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News

New structure for AAA male hockey in Alberta

RED DEER – The structure of AAA male hockey in Alberta will have a different look for the 2020-21 season.

The Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) was announced on Saturday as the new home for Hockey Alberta’s elite male players.

“The new Alberta Elite Hockey League brings all elite male hockey in Alberta under one set of operating standards which is an important step in ensuring that players within the AAA hockey stream are offered a consistent program and experience, regardless of their age division of hockey or location,” said Neil Robertson, chair of the Elite Male Committee.

The decision was made in December to restructure elite male hockey in the province. An extensive review process concluded that a restructured program would be more cost-effective for the members and stakeholders, while helping raise the status of elite male hockey programming, consolidating volunteer workload at the team and organizational levels, and aligning league operations. There was also a Name the League contest.

The AEHL is comprised of the U18 AAA Division (formerly the Alberta Midget Hockey League), U16 AAA Division (formerly the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League), and U15 AAA Division (formerly the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League). Renaming the divisions, to align with Hockey Canada’s new Age Division Names policy, was a key impetus to the overall restructuring decision.

In addition to the new league and divisional structures, the AEHL will be housed on a new, state-of-the-art website platform currently being designed by HockeyTech. The AEHL website is being built in conjunction with a new web platform for the Alberta Female Hockey League, with the goal of providing a one-stop location for all news and information pertaining to elite hockey in the province.

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home Goalie Skills - Handling the Puck in a Butterfly

As part of the Hockey at Home Series, Hockey Alberta will publish a weekly video focused on goaltender skills drills that can be done at home.

This week, Team Alberta alumna, University of Calgary Dinos goaltender Dayna Owen shows how to practice handling the puck in a butterfly position, and standing up to pass. Check back every Saturday for the latest goalie skills video!


Handling the Puck in a Butterfly


Coaches love goalies who can play the puck to their teammates.

A goalie who can move a covered puck allows their team to maintain possession of the puck.

  • Make sure the puck is fully caught/covered
  • Set the puck down quickly and in control
  • By getting the glove right down to the ice there is a higher likelihood the puck will lay flat
  • Quickly get your stick in position to make a forehand or backhand pass

Hockey Alberta Goaltender Guide >


For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Crash Conditioning - Episode Eight

Hockey Alberta is excited to partner with Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd to bring a weekly series to the homes of hockey players across Alberta, focused on strength and conditioning.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home! Stay tuned every for a new workout from Crash every week.

Episode eight features Austin Wagner, Sheldon Rempal, Nick Merkley, Matt Rempe, Brayden Tracey, Dryden Hunt and Morgan Klimchuk.



Hockey at Home Series >

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Ali Stead: Drag and Shoot

Hockey Alberta is excited to work with Ali Stead (@never2late2learn.hky) to bring you weekly off-ice skills drills, as part of the Hockey at Home Series.

Ali Stead is a hockey player and social media influencer. Having only started playing hockey a few years ago, she developed her skills quickly, and is now passionate about sharing her love and knowledge for the game. Be sure to check back every week for the latest drill!


Drag and Shoot


No more blocked shots with this skill!

Changing the release angle to shoot around defenders can be the difference between a blocked shot or a goal.

  • Pull puck in towards body with toe of the blade
  • Eyes up before puck leaves blade
  • Apply downward pressure on the stick to create flex
  • Lean forward and towards the target

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

News

U16 AA Pilot Project set for 2020-21 season

RED DEER - The South Central Alberta Hockey League (SCAHL) and Hockey Calgary, in partnership with Hockey Alberta’s AA Hockey Committee, have agreed to operate a U16 AA division during the 2020-21 season, in order to review and determine the place for this category of hockey going forward.

This Pilot Project stems from ongoing conversation in Alberta about providing additional options for 15-year-old players entering the U18 division (formally Midget), so that they can continue their development with like sized and like skilled players. Currently, the U16 AAA category of hockey is the only opportunity for 15-year-old players across the entire province to participate exclusively together. Additionally, the Rural & Edmonton Hockey League (REMHL) provides this option for players in select areas north of Red Deer.

The AA Hockey Committee has identified 11 host Minor Hockey Associations, who will each operate one team within the U16 AA division. Of those 11, seven currently host AA programs in the SCAHL, while four operate AA programs within Hockey Calgary. Additionally, those seven Host MHAs from the SCAHL have had Recruitment Areas assigned to them, which will allow them to draw 15-year-old players from their designated Recruitment Area to form their team.

