Physical, hard-working Yorkton Terriers D-man Aldridge joins Griffins

EDMONTON – Bringing strong character, physicality and a great work ethic, Harrison Aldridge is set to bolster the Griffins men's hockey team's defensive corps when he makes his Canada West debut in 2025-26.

The Yorkton Terriers product, via the Calgary Northstars elite hockey stream, will fit in well with the Griffins, said head coach Zack Dailey.

"The thing I like about him is he's got a big body, he plays physical, skates well and competes hard," he said of the 6-foot-2 rearguard. "Those are all things we're looking for on our team, especially in the defensive corps. And he's a great student. So, he's going to be able to come in and handle the pressures of being a student athlete."

Aldridge began his junior career in 2022-23 in the KIJHL with the Columbia Valley Rockies before following his head coach Emery Olauson to Yorkton in the SJHL for two seasons (2023-25), recording 23 points in 48 regular season games in his final junior campaign last year.

"He had the same coach for three years and he had really good things to say about him in terms of character, progression as a player and teammate," said Dailey. "Those are all things we're looking for. Obviously, we want people who are hungry to get better."

Aldridge is one of three new defencemen joining MacEwan in 2025-26 (alongside previously announced recruits Brett Bamber and Dylan Bidyk) as the Griffins revamp the position following the loss of graduating seniors Sean Comrie, Loeden Schaufler and Hunter Donohoe.

"I'm excited; I really like how it turned out," said Dailey. "The guys we've brought in are really going to fit our style of play and the guys returning have already got a little taste of our style of play. 

"So, I'm just looking forward to building on the foundation we've created so far. All these guys are going to fit in with our style of play and push to make our program better."