Graduating Seniors Q&A: Dachuk, Doyle, Gluska, Kirwer and Murray will be celebrated Saturday
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Five players on the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey team are heading into the final weekend of their Canada West careers with the program.
As such, Mackenzie Dachuk, Jayme Doyle, Rylee Gluska, Shyla Kirwer and Amanda Murray will be feted prior to Saturday's final home game of the regular season against Calgary (5 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
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Their final road game will take place on Friday in Calgary against the Dinos (7 p.m., Canada West TV).
"As a collective, this is an impressive group of human beings and one that I am proud to have witnessed this year as they conducted themselves as true advocates of what it means to be a member of the Griffins women's hockey program," said Griffins' interim head coach Chris Leeming.
"Their impact on this program is something that both current and future Griffins will benefit from as they have deepened the culture of the program with their own individual contributions, which inspires others to want to do the same."
Enjoy the following Q&A segments with all five players:
Mackenzie Dachuk (Joel Kingston photo).
Mackenzie Dachuk
Chris Leeming coach's quote:
"Mack is someone that radiates kindness and is selfless in all that she does. She carries herself in a manner that has earned the respect of her peers and that brings the team together in a significant way, which has positively impacted the culture of the program. She consistently puts others ahead of herself, and it shows through her dependable and competitive play and practice habits.
"With her future career path in social work, she will be valued by those that she works with as she will make an impact in the community through her inclusiveness, dedication and authentic personality."
Graduating with …
Bachelor of Social Work (graduating 2024)
Do you have a career goal in mind?
"I think I'd like to possibly work within community social work or work with youth and families. But I think I'd like to work for a few years and get some experience. Eventually, I'd like to get my master's in social work or counselling."
What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a Griffin?
"It's hard to just pick one. I'd say our road trips were always a great time, especially our road trips out to B.C. Our team get-togethers and potlucks away from the rink will always be some of my favourite memories with the Griffs."
Any personal highlights stand out to you?
"I'd say probably scoring my first ACAC (at Olds on Oct. 24, 2019) and Canada West (at Trinity Western on Nov. 26, 2021) goals, and also making playoffs and being one game away from winning the championship in my rookie year."
What do you think your legacy is that you're leaving to the program?
"I think leading by example both on and off the ice and just showing resilience each day, while balancing hockey and school. Just showing up to work hard and be a good teammate."
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"I had my best years of hockey at MacEwan, so I'm just grateful for the opportunity and the great group of girls that I got to play with over the past four years."
Jayme Doyle (Joel Kingston photo).
Jayme Doyle
Chris Leeming coach's quote:
"Doyle has elevated her game throughout the year and has the ability to spark our team's energy when it is needed most by leading the charge in numerous ways on the ice. She uses her size, strength and skating ability to separate herself from her opponents to create offensive opportunities for our team, as well as to shut down the opposition with her ability to backcheck and take away time and space.
"She has an uncanny way of breaking the ice to keep things light and has demonstrated leadership in the sense of work capacity to our younger players so that they know what it takes to be competitive day in and day out on the ice."
Graduating with …
Bachelor of Commerce with major in accounting and minor in finance
Do you have a career goal in mind?
"I got offered a position as a CPA accountant down in Calgary for the firm MNP. So, I'll be starting that in September."
Do you have future plans to keep playing hockey?
"Obviously, it's hard to keep playing hockey, especially at a competitive level like you do at university, but I think coaching would be great for me. It will probably be a little bit down the road because I want to get settled into work and everything first."
What are some of your favourite memories as a Griffin?
"There's too many to count. Obviously, winning the ACAC Championship to get them their third win a row, that was definitely a memory. Then, getting the chance to come from ACAC to Canada West – it was amazing news to find that out. We were told by Lindsay (McAlpine, head coach on secondment) beforehand that we might have a chance. Then when we actually did, it was (exciting)."
What was it like coming in as a rookie to a team that had already won two titles and you're contributing to the third one?
"I guess you could say it was contributing to my third win, too, because I did come in off of two national championships in my midget career (with the St. Albert Slash), so it was almost like getting a third win under my belt, too, and my old team did win their third one that year, too. It was fun. It was nice to be part of."
Do you have any personal highlights that stand out?
"I know I had a goal my first season where I went end to end and scored, but that's all I can think about as a highlight. I don't really keep up with my own highlights."
What would you say is the legacy you're leaving to the program? What will you be remembered for?
"My speed. I've always been told I'm very fast on the ice and have a lot of good speed, so I think that's something I'll be remembered for."
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"I just want people to know that I know when you come into university, it's pretty scary, but just hold your head up high and just have fun in the moment because it does go by really quick."
Rylee Gluska (Joel Kingston photo).
Rylee Gluska
Chris Leeming coach's quote:
"Rylee has always been someone that has impressed me as she has successfully balanced the demands of her academics (nursing) and her athletics, which individually on their own are difficult undertakings. I see a lot of parallels between her future career as a nurse and her role as a leader on our team, as she brings a compassionate and insightful presence to our room. Rylee has undoubtedly modelled what it means to be student athlete, as well as a Griffin, as she has made an impact on the ice and embraced a role within the team that is important to facilitating the growth of the program."
