Hockey CanadaBC HockeyHockey AlbertaHockey SaskHockey ManitobaHockey Northwestern OntarioOntario Hockey FederationHockey Easern OntarioQuebec Hockey NetworkHockey New BrunswickHockey PEIHockey Nova ScotiaHockey NLHockey North

Team Alberta

Image: Team Alberta U16 Player. Title reads: U16 Male Camp Underway Presented by Gatorade


Team Alberta Male Summer Camp Underway

RED DEER – Eighty athletes are in Red Deer for the 2023 Team Alberta Male Under-16 Summer Camp.

The camp takes place July 4-9 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

Eight goalies, 24 defence and 48 forwards born in 2008 were invited to attend the camp. Athletes invited are vying for a spot on the roster that will be competing in the 2023 WHL Cup.

Selections were determined based on the Team Alberta scouting process throughout the 2022-23 season and the 2023 Alberta Cup. From summer camp, a short list will be set and those players will be scouted with their club teams until the 20 player-roster is named.

Team Alberta Male U16 Summer Camp Invites >

News

Roket Gear on board as Hockey Alberta’s Newest Partner

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is excited to announce a new partnership with Roket Gear.

Through the partnership, Roket Gear is offering Hockey Alberta members (associations, teams and players) a discount on their performance training equipment.

“Our commitment to supporting player development is the foundation of our partnership, and we’re excited to partner with Hockey Alberta,” said Dr. Niz Saab, Roket Gear Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Together we want to help players improve their performance with our training equipment by helping them develop strength and explosive speed while performing their skills on-ice. This is known as specificity training and we contend it’s the next level in sports performance training.”

Roket Gear, was co-founded by Dr. Niz Saab and Eddie Halabi in 2018 and launched in 2022. The system offers professional athletes, competitive amateurs, and coaches easy-to-use, portable training equipment. The equipment can be personalized with precise amounts of weight allowing individuals to build explosive power, speed and strength while they train.

“This technology offers a game-changing solution to help players improve with a simple and versatile system and Hockey Alberta is pleased to be able to partner with Roket Gear giving our members access to a customizable and sport specific tool,” said Mike Klass, Director of Business Operations for Hockey Alberta. “In addition to offering our members discounted pricing to the training equipment, Roket Gear has also committed to dedicating a portion of sales to develop players in the province.”

For more information or to access the 20% discount visit roketgear.com and use the code HOCKEYALBERTA20 at checkout.

News

Board of Directors Recruitment Notice

The Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (Hockey Alberta) is seeking qualified candidates for three (3) Director at Large positions on its Board of Directors.

DIRECTOR AT LARGE JOB DESCRIPTION >

Deadline to submit a nomination package is AUGUST 31, 2023.

APPLICATION / NOMINATION FORM >

Hockey Alberta is the governing body for organized amateur hockey in the Province of Alberta. The Board of Directors builds and monitors the strategy of the organization through its vision, mission, values and strategic direction. The Board operates under a Policy Governance Model and delegates operations to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board is elected by and accountable to the members of Hockey Alberta. The Board holds regular meetings, either in-person in Red Deer or via phone/ online platform.

Candidate Qualifications

The Board of Directors is focused on being a diverse group comprised of individuals with a variety of skill sets and experiences. For 2023, criteria to be considered by the Nominations Committee for each candidate include:

Skills and Experience

Industry Knowledge

· Experience with aspects of the game at various levels

· Knowledge/ experience with Membership Relations (in medium and small sized communities)

Technical Skills

  • ·Legal expertise; or
  • Fund Development and Revenue Generation for Non-Profit expertise; or
  • Communications/ Marketing/ Social Media expertise.

Governance

  • Experience in Advocacy – Government Relations/ Lobbying; or
  • ·Diversity / Inclusion Strategy and Education expertise; or
  • Environmental and Social Responsibility expertise.

Diversity

The Board of Directors believes in the benefits diversity brings and recognizes that diversity of thought makes prudent business sense. Having a Board composed of individuals with diverse skills, experience, backgrounds and perspectives, as well as individuals of diverse gender identity, will provide:

  • competitive advantage;
  • robust understanding of opportunities, issues and risks;
  • inclusion of different concepts, ideas, and relationships;
  • enhanced decision-making and dialogue; and
  • heightened capacity for oversight of the organization and its governance.

