Membership Monday: Tsuut’ina Nation Celebrates Historic Milestone in Female Hockey

RED DEER - October 20, 2026

Hockey Alberta, in partnership with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and Alberta’s minor female hockey leagues, is excited to announce the inaugural She Leads Hockey Showcase, bringing together top U15 and U18 Female A athletes from across the province for two weekends of competition, development, and celebration of female hockey.

The showcases will take place at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre and Kinsmen Community Arenas in Red Deer, with the U15 Female A division competing December 4-6, 2026, followed by the U18 Female A division December 11-13, 2026.

Athletes from the Edmonton Female Hockey League (EFHL), Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League (RMFHL), All Peace Hockey League, East Central Alberta Female Hockey League (ECAFHL), and Hockey Calgary will be represented at the showcase, with each league having two teams to participate in their respective division.

The She Leads Hockey Showcase provides athletes with the opportunity to compete beyond their regular league schedules, challenge themselves against top talent from across Alberta, and gain valuable development experience in a high-quality competitive environment.

“The She Leads Showcase is more than just a new event; it is an investment in the future of female hockey,” said Kendall Newell, Director, Competition with Hockey Alberta. “This initiative demonstrates what is possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to growing and strengthening the female game. In partnership with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and the Alberta’s minor female hockey leagues, the Showcase creates new opportunities for athletes to compete beyond their traditional schedules, gain valuable exposure, and challenge themselves against top talent. By fostering high-quality competition and meaningful development experiences, we are helping elevate the game while providing a platform for players to showcase their skill, passion, and potential”.

She Leads Hockey Grants Return for a Second Year

Alongside the showcase, Hockey Alberta and the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation are excited to announce the return of the She Leads Hockey Grants for a second year.

The grants support initiatives that create more opportunities for girls to participate in hockey and help strengthen the female game across Alberta. By connecting the grant program with the She Leads Hockey Showcase, the partnership aims to celebrate athletes on the ice while supporting the programs, communities, and opportunities that help more girls get involved in the sport.

“We’re proud to partner with Hockey Alberta through the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation’s Even Strength program to bring the She Leads Hockey microgrants back for a second year,” said Jessica Bromley, Director Community Engagement and Investment with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. “These grants help create more opportunities for girls to get involved in hockey and support the continued growth of the female game across Alberta. This year, we’re also excited to connect the grants with the She Leads Hockey Showcase, celebrating the next generation of female hockey players and the opportunities that help them succeed.”

Applications for the She Leads Hockey Grants are now open and will close on November 22, 2026. Grant recipients will be announced during the She Leads Hockey Showcase.

These grants are designed to inspire, empower, and develop the next generation of female leaders in hockey. Funding can be used for leadership workshops, mental health initiatives, community engagement projects, and other impactful programs that help grow the female game.

A total of $40,000 in funding will be awarded to teams and individuals.

These grants are intended to support initiatives that inspire, empower, and develop the next generation of female players and leaders in the game. *Individual is defined as female coach, official, athletic trainer, team staff, etc.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered female hockey teams (minor and elite)
• Teams must be in good standing with Hockey Alberta
• Eligible age groups: U7-U18
• One application per team
• Coach or team official support is required for team applications

Teams will be asked to outline their project, goals, and how the funding will enhance the female hockey experience within their association or region.

Through the combined impact of the showcase and grant program, Hockey Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, and the Alberta’s minor female hockey leagues are continuing their commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for girls and women in hockey and building a stronger future for the female game across Alberta.

Apply for a She Leads Hockey Grant today and help create more opportunities for girls to get involved in the game. Applications close November 22, 2026. Grants recipients will be selected and granted first week of December around the She Leads Hockey Showcase.

Apply here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/abc71fae4cc226831fcb4d964a1914e3?r=use1

With thousands of players and coaches returning to the rink in preparation for the new hockey season, this is also an important time for Officials to get up to speed on the latest rule changes and areas of emphasis. Consistency in how the game is called remains an important part of creating a safe, fair and positive environment for everyone involved.

What’s changed from Hockey Canada? There are new player safety rules, updated penalty procedures and officiating mechanics. Some of these are significant rule changes, while others are intended to provide greater clarity and consistency in how the rules are interpreted and applied across the country.

