Innisfail Lions – Leading the Way in Female Hockey in the 1970s

INNISFAIL – The 1978-79 hockey season was a significant year for the growth of female hockey in the province of Alberta – with the Innisfail Lions female team leading the way with their on-ice achievements.

That season, the Lions captured the first-ever Alberta Amateur Hockey Association Intermediate B Ladies hockey provincial championship – an event that they also hosted. And then, they proceeded to finish fourth at the Western Canada Shield in Calgary, playing against some of the top Senior B teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The 1978-79 season was the culmination of almost a decade of community effort in Innisfail that saw the recognition and growth of a female hockey program in the town. That work was paralleled by the efforts of other central Alberta communities to operate female teams who played league, tournament and exhibition games across the province.

At the first-ever Intermediate B Ladies provincials, the Lions put on an impressive show on home ice, defeating Medicine Hat, Jasper and Calgary Gold ‘n Blues before beating University of Alberta 4-1 in the gold medal match.

By virtue of their provincial title, they were invited to participate in the Western Canadian Shield. Calgary wanted to host an eight-team tournament, and the Lions showed they belonged with Senior teams, finishing in a three-way tie for first in their pool with a 2-1 record. They ranked second based on goals for and against, meeting Calgary Wild Roses in the bronze medal game. Betty Mangan was named the tournament’s most valuable goaltender.

Team members for that memorable season were Betty Mangan, Wendy Wittchen, Mona McLean, Margaret Dittrick, Donna Curtice, Brenda Puddifant, Lorna Marshall, Trudy Strasser, Susan Morris, Bonnie Engman, Deanna Miyauchi, Deirdre Bryan, Yvonne Leavitt, Rachel Leavitt, Kelly Black, Colleen Finney, Shawn Bryan, Linda King, Valerie Kinsella, Jim Miyauchi and Larry Leavitt (coaches), Myrt Puddifant (manager), and Jack Kinsella (trainer).

The Innisfail Lions had formed in December 1972 when two teachers and a few girls went to Innisfail minor hockey and were granted permission to form a team. The team operated independently, playing a few exhibition games that first season, and was sponsored by Innisfail Lions Club, who bought the team’s first sweaters and other equipment.

Between 1972 and 1980, when most of the team stopped operating as players graduated high school and moved on with the next stage of life, the Innisfail Lions were the best-known female hockey team in central Alberta, and probably the third-best female team in the province – behind top senior teams Edmonton Chimos and Calgary Wild Roses.

“We were just a bunch of small-town girls who loved to play and were pretty good. We had no expectations, we just loved playing hockey and having fun with the team,” recalled Brenda Sawyer (nee Puddifant). “The girls on the team were very passionate about the team and the fun we were having. It truly was the best years for many of us.”

The Lions were perennial league champions – winning their division in the Town and Country league each year until 1978-79 against teams like Bowden, Olds, Carstairs, Didsbury, Rimbey, Spruceview and Rocky Mountain House. They also played regular games against University of Alberta, Bon Accord and Ardrossan.

Then, for the 1979-80 season, the Central Alberta Intermediate Women’s Hockey League was formed. It was the first women’s hockey league to operate separately from male leagues in Canada, and included rules specifically for female hockey. Didsbury, Olds-Carstairs, Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House joined Innisfail in the new league – and Innisfail continued its dominance claiming the inaugural league title.

The team was also a two-time medalist at the Alberta Winter Games representing Parkland (Zone 4) region. They won bronze in 1978 in Medicine Hat, and then returned to claim the gold medal in 1980 in Grande Prairie. They defeated Lethbridge to win the gold, and offensively the team was led by 14-year-old Wendy Wittchen of Red Deer who scored nine goals in five games. Wittchen had joined the Lions starting in 1977-78, when she aged out of Tom Thumb hockey in Red Deer. In her second season in 1978-79, Wittchen led the team in scoring with 48 goals and 33 assists. Other top scorers that season included Brenda Puddifant (25 goals, 33 assists), and Deanna Miyauchi (25 goals, 17 assists).

In addition to the team’s success in league play, and at provincial and regional events, they also excelled in tournament play – winning tournaments in Innisfail and Lethbridge multiple times, as well as a tournament in Banff. They also regularly attended tournaments in Coleman and Olds. And in 1980, after the Winter Games title, the team travelled to Coquitlam, BC, where they won that tournament – defeating North Delta in overtime. They also defeated UBC and SeaPort (a combined team from Seattle and Portland). The team did not defend their Alberta provincial title that year as they had already committed to attending the Coquitlam tournament which was held at the same time.

The team largely disbanded after 1980, as players headed off to college and other avenues of life. Deanna Miyauchi and Roxanne McKean went on to play for Edmonton teams including playing for the renowned Edmonton Chimos. Sawyer played one year with the Edmonton Capitals, but recalls it wasn’t the same.