For purposes of Board composition, diversity includes business and industry skills and experience, gender, and ethnicity. The Board will make good use of these differences and distinctions among individuals in recruiting for the optimum composition of the Board.

Recruitment for Board members must collectively reflect the diverse nature of the business environment in which the organization operates and be made on merit, in the context of the skills, experience, independence and knowledge which the Board requires to be effective.

In addition:

  • Previous experience on a not-for-profit board and knowledge of the workings of a board from a good governance perspective are preferred.
  • Experience and understanding of the workings of a Provincial Sport Organization is an asset.
  • Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check is required.

Process Overview

The Governance Committee of Hockey Alberta has created an external three-person Nominations Committee that includes a former Chair of the Board of Directors.

All submitted applications are reviewed by the Nominations Committee. Through the application and interview process, the Nominations Committee will prepare a list of qualified candidates to be presented to the membership for election.

Board of Director positions are elected by the Members of Hockey Alberta at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Elected individuals will serve a term of three years.

Article 5 of the Bylaws of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association outlines the requirements that must be met for an individual to be considered eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors.

The links below to the Hockey Alberta website provide more information on Hockey Alberta Bylaws, and the Board’s Governance Model, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest policy. Candidates are required to complete a conflict of interest declaration with their application.

I. BYLAWS AND REGULATIONS >

II. BOARD GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND POLICIES >


For more information, please contact:

Rob Virgil

Nominations Committee Chair, Hockey Alberta

[email protected]

780-915-2873

Rob Litwinski

CEO, Hockey Alberta

[email protected]

403-342-6777


Information Bulletin 22-13 >

Team Alberta

Image: Team Alberta U18 Fall Camp Selections


Hockey Alberta Invites 28 Athletes to Team Alberta Under-18 Female Fall Camp

RED DEER – Twenty-eight athletes have been selected to attend the Team Alberta Female Fall Camp.

Three goaltenders, nine defence and 16 forwards are contending for a roster position on Team Alberta Under-18 Female.

Team Alberta Under-18 Female Fall Camp Invites >

“Our staff is confident in these 28 players that we have selected for the next step in our process as they have demonstrated the ability to consistently execute our style of play, concepts and habits,” said Chris Leeming, Head Coach of Team Alberta Under-18 Female. “Because of this, we are excited to continue working with this group, with the expectation that they will present us with some difficult decisions moving forward.”

Athletes will be evaluated at the Fall Camp, September 22-24, in Edmonton, where they will participate in on and off-ice sessions and face-off against three women’s teams of the USports hockey league. Following the camp, athletes will continue to be evaluated with their club teams.

Team Alberta Under-18 Female, fueled by Gatorade, is scheduled to compete at the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, November 5-11 in Dawson Creek, B.C.

News

AAA and AA Male & Female Tryout List Update

Following the removal of the Notification of Tryout procedure for AA and AAA hockey at the beginning of the 2022-23 season, Hockey Alberta has continued to review the tryout notification and player listing process, attempting to balance ease of registration for players while still ensuring a player’s resident Minor Hockey Association is aware of a player’s whereabouts throughout the tryout period.

For the 2023-24 season, Hockey Alberta has created a AA/AAA Tryout List online spreadsheet and posted it on the overview page of the Hockey Alberta Centre Ice Portal so that all registrars and minor hockey association presidents can access a live, singular database for players pursuing AAA and AA Male and Female tryouts during the 2023-24 hockey season.

Associations hosting AAA and AA Male and Female tryouts will be expected to upload the list of players registered for their tryouts to this spreadsheet according to the instructions outlined on the first tab of the spreadsheet. Associations hosting tryouts must upload all players attending tryouts, including those whose resident MHA is the same MHA hosting tryouts (ie: St. Albert MHA must upload all players from Barrhead, CR Knights, AND St. Albert for their U15 and U17 AAA tryout list) as the AA and Elite Male and Female Committees will use the information to assess Draw Zone/Recruitment Area engagement and health.

By each Tuesday afternoon between August 1 and October 1, associations will be required to use the legend provided on each sheet to update the players as they progress from in tryouts, to being released, to making teams or pursuing second tryouts. This will allow associations not hosting tryouts to keep up to date on where players that fall within their resident boundaries are located throughout the tryout process. Associations must fill out all columns on the spreadsheet.