For players and coaches, understanding these changes is just as important. Knowing what Officials are looking for can help teams adjust to the updated rules, avoid unnecessary penalties and keep the focus on playing the game.

Hockey Canada has created a video series explaining each of these rule changes in more detail.

Rule 6.18 – Goaltender Safety (U13 and Below Only)

When a puck strikes a goaltender’s mask or helmet, Officials must stop play as soon as it is safe to do so, while still allowing for a direct deflection into the goal before blowing the whistle. This new rule reinforces concussion awareness and player safety.

Rule 4.2 b) - Minor Penalties

Officials must now consider delayed minor and bench minor penalties when determining whether a penalty terminates after a goal.

Rule 6.9 - High-Sticking the Puck

The rule itself hasn’t changed, however, the standards for judging goals have been clarified:

• Shoulder height determines illegal contact during the play
• Crossbar height determines whether a goal is legal

Rule 10.8 - Refusing to Start Play

The procedure for refusing to start play has also changed. The previous two-minute warning has been removed. Officials now follow a clear progression: A bench minor, or a penalty shot in the final two minutes or anytime in overtime. Teams would then have an opportunity to comply. If they don’t, a game misconduct is issued to the head coach and the game is forfeited.

Rule 6.1 g) - Change of Players (U18 AAA Only)

When the net has been accidentally dislodged by any defending player, including the goaltender, this will result in a no change situation.

Officials Signals

Several officiating terms and signals have been added or updated this season:

• For all levels of hockey, when a linesperson blows a whistle for icing, they will put their arm up to signal it.
• The signal for slewfooting has also changed. Instead of a forward to backward motion, officials will now signal from backwards to forwards. The tripping and clipping signal, though remain unchanged.

Proper Helmet Fit – 2026–27 Point of Emphasis

It is not enough for a player to simply be wearing the required equipment. Officials must also recognize when that equipment is not fitted or worn correctly.

The acronym SNUG is used to help officials remember what to look for:
S – Snug fit on the head
N – No tilt
U – Up-close cage
G – Good and tight chinstrap

Officials must follow procedure when a helmet or facial protector is worn incorrectly, including issuing a team warning, assessing a misconduct penalty for a subsequent violation, and ensuring the equipment is properly adjusted before the player returns.

IIHF World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend (WGIHW) is an international celebration of women and girls in hockey, bringing communities together to introduce new players to the game, create meaningful connections and celebrate the growth of female hockey.

Over the past decade, Hockey Canada has helped introduce hundreds of thousands of young girls across the country to hockey through this initiative. The weekend encourages communities to get involved by hosting events that welcome new participants, engage current players and create more opportunities for girls to experience the game.

Hockey Alberta is proud to support World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend and the local associations and communities creating welcoming hockey experiences for girls across the province.

Congratulations and thank you to the six Minor Hockey Associations and communities across Alberta that are hosting events throughout October and November, offering opportunities to celebrate female hockey and help grow the game.

Locations:

Leduc – October 17
Smoky River – November 6
High Prairie – November 7
Sexsmith – November 7
Hockey Calgary – November 14
Sylvan Lake – November 14

Whether you’re new to hockey, looking to try something different, or already part of the game, IIHF World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend is an opportunity to get involved, meet others and celebrate the female hockey community.

Want to take part?

Register for an event and join the celebration of girls’ hockey across Alberta!

Click Here To Register: https://page.spordle.com/world-girls-ice-hockey-weekend/register

Take a look at how Danielle Serachny celebrates World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend In Leduc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuOwbkAPEZ8

The wait is officially over! Hockey Alberta is thrilled to welcome players, families, coaches, officials, volunteers, and fans back for another exciting season of hockey!

To kick off the new season, check out our official 2026-2027 Puck Drop Video and feel the energy of hockey returning to communities across Alberta!

A Message from President & CEO Rob Litwinski

As the 2026-27 hockey season begins, welcome to all the players, families, coaches, officials, volunteers and communities who make hockey in Alberta possible.

