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Photo credit: Two Point Photography and Design


Midget Elite, Bantam Elite Seasons kick off

RED DEER - The 2018-19 Alberta Female Hockey League hits full stride this weekend, as the Midget Elite and Bantam Elite seasons kick off Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Friday night features a pair of Midget Elite games, with the Rocky Mountain Raiders taking on the Sherwood Park Fury, and Airdrie Lightning visiting the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs. Saturday sees five more games, with four more set for Sunday in a busy opening weekend.

On the Bantam Elite side, 10 of 12 teams kick their seasons off on Saturday, while the Calgary Fire Red and Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs will wait until the following weekend for their seasons to begin.

You can keep track of all the action on each league’s website, or by following the AFHL on Twitter.

Midget AAA Schedule > | Midget Elite Schedule > | Bantam Elite Schedule >

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Photo credit: LA Media


2019 Alberta Cup Coach and Trainer applications now open

RED DEER - An exciting opportunity awaits coaches and trainers across the province, as Hockey Alberta is now accepting applications for coaches and trainers for the 2019 Alberta Cup.

Hockey Alberta is seeking one head coach, two assistant coaches and one trainer for each of the six Alberta Cup teams.

The deadline for all applications is November 9.

Alberta Cup Coach Application > | Alberta Cup Trainer Application >

The Alberta Cup runs April 24-28 in Red Deer, and provides players, coaches, therapists, equipment managers, administrators and on-ice officials an opportunity to discover the great qualities of competitive hockey.

For more information on the 2019 Alberta Cup, head to abcup.ca.

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Photo credit: Broken Curfew Photography


Host a Provincial Championship in your community!

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is now accepting bids from Minor Hockey Associations interested in hosting the 2019 Provincial Championships, presented by ATB Financial.

Hockey Alberta’s Provincial Championships are some of the most exciting and high-profile events in which Hockey Alberta’s membership takes part each season, bringing together the top teams from across the province in each category.

The 2019 Provincial Championships will be held March 14-17, March 21-24 and March 28-31, in each of the respective categories.

Provincial Bid Guidelines >

The bid guidelines document outlines the requirements involved, and the opportunities available, for a Minor Hockey Association interested in submitting a bid to host a Hockey Alberta Provincial Championship event.

The deadline to submit a bid to host Provincial Championships is November 15.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Skilnick, Manager, Member Services, at [email protected].

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WHL extends partnership agreement with Hockey Alberta

CALGARY - The Western Hockey League announced today the WHL and Hockey Alberta have extended their current partnership agreement through the 2020-21 season. The new three-year partnership agreement will encompass the current 2018-19 season along with the upcoming 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

The agreement includes the WHL continuing to be a major sponsor of Hockey Alberta’s High Performance Programs and the Alberta Cup. Within the partnership, Hockey Alberta will continue to recognize the WHL as an official partner in Hockey Alberta’s Male Alberta Development Model, which includes the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League and the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League. The WHL will also continue as an official sponsor of other grassroots development programs.

“The WHL is very proud to continue serving as a major supporter of Hockey Alberta’s high performance and minor hockey system,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We are committed to assisting Hockey Alberta with the growth and development of the game throughout the province.”

“We have worked collaboratively with the Western Hockey League for several years to provide many positive development opportunities for players throughout the minor hockey system,” said Rob Litwinski, Hockey Alberta’s CEO. “We look forward to continuing this work for the benefit of players throughout the minor hockey system.”


About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.


About Hockey Alberta

Hockey Alberta is the Provincial Sports Organization and governing body for organized amateur hockey in the Province of Alberta. Hockey Alberta’s Vision is Hockey for Life, and Hockey Alberta encourages participation on both a competitive and recreational level for those who enjoy hockey for the sportsmanship, skill and enjoyment it can provide. Hockey Alberta’s Regional Centre network includes offices in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge. In 2017-18, there were more than 105,000 registered participants, including more than 86,000 players in Alberta.

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AJHL Game Day Speaker Series, presented by Finning Canada

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta and the Alberta Junior Hockey League are pleased to announce the AJHL Game Day Speaker Series is returning for the 2018-19 season, with Finning Canada as the new presenting sponsor.

Coaches of all levels are invited join us for a game in a city near you, and have the opportunity to listen to both the home and visiting team coaches speak before and after the game. Fran Gow, Hockey Alberta’s Provincial Coach Mentor will also provide a Professional Development session for Coaches before each game on a variety of topics.

