Sandman Player of the Month: Currie's electric play in net boosted Griffins in January
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – After stopping 160 of 169 shots she faced during January, Griffins women's hockey goaltender Taya Currie has been named the Sandman Signature Downtown Edmonton Hotel Player of the Month.
As the Griffins' top student-athlete in January, Currie wins a free night's stay at the Sandman Signature Downtown Edmonton Hotel.
Currie was dialled in for the Griffins in four January starts, highlighted by her stealing a win for MacEwan at Manitoba on Jan. 23 when the Griffins were outshot 42-12 but won 3-2.
"I think the biggest thing is in the second half, she's really started to show her skill-set more consistently, which provides our team opportunities to compete in games," said Griffins head coach Chris Leeming. "At the end of the day, she just does her job really well."
Currie also stopped 39 of 42 shots she faced in a 3-2 loss at Trinity Western on Jan. 10.
Then after stopping 40 of 42 to deliver victory for the Griffins on Jan. 23 at Manitoba, she stopped 33 of 35 sent her way by the Bison in the Jan. 24 rematch – a 3-1 Manitoba win after an empty-net goal.
Taya Currie gets just a skate blade on a one-timer in front to keep the game scoreless early in the second period. @MacEwanGriffins #GriffNation pic.twitter.com/4k90lRysby
— MacEwan Griffins Women's Hockey (@GriffinsWHKY) January 31, 2026
Most recently, Currie finished just two saves shy of the program single Canada West game record when she stopped 48 of 50 shots sent her way against UBC last Friday in a 3-0 loss – also with an empty-netter.
Altogether, it equals a .947 save percentage and 2.30 goals against average in January.
"I think big picture, it seems like she's really begun to settle into the league and figure out team tendencies," said Leeming. "It's just finding a groove. Every game there have been two or three saves that kind of leave both teams in awe and those act as momentum builders for us."
SWEET VICTORY!
— MacEwan Griffins Women's Hockey (@GriffinsWHKY) January 24, 2026
Impressive comeback for the @MAcEwanGriffins, who rally from 2-0 down to win 3-2 over the @umbisons!
Stay tuned for a recap.#GriffNation
BOXSCORE➡️https://t.co/cpXDD9TqPR pic.twitter.com/flpZdnV3nd
Currie is the busiest goaltender in Canada West, facing 463 shots in 785:30 over 13 games (an average of 35.4 shots/game), yet she's fifth in the conference in save percentage (.933) and 10th in GAA (2.37).
"Her competitive drive and athleticism are two things that really stand out to me whenever she's in the net. Ultimately, that allows her the opportunity to express her talent at the highest level, which I know is an expectation she has for herself."
A transfer from NCAA Providence, where she didn't get as much playing time as she would like, Currie is getting a boatload of shots now, which is right up her alley.
"I think the best part of it is she loves it," said Leeming. "She just loves to compete at practice and in games. She likes when she's busy and faces a lot of shots, so I think you're seeing that in real time."
Currie will lead the Griffins into action vs. Trinity Western on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