There’s something special about this time of year, the excitement of getting back on the ice, seeing familiar faces, meeting new teammates and starting another season together. For some, it’s their first experience with hockey. For others, it’s the beginning of another season of friendships, memories and moments that will last well beyond the final whistle.

Hockey Alberta’s vision is "Hockey for Life." That vision is made possible by the people who show up every day: the parents driving to the rink, coaches helping players grow, officials making the game possible, volunteers giving their time, and communities supporting the sport we all love.

There will be wins and losses, tournaments and league games, celebrations and challenges. Competition is part of hockey, and the scores will be different for everyone. But there is one measure of success we all share:

Did we create an experience that makes players, coaches and officials want to come back and do it all again next year?

That’s the result that matters.

So, Alberta, lace up, hit the ice and enjoy the season ahead. The puck is dropped. Welcome back to hockey, Alberta!

Share Your Story with Us

You can submit story ideas through our Story Submission Form or email Hockey Alberta’s Marketing Department. We also encourage you to tag @Hockey.Alberta when sharing your stories, events, and accomplishments on social media so we can help amplify them.

We’re excited to continue telling the stories that make hockey communities across Alberta so special. Thank you for everything you do to support players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and families throughout the season.

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is excited to announce the return of the Spring Showcase in 2027.

The three-week event, which features the Alberta Cup, Alberta Challenge, and Prospects Cup will be returning to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at Red Deer Polytechnic in April and May.

For the Alberta Challenge and Prospects Cup, this is the first step for athletes entering into the Team Alberta program.

For Alberta Cup athletes, it is an opportunity for players to showcase their talents in hopes of being invited to U16 Team Alberta Summer Camp and ultimately representing Team Alberta at the 2027 WHL Cup.

Prior to the spring competitions, regional tryout camps will be hosted throughout the province for players to register and attend.

Applications for coach, trainer and coach mentor positions are now open for all three events. Applications are to be submitted via the links below, and are being accepted until November 3.

2027 Alberta Cup: April 21-25, 2027

The Alberta Cup features male players born in 2012.

Alberta Cup Regional Camps

• March 26-28, 2027 in Calgary, Red Deer, and Spruce Grove.
• Regional camp registration opens January 6, 2027.
  • Cost: $260.00 which includes:
    • 3 virtual sessions from guest speakers to prepare players for regional camp
    • Jersey
    • 4 ice sessions

AB Cup Coach Applications > | Spring Showcase Trainer Applications > | Coach Mentor Applications >

Alberta Cup Website >

2027 Alberta Challenge: April 28-May 2, 2027

• Alberta Challenge features female players born in 2012 and 2013.

Alberta Challenge Regional Camps:

• April 2-4, 2027 in Cochrane and Beaumont.
• Regional camp registration opens January 12, 2027.
  • Cost: $260.00 which includes:
    • 3 virtual sessions from guest speakers
    • Jersey
    • 4 ice sessions

AB Challenge Coach Applications > | Spring Showcase Trainer Applications > | AB Challenge Apprentice Coach Applications > | Coach Mentor Applications >

Alberta Challenge Website >

2027 Prospects Cup: May 5-9, 2027

• Prospects Cup features male players born in 2014.

Prospects Cup Regional Camps

• April 9-11, 2027 in Calgary, Spruce Grove, Olds, and Vegreville.
• Regional Camp Player Registration opens January 19, 2027.
  • Cost: $260.00 which includes:
    • 3 virtual sessions from guest speakers to prepare players for regional camp
    • Jersey
    • 4 ice sessions

Prospects Cup Coach Applications > | Spring Showcase Trainer Applications > | Coach Mentor Applications >

Prospects Cup Website >

Hockey Alberta recognizes September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and continue to learn and reflect.

The meaning behind the visuals:

• The design honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, Survivors, their families and communities.
• In the centre are three symbols: a feather, a narwhal, and a flower. Each symbol represents the distinct cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, brought together in a circular flowing composition to reflect the connection between the groups.
• Above the central elements, stars surrounding the moon honour the children who never returned home from residential schools and symbolize their enduring place in our thoughts and memory. The dotted patterns evoke beadwork and reflect the importance of passing down art, culture and traditions from one generation to the next.
• Flowing lines connect the elements of the design, reflecting the connections between land, water, communities and generations. Their winding path represents the journey of reconciliation and reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing process.
• The colour orange represents remembrance and the enduring message that every child matters.