Each Game Day experience costs $40 and includes (a $200 value):

  • Sessions with both Home and Away AJHL Coaches
  • Ticket to the AJHL game
  • Food/beverage voucher
  • Professional Development from Hockey Alberta
  • Hockey Alberta Resource Package
  • Hockey Alberta Gift

Register >


Dates & Locations:

November 2 - Sherwood Park Crusaders @ Whitecourt Wolverines
Topic: Transition

December 7 - Canmore Eagles @ Brooks Bandits
Topic: Developing Defensive Play

January 15 - Sherwood Park Crusaders @ Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Topic: Penalty Kill

January 18 - Drumheller Dragons @ Camrose Kodiaks
Topic: Tying Tactics to Structure

February 1 - Spruce Grove Saints @ Lloydminister Bobcats
Topic: Faceoffs

November 2 - Sherwood Park Crusaders @ Whitecourt Wolverines
Topic: Transition

December 7 - Canmore Eagles @ Brooks Bandits
Topic: Developing Defensive Play

January 15 - Sherwood Park Crusaders @ Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Topic: Penalty Kill

January 18 - Drumheller Dragons @ Camrose Kodiaks
Topic: Tying Tactics to Structure

February 1 - Spruce Grove Saints @ Lloydminister Bobcats
Topic: Faceoffs


For more information, please contact Jesse Hale, Manager, Hockey Development at [email protected]

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Photo credit: LA Media


2019 Peewee Prospects Cup coaching applications now open

RED DEER - An exciting opportunity awaits coaches across the province, as Hockey Alberta is now accepting coaching applications for the 2019 Peewee Prospects Cup.

Hockey Alberta is seeking one head coach and two assistant coaches for each of the eight Peewee Prospects Cup teams.

The deadline for all applications is November 9.

Peewee Prospects Cup Coach Application >

The 2019 Peewee Prospects Cup runs May 8-12 in Lethbridge, and provides players, coaches, therapists, equipment managers, administrators and on-ice officials an opportunity to discover the great qualities of competitive hockey.

Regional camps run April 12-14, locations TBD. Player registration for regional camps will open in January.


For more information on the 2019 Peewee Prospects Cup, please contact Dustin Moore, Coordinator, Team Alberta Male at [email protected]

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Peewee Coaches: Register now for the Good Deeds Cup and Team Kit!

RED DEER - The Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup is back for 2018-19, and Peewee coaches in Alberta can now register to receive their Team Kit.

Coach’s Kit Signup >

Your free Good Deeds Cup Team Kit has everything you need to develop your players on the ice, and create awareness off the ice, all the while reaffirming important values learned through hockey. Every kit is a premium coach’s hockey bag that comes with 10 practice pucks, 24 lace bracelets, 20 emblem stickers and 20 vehicle decals.

As well, all coaches of registered Peewee hockey teams in Canada are eligible to compete for the Good Deeds Cup. This season marks the third year of the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, during which time hundreds of good deeds have been completed by Peewee teams in communities across Alberta and the country.

2018-19 Good Deeds Cup >

The Chevrolet Hockey program seeks to inspire young Canadians to be better people by promoting the positive values learned through hockey, and acting on them by performing Good Deeds in their community. The goal is to develop our future hockey players on and off the ice. Through the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, Chevrolet makes donations to causes on behalf of Peewee Hockey teams across the country.

A limited number of kits are available, one kit per team. Don’t delay; go to chevrolethockey.ca today and register for your Good Deeds Cup Coach’s Kit.

MORE INFORMATION AND FAQ >

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Info Bulletin: Nominations Committee Report

RED DEER - As outlined in Hockey Alberta Information Bulletin 18:05, there are three (3) positions of Director at Large up for election to the Hockey Alberta Board at the 2018 Hockey Alberta Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 24 in Red Deer.

Each successful candidate will be elected to serve a term of three (3) years.

The individuals listed in the information bulletin have filed a proper nomination application with the Nominations Committee.

Information Bulletin 18:05 >

To learn more about the candidates, please review the short video and summary of credentials for each nominee.

Nominee Videos >

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Photo credit: Two Point Photography and Design


Four Alberta officials selected for Hockey Canada, IIHF events

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is proud to recognize the four officials selected to represent the province on the national and international stage this season.