Full details on the Pilot Project are outlined on the New for 2020-21 page.

NEW FOR 2020-21 >

Home Ice Feature

Stories from the Rink: Alix/Clive Minor Hockey Association highlights star volunteer

ALIX, AB - As parents arrive at the rink on frigid Saturday mornings throughout the winter, they joke to themselves about seeing Tyler Copland’s truck parked in "his spot", as he is always the first to arrive before a game. Whether it’s as a board member, coach, friend, mentor, parent, or sponsor, Tyler wears many hats in the town of Alix.

Since his boys began playing hockey with the Alix and Clive combined association, Tyler has been involved as a volunteer on different levels. He invests a great deal of time and energy into helping mentor the kids during every practice and game. When one game ends, he is typically gearing up to head to another arena to support his other son’s teams.

"Tyler has only missed a handful of practices and games over the years. His commitment is impressive, as is the message he has for the kids: just keep showing up, regardless of what struggle might be in front of you, just keep showing up," said Lori Gibson, who shared the story with Hockey Alberta. "He doesn’t tell the kids what dedication is, he lives it every day."

Tyler’s positive attitude is infectious throughout the teams he coaches. He is always quick to flash a smile and joke around with the kids, and holds nothing back when it comes to helping the players achieve their goals. Always keeping things light and fun, he loves nothing more than celebrating an accomplishment for anyone on his team whether it’s a goal, assist, win, or just a great shift.

As the first guy to the rink to open the rooms and set out the pucks, a supporter of the concessions and 50/50 draws, and yearly corporate sponsor, Tyler values the deep roots he has created in his community, and they would like to thank him for everything he has done.


If you have a great story or volunteer that you would like Hockey Alberta to highlight, please send the information to [email protected].

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home Goalie Skills - Passing from a Butterfly Position

As part of the Hockey at Home Series, Hockey Alberta will publish a weekly video focused on goaltender skills drills that can be done at home.

This week, Team Alberta alumna, University of Calgary Dinos goaltender Dayna Owen shows how to practice passing fro a butterfly position. Check back every Saturday for the latest goalie skills video!


Passing from a Butterfly Position

Now is the perfect time to improve your puck-handling and passing, this drill can assist you in improving your passing skills as you get ready for next season!

Being able to control a dump in on net and make a quick pass to your teammates can assist your team in breaking the puck out of your own zone. In season and during team drills these skills, without deliberate focus and repetitions, can be easily overlooked which will ultimately limit performance. When practicing this skill try to keep the eyes up as much as possible, there will always be a need to “check” the puck but push yourself to keep your eyes up, when possible, to be able to scan and evaluate incoming forecheckers. This drill can be done with a puck or a ball, whichever works best for your training. When practicing these skills, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Start in an down/butterfly stance – Chest up, weight over your knees, eyes downward, chin in front of knees
  • Hands away from the body, blocker and glove are positioned in front of the body. Elbows are bent and hands are ready.
  • Establish visual connection on the puck and track the puck all the way into your or glove – eyes remain on the puck all the way in.
  • Once the puck is in your glove, turn your glove down towards the ground and move your glove towards the ground to place the puck on the ground.
  • You want to do this quickly and with some force so that once the puck makes contact with the ground and so it will lay flat while in your glove.
    • Avoid dropping the puck down as it can roll and make it more difficult to control.
  • Take your glove off the ground, come back up in your butterfly to complete the passing sequence.
  • For the passing portion: hands are away from the body, blocker is positioned mid-way up the shaft of the stick and the glove hand is positioned in an inverted grip above the paddle of the stick
    • The glove can rotate to a standard player grip on the stick – based on the skill set of the goaltender
  • Glove hand applies downward pressure and prepares to pass the puck
  • Sweep the puck along the surface and pass towards your target
  • To progress this drill:
    • Head is up to read options to make the pass
    • Do this on your backhand – this motion would be more of a sweep pass on your backhand
    • Have someone flash a different number of fingers every 2-3 seconds
    • Place obstacles to encourage saucer passes
    • Incorporate footwork patterns prior to the butterfly & dump in/”shot” (smaller shuffles, bigger T-Push like cross crease movements, etc)

Hockey Alberta Goaltender Guide >


For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Crash Conditioning - Alberta Cup Alumni

Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd is back with a new, trimmed-down version of Hockey at Home with Crash Conditioning!

