Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – After facing Team Alberta's U18 squad in an exhibition game in Red Deer last Saturday, the Griffins women's hockey team continued on to Canmore to complete a special weekend of team building.

The theme was courage. 

The mission is changing the culture. 

The goal is a spot in the Canada West playoffs next February.

"We did some good team building activities and had some unique shared experiences that brought us all closer together around the theme of courage," said head coach Chris Leeming. "We've been asking our teams to do hard things to change, to ask more of each other so we can do better overall. It was a really powerful weekend."

This is the beginning of something special on a Griffins team that's primed to take a step forward after finishing last in Canada West in 2023-24. 

MacEwan kicks off the new Canada West season this weekend with a home-and-home series against cross-town rival Alberta (Friday, 7 p.m., Clare Drake Arena and Saturday, 5 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, both Canada West TV).

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"I think the biggest thing is over the course of the off-season, we've prepared ourselves much differently," said Leeming. "We have a whole new mindset compared to the past. 

"I think everyone's bought in to the direction of the program that we're wanting to move in. It basically comes down to elevating our standard with everything that we do. We've seen it reflected in these first five weeks here."

The Griffins went 2-3 in the preseason, knocking off both Calgary and Mount Royal, so they have evidence of success they can lean on when they play the right way for a full 60 minutes.

"We want to make the playoffs this year," said new captain Sydney Olsen. "We think we have the right people in our dressing room to do it, so that's definitely a goal for us. But to some extent, it's knowing that that goal's not achieved overnight, and it's not lost overnight. 

"So, just trying to stay pretty even keel throughout the season – making sure we're doing the right things every single day to build towards that."

Team building has been huge for the Griffins this season as they're coming off a trip to Canmore that brought them closer together (Jefferson Hagen photo).

Olsen is the perfect example for her teammates as she excels in the classroom, leads in community service and finished atop team fitness testing. Then there's her play on the ice, which is the ability to log huge minutes on the blueline in all situations.

"She comes to the rink every day and gives everything she's got," said Leeming. "She's one of the hardest workers. She really inspires her teammates with leading by example. 

"She's not a super vocal leader, but when she talks, everyone listens because they know she's done the work and she has the respect of all of her peers, coaches included."

Goaltender Brianna Sank, and defencemen Robyn Short and Ali Macaulay complete the leadership group as assistant captains.

"It's really exciting," said Olsen, who takes over the captainship from Sydney Hughson, who graduated last season. "I think it's an honour when you get to lead a group, especially the group we have in our dressing room. I'm really lucky that I've had some good captains to look up to and set an example for me."

Olsen, Short, Macaulay, Tess Collier, Shaelyn Hopkins and Kali MacDonald all return to a strong defensive unit that's been bolstered by the addition of promising rookie Aspen Checknita out of NAX.

Olsen's strong defensive play is borne out of being a multi-sport athlete as she played high-level soccer for Southwest United and Team Alberta, where she played with current Griffins stars Anneke Odinga and Alyx Henderson.

"On the hockey side of things, probably my ability to read the ice is one of my stronger suits," she said. "That comes a lot from soccer and just seeing the way the ball gets moved up the field. I think that helped me a lot."

 Griffins goaltenders Lindsey Johnson, left, Brianna Sank and Mikayla Christmann (Jefferson Hagen photo).

Sank, who already holds multiple program records – including the standard for the most career saves in any Griffins era – returns for her sixth and final season (fifth in eligibility due to the pandemic) to lead the way, but third-year Lindsey Johnson and rookie Mikayla Christmann will push for starts in a strong position group.

Up front, the Griffins scored just 40 goals in 28 games last season, and 18 of those went out the door with leading scorer Jesse Jack graduating, along with Makenna Schuttler and Mila Verbicky, while Maria Ayre didn't return.

Still, there's reason for optimism as veterans Jennifer Andrash, Allee Isley and Joie Simon (all with eight points a year ago), and top forwards Claire Hobbs and Kori Paterson return, while veteran Olds College transfer Sydney Jack bolsters a group full of others ready to step into bigger roles.

Promising rookies Karington Mollin (Delta Hockey Academy), Jaida Powell (North Shore), Megan Dolynchuk (NAX) and Sasha Malenfant (Notre Dame) also figure to contribute.

"Our first years have brought a lot of energy," said Olsen. "It's great. They're super loud in the dressing room. They seem to love it here and we love having them. I'm excited to see what they can do on the ice."

Third-year forwards Allee Isley and Kori Paterson will be key to the Griffins' offensive attack this season (Jefferson Hagen photo).