Check out the May edition of Ice Times!

Check out the May Edition of the Ice Times Newsletter.

Included this month:

• Jr Oilers - Esso Cup Champions
• Join the Oil Country challenge!
• 2025 AHHF Inductees Announced
  AND MORE!

ICE TIMES NEWSLETTER >

RED DEER – The 2024-25 hockey season was filled with unforgettable moments and inspiring stories. Across Alberta, athletes, coaches, membership, officials, volunteers, and teams came together to showcase the very best of our game, both on and off the ice.

As part of this year’s Year in Review, Hockey Alberta is proud to spotlight some of the standout moments that captured the true spirit of the sport. These moments go beyond wins and championships they reflect leadership, resilience, and the powerful impact hockey has in our communities. From grassroots initiatives to provincial milestones, the stories featured this year showcase how the game continues to unite, inspire, and grow throughout Alberta.

YEAR IN REVIEW >

CALGARY – Hockey Canada has announced that after a successful first season, the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot project will expand its scope for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on roster composition.

Announced in July 2024, the WCDM pilot project is a joint initiative between Hockey Canada’s four Western Members, their respective Junior A hockey leagues and the Western Hockey League (WHL) that prioritizes athlete development on and off the ice through four key pillars:

• Player advancement
• Roster composition
• Standard of play and rules
• Alignment and messaging

The initial season of the pilot project introduced eight changes to junior hockey in Western Canada, including increased flexibility in the development pathway for 15- and 16-year olds, the choice to wear half-face protection for players 18 years of age or older and streamlined playing rules between Junior A leagues and the WHL.

“Throughout the WCDM pilot project, the four Western Members and six junior leagues have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to bringing forward innovative and creative solutions to enhance the delivery of hockey in Western Canada for players and their families,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “The expansion of the pilot will ensure that our system continues to evolve to meet the needs of our participants, prioritizes their safety on and off the ice and produces high-quality junior hockey throughout Western Canada for years to come.”

Next season, five additional changes will be implemented as part of the pilot:

• Western Junior A teams will be permitted to register up to five U.S.-born players at one time on their active roster, a decrease from the previous six.
• 16- and 17-year-old U.S.-born players who have been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team will be eligible to be rostered by any Western Junior A team.
• Each Western Junior A team will be eligible to roster one 16- or 17-year-old player whose parent(s) reside(s) outside of their province or region, if the player has been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team.
• Up to a maximum of 23 such players across all Western Junior A teams, or one player from each WHL team.
• Out-of-province players who participate in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) will be eligible to affiliate with Western Junior A teams in their school’s respective province or region.
• No more than eight players born in a province not participating in the WCDM may be registered on the active roster of a Western Junior A team.

Data from the WCDM pilot project will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with the expectation that additional changes will be introduced in future seasons.

When most people think of hockey, they picture early morning practices, weekend tournaments, and a full winter calendar. But did you know that there’s more than one way to play the game?

The Play Hockey Model contains three streams - Learn to Play, Pond Hockey, and Rec Hockey. These streams ensure families have access to affordable, fun, and safe opportunities to participate in youth hockey with a moderate to low time and financial commitment.

The Learn to Play model is designed for ages 5-8 and introduces the basic skills of the game and provides an opportunity for players to learn those skills and the game.

The Pond Hockey model is an unstructured hockey option with limited to no use of the Hockey Canada playing rules with a focus on fun and development and can be enjoyed regardless of skill set.

The Rec Hockey model is a moderately structured level of hockey with somewhat modified playing rules and regulations and provides a more competitive structure than Pond Hockey but without as much commitment than a Minor Hockey program.

Regardless of the program stream, Hockey Alberta encourages good sportsmanship, fun, fair play, friendship, and respect. This guide outlines the streams, their season structure and game play, and operational information for Organizations and MHAs to guide the implementation of activity options in the Play Hockey Model within their communities.