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home!

Episode seven features Alberta Cup alumni Ronan Seeley, Alex Mack and Bowden Singleton.

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Ali Stead: Jump Shot

Hockey Alberta is excited to work with Ali Stead (@never2late2learn.hky) to bring you weekly off-ice skills drills, as part of the Hockey at Home Series.

Ali Stead is a hockey player and social media influencer. Having only started playing hockey a few years ago, she developed her skills quickly, and is now passionate about sharing her love and knowledge for the game. Be sure to check back every Thursday for the latest drill!


Jump Shot


Mix up your shooting routine with this quick and deceptive shot release! Elite players have the ability to shoot off either foot in stride or from a glide. Mastering the jump shot at home will help you shoot in stride next season!

  • Eyes up before puck leaves the stick blade
  • Toes pointing towards net
  • Release puck at the exact same time foot hits the ground

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home Goalie Skills - Recovery

As part of the Hockey at Home Series, Hockey Alberta will publish a weekly video focused on goaltender skills drills that can be done at home.

This week, Team Alberta alumna, University of Calgary Dinos goaltender Dayna Owen shows how to practice recovering from a desperation save. Check back every Saturday for the latest goalie skills video!


Recovery

Oftentimes, goaltenders do not get the opportunity to practice good recovery habits in drills during the season. Now is the perfect time to work on good habits that can help get you ready for next season!

Being able to recover and move across the crease efficiently is a key element to having your feet ready and set for the next shot. You can isolate your recovery and agility skills, or you can combine them with tracking exercises to your glove and blocker. In season and during team drills these skills, without deliberate focus and repetitions, can be easily overlooked which will ultimately limit performance. This drill can be done with a puck or a ball, whichever works best for your training. When practicing these skills, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Start laying on your back – you can have your feet towards the shooter or away.
  • Quickly get into an athletic stance – remember to keep your ankles/knees bent, chest up and back straight,
    • Hands away from the body, blocker and glove are positioned in front of the body. Elbows are bent and hands are ready.
  • Establish visual connection on the ball as soon as possible and track the ball all the way into your blocker (or glove) – eyes remain on the ball all the way in.
    • If you do not catch it, square up to the rebound to practice good habits
  • Make sure to do this on both sides (glove and blocker)
  • If you are incorporating footwork/crease movements with this drill, remember to:
    • Stop using the lead leg
    • Make sure to square up your shoulders to the “shooter” (or ball being thrown)
    • Push yourself to set your feet prior to the “shot”
  • To progress this drill:
    • Use smaller objects such as a ping pong or golf ball
    • Have the “shooter” move to different positions so that you have to scan and recognize where they are
    • Bounce a reaction ball of the floor towards the goaltender
    • Incorporate different plyometrics prior to throwing the ball (starting face down on the ground, laying down & getting up, burpees, skater hops, etc)
    • Obstacles can be placed to simulate a screen (depending on the skill set of the goaltender)
    • Change up the footwork patterns (smaller shuffles, bigger T-Push like cross crease movements, etc)

Hockey Alberta Goaltender Guide >


For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home With Crash Conditioning - Featuring Jordan Eberle, Jake Neighbours, and Ozzy & Oasiz Wiesblatt

Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd is back with a new, trimmed-down version of Hockey at Home with Crash Conditioning!

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home!

Episode six features Team Alberta alumni Jordan Eberle (New York Islanders), Jake Neighbours (Edmonton Oil Kings), Ozzy Wiesblatt (Prince Albert Raiders) and Oasiz Wiesblatt (Medicine Hat Tigers).


Hockey at Home Series >

News

Hockey Canada, BFL Canada Announce Female Coach of the Year Winners

CALGARY – Hockey Canada, in partnership with BFL CANADA, announced the first winners of the BFL Female Coach of the Year awards. Samantha Holmes-Domagala of Calgary has been named as the National Community Winner, and Shanya Shwetz of Edmonton has been named a Regional High Performance winner.