Referee Taylor Burzminski (St. Albert) has been assigned to Hockey Canada’s officiating team for the 2018 World Under-17 Challenge, which runs November 3-10 in Saint John/Quispamsis, New Brunswick.

Internationally, linesman Cody Huseby (Red Deer) is one of 23 Canadian officials selected for IIHF championships in 2018-19. Huseby will work the Group A games at the World Under-20 Division II Championships in Estonia, January 13-19.

Referee Fraser Lawrence (Edmonton) will also officiate at the IIHF World Championships in Division III in Iceland, January 14-20.

On the female side, referee Lacy Senuk (St. Albert) is doubling up this season, as she will work both the 2018 4 Nations Cup November 6-10 in Saskatoon, and the IIHF Women’s World Championship April 4-14 in Finland.

"A national or international assignment is the ultimate goal for an amateur official," said Craig DeCoursey, Chair of the Hockey Alberta Official’s Committee. "The selection of these four officials is a reflection of their commitment, dedication, and perseverance in their field. Not only are they leaders on the ice in Alberta, but their participation off the ice in supervision, mentorship and develepment programs makes their selection even more rewarding."

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Novice teams: register now for Dodge Caravan Kids!

RED DEER - Registration is now open for Dodge Caravan Kids for Novice teams across Alberta.

The Dodge Caravan Kids Program is a joint effort between participating minor hockey associations and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram retailers that provides up to $500 in funding and access to exclusive hockey benefits to novice level hockey teams across Canada.

The goal of the Dodge Caravan Kids Program is to help enrich the game of hockey for participating coaches, players and their families and represents one of FCA Canada’s key community efforts.

Learn more at the Dodge Caravan Kids website

Register >


Program Benefits

Each team enrolled in the Dodge Caravan Kids Program will receive:

  • Up to $500 in funding.
  • The opportunity to enter the Dodge Caravan Kids Photo Contest to win up to $500 in extra funding.
  • Team kits including an exclusive Dodge Caravan Kids gift for all players and an important information booklet for all parents/guardians.
  • The opportunity to enter our Score & Win contest for a chance to win a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 and $5,000 for your local Minor Hockey Association.

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Registration now open for 2018 Annual General Meeting

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta’s 111th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24 in Red Deer.

The meeting will consist of presentations, information seminars and discussion forms for Executive Members of Minor Hockey Associations, Sports Schools and Junior/Senior Club Teams, as well as Executive Members of our sanctioned leagues.

Register >

Attending the AGM is important for your organization - to exercise your right to vote in the election and for Notices of Motion, and to participate in discussions about the future of the game.

Hockey Alberta is challenging the membership to make this our best-attended Annual General Meeting weekend ever. Friday evening features a special presentation, trade show and networking social. Saturday opens with a series of President Meetings followed by the Awards Presentations and Annual General Meeting.

In addition to the meetings, we are hosting our first ever ‘Every Kid, Every Community Cup’. In partnership with NHL Alumni and other special guests, we are inviting Executive members from member organizations to participate in a game of shinny in the new Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. Space in the game is limited to the first 40 participants to sign up. More information and a registration link for the ‘Every Kid, Every Community Cup’ will be circulated in the coming weeks.

Hockey Alberta has partnered with the Best Western Hotel and the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel to provide the best possible rates for accommodations. Please book your accommodations as soon as possible to access these rates. If you are booking by phone, please indicate you are with the Hockey Alberta Annual General Meeting.

Information regarding Nominations for the Board of Directors and potential Notices of Motion will be circulated no less than thirty (30) days prior to the AGM. Please note that Member Dues for the 2018-2019 season and any overdue accounts must be paid in full for Members to be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting. Please refer to Article 4, 4.6 (b) of the Hockey Alberta Bylaws and Regulations for information about voting privileges/procedures.

For any further information please contact either Michelle Skilnick ([email protected]) or Allison Marriott ([email protected]).

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2018 Boston Pizza Design-a-Mask contest

Boston Pizza and Bauer are excited to once again partner with Hockey Canada to give young Canadians the opportunity to get into the game on a global level and show their creativity through the Design-A-Mask program.

Guests of the restaurant are invited to design a goalie mask featuring the Hockey Canada logo and a Canadian theme. Two winners will be chosen, one in the under-13 category and one in the 13-to-18 category. The masks designed by the winner will be worn by Canada’s National Junior Team goaltenders during the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, December 26, 2018 to January 5, 2019 in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

In addition to having their designs featured on a global stage, both winners will also receive a trip for two to a game at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship along with a $50 Boston Pizza gift card, a Team Canada jersey, and their own painted mask autographed by Team Canada.