We encourage everyone to keep listening, learning and carrying that reflection forward.

Resources

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Learning resources about First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada

Hockey Alberta is hosting female-only coach clinics in Calgary for the 2026-27 season.

There are three clinics available for the season, all starting at 7 pm at Max Bell Arena. The clinics include Coach 1, Coach 2 and Intro to Principles of Checking.

COACH 1 - OCTOBER 26 >

COACH 2 – NOVEMBER 2 >

PRINCIPLES OF CHECKING - NOVEMBER 9 >

Female-only coach clinics provide an inclusive environment to all female coaches to learn the game and receive the necessary clinic certification.

For questions and information on the upcoming clinics, please email Danielle Wheeler, Manager, Female Development.

BE PART OF CANADA’S HOLIDAY HOCKEY TRADITION

CHOOSE YOUR WORLD JUNIORS GAMES NOW

Individual tickets for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship are now on sale.

From Team Canada’s preliminary-round games in Edmonton to some of the greatest rivalries in international hockey in Red Deer, this is your chance to experience the World Juniors live in Alberta.

Demand is high: more than 85,000 fans entered the Priority Draw and more than 18,000 ticket packages have already been sold. Choose your games today. Individual tickets start at $40, plus applicable fees, with availability varying by game and seat location.

GET EDMONTON TICKETS >

GET RED DEER TICKETS >

VIEW THE SCHEDULE >

Hockey Alberta is inviting female coaches across the province to join the Female Coach Development Network. This network creates a supportive space designed to connect, develop, and empower women in coaching.

“We want to create a space where female coaches can connect with one another, share their experiences and know that they have a community behind them. Coaching can be incredibly rewarding, and having the opportunity to learn from other women who have been through different stages of their coaching journey can make a meaningful difference” said Danielle Wheeler, Manager Female Development, Hockey Alberta.

The Female Coach Development Network is open to female coaches at all stages of their coaching journey. Whether someone is stepping behind the bench for the first time or looking to continue developing their skills and leadership, the network provides an opportunity to build relationships with other women who share a passion for coaching and growing the game.

If you are interested in being part of the Female Coach Development Network, please complete the registration form here:

Female Coach Development Network Registration

Project AB is a five-part YouTube docuseries following the journey of Team Alberta’s male and female hockey programs — from summer selection camp to the Canada Winter Games. The series goes behind the scenes with the players, coaches and staff who make Team Alberta possible, capturing the pressure, sacrifice, preparation, and pride that comes with representing the province.

Along the way, Project AB explores the Hockey Alberta pathway, the communities and leagues that develop these athletes, and the journey from aspiring player to Team Alberta representative.

Episode 1 — “Pressure is Privilege”

The journey begins at Summer Camp, where Alberta’s top male and female players come together with one goal: earn the opportunity to represent their province. With roster spots on the line, “Pressure is Privilege” captures the intensity, emotion, uncertainty, and determination of the selection process — giving viewers an inside look at where the Team Alberta journey begins.

Check out the September 2026 Edition of the Ice Times Newsletter.

Included this month:

• 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Hockey Season
• Project AB
• 2026 Official Clinic Schedules
  AND MORE!

ICE TIMES NEWSLETTER >

September is Concussion Awareness Month, an important reminder of the role we all play in recognizing, responding to, and reducing the impact of concussions in hockey.

As part of registration each season, players, coaches, and officials are required to acknowledge Hockey Canada’s concussion waivers and complete the mandatory concussion awareness learning. These requirements help ensure everyone entering the season has a shared understanding of concussion safety.

Concussion awareness goes beyond completing a requirement. Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion, taking them seriously, and understanding what to do next helps create safer hockey environments. When in doubt, remove the participant from play and follow the appropriate assessment and return-to-sport process.

Take a few minutes to refresh your concussion knowledge:

https://youtu.be/D2DOk8RUNuE

access concussion information and resources at sportmedab.ca/aca .

