Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – With one of his former players at Olds College already in the fold with the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey team for next season – Jesse Jack – head coach Chris Leeming has added another.

Defenceman Ali Macaulay is set to join the Griffins for the 2023-24 Canada West season after three seasons in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference with Olds. One of those was over the lost COVID season of 2020-21, so she still has three years of remaining university eligibility.

"She's a steady, strong left-shot defenceman, who can transport the puck by skating it or moving it with her pass execution," said Leeming. "She shoots the puck really well and she's matured a lot the past few years just watching her play. She's just another character kid that's really going to be able to add value to our culture."

The Bonnyville, Alta. product produced nine points in 20 ACAC games last season for the Broncos. Prior to that, she played women's U18AA in Lloydminster for two seasons.

"I think she was one that was overlooked," said Leeming. "She played a year of AAA and then just ended up playing AA throughout her U18 careers due to a number of circumstances. Everyone I've spoken to when recruiting her said she should have been at the AAA level, so she's got the skill, she's got the right mindset, she's got the attitude and work ethic."

Leeming believes that will transfer well to the U SPORTS level.

"She's an average size defenceman for our league, but she plays with some grit," he said. "She doesn't back down from competition, she plays a physical, hard-nosed game – blocks shots and has a great attitude towards it, too. 

"She is a great teammate and is hungry for feedback to grow and learn."