Hockey coaches - you could save a life

RED DEER – Minor hockey coaches are not only life-changers, but they could be life-savers, for their players.

That powerful message was delivered by Dr. Jody Carrington, a clinical psychologist from Olds, to kick off the 2022 Hockey Alberta Summit presented by Sprung Arenas, Stantec and CANA. The Summit runs until Sunday at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre.

“You are going to change a life this season, and probably save it,” said Carrington during her keynote address on Friday night.

Carrington told the approximately 200 people in attendance that society is facing a looming mental health crisis that is immense, and that our children are suffering from uncertainty, fear and “emotional dysregulation”. She noted that one in four children between the ages of 12 and 18 years have a plan to end their lives.

But hockey, and youth sports in general, can be part of the solution, with coaches playing a key role.

“Some of the most pivotal moments in my life happened in the hockey rink,” said Carrington, who is also a hockey coach. “Coaches, you are woven into their stories. No one forgets a hockey coach.”

Carrington emphasized that every coach will have traumatized kids on their team. That makes the role of coach integral in helping their players deal with the situations they are facing, not only with the team but in their personal lives. She talked about the importance of taking the time to get to know the players. And when they are hurting, the key is to provide genuine acknowledgement of the situation, not just an apology.

“When you’re acknowledged, you rise,” Carrington said. “Feeling seen is the only thing you need moving forward.”

For more on Dr. Jody Carrington, check out her website at https://www.drjodycarrington.com/.

The 2022 Hockey Alberta Summit continues on Saturday with sessions geared towards Administration and Coach/ Player Development – each with a series of presentations, workshop sessions, expert panels and social engagement.

LETHBRIDGE – For Brent, Ryan, and Levi Woods, a life in the game of hockey has come in the form of officiating.

Growing up in small town British Columbia, Brent Woods was recruited to become an official from a family friend around the age of 14 or 15. When he moved to Alberta for university, he debated whether to continue with officiating, and ultimately opted to stick with it as it was a good way to make some extra money and spend his spare time.

He would eventually begin a role with the South Region Officials Committee as the lead of the mentoring and supervision program, which would continue with for many years. Along with that role, Brent also took on a role as an assigner. After taking a break from the Board, he is now back on as the Vice-Chair and lead of their grassroots program, which is aimed at recruiting more officials, particularly in rural areas.

With such a prominent role on the officials committee, it was only natural that his two sons, Ryan and Levi, would step in and join their father. Ryan has now been an official for six seasons, claiming that his love for the game was the reason for getting into it. When he stopped playing hockey, it was a great way for him to still be involved.

Levi just completed his first season as an official, which he says had some bumps in the road, but he continued to progress and get more comfortable with every game that he was a part of. He says that he would lean on his Father and Brother for advice throughout the year.

The trio were able to work a few games as crew, something that they said was a fun and unique experience.

“It makes it easier when we’re out there,” said Ryan. “When I’m refereeing a game and I know that my two linesmen are my dad and my brother, it’s easier for me because I know them personally, and I know I can have good communication between them.”

As a mentor, Brent’s best advice to a young official is to just go out and try it, and if you see a penalty, call it. Whether it’s the right or wrong call, if you saw it, trust your judgement, and make the call. That advice is something that both of his sons echo as younger officials.

“This is something I’ve wanted for a long time,” said Brent. “It gives me comfortability and confidence when I can be out there with them, and make sure they are getting respect from the coaches, fans, and players.”

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta would like to thank the sponsors, presenters, attendees, and staff who all contributed to a successful organizational summit.

The 2022 Hockey Alberta Summit presented by Sprung Arenas, Stantec and CANA took place in Red Deer, at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, June 10-12. The summit brought the leaders of our sport together for a weekend of Community, Collaboration & Innovation. Focusing on member appreciation and education, the Summit consisted of presentations, workshop sessions, expert panels and social engagement. Through these various forums, we explored both the challenges and opportunities facing our sport and our members that deliver it.

The summit began on Friday, June 10 with a powerful keynote presentation from Dr. Jody Carrington of Olds. Carrington told the approximately 200 people in attendance that society is facing a looming mental health crisis that is immense, and that our children are suffering from uncertainty, fear and “emotional dysregulation”. She noted that one in four children between the ages of 12 and 18 years have a plan to end their lives.

Moving into Saturday, the summit included presentation streams for both presidents and administrators, as well as development leaders. A wide variety of topics were covered by numerous speakers and the day was capped off with a member appreciation night at Bo’s Bar and Stage.

The final day featured more presentations in the morning, and a visit from Hockey Canada President & C.O.O, Scott Smith.