Key Outcomes for all Streams

• Provide families different options to play the game.
• Provide a positive experience for all players.
• Provide a welcoming, safe and active environment for youth.
• Instill a sense of community and camaraderie among teammates.
• Allow youth to learn teamwork skills through sport.
• Instill fair play and sportsmanship among players, coaches, parents, officials, and spectators.
• Provide leadership opportunities through sport.
• Develop hockey skills (skating, passing shooting) and passion for the game - HOCKEY FOR LIFE.

Financial Assistance

Why register with a Hockey Alberta Program?

By registering with an association within Hockey Alberta you can be sure that your child will be led by certified coaches, who must take courses before they can be on the bench. All volunteers must undergo a criminal record check.

Is Hockey Safe?

Yes, players are required to wear full protective gear whenever they are on the ice. Equipment is specifically designed to keep your player safe.

PLAY HOCKEY MODEL >

MINOR HOCKEY >

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift Program for the 2025-26 season is now open.

REGISTER >

Designed to help your child fall in love with hockey before you buy all the gear, our six-week learn to play program focuses on having fun while learning basic skills. Equipment is included with registration, which is only $299.

New-to-Hockey families can register online by following these simple steps:

• STEP 1 : Program administrator must ensure that all event details are up to date on portal - participants will automatically receive information when registering.
• STEP 2 : Locate the nearest program on www.firstshift.ca
• STEP 3 : Register child. MUST be between the ages 6-10 years old (born between (January 1, 2015 and May 1, 2020) and has never previously been registered in minor hockey (not in HCR)
• STEP 4 : Program administrator receives notification of new registration -
• Program Administrator must verify the name against the HCR.

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift program is designed to ensure a positive experience for new-to-hockey families. We want families to experience the game at its best — to understand why so many Canadians feel an inherent love for the sport — and to stimulate a desire for continued participation. We want to take away any intimidation as it relates to equipment requirements, and/or rules of the game, remove potential safety concerns and, most importantly, provide an experience that is memorable and fun.

THE NHL/NHLPA FIRST SHIFT MAKES HOCKEY:

• Affordable
• Manageable (time commitment)
• Safe
• Fun!

PROGRAM CAPACITY:

• Program A Maximum Capacity: 45 participants, 10 on-ice instructors
• Program B Maximum Capacity: 30 participants, seven on-ice instructors

PROGRAM PARAMETERS:

• Open to all children (unless otherwise specified an all-female program)
• 6-10 years of age
• Never previously registered in minor hockey – Hockey Canada Registry (HCR)
  • Host local hockey associations are responsible for verifying the names of their registrants against the HCR – and with neighboring local hockey associations if need be.

PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FEE OF $299 INCLUDES:

• BAUER equipment (head-to-toe)
• Welcome Event
• Equipment fit demonstration
• Expert fit session and equipment collection
• On-ice experience
• Six weeks, one session/week, one hour on a consistent day and time
• Focus on fun

Whether you’re new to the sport, recently moved, or simply looking to get your child into hockey, Hockey Alberta is here to help you hit the ice this season. With registration dates already open across the province, now is the perfect time to find your local Minor Hockey Association (MHA) and get started.

Check your local registration dates here

New to Hockey? We’ve Got You Covered

If your family is just beginning its hockey journey—whether you’re a newcomer to Canada, new to Alberta, or moving to a new community—our resources make it easy to navigate the registration process.

Learn about Minor Hockey and how to get started
Explore our Intro to Hockey program

Check out our resources for New Hockey Parents

Check out options for funding here

Looking For Another Option from Minor Hockey? Check Out Play Hockey

Hockey Alberta’s Play Hockey Model was designed to provide families with clear options that meet a variety of skill levels, schedules, and interests, while prioritizing fun, development, and respect.

The streams include:

• Rec Hockey

• Pond Hockey

• Learn to Play

These programs focus on making hockey more accessible, inclusive, and flexible for Alberta families.

Discover the Play Hockey Model here

Don’t Wait – Register Today!

Whether your child dreams of wearing the team jersey or is just looking to try something new, hockey is a great way to stay active, build friendships, and be part of a community.

Contact your local MHA to register and join the game. The season is just around the corner—let’s make it the best one yet.