Three Stars: Jaksic, Dowhaniuk, Butler earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Men's basketball student-athlete Milan Jaksic is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after recording 40 points and 17 rebounds in two games at U SPORTS No. 3 Calgary.
In Saturday's game against the Dinos, he had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the fifth double double of his career, matching the program record.
Men's hockey defenceman Logan Dowhaniuk and women's volleyball outside hitter Arden Butler are the second and third stars, respectively.
All three are being recognized for the first time 2024-25.
Milan Jaksic scored 40 points in two games against U SPORTS No. 3 Calgary on the weekend (Jim Corry photo).
1st STAR: Milan Jaksic, F, men's basketball
Windsor, ON, fourth-year, Commerce
Facing one of the best teams in the country in their gym, the fourth-year forward didn't flinch, scoring 40 points and grabbing 17 rebounds combined in the two-game series.
In Friday's 95-56 loss, he was initially credited with 24 points, which would have been a game-high, but a stats correction left him with 22, still tops on the Griffins after 9-for-16 shooting from the field. Jaksic added seven rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block.
In Saturday's 99-74 defeat, Jaksic had 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting, adding 10 rebounds, three assists and a steal. It's the fifth double double of his career, matching the program record held by Ryan May (2014-16) and Matthew Osunde (2021-24).
For the season, Jaksic is averaging 16.3 points/game (T12th in Canada West) and 8.3 rebounds/game (ninth in CW).
The Griffins are back on the road again this season as they visit Winnipeg on Friday (7 p.m. MT) and Saturday (4 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).
Logan Dowhaniuk celebrates his goal on Friday with the Griffins' bench. He also scored the overtime winner on Saturday (Trinity Western Spartans photo).
2nd STAR: Logan Dowhaniuk, D, men's hockey
Sherwood Park, AB, second-year, Arts
As a defenceman who plays tons of minutes in all situations for the Griffins, Dowhaniuk rarely gets the chance to play hero on the offensive end. But that's what he did on Saturday.
With the game at Trinity Western tied 4-4, he scored the overtime winner to lift MacEwan to a victory and a weekend sweep.
Dowhaniuk recorded two goals and two assists in the weekend series – which also included an 8-5 win on Friday.
For the season, he has six points in 12 games for the Griffins, which is tied for second in scoring amongst MacEwan defencemen.
The Griffins are back home this weekend, hosting Regina on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
Arden Butler had 22 kills over seven sets against Winnipeg on the weekend with her hitting efficiency over .300 both days (James Maclennan photo).
3rd STAR: Arden Butler, OH, women's volleyball
Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Arts
The Griffins' best player in both of their matches against Winnipeg last weekend, Butler finished with 22 kills in seven sets against the Wesmen.
The fourth-year outside hitter led MacEwan with eight kills on a .350 hitting percentage in Friday's 3-0 loss where she was one of just two attackers on the Griffins to finish with positive efficiency. She added five digs and accounted for 8.0 points.
In Saturday's 3-1 defeat, Butler again led the Griffins with 14 kills on a .375 percentage, adding seven digs, an assist and a block, while accounting for a team-high 14.5 points.
For the season, Butler is second on the Griffins with 60 kills and 68.0 points.
The Griffins are on a bye this weekend before returning to action Nov. 29-30 at the UBC Thunderbirds to close out the first semester.