Giving back to the game that has given her so much, Holmes-Domagala coaches her daughter’s teams with Girls Hockey Calgary, serves as director of coaching for Timbits U7, U9 and U11 with the organization and runs skills clinics in Calgary for young girls. The Mississauga, Ont., native played 10 games with Canada’s National Women’s Team, winning gold at the 4 Nations Cup in 2000 and 2004. After playing with the Brampton Thunder of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL), she moved west to join the Calgary Oval X-Treme of the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL), winning gold at the Esso Women’s Nationals in 2003, and co-founded the Strathmore Rockies (WWHL) in 2008.

Alberta’s High Performance BFL Female Coach of the Year regional winner is Shanya Shwetz of Edmonton. Shanya spent the 2019-20 season as head coach of the Edmonton Pandas Bantam Elite team (AFHL). She has also worked with the Team Alberta Female program, most recently as a Head Coach at the 2020 Alberta Winter Games and Video Coach at the 2019 National Women’s U18 Championship.

A complete list of winners for each category by province and territory can be found HERE.

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Ali Stead: Edge Work

Hockey Alberta is excited to work with Ali Stead (@never2late2learn.hky) to bring you weekly off-ice skills drills, as part of the Hockey at Home Series.

Ali Stead is a hockey player and social media influencer. Having only started playing hockey a few years ago, she developed her skills quickly, and is now passionate about sharing her love and knowledge for the game. Be sure to check back every Thursday for the latest drill!


Edge Work


Summer is the perfect time to have fun with edge work! Not only is inline a great way to work strength and stride, it can also help with ankle mobility and balance.

Tight Turn

  • Do not cross hands
  • Lead with your eyes, body will follow
  • Crossover when exiting the turn

Eagle Turn

  • Lean slightly forward
  • Keep hands away from body
  • Slip/move the puck into areas

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

News

Hockey Alberta Awards Announced

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Hockey Alberta Awards. These Awards allow Hockey Alberta and the Alberta hockey community to recognize outstanding individuals and teams for their hard work and accomplishments in making a positive difference for our participants in the game of hockey during the 2019-20 season.

The Hockey Alberta Awards program includes awards that are open to nominations from Hockey Alberta member organization, staff member or volunteer, and others that are determined by Hockey Alberta through a review of eligible candidates.

The 2020 Hockey Alberta Award recipients are:

