Hockey Alberta Officials Attend the 2025 WHL Officiating Exposure Camp

CALGARY - This year, Hockey Alberta was well represented with 26 officials invited to participate in the 2025 WHL High Performance Officiating Exposure Camp that took place from June 13-15

The annual event, hosted in Calgary, is designed to help identify and develop top officiating talent. It provides a unique opportunity for officials to showcase their skills and abilities in hopes of earning a future spot with the WHL Officiating Team.

Justin Scott, one of the officials, reflected on the experience, “[I had] an incredible experience at the WHL HP Officiating Exposure Camp, networking with talented delegates, receiving elite coaching, and leveling up both on the ice and in the classroom. Grateful for the growth, the experience, and opportunity to advance in my career as an official”.

More than just a skills clinic, the WHL Officiating Exposure Camp offers an in-depth look at what it takes to officiate at the WHL level. Attendees were challenged both on and off the ice, gaining valuable experience in a high-performance environment alongside their elite peers.

“The weekend was such a great experience and gave me the opportunity to compete with and support officials from around the world. It was amazing to hear and learn from some of the best officials in both the WHL and the NHL during the camp,” said Morgan McCullough.

Graham Gagne also shared his perspective on what made the camp stand out, “I think the part that stood out the most about the camp is that guys like Rehman and Schlenker are truly out there to make you better and are essentially training you to take their jobs. It’s just really cool to see, especially it being such a competitive industry.”

Camp Highlights Included:

• WHL Officiating expectations

• Knowledge of the WHL Officiating opportunities

• On-ice & off-ice skill development

• Designed to push you mentally and physically

• High caliber of competition among peers

• Develop the skills required to further your officiating career

Liam MacIsaac, Manager of Officiating at Hockey Alberta, emphasized the importance of the event. “The Western Hockey League High Performance Officiating Exposure Camp is a unique opportunity for our officials to elevate their skills with direct instruction from NHL officials, network with officials who share the same goals, as well as market themselves as potential officiating prospects to the Western Hockey League and other professional leagues in attendance. We’re incredibly proud of the officials who represented Hockey Alberta with professionalism and passion this past weekend”.

Interested in Officiating?

Hockey Alberta offers officiating programs across the province. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to move to the next level, officiating provides a unique way to stay involved in the game and contribute to the sport in a meaningful way.

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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 >

Hockey Alberta is seeking proposals for the services of two leased/ long term rental vehicles. As part of this agreement, Hockey Alberta views this as a sponsorship opportunity to become the official vehicle supplier for Hockey Alberta.

Deadline for submission of proposals is Friday, June 20.

The full RFP document can be viewed below.

Hockey Alberta Vehicle RFP >

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

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 >