Hockey Alberta’s 2026 Officials Summer School kicked off in Edmonton on August 8–9, bringing together 30 officials for two days focused on development, learning, and preparation for the upcoming season.

Designed for officials looking to expand their skills and continue progressing through the Hockey Alberta Officials Development Pathway, the camp provided a unique opportunity to learn from experienced instructors and connect with fellow officials from across Alberta.

“This camp continues to be in high demand and this year we had around 200 officials apply for a spot. What’s really exciting is that we’re seeing officials come back year after year because they continue to find value in the experience. Every year, there’s something new to learn, whether that’s from our instructors, the other officials in the room or the on-ice sessions. We want officials to leave the camp feeling like they’ve developed their skills, challenged themselves, and have new goals to work toward for the upcoming season.” Said Liam MacIsaac, Hockey Alberta’s Manager of Officiating.

A special thank you to Dylan Leaney, Camp Coordinator, and instructors Jacob Hicks, Jesse Wood-Schatz, and Brandon Peterson for helping make the camp a success. Their experience officiating at the elite levels of hockey, including the AJHL, WHL and AHL, provided participants with a valuable opportunity to learn from officials who have experience navigating the next levels of the officiating pathway. Their insight, knowledge, and experience gave officials a better understanding of what it takes to continue developing and advancing in their officiating careers.

Throughout the two day camp, officials took part in a combination of on ice and off ice sessions designed to challenge them both physically and mentally. The program included two on ice sessions, rules education, fitness training, interactive activities, and networking opportunities.

Officiating requires more than knowing the rules and making calls on the ice. Officials become strong communicators, confident decision makers, and effective leaders. The camp provided participants with opportunities to work on each of these areas while learning how to manage the physical and mental demands of officiating.

“To experience this camp for a third year, I’m really excited. I’ve been so happy with how much it has helped my development over the past two seasons. It takes what could be a typical clinic and turns it into something interactive and the camp itself is ran really well. I always leave the camp with a new feeling for the game and new goals to work toward for the upcoming season” Cash Bowers, Hockey Alberta Official.

As an added benefit, participation in the Officials Summer School also counts as an official’s clinic registration for the 2026–27 season, allowing participants to combine their development and certification requirements into one experience.

Following the successful Edmonton camp, Hockey Alberta is excited to bring the Officials Summer School to Calgary on August 22–23 at the Flames Community Arena. We can’t wait to welcome 30 officials to Calgary on August 22–23 for another weekend of learning, development, and connection as we prepare for the 2026–27 season.

Hockey Alberta official and Summer School camp attendee Mystery Shaw shared advice for new officials, “for brand new officials, it might be a little scary the first couple of times, but just keep going. You learn so much more about the game than you do just playing or coaching. You also meet so many great people along the way, and there are some really cool opportunities that can come from officiating.”

Interested in becoming a hockey official? Check out an officials clinic near you and take the first step toward getting involved. https://officials.hockeyalberta.ca/register/clinics/

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is one step closer to naming the roster for Team Alberta’s Under-18 Female team that is representing the province at the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Quebec City in February.

Twenty-eight athletes are in contention to make the final roster, with three goaltenders, 10 defence, and 15 forwards included on the fall camp roster, running from September 24-28 in Red Deer.

TEAM ALBERTA UNDER-18 FEMALE FALL CAMP >

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-18 Summer Camp in Red Deer in July. Forty-six players were invited to Red Deer and worked through multiple on-ice sessions, as well as off-ice training and classroom sessions.

The players attending the fall camp are scheduled to play three games against U Sports squads, playing the University of Alberta Pandas twice and the MacEwan University Griffins once.

Hockey Alberta previously announced the coaching staff for the U18 Female squad in February, with head coach Craig Perrett, assistant coaches Erin O’Toole and Izzy Cropper, and goalie coach Jamond Cardinal running the bench at the Canada Winter Games.

Team Alberta Female are attending the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Quebec City from March 8-14, 2027.

Team Alberta is set to play preliminary games in their pool against Team British Columbia, Team New Brunswick and Team Quebec. The upcoming Canada Winter Games hockey schedule can be found here.

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta celebrated outstanding service, leadership and dedication to the game on Saturday during the 2026 Hockey Alberta Membership Awards presented by ATB and Life Member Reception.