  • Volunteer of the Year: Shane Hainstock (Chestermere). Shane been on the board of Chestermere Minor Hockey for 17 years, including 11 years as president. Shane also volunteered two years with the Referee Association and spent 11 years as a minor hockey referee. Shane is also involved in the community, supporting great causes such as the annual Can Struck food bank drive, and has helped the Ice Edge Figure Skating Club facilitate the Battle of the Blades.
  • Coach of the Year: Mike Lees (Edmonton). Mike was the head coach of Hockey Edmonton’s KC St. Matthew Thunder Novice team and an assistant coach in the Timbits program last season - his ninth season coaching hockey in Edmonton. Mike enjoys building the lasting relationships with the players that are created through coaching. He takes the time to go around the room, and have a brief, personal interaction with each athlete, letting them know they are important to the coach and achieving the team’s common goals.
  • Player of the Year: Elise Hugens (Sherwood Park). Elise was named the top goaltender in the Alberta Female Hockey League’s Midget AAA division in 2019-20 as she finished her minor hockey career with the Edmonton Female Athletic Club Pandas. She led the league in goals against average (.960) and shutouts (six).
  • Official of the Year: Fraser Lawrence (Edmonton). Fraser is a Level 6 official from Edmonton who represented Canada internationally last season at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic. He has been involved provincially and regionally as an Instructor and Supervisor at Hockey Alberta’s Officials Development Camp and supervising the Alberta Cup.
  • Ernie Boruk Award: CJ Senkow (Grande Prairie). CJ has been involved in various capacities in both the North Central and Peace Region executives since 2001. He has worked all levels of hockey in Alberta and the WHL, officiated numerous Provincial and National championships, and just retired this year from the AJHL.
  • Dave Ganley Award: Geoff Da Silva (Calgary). Geoff has been officiating since the age of 16. Through Geoff’s efforts, Central Region has been able to identify and develop officials effectively and efficiently. Geoff’s ongoing contributions include participation as a league supervision in both the Alberta Junior and Midget AAA levels.
  • Team of the Year: Crowfoot Coyotes Peewee AA (Calgary). Calgary’s Crowfoot Coyotes Peewee AA team gained national recognition as Alberta’s finalist in the 2020 Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup. As a regional finalist, the team won $2,000 for the charity of their choice – Team Naomi Get Well Now – a program to support children’s cancer research.
  • Order of Merit: These awards recognize exceptional leadership and distinguished service to amateur hockey in Alberta for 10 years or more. Awards may be presented in the categories of Administration, Coaching/Development and officiating. Recipients have dedicated significant time, effort and leadership to the growth and development of amateur hockey, not only in their own community, but across the province.
    • AdministrationTania Horseman (Hythe). Tania is the president of Horse Lake Minor Hockey Association, serving in that role for more than 10 years. Tania has worked countless hours, to finish up whatever paperwork is required. She even helps with rides to and from games and practices, or with fuel and meal money.
    • AdministrationMichael Tymko (St. Albert). Michael has been with St. Albert Minor Hockey Association for more than 10 years, starting as Peewee Director and moving to Vice President of Hockey Operations. He is committed to improving and bettering St. Albert’s programs to help the players develop.
    • Coaching/DevelopmentFran Gow (Sherwood Park). Fran is the Coach Mentor in Hockey Development for Hockey Alberta, a role he has held for six years. As a Coach Mentor, Fran is leading instructor at coach clinics across the province, and shares his knowledge with coaches of all levels, and even speaks at sessions for on-ice officials to help them understand the perspective of hockey bench staff.
    • Coaching/Development Rick Swan. Rick has been the Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) Head Coach and General Manager since 2013, where he is the winningest coach in franchise history. Rick was named Head Co-Coach for Team AJHL (AJHL All-Stars) who played in the 2019 Junior Club World Cup in Sochi, Russia winning a silver medal.
  • Minor Hockey Association of the Year: Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association. Lethbridge Minor Hockey has been a leader in its attempts to grow the game in Alberta, especially with their Female program. Lethbridge has shown growth at all levels of Female hockey, with the increased registration numbers coming from a combination of player development and retention.

Congratulations to all of the Award recipients and nominees and Hockey Alberta and the hockey community thank you for your contributions to our sport. We encourage everyone to look at the full overview of the Hockey Alberta Awards program and consider who makes a difference to you, your team and your community in 2020-21.

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home Goalie Skills - Hand/Eye Coordination

As part of the Hockey at Home Series, Hockey Alberta will publish a weekly video focused on goaltender skills drills that can be done at home.

This week, Team Alberta alumna, University of Calgary Dinos goaltender Dayna Owen shows how to improve hand/eye coordination. Check back every Saturday for the latest goalie skills video!


Hand/Eye Coordination

This week, our Puck-Stopper Saturday is going to showcase a couple of drills that can help improve your hand/eye coordination. Working on improving your hand/eye coordination will assist you in tracking pucks into your body and become more natural for you once you return to the ice next season!

These drills can be done with a tennis ball or reaction ball, whichever works best for your training. When practicing these skills, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Drill #1 – Quick Reaction Toss

  • Start in an athletic stance - bent ankles/knees, chest up and back straight
  • Hands away from the body, blocker and glove are positioned in front of the body. Elbows are bent and hands are ready.
  • Establish visual connection on the ball as soon as possible and track the ball all the way into your blocker (or glove) – eyes remain on the ball all the way in.
  • Make sure to do this on both sides (glove and blocker)
  • To progress this drill:
    • Use smaller objects such as a ping pong or golf ball
    • Bounce a reaction ball of the floor towards the goaltender
    • Incorporate different plyometrics prior to throwing the ball (starting face down on the ground, laying down & getting up, burpees, skater hops, etc).

