Gritty Lloydminster Steelers, NAX product Mackay joining Griffins 22 years after mom played at MacEwan
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – It seems like a perfect fit that Irma, Alta. native Sawyer Mackay is joining the Griffins women's hockey team next season.
After all, her mom Shayna Mackay (Holt) used to be a Griffin, suiting up for the 2004-05 team, which then played in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.
The connections don't stop there either. Sawyer Mackay was on the same NAX U18 Prep team in 2023-24 as current Griffins Megan Dolynchuk and Aspen Checknita.
"They had nothing but great things to say about her," said MacEwan head coach Chris Leeming.
"Another connection, my first captain at Olds College – Cassidy Holt – is Sawyer's cousin from Irma. So, we're always talking about how strong farm kids are.
"I think Sawyer plays the game the right way. She's relentless. She's really competitive. She's constantly hunting pucks. She can make plays when she gets the puck. She goes to the net. She's somebody who really embodies our style of play. And she's a great kid who wants to keep getting better and better."
All great attributes to have when levelling up to the Canada West level, which is defined by physical, gritty play.
Mackay was NAX's third-leading scorer in 2023-24 with 16 points in 30 games. She returned to the Devon, Alta.-based CSSHL team again in 2024-25 and tied for second in points on the team with 23 in 30 games.
After previously having played for the Lloydminster Steelers elite women's program, she returned there for her final minor hockey season in 2025-26, tying for second on the team in scoring with 13 points in 27 AFHL U18AAA games.
"Sawyer plays a simple and effective game that is highlighted by her strong vision of the ice and overall competitiveness," said Leeming.
"She doesn't shy away from the hard areas of the ice and has the vision and skill set to create plays in those areas to generate scoring opportunities."
