ATB Financial Named Premier Sponsor Of Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta Program

Hockey Alberta and ATB Financial announced on Wednesday, a partnership which will see ATB Financial as the Title Sponsor for all Team Alberta Programs and events in Alberta.

This partnership will include province-wide initiatives directed at growing the game as well as enhancing development opportunities for players, coaches and trainers in the Team Alberta program. The U16 Boys Alberta Cup and the U16 Girls Team Alberta Challenge will also be rebranded and known as the ATB Alberta Cup and ATB Alberta Challenge through this partnership.

“Hockey Alberta is very excited to partner with ATB Financial, one of Alberta’s most recognized and respected brands to help us build and grow hockey in Alberta and specifically help us elevate our Team Alberta program,” says Hockey Alberta’s Executive Director, Rob Litwinski.

"Nobody ever signs up to play hockey alone," says Vice President, Community Initiatives for ATB Financial, John Windwick. "You play to learn the skills that make you a better teammate, because that’s what the game is about, win or lose. That’s what we all learned growing up playing hockey in Alberta, and that’s why we keep playing. Lacing them up with Hockey Alberta feels great for ATB."

“Having ATB on board will facilitate Team Alberta programs in continuing to deliver the highest quality programs,” says Hockey Alberta’s Senior Manager of Hockey Development, Tim Leer. “With this sponsorship, Alberta’s players and parents will be the ultimate beneficiary through additional resources and support.”

The agreement between ATB Financial and Hockey Alberta is an initial three-year term encompassing the 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 seasons.

About Hockey Alberta

Hockey Alberta is the governing body for all amateur hockey in the province ranging from minor to senior hockey including the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Hockey Alberta has approximately 450 member organizations representing over 90,000 participants. All players are coached, officiated and developed through the teachings and education that Hockey Alberta provides.

About ATB Financial

ATB Financial is the largest Alberta-based deposit-taking financial institution, with assets of $32 billion. ATB Financial offers retail financial services, business and agricultural financial services, corporate financial services, and investor services to more than 635,000 Albertans and Alberta-based businesses in 242 communities in our province.

ATB Financial provides those services through 170 branches and 130 agencies, mobile, telephone and online banking, a Customer Care Centre, and automated banking machines. ATB has won numerous national workplace awards, including recognition as one of Canada’s best 50 employers. We talk a lot about hockey here.

Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce 11 Alberta officials who have been selected for regional, national and international assignments during the 2012-13 season.

“The officials are very deserving of these opportunities – they’ve worked hard and dedicated themselves to achieve these selections,” said Hockey Alberta Referee-in-Chief, Curtis Nichols. “Hockey Alberta is thrilled to have these individuals represent Alberta and our branch at these significant events.”

Hockey Canada selected two (2) officials to work IIHF international events:

- Lacey Senuk (St. Albert, AB) – Linesman – IIHF Women’s Group E Olympic Pre-Qualification, November 8, 2012 in Shanghai, China

- Devin Klein (Medicine Hat, AB) – Referee – IIHF Men’s Group J Olympic Pre-Qualification, November 9, 2012 in Nikko, Japan

Hockey Canada selected two (2) officials for national assignments at the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, November 7-11, 2012 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia:

- Erica Holmes (Grande Prairie, AB) – Linesman

- Shannon Kline (Calgary, AB) – Linesman

The Western Hockey League (WHL) selected seven (7) officials for a regional assignment at the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, November 1-4, 2012 in Calgary, Alberta:

- Steven Cousens (Edmonton, AB) – Referee

- Kyle Brisbois (Fort Saskatchewan, AB) – Linesman

- Deion Foster (Edmonton, AB) – Linesman

- Will Wood (Medicine Hat, AB) – Linesman

- Jason Bil (Calgary, AB) – Linesman

- AJ Nelson (Red Deer, AB) – Linesman

- Cam Penstone (Lacombe, AB) – Linesman

The Hockey Alberta Officiating Program utilizes Hockey Canada’s curriculum to administer and facilitate development clinics and train local officials to the highest standards. Each official must attend an officiating clinic at least once per year.

Hockey Alberta announced on Wednesday the Team Alberta U16 Male roster that will compete at the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, November 1 - 4, 2012 in Calgary, Alberta.

“We’re really excited about bringing these young athletes together for the tournament,” said Team Alberta Head Coach, Bryce Thoma. “The staff feels these players will make up a highly-skilled team - we’re excited to see them compete with the opportunity to represent Team Alberta.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TEAM ALBERTA U16 MALE ROSTER

Team Alberta begins tournament action at 7:00pm on November 1 when they take on Team British Columbia. All games will be played at Father David Bauer Arena.

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup will feature the highest rated players in the Under 16 age category representing the four Western Provinces of Alberta, BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Team Alberta is the two-time defending Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup champions after they won the gold medal at the inaugural event in 2009 in Blackfalds, Alberta. Team Alberta then won gold in 2011, defeating Team Manitoba 10-4 in the gold medal game in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup only occurs in the off years of the Canada Winter Games.

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup is a partnership between the four Western Provincial Hockey Branches - Hockey Alberta, BC Hockey, Hockey Manitoba and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association - and the Western Hockey League (WHL).

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup is the final event in the first year of the Team Alberta Male program. Selected players then advance to the second year of the program (U17) where they compete for a roster spot on Team Pacific.

Former Team Alberta players include Mathew Dumba, Jordan Eberle, Jay Boumeester, Devan Dubnyk, Devan Setoguchi and Tyler Myers.

Hockey Alberta is proud to announce four officials have been selected to attend the annual Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE) - West Regional Camp taking place October 5 - 7, 2012 in Kamloops, BC.  The OPOE is designed as an officiating talent identification and training program for elite officiating prospects, extending beyond Branch officiating development. The OPOE is a partnership between Hockey Canada and its Member Branches, the National Hockey League and the Canadian Hockey League.

The following officials have been selected:

- Kevin Ward – Referee (Edmonton)

- Matt Schoenroth – Referee (Lethbridge)

- Jory Lutzmann – Linesman (Edmonton)

- Tyler Jensen – Linesman (Drumheller)

The selection process to this camp is done in multiple stages. Officials are identified through the provincial branch level by selecting five referees and five linesmen nominees that meet the OPOE criteria.  Nominations are submitted to Hockey Canada where a selection committee (composed of all Regional Branch, Referee-in-Chiefs, the CHL representative, Hockey Canada and the NHL) selects officials from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba..

At the camp, officials go through various developmental sessions, both on-ice and off-ice including skating sessions, fitness testing, fitness education, and interviews.

Congratulations to all officials!