Horns tap local hockey bloodline for newest recruit
Kyra Greig is the daughter of former NHLer and Lethbridge Hurricane Mark Greig
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team has landed a recruit from well-known hockey family. The Pronghorns announced the signing of local product Kyra Greig for the 2017-18 Canada West season during a press conference Thursday at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
The newest member of the Horns women’s team is the daughter of former NHLer and Lethbridge Hurricane Mark Greig, who played three seasons for the Hurricanes, including a 55goal season in the 1989-90 season.
On Thursday afternoon, another member of the Greig family put the pen to the paper to make her own mark locally.
“We’re excited. She’s a local player and that always brings us a few ties to the community,” said Pronghorns head coach Michelle Janus. “It’s always nice when you can bring in a player and put a little bit more expectation on them knowing they’re in a comfortable environment and they’re surrounded by a strong support system which is always nice.
“She’s a smart hockey player. She’s responsible. She plays all 200 feet of the ice very well and she’s good at anticipating. She can jump on pucks and generate some offence. She’s responsible if we happen to be up a goal or two and we need to shut another team down. We’re excited to get her out there.” Greig is looking forward to playing at home. “I’m so excited to be a part of the program and play with this group of girls next year,” said Greig. “It’s nice, it’s my hometown and I’ll have my family support. I love Michelle. She’s really nice.”
Greig becomes the second recruit to be announced for next season, after Surrey, B.C., product Alicia Perez was announced in early January.
Last season Greig, a five-foot-five centre, played for Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, scoring nine goals and 19 points in 48 games to help POE to a 32-15-3 record.
“The past season was really fun, it was a good group of girls,” said Greig. “The girls helped and supported me throughout the season and made me a better hockey player.”
A season earlier, Greig played for the Warner Hockey Academy in Warner, posting nine goals and 19 assists in 25 games.
She also suited up for the Southeast Tigers of the Alberta Female Midget league — one as a underage. As a 14-year-old, she scored two goals and added six assists in 29 games. The next season, Greig scored 12 goals and 27 points in 32 games.
Greig comes to her newest team with plenty of fatherly advice.
“Even if he wasn’t my coach, he always tried to make me a better player and it’s always great having his support off and on the ice. He’s pretty excited for me. He tells me to just keep working hard and everything should happen the way it’s supposed to.”
As the Pronghorns head into the summer, so does the recruiting.
“We have six signed right now,” said Janus. “So we’re looking to upgrade our roster and we’re excited about it. We have quite a few players coming in from the academy level and quite a few out of B.C. as well. We’ll have a variety of players from across Western Canada who bring a variety to skill.”
The women’s hockey program will host its annual Spring ID Camp this weekend and will play two exhibition games versus the Wolfpack.
The first game goes Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.