The contest closes November 7th, 2018. Head to your closest Boston Pizza to get your contest colouring sheet and submit your design to any participating Boston Pizza restaurant, email to [email protected] or mail to:

Attn: BP Design a Mask Contest
Hockey Canada
400 Kipling Ave
Toronto, ON
M8V 3L1

Visit the website to find your local Boston Pizza

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Photo credit: MT Actions Photography


Sledge Hockey comes to Central Alberta!

RED DEER - The Paralympic Sports Association has started a new Sledge Hockey Program for Central Alberta. The program, operating in Red Deer, is available for participants of all ages looking to learn and improve their sledge hockey skills. The program will run out of the GH Dawe Arena on Fridays and the Kinex Arena on Sundays. Sleds and sticks are provided.

This program is open to all ages and abilities wanting to learn and play sledge hockey! Learn the basics and participate in drills and scrimmages. The program runs from October- March on Friday and Sunday evenings (please refer to schedule for exact dates- it is not a weekly program). The program will run out of the GH Dawe Arena on Fridays and the Kinex Arena on Sundays. Sleds and sticks are provided. Please bring your own protective equipment.

Who: Anyone!

Dates: October 5, 2018- March 15, 2019

Locations: GH Dawe Community Centre (56 Holt Street) | Kinex Arena (4309 48 Avenue)

Cost: Full Season- $180 | Drop In- $10

Cash will be accepted on site for drop in fees.

More Information >

News

WHL Game Day Coach Series returns for 2018-19 season

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to once again partner with the Western Hockey League to bring the WHL Game Day Coach Series back for the 2018-19 season.

Hockey Alberta and the WHL invite you to join us for a game in a city near you, and have the opportunity to listen to both the home and visiting team coaches speak before and after the game. Fran Gow, Hockey Alberta’s Provincial Coach Mentor will also provide a Professional Development session for Coaches before each game on a variety of topics.

Each Game Day experience costs $45 and includes (a $200 value):

  • Sessions with members of both home and away team coaching staff
  • Ticket to the WHL game
  • Food/beverage voucher
  • Professional Development from Hockey Alberta
  • Hockey Alberta Resource Package
  • Hockey Alberta Gift

Register >


Dates & Locations

October 26 - Saskatoon Blades @ Red Deer Rebels
Topic: Tying Tactics to Structure

November 17 - Moose Jaw Warriors @ Lethbridge Hurricanes
Topic: The Canadian Way (*World Jr. Coaching Staff)

November 28 - Prince Albert Raiders @ Edmonton Oil Kings
Topic: Special Teams

December 7 - Swift Current Broncos @ Calgary Hitmen
Topic: Creating Team Chemistry

January 19 - Lethbridge Hurricanes @ Red Deer Rebels
Topic: Elite Player Habits

February 15 - Medicine Hat Tigers @ Calgary Hitmen
Topic: Special Teams

March 12 - Edmonton Oil Kings @ Red Deer Rebels
Topic: Player Evaluation/Player Development Plan


For more information, please contact Jesse Hale, Manager, Hockey Development at [email protected]

Hockey Alberta Foundation

EKEC Speaker Series coming back to Lethbridge

LETHBRIDGE - The Hockey Alberta Foundation, with support from Kirks Tirecraft, Lethbridge Hurricanes and ATB Wealth are bringing another Every Kid Every Community (EKEC) Speaker Series event to Lethbridge.

The afternoon will feature Lethbridge Broncos’ alumni Bryan Trottier and Brian Sutter. Trottier, a former New York Islander and Stanley Cup champion, will share stories with Sutter, the former St.Louis Blues captain, in a Hockey Hot Stove.

Tickets for the event are $50 for individuals or $400 for a table of 8 and include a beverage, appetizers, entrance to the event and a game day ticket to see the Lethbridge Hurricanes take on the Medicine Hat Tigers.

  • DATE: Sunday, December 30
  • LOCATION: Enmax Center, Canadian Western Bank Lounge
  • TIME: Doors open 3 pm; Speaker Series at 3:30 pm; Hurricanes vs Tigers at 6 pm.

TICKETS >

Through the generous support of the Lethbridge Hurricanes gameday sponsor, Kirks Tirecraft, every dollar from tickets sold and auctions on site will directly to the Every Kid Every Community Program. The Lethbridge Hurricanes have also committed all proceeds from the chuck-a-puck contest during the game to the EKEC program.