Held at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer, the annual celebration recognized volunteers, officials, coaches, administrators, associations and community leaders whose contributions continue to strengthen hockey across the province.

Life Member

A special highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of Hockey Alberta Life Membership to Len Samletzki, while also recognizing his years of service as a past Chair of the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors.

Len is a visionary leader whose service on the Hockey Alberta Board helped shape the organization’s modern era. He joined the Board in 2010, and played a key role in securing Hockey Alberta’s partnership with Red Deer College (now Red Deer Polytechnic) and later guided the organization through governance reform, increased accountability and the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. As Chair of the Board from 2019 to 2025, his steady leadership, commitment to positive change and passion for preserving Hockey Alberta’s history left a lasting legacy across the province.

Life Membership is the highest honour Hockey Alberta can bestow and is reserved for individuals whose lifetime of service, leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on the game throughout Alberta.

WATCH LEN’S LIFE MEMBERSHIP TRIBUTE >

2026 Hockey Alberta Membership Awards

Also recognized during Saturday’s ceremony were the recipients of the 2026 Hockey Alberta Membership Awards, honouring excellence across the Hockey Alberta membership.

Order of Merit

• Ernie Boruk Award: Josh Smith (Lacombe)
• Dave Ganley Award: Dave MacPherson (Grande Prairie)
• Excellence in Administration: Daryl Pickering (Sylvan Lake)
• Excellence in Administration: James Parks (Calgary)
• Excellence in Development: Damon Jeffs (Peace River)

Official of the Year: Ben Solomon (Calgary)

Provincial Championships Host Site Award: Blackfalds Minor Hockey Association

Volunteer of the Year: Shannon Steil (Battle River)

Minor Hockey Association of the Year: New Sarepta Minor Hockey Association

Coach of the Year: Darcy Preece (KC South/Edmonton)

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and honourees. Your passion, leadership and commitment continue to make hockey stronger in communities across Alberta while inspiring future generations to enjoy the game. Thank you for helping make hockey a sport for life.

From July 6–11, Hockey Alberta welcomed 25 coaches from across the province to Red Deer for the annual High Performance 1 (HP1) Coaching Seminar, providing an opportunity for coaches to continue their development and build the skills needed to lead athletes at the highest levels of hockey.

Coaches are selected through a competitive application process and must meet specific coaching experience requirements, with participants primarily coaching at the U15 AAA, U18 AAA, Sport School, and Junior A levels.

What sets Hockey Alberta’s program apart is its hands on approach to coach education. As the only Hockey Canada Member Branch to deliver the High Performance 1 program in this format, participants receive classroom instruction before immediately applying those concepts on the ice during a simultaneous player development camp. Working alongside experienced mentors, coaches have the opportunity to put theory into practice in a real-time learning environment, receive immediate feedback, and refine their coaching techniques throughout the week.

This unique model bridges the gap between learning and application, giving coaches the confidence and practical experience needed to lead high performance athletes while continuing their journey toward High Performance 1 certification.

Following the in person seminar, coaches will continue working through the certification process, completing post task evaluations and additional requirements. Once certified, coaches will have the qualifications needed to coach at the AAA and Accredited Schools levels.

“The development of coaches is one of the most important parts of growing the game,” said

Stephen Pattison Hockey Alberta’s Manager, Coach Development “by investing in coaching education, we are creating better experiences for players and building stronger hockey communities across Alberta”.

Hockey Alberta’s commitment to coach development ensures that players across the province have access to knowledgeable, passionate, and prepared coaches who are focused on creating positive experiences both on and off the ice.

“High Performance 1 challenged me to think beyond systems and drills. It reinforced that great coaching is about intentionally developing people. The biggest takeaway for me was the importance of creating environments where athletes feel challenged, supported, and empowered to grow. I’m leaving the seminar with new ideas, stronger connections, and an even greater commitment to helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the ice” expressed Shayla Katrick HP1 participant.

Through programs like the High Performance 1 Seminar, Hockey Alberta continues to invest in the people who make hockey possible and support the continued growth of the game across Alberta.