Drill #2 – Quick Reaction – Wall Bounces

  • Start in an athletic stance - bent ankles/knees, chest up and back straight
  • Hands away from the body, blocker and glove are positioned in front of the body. Elbows are bent and hands are ready.
  • Establish visual connection on the ball hits the surface in front of you and track the ball all the way into your blocker (or glove) – eyes remain on the ball all the way in.
  • Make sure to do this on both sides (glove and blocker)
  • To progress this drill:
    • Use smaller objects such as a ping pong or golf ball
    • Use a reaction ball instead

Drill #3- Juggling

  • To start juggling, pick three objects of the same weight.
  • Start in an athletic stance - bent ankles/knees, chest up and back straight
  • If you are just learning how to juggle, there are many great tutorials online to help you learn this skill!
  • To progress this drill:
    • Use the wall to increase the difficulty of this skill (as shown)
    • Use smaller objects such as a ping pong or golf ball

Hockey Alberta Goaltender Guide >


For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey at Home

Hockey At Home with Crash Conditioning - Jumping (With Austin Wagner and Josh Teves)

Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd is back with a new, trimmed-down version of Hockey at Home with Crash Conditioning!

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home!

Episode five focuses on jumping, with special guests Austin Wagner (Los Angeles Kings) and Josh Teves (Utica Comets/Vancouver Canucks).

Workout to Improve Jumping:


1. Box Jumps

2. Lateral Jumps: 3-4 sets x 1-1-1
* jump up onto a box landing under control ( approx height between knee and hip) , rest 10-15 seconds repeat for total of 3 jumps. Then set rest for another 60-90 seconds .*

Repeat for single leg vertical jump on a lower box 2 sets 1-1 per leg

Test your vertical at the same time and day every week

Example: Monday between warm up and actual workout.



Hockey at Home Series >

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Ali Stead: Puck Pullbacks

Hockey Alberta is excited to work with Ali Stead (@never2late2learn.hky) to bring you weekly off-ice skills drills, as part of the Hockey at Home Series.

Ali Stead is a hockey player and social media influencer. Having only started playing hockey a few years ago, she developed her skills quickly, and is now passionate about sharing her love and knowledge for the game. Be sure to check back every Thursday for the latest drill!


Puck Pullbacks

This simple drill will help players get comfortable with pulling the puck into the protected ’pocket’ behind their heels. This move is very effective for forwards when attacking the defender or for defenders trying to shoot around a shot blocker.

Give it a try with these key points in mind:

  • Slide bottom hand to extend reach and range
  • Top hand should be off the hip and moving freely
  • Cradle/pinch puck with the backhand
  • Use ’sculling’ skating technique (push with heels)

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

News

AHHF Induction Gala Delayed to 2021

RED DEER – The induction gala for the 2020 Class of the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally scheduled for July 19 in Canmore, the celebration event for the Class of 2020 will be held in July 2021.

Members of the induction class are: Bill Bucyk, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Bob Clark, John Davidson, Dr. Randy Gregg, Ken Hitchcock, Jamie Macoun, and the 1974-75 Lethbridge Native Sons

“This was a difficult choice but ultimately the right decision based on the continuing uncertainty in Alberta with regard to the ongoing COVID-19 situation,” said Al Coates, chair of the AHHF. “The induction gala is an evening of recognition and celebration for the inductees, their families and friends. The AHHF strives to bring Alberta’s hockey family together, and we want to do our best to ensure that those who want to be in attendance have the opportunity, and that means delaying the official inductions until next year.”

Members of the induction class were informed of the decision earlier this week, and everyone who purchased tickets for the event has been contacted.

In addition to the decision on the 2020 Gala event, the AHHF has decided not to recognize a Class of 2021. Nominations from the public can still be submitted for individuals and teams to be recognized as part of the Class of 2022.

The online nomination form, and the full list of Honoured Members in the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, can be found at ahhf.ca.

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Jake Neighbours - Yoga Push-Up

As part of Hockey Alberta’s Hockey at Home series, Team Alberta alumni Jake Neighbours (Edmonton Oil Kings) demonstrates an at-home exercise to increase upper-body strength.


Yoga Push-Up

Remember to always keep your core tight, and to work on being mobile throughout the push-up. This allows for building of muscle and mobility!


For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

News

Minor Leagues to implement U15 non-checking/body contact only for tiers 4-6

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta’s Minor Leagues Committee, represented by Alberta’s six (6) tiered Minor Hockey Leagues (CAHL, NAI, NEAHL, All Peace, Edmonton Federation & Hockey Calgary) have unanimously supported the implementation of non-checking/body contact only hockey at the Tiers 4 – 6 categories of the U15 division for the 2020-2021 season.

This decision to implement non-checking/body contact only at the Tier 4 – 6 categories of the U15 division comes after a thorough review of the survey feedback received from Hockey Alberta’s membership with regards to the proposal to implement non-checking hockey.