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The ATB Centre in Lethbridge will be the host site of the 2019 Peewee Prospects Cup. (Photo credit: City of Lethbridge)


Peewee Prospects Cup returning to Lethbridge

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the 2019 Peewee Prospects Cup will take place in Lethbridge, May 8-12.

The 2017 edition of the tournament was played in Lethbridge as well. The 2019 event will be played at the ATB Centre.

"The 2017 Peewee Prospects Cup in Lethbridge could not have gone better, so we’re very excited to return in 2019," said Dustin Moore, Coordinator, Team Alberta Male. "When the opportunity came about to host the tournament there again, we immediately jumped on it."

Coach applications are now being accepted for the Peewee Prospects Cup as well. The application deadline is November 9.

Peewee Prospects Cup Coach Application >

Regional camps for the Peewee Prospects Cup are set for April 12-14, locations TBD. Player registration for regional camps will open up in January.


About the Peewee Prospects Cup

The Peewee Prospects Cup runs every second year, alternating with the Alberta Winter Games.

The 2019 Peewee Prospects Cup features 2006-born male players, and begins with four regional camps in April, designed to allow athletes, coaches and trainers to show their skills and receive top-level instruction and evaluation. The top 40 athletes from each regional camp (two teams from each camp), six coaches, two coach mentors and two directors of operations will be selected to participate in the Hockey Alberta Peewee Prospects Cup competition.


If you have any questions about the Peewee Prospects Cup, please contact Dustin Moore, Coordinator, Team Alberta Male, at [email protected]

Hockey Alberta Foundation

EKEC supports Super HEROS

CALGARY - A new hockey program launches this week in Calgary that provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment to youth with cognitive challenges, including Autism and Down Syndrome.

Super HEROS is the newest program offered by Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS) Hockey, a pilot project providing the opportunity to play hockey for a group of young people who often face a range of challenges including isolation, disconnection from their peers, and not feeling fully integrated in the community.

Super HEROS was recently named a recipient of $5,000 from the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community (EKEC) Grant fund.

EKEC’s goal is to provide every child in Alberta the opportunity to play hockey, have fun and, in many cases, experience the sport for the first time. The funding will help cover ice rental costs.

“Super HEROS does exactly what EKEC is all about - giving kids a chance to play hockey who otherwise likely wouldn’t have that opportunity,” said Tim Leer, Executive Director of the Hockey Alberta Foundation.

The program features 21 boys and girls, ages 7-17 years, with cognitive challenges. Participants rotate through four or five stations, each with a different short duration/ low intensity skill development opportunity. The focus is on fundamentals such as skating and puck skills through fun activities.

In the EKEC application, it was noted “there is currently no place for this population of kids to play. There are many barriers; physical, emotional, social that make organized hockey of any kind unrealistic;. This does not mean that they are not passionate about hockey, or sports in general, it just means they are limited in that there isn’t anywhere they can take part. Super HEROS will provide them with a place to take part in a sport they love and have aspired to play.”

The Super HEROS program operates at the Max Bell Centre, and includes introductory hockey skills training and workshops, along with helping the young participants establish a sense of belonging. Equipment fitting occurs on Wednesday, October 10, with the program starting Sunday, October 14 and continuing until mid-March.

For more information on Every Kid Every Community, go to hockeyalbertafoundation.ca. For more information on Super HEROS, go to heroshockey.com.

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Tom Renney on half-ice hockey in Alberta

RED DEER - Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney discusses the important of half-ice at the Intro to Hockey level, and the efforts being made in Alberta to ensure everyone’s first hockey experience is an enjoyable one.

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Photo credit: Red Deer College


Alberta Cup coming to Red Deer

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the Alberta Cup will be hosted in the City of Red Deer in 2019 and 2020.

The new Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre is the host location for the event. The 2019 event will be held April 24-28.

“We are excited to host the Alberta Cup in our new home at Red Deer College," said Rob Litwinski, Hockey Alberta CEO. "Part of the vision we’ve had for this facility was the ability to host signature regional, provincial, national hockey events in this location, and the Alberta Cup is a major Provincial Event. We look forward to working with our Host Committee, the community and region, and partners like the WHL to make the Alberta Cup a great success in 2019 and 2020.”

