan with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.