An FAQ document has been created to assist Minor Hockey Associations in the planning and implementation of non-checking/ body contact only hockey (Non-Checking) at the Tiers 4-6 categories of the U15 division. Hockey Alberta is also drafting a Parent Resource Document around Checking Education that will be made available.

Bulletin 19:10 - U15 Non-Checking/Body Contact Only

U15 Non-Checking Hockey FAQ >

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home Goalie Skills - Crease Movement & Screens

As part of the Hockey at Home Series, Hockey Alberta will publish a weekly video focused on goaltender skills drills that can be done at home.

This week, Team Alberta alumna, University of Calgary Dinos goaltender Dayna Owen shows how to practice crease movement and screens. Check back every Saturday for the latest goalie skills video!


Crease Movement & Screens

Oftentimes, goaltenders do not get the opportunity to practice good habits in drills during the season. Now is the perfect time to work on good habits that can help get you ready for next season!

Being able to move across the crease efficiently and setting your feet all while managing screens can be a difficult component for goaltenders to master. You can isolate working on screens, or you can combine them with some footwork. In season and during team drills these skills, without deliberate focus and repetitions, can be easily overlooked which will ultimately limit performance. This drill can be done with a puck or a ball, whichever works best for your training. When practicing these skills, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Start in an athletic stance - bent ankles/knees, chest up and back straight
  • Hands away from the body, blocker and glove are positioned in front of the body. Elbows are bent and hands are ready.
  • To rotate to start your movement, remember your eye lead that we worked on in last weeks recovery drill.
  • Set your feet square, maintain a good knee bend and look around the “screen”
  • Once the “shot” is taken, make sure to track the puck all the way into your blocker (or glove)
    • If you do not catch it, square up to the rebound to practice good habits
  • Make sure to do this on both sides (glove and blocker)
  • You can creative on the obstacles you use for a screen!
  • To progress this drill:
    • Have the “shooter” move to different positions to simulate shorter/larger pushes across
    • Incorporate up/down movements to simulate getting in and out of the butterfly (knee pads encouraged)
    • Reaction balls can be bounced off of the ground towards the goaltender
    • Obstacles can be placed to simulate a screen (depending on the skill set of the goaltender)
    • Change up the footwork patterns (smaller shuffles, bigger T-Push like cross crease movements, etc)

Hockey Alberta Goaltender Guide >


For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey at Home

Hockey at Home with Crash Conditioning - Episode Four (With Special Guests)

Hockey Alberta is excited to partner with Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd to bring a weekly series to the homes of hockey players across Alberta, focused on strength and conditioning.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home! Stay tuned for a new workout from Crash every week.

Episode three features a number of special guests: Adam Lockhart, Austin Wagner, Morgan Klimchuk, Max Lajoie, Kale Clague, Reid Duke, Dryden Hunt, Andrew MacWilliam, Conner Bleackley, and Nate and Isabel Crashley.

The Workout:

  1. Dynamic warm up as we have learned in previous weeks.

  2. Sprint Prep:
    - Following protocols 1-2 sets up 10 steps of each of the 3 exercises from Adam ( A-March., 45 degree learning acceleration March, and mountain climbers at controlled speed)
    - Then 2-3 sets of each at full speed

    3. Sprint
    - Measure distance if 5/10/and if possible 25 metres.
    - Time if possible : timing gates, stopwatch or even using a phone stop watch). Track times

    4. Sprint set 1 each 5m, 10m and possible 20 m. We’ll call that a sprint Ladder Walk back and rest 20 -30s before setting up again. Then after a complete ladder rest an additional minute

    Ladders:
    # set
    1@ 60% effort
    2nd @ 75-80%
    3rd @ 90%
    4/5/6 at 100%.

    - Remember it’s never a good idea to push through injuries. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to shut down today and see how you can fix it than be shut down today and spend weeks maybe months having to fix it
    - Note: remember to rest and not rush between sets. You want to sprint recovered and full out to improve your speed. By running tired you train yourself to be tired.
    - Sprinting for Speed development is not the same as doing sprint shuttles for conditioning. They should be timed differently in your programming
  1. Follow the Hockey Alberta nutrition guide - eat and sleep well!

Hockey at Home Series >