McLeod set to take over Trojans

CALGARY, ALTA., (July 18, 2022) - Amanda McLeod has been handed the reins of the SAIT Trojans women's hockey program.

SAIT's Athletics and Recreation Department announced today that the former NCAA Division 1 player will become the eighth head coach in team history. She takes over a team that has struggled of late, missing the playoffs in three of the last four Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) seasons – including the 2021-22 year in which they went just 2-13 in a COVID-related shortened schedule.

"The game of hockey has given me so much," said McLeod, who has previously spent time as both a head and assistant coach with the Rocky Mountain Raiders U18AA and U15AA programs in Okotoks, Alta. "I love coming to the rink every day, connecting with the players and seeing them grow, not only their game but as people. When the SAIT job became available, I was super excited. . . Just knowing SAIT and how great of a school it is, and the legacy the Trojans have here in Calgary made it an easy decision to apply. I can't wait to get started."

McLeod's pre-collegiate playing career saw her attend Calgary's Edge School for three seasons, earning team captain and league all-star honours along the way. She then moved south of the border to play four years with the Penn State University Nittany Lions – the last of which she wore a letter as one of the team's alternate captains.

She also excelled in the classroom, earning a College Hockey America (CHA) All-Academic Team selection in each of her four campaigns with the Lions.

"Amanda brings exactly what we were looking for when this process began," said SAIT's Director of Athletics, Wade Kolmel. "She is an ambitious coach who played the game at an extremely high level, but also found success with the 'student' part of being a student athlete. The ability to relate to athletes on multiple fronts is key to creating an environment that is both fun and safe while also remaining competitive. We believe we have the right person in place to do just that and our department is excited to work with, and support, Amanda going forward."

Part of her duties with the U18AA Raiders team in the 2020-21 season included directing college transition and recruitment information sessions for players looking to move to the post-secondary level. Working in that capacity allowed her to happily impart some of the wisdom she gained in her playing career.

"First, I would say that it is a huge privilege to be a student athlete – not a lot of people get that opportunity," said McLeod. "There are days where it's going to be a grind, or you're stressed with time management. That is when it's good to remember why you started playing the game and how it's now allowed you to receive post-secondary financial awards, or even just the opportunity to go to a great school, while you pursue academics and prepare for the next stage of your life."

McLeod is not unfamiliar with SAIT, as her father Scott played for the Trojans men's hockey team in the late 80's. Once his playing days were done he began coaching, and McLeod found it only natural to follow in his footsteps.

"He was a big part of my hockey career growing up being one of my coaches, so of course he was the first person I told when I saw the job opportunity," she said. "He's been helpful to me not only as a player then, but as a coach now - I will lean on him for some ideas. He has said nothing but good things about SAIT, so that made me excited to become a part of the Trojans family myself."

Now that McLeod is officially on board, she will turn her focus to rounding out her coaching staff and reaching out to new and returning players in an effort to hit the ground running once camp opens in early September. The SAIT Trojans will open their 2022-23 ACAC regular season on Oct. 13 on the road against Olds College.

"Culture is going to be big for us. We are going to have all season to grow on the ice, but we really have to start with that foundation of culture in the dressing room," McLeod said. "As much as you look forward to that first game, you also can't put a lot of expectations on it or base your entire season off of it. What I want is buy-in from Day 1. If we get that, the rest will take care of itself."

*For anyone interested in the role(s) of assistant coach, please click here to apply.