Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Lessons were learned, experience gained, and goals sharpened after Team Alberta's U18 women's hockey team finished fourth at the national championship a year ago.

"We thought we were really close to making the final," said MacEwan Griffins head coach Chris Leeming, who returns as bench boss of Team Alberta for a second-straight year. "Quebec and Ontario Red played in the final. We went and watched it, and it was a pretty well-played game. We felt we could have been there competing in that game. 

"I think the returning players have that in the back of their mind and they're a little bit more motivated this year to continue to push for that opportunity."

The 2024 tournament runs from Nov. 3-9 in Quispamsis, N.B. 

Although it will take him away from the Griffins for the next two weekends of U SPORTS action – at UBC Nov. 1-2 and a home-and-home series vs. Alberta Nov. 8-9 – Leeming is relishing the chance to work with a level that pushes players onto the national team program. 

"To have a second opportunity to take the learnings we had from last year (is great)," said Leeming, who was also previously an assistant coach with Team Alberta. "You kind of go into these tournaments not really knowing what it's going to be like your first time. 

"This time we're a little bit more experienced, a little bit more confident in our abilities about what needs to be done to give ourselves the opportunity to be successful and win a gold medal."