Hockey Alberta is asking for your feedback on the summit, whether you attended or not. Please take the time to fill out our survey below so we can better serve our members in the future.

PRESENTATIONS >

SURVEY >

For the 2022-23 hockey season, Hockey Alberta is expanding the U11 AA Pilot Project province wide and renaming it the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot (U11 HADP). The focus of the U11 HADP is to implement amended hosting structures, player movement rules, league scheduling and Coach and Player Development Standards.

During the 2021-22 hockey season, Hockey Alberta established the U11 AA Pilot Project in conjunction with the Northern Alberta Interlock (NAI). The initial pilot offered scheduling options conducive to league geography, a formal tryout process (similar to that used within the AA Hockey Model) and allowed players to be certain of the level of competition at which they would participate. Feedback was positive and the interest in a predetermined top level of U11 HADP hockey continues to increase, which has resulted in expanding the pilot province wide.

Under the U11 HADP, Hockey Alberta will be working in collaboration with our Minor Hockey Leagues and their member MHAs. The Central Alberta Hockey League, Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League will host the U11 HADP for their member associations, while the All Peace Hockey League, NAI and North Eastern Alberta Hockey League will work together to host the U11 HADP for their member associations.

The goal of the U11 HADP is to identify the best overall structure for the top level of U11 and to ensure alignment and progression within the entire hockey system. The Principles of Long-Term Athlete Development and Hockey Canada’s U11 Pathway will be followed, as the best philosophy for developing players is to create an environment where similarly skilled players can compete.

If you have any questions regarding the expansion and renaming of the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot, please contact Hockey Alberta.

Please refer to Information Bulletin 21-11 for more information regarding the changes or the U11 HADP webpage.

Info Bulletin 21:11 >

U11 HADP >

RED DEER – Recognizing the need for change in sport culture, Hockey Alberta set out to understand the extent to which racism and lack of inclusion impacts hockey across the province. The organization formed the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force in October 2021. Over the last seven months, the task force has been working to change the narrative.

June marks the celebration of Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month. Members of the task force include Justin Connelly, who identifies as a gay male, and Devin Buffalo, a member of the Samson Cree Nation.

Connelly sits on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Inclusive Hockey Association (CIHA). Pioneers of LGBTQ+ hockey awareness in Alberta, the CIHA has a spot on the roster for everyone of all skill levels. Connelly’s own hockey experience has allowed him to bring a unique perspective to the EDI Task Force.

“The reason why I joined Hockey Alberta’s EDI Task Force is because I want to be able to give back to the game and sport that have meant so much to me. I have played, volunteered and worked in hockey the majority of my life,” said Connelly. “But at the age of 17, I stopped playing, I felt different. I didn’t feel included in the sport, in the game that I love. At the age of 23, I came out and realized it was okay to be myself. My true and genuine self, be confident, and still play the sport I love. I want to be able to give back and for other people like me to feel the exact same way. I want to make sure that hockey is an inclusive, open and a safe place for them so they can play the sport they love and be who they are without anyone standing in their way.”

Buffalo is a member of the Samson Cree Nation and grew up in Wetaskiwin. Over the course of his minor hockey career, he faced racism. He chose to overcome the remarks by showing what he was capable of on the ice. His goaltending career led him to the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and his performances earned him a scholarship to Dartmouth College. In his third season, he was nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial award for the top men’s hockey player in the NCAA.

“As an indigenous player playing hockey in Alberta, I faced racism and stereotypes. In particular, during a racial incident in hockey there was a feeling of fear, confusion, I really had no idea what to do in the moment. No one to turn to,” said Buffalo. “Like many players who have faced racism in hockey there was no outlet, or I didn’t feel safe sharing what happened to me at the time. Threatened that my position might get taken away from me, etc.”

After five seasons playing professionally in the East Coast Hockey League, Buffalo returned to Alberta to set his sights on new goals. In 2020, he began Waniska Athletics, named for a Cree word that means “wake up and rise,” Buffalo has delivered hockey camps and virtual school tours to Indigenous youth. He is currently attending law school at the University of Alberta.

“I really do think that this committee is headed in the right direction in Hockey Alberta and it’s very exciting to be a part of that,” said Buffalo. “When I had this opportunity to join this task force I thought maybe it was a good opportunity to have my voice heard and to have an influence in policy making and to make a difference so that no other indigenous hockey player had to deal with that and they had avenues and they had ways and people to support them.”

During the month of June, celebrate Pride and National Indigenous History Month while taking the time to listen to the stories. The EDI Task Force is listening to the experiences to improve the game of hockey for the better. Hockey Alberta encourages everyone to step up and make the game more inclusive for every individual because hockey is for everyone.