By sorting the Resident MHA or Tryout Team columns alphabetically, any association can easily locate all players from a given minor hockey association or trying out for a given team. Using the legend they can then determine where players are located in the tryout process.

Associations may begin inputting tryout information immediately after reading through all instructions.


For any questions, please contact

Hudson Kelly

Coordinator, Elite Male Hockey


Information Bulletin 22-12 >

Hockey Alberta Foundation

Image: Kids from Variety the Children’s Charity


Volt Hockey: the Game Everyone can Play

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Alberta is giving everyone an opportunity to play the game we love, through Volt Hockey.

An adaptation of the game of hockey, Volt Hockey is played three versus three, on a court in specially designed power chairs that are battery operated and controlled with a joystick. The modified version of the game allows for participants with limited upper mobility, to play hockey.

“To play Volt Hockey you only need to have some hand function to operate the chairs, just like a typical power chair,” said Jacey Gamroth, Volt Hockey Program Coordinator. “It’s great for individuals with CP, muscular dystrophy, or higher spinal cord injuries.”

Operating in Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray, each community has nine power chairs, allowing for over 100 individuals of all ages, across the province, to try Volt Hockey throughout the last year.

“Volt Hockey is very inclusive as it puts everyone on an even playing field. Even someone who’s not living with a disability and is an able-bodied person can come out to play,” said Gamroth.

There are three seasons that run throughout the year, September-December, January-April and May-June. During the summer months, Variety – the Children’s Charity of Alberta holds “Try-it” days and camps for participants.

For the second year in a row, Variety - the Children’s Charity of Alberta is taking a team to the World Cup in Sweden. In 2022, Alberta and Ontario represented Canada at the first ever Volt Hockey World Cup in Sweden. The 2023 tournament takes place September 15-17 in Gävle, Sweden.

To outfit one team with equipment, it costs about $70,000, so Variety – the Children’s Charity of Alberta relies on grants like the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community Grant to support the program.

“Grants like Every Kid Every Community support us in making this program accessible to more kids,” said Gamroth. “Volt hockey is a very expensive sport to run and without grants like Every Kid Every Community, we wouldn’t be able to supply the equipment or run the Volt hockey program at all.”

To learn more about Volt Hockey, how to get involved and how to support the program, visit varietyalberta.ca/volt or contact [email protected].



The Hockey Alberta Foundation is proud to support organizations like Variety – the Children’s Charity of Alberta and Volt Hockey through the Every Kid Every Community program to help youth across the province experience hockey. For more information on the Hockey Alberta Foundation or to donate, please click here.

Team Alberta

Image: Team Alberta named it’s shortlist for the 2023 U16 Male team.


Thirty-Two Athletes named to Team Alberta Under-16 Male Shortlist

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is one step closer to naming the Under-16 Male team that will represent the province at the WHL Cup in October.

There are 32 athletes in contention to compete at the tournament. The shortlist includes four goaltenders, 10 defence and 18 forwards.

Team Alberta Under-16 Male Shortlist Roster >

Athletes were selected to the shortlist based on their overall play throughout the Team Alberta scouting process, past Team Alberta programs, and at the Under-16 Summer Camp in Red Deer, July 3-9. Eighty players were invited to Red Deer and worked through high intensity on-ice sessions, as well as off-ice training and classroom sessions.


“Alberta has a lot of talented players in this age group, we saw it at the Alberta Cup and we saw it at summer camp,” said James Poole, Head Coach of Team Alberta Under-16 Male. “We’re constructing a team that can compete at an elite level in short-term competition, the decisions don’t get easier and now it’s up to these 32 players to show us why they belong in the jersey.”


Team Alberta, fueled by Gatorade, is slated to compete at the WHL Cup, October 17-22 in Red Deer, against Team B.C., Team Saskatchewan and Team Manitoba.

Hockey Alberta Foundation

All photos by LA Media.


Class of 2023 inducted into the AHHF

CHARLIE HUDDY
... presented by Mark Spector

TIM HUNTER
... presented by Al Coates

KAREN KOST
... presented by Scott Robinson

BOBBY OLYNYK
... presented by Mike Rogers

EARL INGARFIELD SR
Represented by grandchildren Ralph Thrall IV,
Amara Thrall and daughter Rae Anne Thrall
... presented by Gregg Pilling

JOHN UTENDALE
Represented by son Robb Utendale and
wife Mickey Utendale
... presented by Allan Mowbray

EDMONTON CHIMOS - 1983-93
... presented by Mel Davidson

DON GATTO
Inaugural recipient of Robert Clark Legacy Award
... presented by Norma Clark and Bob Bartlett

CANMORE – Six individuals and the teams comprising a “decade of excellence” in women’s hockey were inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame on Sunday evening.