The Alberta Cup is a significant step in the identification and evaluation process for Team Alberta’s U16 Male provincial team. It is also the final opportunity for Western Hockey League scouts to evaluate players eligible for the WHL bantam draft.

As part of a busy week of hockey, the WHL Awards and Bantam Draft will be held in Red Deer in the days following the Alberta Cup in both 2019 and 2020.

“As a longstanding partner of Hockey Alberta and a major supporter of the Alberta Cup, the WHL is delighted that this event will be held in Red Deer in 2019 and 2020,” said Ron Robison, WHL Commissioner . “With our WHL Awards and Bantam Draft also being held in conjunction with the Alberta Cup, it promises to be an exciting week for hockey enthusiasts of all ages in Red Deer.”

Regional Camps for the 2019 Alberta Cup are set for March 29-31, locations TBD. Registration for Regional Camps will open in January.

The Alberta Cup also provides coaches, therapists, equipment managers, administrators and officials the opportunity to be identified for potential positions at higher level events such as the Western Challenge, World U17 Hockey Challenge and Canada Winter Games. Alberta Cup Coach and Trainer applications will be open next week.

For more information on the Alberta Cup, go to hockeyalberta.ca or abcup.ca.

Hockey Alberta Foundation

2018 Future Leaders Scholarship recipients announced

RED DEER - The Hockey Alberta Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Future Leaders Scholarship.

Seven outstanding post-secondary students were chosen from the 2018 Future Leaders Development Program to receive a $1,000 scholarship, with the opportunity to receive an additional scholarship for achieving "distinguished leader" status. Distinguished Future Leaders will be announced in January.

The 2018 Future Leaders are:

Tyler Charlet (MacEwan University)
Hayley Douglas (University of Windsor)
Scott Ferguson (Red Deer College)
Kaely McMurtry (Red Deer College)
Brett Ponich (University of Alberta Augustana)
Ben Sowa (Concordia University)
Jake Wozney (Red Deer College)

"I always felt that if a time came I could not actively play hockey (anymore), my involvement with the sport would come to an end," said recipient Brett Ponich. "(The Future Leaders) program has shown me that I can still get some of the same benefits from being a coach that i did as a player."

The Future Leader Development Program is designed to develop and train post-secondary students in the area of coaching. Areas of focus include proper instruction, administration, leadership, technical and tactical skills in hockey, so that the future leaders can carry those skills into our communities.

Since the Future Leaders Scholarship program was established in 1998, Hockey Alberta Foundation has invested annually in the development of great leaders for the future of the game and our communities in Alberta. The scholarship program operates in alignment with the Future Leaders Development Program, which focuses on educating and training our post-secondary student coaches to be strong and effective on-ice leaders.

Home Ice Feature

Photo credit: LA Media


Fourteen Albertans land on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch list

RED DEER - NHL Central Scouting has released its October ’Players to Watch’ list, with 14 Albertans making an appearance.

Four Albertan skaters were listed as ’A’ prospects: Defencemen Bowen Byram and Matthew Robertson, along with forwards Kirby Dach and Peyton Krebs.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier was the lone Albertan in the ’B’ prospect category, with nine skaters listed as ’C’ prospects.

The ‘A’ rating indicates a first round candidate, a ‘B’ rating indicates a second or third round candidate, and a ‘C’ rating indicates a fourth, fifth, or sixth round candidate.

The full list of Albertans named to the Players to Watch list can be found below:

NAME POSITION TEAM LEAGUE
A PROSPECTS
Byram, Bowen Defence Vancouver Giants WHL
Dach, Kirby Forward Saskatoon Blades WHL
Krebs, Peyton Forward Kootenay Ice WHL
Robertson, Matthew Defence Edmonton Oil Kings WHL
B PROSPECTS
Gauthier, Taylor Goaltender Prince George Cougars WHL
C PROSPECTS
Bast, Luke Defence Brooks Bandits AJHL
Comrie, Sean Defence University of Denver NCAA
Felgueiras, Chase Defence Humboldt Broncos SJHL
Hamaliuk, Dillon Forward Moose Jaw Warriors WHL
Kope, David Forward Edmonton Oil Kings WHL
Lee, Jake Defence Seattle Thunderbirds WHL
Okabe, Zachary Forward Grande Prairie Storm AJHL
Proctor, Kirby Defence Des Moines Buccaneers USHL
Tracey, Brayden Forward Moose Jaw Warriors WHL