“It was the Innisfail Lions Ladies hockey team that was the best years of hockey, it just wasn’t the same camaraderie we had,” Sawyer said.

In addition to the team members on the 1978-79 provincial championship team, the following players and team staff were members of the Innisfail Lions female hockey teams:

• Players: Kathy Lalor, Leslie Haley, JoAnne Vanderham, Myrna Hopkins, Anne Graham, Lucille Hopkins, Jean Barclay, Sue Ouellette, Karen Reid,Maureen Weiss, Debbie Kinsella, Karen Green, Carol Jackson, Pearl Munro, Annette Ouellette, Erica Vanderham, Janet Dyck, Cindy Maldaner, Sharon Gelborn, Cindy Shelfoon, Diane Conn, Linda Dunn, Roxanne McKean, Cheryl Neilson, Deb Leblanc, Donna Hill.
• Team Staff: coaches Mel Weiss, Frank Campbell, Wayne Sim, Bill Young, Wally Walkowsie, Ray Ouellette, John Wittchen, Darryl Mirakami; manager Ted Kinsella, and statistician Pat Hodges.

The team did have a reunion over Christmas in 1985, when 18 team members got together for a game against their husbands, fathers and brothers.

In the spirit of International Women’s Day (March 8), we sat down with She Leads Hockey Grant recipient and coach Izzy Cropper. For Cropper, coaching wasn’t something she always planned, it was something that grew naturally from her love of the game and the mentors who shaped her journey along the way. While a love for hockey was always part of her family’s story, it was during her early years on the ice that Cropper began to truly understand the lasting impact sport could have.

“I had so many positive influences growing up through hockey and the other sports I played,” she shared. “By Grade 7 or 8, I started helping with learn-to-play programs, jumping on the ice with my brother’s teams, assisting coaches, and working with goalies whenever I could”. That early involvement sparked something deeper; a realization that hockey could be just as meaningful from behind the bench as it was on the ice.

Her coaching journey has continued to evolve, recently strengthened by being named a recipient of the She Leads Hockey Grant, an initiated promoting female leadership through supports from Hockey Alberta and the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. With support from the grant, Cropper is building on the success of a female coaching clinic she helped launch in Edmonton last year. “The grant is helping us bring the clinic back for a second year,” she explained. “This time, we’re hoping to expand it to not only supporting coaches, but also creating leadership development opportunities for U15, U18, and university level players”.

The initiative is about more than skills; it’s about strengthening the future of the game by investing in those who will lead it, and the timing couldn’t be better. Alberta has seen a remarkable increase in female coaches in recent years, a shift Cropper believes is essential for the continued growth of hockey.

“Representation matters,” she said. “Growing up, I only had one female head coach and a handful of female assistants. I was fortunate that they made a huge impact on me but without seeing women in those roles, I don’t know if I would have envisioned myself coaching”.

Today, she hopes to help create a new reality, one where female leadership behind the bench is no longer the exception, but the norm. “I think as the game continues to evolve, in order for us to evolve with it, we need females who are behind the bench that have lived it and who understand it”.

For Cropper, coaching is about more than systems and strategies, it’s about creating environments where players feel confident, supported, and empowered to grow. Sometimes, that starts with the little things, like music at practice, team meetings, helping create a positive, and a welcoming atmosphere.

More importantly, she focuses on helping players recognize their progress. “Sport is an incredible environment to learn life skills,” she said. “Growth mindset, confidence, resilience, those lessons carry far beyond the rink.” Her goal is to ensure players leave the game with more than improved technical ability but with belief in themselves and their potential.

Looking ahead, Cropper has a simple but powerful message for the next generation of girls in hockey “We need you. We need you in coaching roles, as officials, trainers, and on the board of directors for your local club.”

She encourages young players to seek out opportunities, embrace experiences, and never be afraid to ask for guidance. “People want to help you get there and the ideas and perspectives you bring will help move the game forward,” said Cropper.

Through her work, Cropper is helping shape a future where leadership in hockey is more inclusive, more representative, and stronger than ever.

The Lakeland U13 AA Panthers are more than just a hockey team, they are a reflection of the strength, diversity, and unity found across the Lakeland region.

Drawing athletes from communities including Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Elk Point, and Ardmore, the Panthers roster represents players from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. This season, the team has brought together athletes who once competed against each other and helped transform them into a close-knit group united by a shared love of the game.

“It was really neat to see these girls go from competing against each other in the EAFHL to playing on the same team,” said parent Jena Colbourne. “Some of them the last time they met was in a heated overtime game for a medal in league. Others were playing mainstream and hadn’t played on an all-female team before. To become one family all with different backgrounds, schools, and communities was so amazing to watch as a parent.”