The Class of 2023 features three former National Hockey League players (including two Stanley Cup champions), an official who worked nationally and internationally in her 34-year career, a long-time volunteer and builder of U18 AAA hockey, the first Black hockey player to sign an NHL contract, and the best women’s hockey club in Alberta between 1983 and 1993.

Charlie Huddy, Tim Hunter, Earl Ingarfield Sr., Karen Kost, Bobby Olynyk, John Utendale and the Edmonton Chimos were enshrined in Alberta’s hockey history during the AHHF Gala at the Coast Hotel in Canmore.

The Gala was hosted by Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation. Ryan Leslie, NHL host on Sportsnet, was the emcee for the evening.

As the inductees were recognized, many memories and stories were shared, but a common theme in their acceptance speeches was the importance of family and others around them in the success the inductees enjoyed during their careers.

CHARLIE HUDDY

Charlie Huddy was one of seven Edmonton Oilers to be a member of all five of the franchise’s Stanley Cup winning teams (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990), and the NHL’s first recipient of the Plus/Minor Award in 1983. He played for 11 seasons and then served as an assistant coach for 23 years in the NHL.

Charlie recalled how he wasn’t drafted in 1979, and that he really got lucky because his outstanding career with the Oilers started when they offered him a $5,000 signing bonus.

“You don’t win that many Stanley Cups without a lot of great teammates over the years,” Huddy said, also reflecting on the coaches behind the bench – Glen Sather, Ted Green and John Muckler.

TIM HUNTER

Tim Hunter spent more than four decades in the NHL and WHL as a player and coach, helping bring a new focus to smart technology to the sport. In 1989, he lifted the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames and continues his engagement in the community as an active alumnus.

He opened by reminding everyone that the adage that it takes a community to raise a child also applies to hockey players, and that he had a lot of help along the way. In addition to his family, the sacrifices made by his parents, and his “adopted” family, the Hamiltons, he had humorous thank yous for a couple of members of the AHHF induction committee.

He thanked Peter Maher for making his 10 second shifts sound impressive on Flames broadcasts, and Mike Rogers for operating a hockey school that he attended between the ages of 10-12 years

EARL INGARFIELD SR.

Earl Ingarfield Sr. played in the NHL for 13 seasons, including being the first player selected in the Pittsburgh Penguins expansion draft. In retirement, Earl scouted and coached with the New York Islanders.

Earl was unable to attend, and was represented by his daughter Rae Anne Thrall, and grandchildren Amara Thrall and Ralph Thrall IV. Ralph talked about how without the support Earl’s family and teammates, none of this would have been possible.

“He is an amazing person and has been a great role model for all of us,” said Ralph.

KAREN KOST

Karen Kost spent 34 years as an official and leader in training and mentoring officials across Alberta and Canada. Karen worked almost every level of hockey nationally and internationally.

She recalled how, at 14, she convinced her mother to let her get into competitive sports in the Peterborough, ON area, and then, a few years later after moving to Calgary, she was the only female in her officiating clinic in Calgary.

“I’ve been surrounded by tremendous and encouraging individuals,” said Kost, including a number officials leaders in the province such as Ed Yee, Jim Rutherford, Ernie Boruk, John Jacobs, Curtis Nichols, George McCorry, and Dave Ganley.

BOBBY OLYNYK

Bobby Olynyk (Bobby O) remains a dedicated volunteer in the game after nearly 60 years. He is well known for his role as a builder and leader of what is now known as the Alberta Elite Hockey League U18 AAA division.

“I’m standing here tonight because of many others. The players I coached, their parents, managers, club administrators,” he said, along with many others including league governors, business people who have supported his scholarship golf tournament, and, of course, his family.

Bobby also shared a lot of memories from his six decades in the sport – including a 1971 fire that burned down the arena in the middle of a playoff game where John Davidson was and the aftermath of the 2010 Olympics when Hayley Wickenheiser acknowledged the Alberta Midget Hockey League for exhibition games played against the national team in preparation for the Olympics.

