News

October 08, 2025

We Are Coaches - Female-Only Coach Clinics Return to Hockey Alberta

Hockey Alberta is hosting female-only coach clinics in Calgary for the 2025-26 season.

There are three clinics available for the season, all taking place from 6-9 PM at Max Bell Arena. The clinics include Coach 1, Coach 2 and Intro to Principles of Checking.

COACH 1 - OCTOBER 20 >

COACH 2 – NOVEMBER 5 >

PRINCIPLES OF CHECKING - NOVEMBER 10 >

Female-only coach clinics provide an inclusive environment to all female to learn the game and become certified in the necessary clinics.

For questions and information on the upcoming clinics, please contact Danielle Wheeler, Manager, Female Development at [email protected].

Hockey Alberta Foundation

October 28, 2025

2025 Glencross Charity Invitational raises $174,000 for charity

RED DEER – The 12th Annual Glencross Invitational presented by the Calgary Flames Foundation and ATB raised a total of $174,000 for the Hockey Alberta Foundation and Ronald McDonald Charities Alberta.

The Calgary Flames Foundation and ATB have been our title sponsors from day one. We’ve had so many great sponsors over the years, it’s a lot of returning sponsors that come back every year because they love the event. We’re so grateful that they’re willing to support us and do this.

Curtis Glencross

The event kicked off at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, where four teams laced up for some friendly competition. Each team was led by a celebrity coach, featured 15 skaters and a goaltender, and included five celebrity players creating a dynamic mix of community members and local hockey enthusiasts.

After a day of exciting action, Team Stern emerged victorious, capturing this year’s Glencross Invitational Championship title. Their teamwork and determination set the tone for the event, but the true win belonged to everyone, from the players, sponsors, volunteers, and fans who helped make the day a success.

Over the years, proceeds have helped support initiatives that ensure more children, families, and communities can access the great game of hockey. The Hockey Alberta Foundation’s goal is to raise funds to provide EVERY KID in EVERY COMMUNITY the opportunity to play hockey in Alberta. We work in collaboration with partners to fund those who need us, invest in those who will lead us and honour those before us.

Meanwhile, funds also go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta to provide essential care and comfort for families with sick or injured children receiving treatment away from home, offering them a place to stay, rest, and heal together.

We are invested in youth sport, and hockey is something that is super important to us. In addition to the great work Hockey Alberta Foundation does, Ronald McDonald House is doing fantastic work for kids and families which very much aligns with the values we have in this organization. It’s a great partnership that we have.

Devin Selte, Managing Director, ATB

The impact of this year’s event will continue to ripple across Alberta, growing the game and supporting families. Congratulations once again to Team Stern on capturing the 2025 Glencross Invitational Championship and thank you to everyone who played a role in making this year’s event such a remarkable success.

Team Alberta

October 27, 2025

Team Alberta Captures Bronze at 2025 WHL Cup

RED DEER – Team Alberta captured the bronze medal at the 2025 WHL Cup following a 4-2 victory over Team Saskatchewan on Sunday morning, closing out a strong tournament performance that saw the group finish with a 3-2 record.

Alberta fell behind early in the bronze medal game but battled back from a 2-0 deficit to claim the Bronze. Cohenn Rotar (Grande Prairie) got the Albertans on the board midway through the second period before Dylan Sherban (Calgary) tied the game with his second point of the contest. Ben Oliverio (Calgary) netted the game-winner in the third period, while Chase Turchak (Calgary) sealed the victory with an empty-net marker. Goaltender Chase Nielson (Fort McLeod) turned aside 14 of 16 shots in the win, while Sherban earned Player of the Game honours for his two-point performance.

Team Alberta advanced to the bronze medal matchup after a hard-fought 2-1 semifinal loss to Team BC on Saturday. Rotar provided the lone Alberta goal, a power play marker midway through the third. Nielson was outstanding between the pipes, stopping 21 of 24 shots and keeping Alberta within striking distance throughout. Despite generating 43 shots on goal and a late five-minute power play, Alberta was unable to solve BC goaltender Jack Utsunomiya. Rotar was named Alberta’s Player of the Game.

Alberta finished round-robin play with a 2-1 record. The team opened the tournament with a 3-2 overtime loss to Team Manitoba, where Teagen Bouchard (Fahler) and Rotar tallied for Alberta and Bracken Larocque (Grande Prairie) stopped 28 shots. Bouchard was named Player of the Game.