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is one step closer to naming the roster for Team Alberta’s Under-16 Male team that is representing the province at the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Quebec City in February.

Thirty-four athletes are in contention to make the final roster, with five goaltenders, 12 defence, and 17 forwards included on the shortlist.

TEAM ALBERTA UNDER-16 MALE SHORTLIST >

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 at the beginning of July. Eighty players were invited to Red Deer and worked through high intensity on-ice sessions, as well as off-ice training and classroom sessions.

Hockey Alberta previously announced the coaching staff for the U16 Male squad in February, with head coach James Poole, assistant coaches Ryan Allen and Jack Redlick, video coach Justin Ostertag and goalie coach Theo Zubot running the bench at the Canada Winter Games.

The U16 Male Program is the third stage of the development and identification process to select a roster for Team Alberta to compete at the 2027 Canada Winter Games, beginning with the Alberta Cup. Team Alberta Male are attending the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Quebec City from February 27 to March 6, 2027.

Team Alberta is set to play preliminary games in their pool against Team British Columbia, Team New Brunswick and Team Ontario. The upcoming Canada Winter Games hockey schedule can be found here.

BUFFALO, N.Y – 10 players from across the province heard their names called at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York on June 26-27.

Daxon Rudolph (Lacombe) became the first Albertan and first defenceman taken at the draft, selected at fourth overall by the Buffalo Sabres during the first round, becoming the first Hockey Alberta trained player to be selected in the top five of the draft since Jake Sanderson in 2020. Keaton Verhoeff (Fort Saskatchewan) did not have to wait much longer to hear his name afterward, as the University of North Dakota defenceman was selected ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks, one of three picks that the Sharks made in the first round of the draft.

The full list of Albertans selected can be found below:

Registration is starting to open up around the province for the 2026-2027 hockey season.

Hockey Alberta provides a resource page for minor hockey registration to help you get started with registration, should you be a newcomer to the sport of hockey, a new resident of Alberta, or recently moved within Alberta to a new community.

MINOR HOCKEY >

Looking for information on registration dates? Visit your local MHA website directly, or visit the MHA Registration Dates page, updated by Hockey Alberta multiple times per week throughout the registration season, to views dates and more.

Interested in registering your child for the Play Hockey Model? You can read up on the model here for more information.

Hockey Alberta has announced the players attending the 2026 U17 Female Summer Development Camp, taking place from July 24-27 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer.

This marks the second year of the U17 program following the transition from the former U16 camp model. In its inaugural year, the program saw strong success, with 17 athletes earning invitations to this year’s U18 Female Summer Camp. The camp continues to provide a high-performance development environment focused on preparing athletes for the next level of the female pathway.

CALGARY - 50 players from Alberta, participating in a Hockey Alberta/Hockey Canada sanctioned program, were selected over the course of two days at the 2026 WHL Draft.

Madden Daneault (Red Deer) was selected first overall by the Kelowna Rockets on day one of the 2026 WHL Draft. Daneault had a historic season in the Alberta Elite Hockey League, putting up a record point total of 149 points (65G-84A) during the 2025-2026 season and earning a silver medal at the U15AAA Provincial Championships with the Red Deer U15AAA Rebels. Daneault proceeded to have fantastic showing at the Alberta Cup, putting up 13 points (7G-6A) in six games for Team Alberta Black and earning an invite to the U16 Team Alberta Male Summer Camp.

Jevin Morrison (Sylvan Lake), also a member of the U15AAA Rebels, was selected fifth overall by the Wenatchee Wild. Wyatt Jolleys (Calgary - Seattle Thunderbirds), Micah Montgomery (Edmonton - Kamloops Blazers) and Fletcher MacDonald (Edmonton - Regina Pats) were picked consecutively, all landing in the top 10 of the draft. Brody Antignani (Calgary) was selected 12th by the Spokane Chiefs, and Artello Forestal (Edmonton) was selected 14th by the Lethbridge Hurricanes, leaving a total of seven players from Alberta selected in the first round.

Hockey Alberta congratulates all of their players on this milestone in their lives - to see the full list of players selected in the 2026 WHL Draft, click the button below.

2026 WHL DRAFT SELECTIONS >