JOHN UTENDALE

John Utendale was the first Black hockey player to sign an NHL contract. While he never played in the NHL, John was a trailblazer in the game in Canada and United States. He was the first Black member of the U.S. men’s coaching staff as a member of the “Miracle on Ice” Olympic champions in 1980.

John, who died in 2006, was represented by his wife Mickey and son Robb Utendale. Robb reflected on recent accolades that have been bestowed on his father, including being honoured by the Washington State Legislature, the Seattle Kraken, and Western Washington Athletics Hall of Fame.

“But this one seems the most appropriate because our family is all Albertans,” said Robb.

He also pointed to the key role played by his mother in John’s career, as she worked full time in support of John’s career, and his career after hockey which included earning three post-secondary degrees.

“She held down the fort with two young boys at home. It was the full dedication of my mother that allows my father to get recognized tonight,” said Robb.

EDMONTON CHIMOS – A decade of excellence – 1983-93

The Edmonton Chimos club was the longest running Senior Women’s AAA hockey program in Alberta. But the organization’s 1983-1993 era was unparalleled, as the Chimos captured every Hockey Alberta Provincial Championship (Senior A, Female AA, Female AAA) and three Abby Hoffman Cup National Women’s championships (1984, 1985, 1992).

Shirley Cameron recalled the key volunteer roles played by the coaches, assistant coaches and trainers, who not only didn’t get paid, but covered their own expenses.

She also paid tribute to the decade of Chimos teams from 1973-83, who set the foundation for the decade of excellence.

“They are the women who forged the path. They set the direction for this team to be as successful as we were, and I hope we passed that on to the next decade of Chimos teams,” said Cameron.

CTV NEWS STORY – JULY 16 >

For more information on the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame and the Class of 2023, check the AHHF website at ahhf.ca.


In addition to the recognition of the class of 2023, the inaugural recipient of the Robert Clark Legacy Award was announced – Don Gatto.

Gatto served as President of Hockey Alberta (1992-93) and was the first-ever chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation. He is a Life Member of Hockey Alberta and an Honoured Member of the AHHF (class of 2007). His hockey involvement also included work at the national level as chair of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Minor Council, and at the local level where he volunteered as a coach and for 11 years and served as the Director of Crossfield and District Minor Hockey.

Gatto was named Lethbridge’s Kinsmen Sports Person of the Year in 1998, and has been involved with numerous Lethbridge sports organizations, including the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, University of Lethbridge Hockey Alumni, Lethbridge Sports Council, and the Lethbridge Hockey Hounds, helping raise over $1 million for hockey groups in southern Alberta.

(All photos by LA Media.)

Hockey Alberta Foundation

Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Gala teeing off with Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic

CANMORE – Hockey Alberta and the Foundation are teeing up for three days in Canmore, July 16-18.

Sunday night the hockey community celebrates the Class of 2023 at the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Gala. Seven new honoured members are joining the AHHF, and the recipient of the inaugural Robert Clark Legacy Award will be announced.

On Monday and Tuesday, teams hit the links for the Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic. Thirty-eight teams tee off at the Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club and Silvertip Golf Resort for the Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of year.

Proceeds from the three-day event go towards the Every Kid Every Community program, to help provide every child in Alberta the opportunity to play hockey and experience the game.

Because of events like the Hall of Fame Gala and Golf Classic, the Hockey Alberta Foundation offers scholarships to the Future Leaders program and support organizations such as:

  • Sports Central provides sports equipment to kids in need at no cost. Based in Edmonton, volunteers also accept gently-used equipment by donation.
  • Calgary Flames Sports Bank helps kids and families across southern Alberta access equipment at no cost. The organization works with KidSport Calgary to breakdown the cost of fees and equipment to ensure every child has an opportunity to play sports. The Calgary Flames Sports Bank operates with the help of volunteers and donations.
  • Free Play for Kids Inc. provides programs and spaces free of charge that are accessible and inclusive to encourage youth to keep playing.
  • HEROS Hockey uses the hockey to teach life-skills and empower marginalized youth. The organization provides free hockey programming for at risk children and youth, offering a safe and stable environment for them to grow, connect and succeed.
  • The Ladd Foundation gives youth access to resources that support their health and wellbeing. Targeted to youth hockey players, parents and coaches, the foundation promotes healthy development and mental health.

