CW Coaches Poll: Griffins voted ninth ahead of season-opening weekend vs. Alberta
MacEwan Athletics and Canada West Communications
EDMONTON – Primed to take a step forward after finishing last in the conference in 2023-24, the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey team will have earn respect from their opponents after being voted to finish ninth again in the preseason Canada West coaches poll.
The Griffins, who went 5-21-2 in 2023-24 – finishing nine points behind Calgary for the final playoff spot – have made numerous additions in a strong recruiting class as they push to make the Canada West post-season for the first time.
UBC, which has won three-straight conference championships, finished atop the Coaches Poll, followed by Alberta, Mount Royal and Calgary.
The Griffins will open the regular season this weekend vs. Alberta as they visit the Pandas at Clare Drake Arena on Friday (7 p.m.) and host them at the Downtown Community Arena on Saturday (5 p.m., both games Canada West TV).
PURCHASE TICKETS FOR SATURDAY HERE
The regular season runs through Feb. 15, with the Canada West Final scheduled to begin March 7.
Fans can catch all the action on CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku. Regular season sport passes are available for $39.99.
U SPORTS nationals will be hosted by the University of Waterloo Warriors from March 20-23, 2025.
2024-25 CW WHKY PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 71 (7)
- Alberta Pandas - 65 (2)
- Mount Royal Cougars - 58
- Calgary Dinos - 46
- Manitoba Bisons - 42
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 40
- Regina Cougars - 27
- Trinity Western Spartans - 27
- MacEwan Griffins – 20
MACEWAN GRIFFINS PREVIEW
Chris Leeming Coaches' Quote: "Being consistent with making the choice to play our game, and not let other team's dictate the terms of the competition. This means taking an approach of playing a style of hockey that will bring you success at the most difficult time of the year. Being bought into the culture we are establishing off the ice will contribute to any on ice success that we get to share as a team."
Key Performer: Brianna Sank
Goaltender
5th Year
Hometown: Ardrossan, Alta.
In her final season of eligibility, Sank will be looking to put an exclamation mark on a fantastic career for the Griffins. The former Esso Cup-winning goaltender for the St. Albert Slash is now a veteran of university play, displaying composure between the pipes that acts as a stabilizer and momentum builder for the Griffins.
As MacEwan pursues its first Canada West playoff appearance since joining the league in 2021, Sank will be the backbone of their efforts, demonstrating the standard of play needed at this level.
