Top Saskatchewan U18AAA goaltender Christmann joining Griffins after huge season with Saskatoon
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Recently named goaltender of the year and a first team all-star in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League, Mikayla Christmann will look to bring her strong play into MacEwan as she kicks off a promising U SPORTS career with the Griffins in 2024-25.
The Warman, Sask. product went a perfect 15-0-0 with the Saskatoon Stars during the 2023-24 regular season, posting a 1.78 goals against average and .925 save percentage. In three playoffs games, she had a 1.43 GAA and .946 save percentage with one shutout.
"Obviously, they've got a great team, but talking to their coach, she had a lot of great things to say," explained Griffins head coach Chris Leeming. "She held them in a lot of games that were close for them. So, we're excited to add her as that is an area we are looking to grow in.
"She consistently makes primary saves, and uses her athleticism for secondary saves, which breeds confidence in the team she is backstopping for."
Standing 5-foot-11, Christmann's size will certainly also be an asset for the Griffins.
"She adds size, she's athletic, she's poised, and she takes up a lot of the net," said Leeming. "With the style of play we're looking to play – limit Grade A scoring chances against – she makes the first save and has the ability to hold onto pucks and not give up secondary opportunities."
Christmann not only has experience playing for a strong team like the Stars, who finished second in the league at 22-2-4-2, she has also seen the flip side of a goalie's workload, playing for the Battlefords Sharks in 2022-23 as they endured a league-worst 2-25-3-0 campaign.
Despite the record, she managed an impressive 2.90 GAA and .918 save percentage.
"Coming off back-to-back seasons where she posted strong statistical numbers with Saskatoon/Battleford, Mikayla brings a competitiveness and winning pedigree that will supplement the defensive competence of our program," said Leeming.
Christmann will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at MacEwan next fall.
"Mikayla's character aligns with what we are looking to add to the program to continue our growth," said Leeming. "She is a competitor with a growth mindset who wants to have a positive impact on her teammates."