Among the 17 players on the roster, the team also features strong Indigenous and Métis representation, with athletes representing Cold Lake First Nations, Frog Lake First Nations, Goodfish Lake First Nations, Saddle Lake First Nations, Ermineskin Cree Nation, and the Kikino Métis Settlement, along with Métis athletes from across the region. For families and players alike, that representation has created meaningful opportunities to learn from one another and build connections that go beyond the rink.

“It’s very special because for our family it has exposed my daughter to cultures and traditions she may not have understood otherwise,” Colbourne shared. “But importantly, it’s brought our area together in ways other events never would. You’re battling on the ice together and getting to know other families, helping carpool or fundraise to ensure everyone has what they need for their daughter to succeed.”

Another important influence for the Panthers this season has been assistant coach Cassidy Dion, a former NCAA Division I player who has quickly become a role model for the team. Coming from a nearby community herself, Dion’s journey has helped players see what is possible through dedication and belief in themselves.

“For her to come from a community 45 minutes away from us and make it to Division I has shown these girls that they can do it. Cassidy always speaks positively of her experiences; she finds the strengths each girl has and mentors them to do their best,” said Colbourne.

For the players themselves, the impact of the season has been just as powerful. “This has been my favourite team,” said Panthers forward Vienna Colbourne. “We didn’t know each other at the start and now we’re family. I’ve never felt this way about a team for any sport before. We all look after each other and cheer each other on. I love hockey so much and I never want this season to end.”

With many players graduating from the U13 level at the end of the season, the success of the Panthers has sparked excitement about the future of female hockey in the Lakeland region. Families and supporters hope the momentum created by this group will continue to open doors for new opportunities and development pathways for young athletes.

The growth is already visible. “We had nine females registered in U7 this year,” said Colbourne. “Our house teams from U13 through U18 had maxed out rosters and our U13 AA Panthers have been having the best season to date. It is beyond amazing to see the growth in female hockey.”

As participation continues to rise, the Panthers have become a powerful example for younger girls watching from the stands or just stepping onto the ice for the first time.

Their message is simple. “Do it!” Colbourne said. “Hockey is for girls, it’s for everyone. No matter where you come from, you’ll find your crew, your family, and your team.”

As a recipient of the Hockey Alberta She Leads Hockey Grant Supported by the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, the U13AA Lakeland Panthers are taking the next step in their development. The funding will bring in expert support in sports nutrition, mental performance, power skating, and elite off-ice training; all designed to help these athletes grow both on and off the ice.

March 8 – On International Women’s Day Hockey Alberta is committed to growing the game by creating more opportunities, strengthening pathways, and supporting girls and women at every stage as players, coaches, officials, and leaders.

We believe the future of hockey is inclusive, and we are proud to work alongside our Members, Minor Hockey Associations, teams, volunteers, and families across Alberta who are helping make that future a reality.

Not only is the game growing, but so is the leadership behind it. Women now make up 41% of Hockey Alberta’s staff, and the Hockey Alberta Board is proudly comprised of 50% women, a powerful reflection of the progress and representation shaping the future of the game.

“The rise in female representation across our sport is creating a stronger, more inclusive hockey system. When women are involved in every layer, from the ice to the boardroom, we build an environment where every player can see themselves reflected, supported, and empowered to succeed,” said Kendall Newell, Senior Manager of Competition at Hockey Alberta.

Thank you to everyone across the province who continues to champion opportunities for women and girls in hockey and inspire the next generation. Follow along this week as we celebrate International Women’s Day by highlighting some of the players, coaches, officials, and leaders helping grow the female game across Alberta.

We’ll be sharing feature stories, team spotlights, and a few exciting announcements you won’t want to miss.

Hockey Alberta is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to submit proposals to provide comprehensive Managed IT Services for Hockey Alberta.

In general, Hockey Alberta is seeking proposals that include the following:

• Supply, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of 35-40 laptops and related hardware.
• Managed IT support for all staff, both on-site and remote, including help desk services and troubleshooting.
• Implementation and management of cyber security solutions, including endpoint protection, firewalls, regular vulnerability assessments, and staff cyber security training.
• Provision of secure remote access for off-site staff.
• Regular software updates, data backup solutions, and disaster recovery planning.
• Asset management and inventory reporting.

To receive a copy of the full Request for Proposal document, please contact Hockey Alberta via email at [email protected] and request a copy of RFP 26-02 Hockey Alberta Managed IT Services.

Submission deadline for proposals is Friday, April 17.

Hockey Alberta and Hockey Alberta Foundation are seeking proposals from qualified public accounting firms to provide external audit services under a three-year contract beginning with the fiscal year ending July 31, 2027.

The successful firm will conduct the audit in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (Canadian GAAS) and prepare financial statements in accordance with Canadian Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations (ASNPO)

RFP 26:01 Audit Services outlines the specifications and requirements of Hockey Alberta and Hockey Alberta Foundation. We invite firms with demonstrated experience in the charitable and not-for-profit sector to submit a proposal.

DOWNLOAD RFP 26:01 >