Graduating with …
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (graduating 2024)
Do you have a career goal in mind?
"I feel like it changes with all the new experiences that I get, but right now I'm set on becoming an emergency nurse."
What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a Griffin?
"I would say my favourite time was in my rookie year when we went on our winning streak in the ACAC (18 straight wins to close out 2019-20)."
That was quite a season. What made that time so successful?
"I would honestly say it was just a group of girls that was close knit and had fun together."
What do you think your legacy is that you're leaving to the program?
"I would say my hard work on and off the ice."
You're in one of the most challenging academic programs at MacEwan and you've won the Griffins' Top Academic award for your faculty. How important was the example you set in the classroom?
"I feel like lots of the girls would describe me as always having my head in a book on the road. So, I'd just say my time management and how much effort I put into my schoolwork."
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"Just that I've loved every minute of it and I'm really going to miss it."
Shyla Kirwer (Joel Kingston photo).
Shyla Kirwer
Chris Leeming coach's quote:
"Kirsy has been an extraordinary role model for our group this season, both on and off the ice, which is a huge reason why her peers nominated her to lead the team as captain this year. Off of the ice, she will have earned the distinction of being a five-time Academic All Canadian, and she is the first person to step up and take the lead to volunteer in the community when there is any opportunity. Furthermore, her ability to create impactful relationships with her peers and relate to everyone on a personal level has modelled the importance of interpersonal relationships for our culture for the next generation of Griffins.
"On the ice, Kirsy has a high hockey IQ which allows her to play a strong 200-foot game – and on top of that, she just works non-stop. The commitment to playing the game the right way paired with the execution of details within her game has been impressive, and she is truly a team player."
Graduating with …
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minor in Biology
Do you have a career goal in mind?
"I'm hoping to pursue dentistry next fall."
Do you still have plans to continue playing hockey?
"No, I'll be done after this year."
What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a Griffin?
"Probably winning an ACAC Championship in my first year and almost repeating in my second year if COVID didn't happen (Griffins were up 2-0 in a best-of-five final series against NAIT when it was cancelled)."
Is there a specific moment of that championship that really stands out to you?
"We went to overtime in that game, so just being on the bench and being in that atmosphere when the OT goal was scored, I think that was just huge."
Do you have any personal highlights over your MacEwan career that you remember best?
"Probably my first hat trick in my second year. In the first game of the season, I got a hat trick against NAIT."
When you went to Canada West, that had to be a pretty big moment too, right?
"Yeah, it was nice to make the transition from ACAC to Canada West and get two years in each league for me."
What would you say is the legacy you're leaving to the program?
"I hope to leave behind a legacy of hard work and determination."
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time as Griffin?
"I'm just glad I got the opportunity to continue playing after my midget career. These were the best five years I could have spent with my team."
Amanda Murray (Joel Kingston photo).
Amanda Murray
Chris Leeming coach's quote:
"Murs has been one of the longest-serving members of the Griffins and you can see the pride that she takes in that each and every day. She has a high standard for herself and has impacted the culture through leading by example for her teammates by dragging them into the fight with her competitive nature, work ethic and enthusiasm.
"Over the course of this past season, she has demonstrated growth in her maturity and you have been able to see the impact it has had on her overall game and how she interacts with her teammates. She plays in all situations for us as she uses her speed to generate scoring chances, to be a relentless forechecker and is a top penalty killer due to her willingness to block shots and give second and third efforts."
Graduating with …
Major in Sociology and Minor in Psychology
Do you have a career goal in mind?
"I actually want to be a paramedic. It's what I want to go back to school for."
What are some of your favourite memories as a Griffin?
"Definitely making playoffs and winning two, kind of three, ACAC Championships. Also, just time spent with the girls on road trips. Even just hanging out in the library has been fun. It's fun to goof around."
Are there any personal highlights that stand out to you?
"I think it was playoffs my first year. I just remember scoring the first goal of that game against the goalie of Red Deer, who is one of my good friends (Tracie Kikuchi). We ended up winning that game and winning the series (a 3-1 championship-clinching win on March 9, 2018). That one always sticks out in mind. It kind of got the ball rolling. Then beating UBC and MRU for the first time when we joined (U SPORTS) is also something that was awesome because they were ranked so high in our league, and we were just new to the league."
What do you remember most about those two championships in the moment that you won?
"I was on the bench both times and everyone just wanted to jump off. We had to get held back almost. I remember when the OT one was scored (to win the title over NAIT in 2019), we were shocked 'oh my God, we won.' "
What do you see as the legacy you're leaving to the program?
"I think everyone will just remember my work ethic and my determination. I would describe myself as very hard working, not necessarily a big point getter, but I think I have a knack in other areas of the ice, where I'm going to dive to make a second effort or just block a shot and work hard every day."
If there anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"Honestly, it's been a really good time in my life. I made a lot of friends that graduated before me and even made a lot of friends that will graduate after me. Going from the ACAC to (U SPORTS) has been pretty cool for me. The program's still growing, but I'm thankful I had a chance to be a part of it."