Thank you to the partners who make these events possible:

Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Gala:

ATB

Bo’s Bar and Stage

Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames Alumni

Calgary Flames Foundation

Earls

Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation

Encore Event Management

Independent Jewellers

Prism Flow Products

Quikcard Solutions

Service Experts

Troubled Monk

Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic:

ATB Wealth

ATB

AlStar

Birchcliff Energy

Bo’s Bar and Stage

Calgary Flames Foundation

Cannex Contracting

Cochrane Minor Hockey Association

Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation

Goal Line Partners

The House of Leaders

HyTech Production Ltd.

McCaw’s Blasting & Drilling

P3 Sports Inc.

Players Bench Team Apparel

Prism Flow Products

Q2 Artificial Lift Services

Red Deer Lock and Safe

RSM Canada LLP

Silvertip Golf Resort

Tidewater

Troubled Monk

Vada Capital

Team Alberta

Image: U16 and U18 Female Summer Camp with female hockey player


Team Alberta Female Summer Camp Kick Off

RED DEER – One hundred and sixteen athletes are gathering in Red Deer for the 2023 Team Alberta Female Summer Camp, July 11-16.

The Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre welcomes 72 Under-18 athletes on Tuesday, while 44 Under-16 players arrive on Thursday to kick off camp.

Eight goalies, 24 defence and 40 forwards are attending the Under-18 camp. Athletes will be evaluated and shortlisted for Fall Camp, in hopes of securing a position on Team Alberta to compete at the national event this fall.

Meanwhile, the Under-16 Camp serves as a development camp to introduce athletes to the Team Alberta process. Six goalies, 14 defence and 24 forwards will experience their first Team Alberta camp.

Both camps feature on and off-ice sessions and games. Games are being live streamed on HockeyTV.

Athletes attending camps were evaluated throughout the season and at past Hockey Alberta experiences. All athletes who are registered with a Hockey Alberta or Hockey Canada sanctioned minor hockey association are eligible for Team Alberta programming.

Team Alberta Female U18 Summer Camp Invites >

Team Alberta Female U16 Summer Camp Invites >

Home Ice Feature

Image: Team Alberta Goaltender Ryley Budd stands with his Heroes Hockey cheque.


Everyone needs a Budd

Ryley Budd was selected as Hockey Alberta’s 2023 Player of the Year presented by ATB.

During the 2022-23 season, the 15 year old from Calgary struck a deal with EnerCorp. For every save he made through the regular season, $1 would be donated to charity and an extra $10 for every shutout.

After posting 686 saves and two shutouts for the Calgary Northstars, Budd raised $700 for HEROS Hockey. The funds were used to send a young HEROS’ goalie to Ontario for his first tournament.

When EnerCorp learned more about HEROS Hockey and what the donation was being used for, they increased the donation to $5,000. This contributed to sending the whole team to the tournament.

As Budd looks to the next season, he hopes to continue the initiative to help get more kids on the ice through HEROS Hockey.


HEROS Hockey provides free hockey programming for at-risk children and youth. The organization uses the game to teach life-skills that individuals can use beyond the rink. The Hockey Alberta Foundation is a proud supporter of HEROS Hockey.

Team Alberta

Image: Female hockey player selected for Team Alberta Female Summer Camp.


One Hundred Sixteen Athletes invited to Team Alberta Female Summer Camp

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta has invited 116 athletes to attend the 2023 Team Alberta Female Summer Camp.


The Under-18 Camp is scheduled for July 11-16 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer. A total of 72 female athletes were invited to camp, with eight goalies, 24 defence and 40 forwards in attendance. Throughout the camp, athletes will be evaluated and shortlisted for Fall Camp in hopes of securing a position on Team Alberta to compete at the national event this fall.

Team Alberta Female U18 Summer Camp Invites >

On Thursday, the Under-16’s will join the U18’s in Red Deer to kick off their own camp that will wrap on July 16. Six goalies, 14 defence and 24 forwards were invited to camp after being evaluated throughout the season and at the Alberta Challenge. The Under-16 Summer Camp serves as a development camp to introduce the U16’s to the Team Alberta process.

Team Alberta Female U16 Summer Camp Invites >

“We’ve had the opportunity to watch and evaluate these players at various events and have watched them develop over the years,” said Kendall Newell, Hockey Alberta’s Manager of Female Hockey. “We are confident that the talent that will be showcased at camp represents a bright future for Team Alberta.”

Both camps include on and off-ice sessions and games.