VANCOUVER, BC – There will be a new coach behind the MacEwan GRiffinss bench in their second season of U SPOTS hockey, as Chris Leeming takes over from Lindsay MacAlpine who takes over as the school’s first-ever full-time Associate Director of Athletics.
MacAlpine, who moved with the Griffins from the collegiate leagues to Canada West, continues in the role after participating in the NHL Coaches Association Development Program. Meanwhile, Leeming takes over the women’s hockey head coaching role after five years with the ACAC’s Olds College Broncos.
While MacEwan’s first season did not go how they wanted, missing out on the Canada West playoffs, Leeming takes over a group with some up-and-coming players. Additionally, he offers the collegiate coaching experience that could help them raise their game to the next level.
“Chris has done some great work in his career as a women’s hockey coach at the collegiate level, and we are thrilled for him to join the Griffins this season,” MacEwan’s Athletics Director, Joel Mrak said in an announcement..”He has a great work ethic and is well respected by his peers and colleagues.”
“I think that he will be an excellent fit for the current group of young women on the roster.”
Leeming takes over MacEwan’s program on an interim basis after being named the ACAC coach of the year twice in the last five seasons. Before that, he spent three years as the assistant coach with the Windsor Lancers of the OUA. As a player, Leeming played in the GOJHL with a stint in the Ontario Hockey League.
“Looking at the list of returning players, as well as the incoming recruits, I believe this team has a lot of potential to be actualized that will facilitate our own measures of success,” Leeming said in the release.
For McAlpine, her new role makes her responsible for supporting the athletic department’s day-to-day operations with a focus on the student-athletes.
The MacEwan Griffins begin their 2022-23 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey season on Sept. 30 when they visit the Regina Cougars.