Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Speed, skill and a strong ability to impact the game all over the ice are qualities Griffins women's hockey head coach Chris Leeming was looking for when recruiting forwards for the 2025-26 season.

Jayda Becker out of Delta Hockey Academy fits the bill nicely in that regard.

The 5-foot-4 Medicine Hat, Alta. product had three goals and 14 points in 22 games for Delta in the CSSHL U18 Prep ranks last season. Last year, she made the Top 46 shortlist for Team Alberta.

"Jayda brings both speed and playmaking to our forward group," said Leeming. "She sees the ice well and possesses some creativity with the puck, allowing her to distribute to her teammates and make a lot of positive puck plays as a result.

"Her poise and ability to make simple plays under pressure all 200 feet of the ice will benefit the transitional aspect of our game."

Becker previously played for Shattuck St. Mary's 19U in 2023-24, putting up 27 points in 54 games, and was also at Calgary-based Edge School in the U18 Prep ranks in 2022-23.

"She played on a strong team in Delta last year," said Leeming. "They were one of the top teams in the CSSHL. She found a way to contribute and generate some secondary offence with that group. She's just a hockey player. I see a lot of mannerisms and an understanding of the game that allow her to find success."

A specific skill she excels at, said Leeming, is playing a key role on the breakout.

"She's a good half-wall player for the breakout that feeds the offensive attack," said Leeming. "I think that's a major piece that really stood out to me. If she got the puck on the half wall in the D zone, that puck was getting out more often than not.

"With the pressure and speed of the game at our level, that's something she's going to have to adjust to, but I think she does that really well at her level and has for the last couple years."