In their second game, Alberta rebounded with a commanding 5-0 win over Team Saskatchewan. Bouchard, Kalen Miles (Edmonton), Cruz Jim (Grande Prairie), Rotar, and Hunter Saddleback (St. Albert) provided the scoring, while Nielson turned aside all seven shots he faced for the shutout. Jim led the way offensively with three points and earned Player of the Game honours.

Alberta’s momentum continued into Game 3 with an 8-5 victory over Team BC. Miles recorded a hat trick and finished with five points, while Kelts (Consort) also had five points and Fayad (Edmonton) and Jim each contributed four. Larocque made 29 saves in the win. Miles earned Player of the Game recognition for his standout performance.

Team Alberta forward Kalen Miles and defenceman Cruz Jim were named to the 2025 WHL Cup All-Star Team following the tournament. Jim led all defencemen in scoring with nine points in five games, anchoring Alberta’s blue line while providing a steady offensive presence. Miles finished fourth in overall tournament scoring with seven points, highlighted by a five-point performance in Alberta’s 8-5 win over Team BC.

News

October 24, 2025

Tiering: Purpose and Benefits

Tiering is the League process of grouping like-skilled teams together to compete against each other during regular season play.

The number of teams within the league at a given age division will determine the number of tiers/categories that league will operate for the season.

Prior to the start of Tiering Games, each team is given an initial tier placement based on the number of teams within an association at each division. This initial tier place is set forth within the Alberta One Standardized Tiering Grid.

Leagues will schedule a minimum of four (4) tiering games for each team to gauge their competitiveness against other teams. Additional tiering games may be scheduled as needed.

After tiering games, leagues finalize placements using pre-season and tiering game data to create fair and competitive matchups. Tiering is typically completed by mid-November, with regular season play beginning shortly after.

FULL DETAILS ON TIERING >

Ice Times Newsletter

October 22, 2025

Check out the October edition of Ice Times!

Check out the October Edition of the Ice Times Newsletter.

Included this month:

WHL Cup and U18 Nationals Rosters Released
Free Sessions with Ben Fanelli
Female-Only Coaching Clinics
AND MORE!

ICE TIMES NEWSLETTER >

News

October 21, 2025

Twenty-four Albertans named to NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List

RED DEER – 24 players from across the province have been named to the NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph (Lacombe) and University of North Dakota defenceman Keaton Verhoeff (Fort Saskatchewan) both earned an ‘A’ rating, a rating indicating players who are projected to be taken in the first round of the NHL draft. Defenceman Ben Macbeath (Calgary) and forward Cooper Williams (Calgary) earned a ‘B’ rating, meaning that a player is projected to be selected in the second or third round.

Players with ‘C’ rating are projected to go in the fourth or fifth round, while the ‘W’ rating indicates players projected to be sixth- or seventh-round candidates.

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

Name	Hometown	Position	Team	League	Rating
Daxon Rudolph	Lacombe	Defence	Prince Albert	WHL	A
Keaton Verhoeff	Fort Saskatchewan	Defence	University of North Dakota	NCAA	A
Ben Macbeath	Calgary	Defence	Calgary	WHL	B
Cooper Williams	Calgary	Forward	Saskatoon	WHL	B
Sawyer Dingman	Edmonton	Forward	Swift Current	WHL	C
Jordan Duguay	Edmonton	Forward	Portland	WHL	C
Dermot Johnston	Olds	Defence	Prince George	WHL	C
Caelan Joudrey	Airdrie	Forward	Wenatchee	WHL	C
Brayden Klimpke	Calgary	Defence	Saskatoon	WHL	C
Kayden Lemire	Edmonton	Forward	Prince George	WHL	C
Will McLaughlin	Canmore	Defence	Portland	WHL	C
Zach Olsen	Calgary	Forward	Saskatoon	WHL	C
Parker Snell	St. Albert	Goalie	Edmonton	WHL	C
Riley Boychuk	Cochrane	Forward	Prince Albert	WHL	W
Bennett Kelly	Cochrane	Defence	Prince Albert	WHL	W
Matthew Kondro	St. Albert	Goalie	Lloydminster	AJHL	W
Cameron Kuzma	St. Albert	Forward	Seattle	WHL	W
Julien Maze	Edmonton	Forward	Regina	WHL	W
Kadon McCann	Cochrane	Forward	Medicine Hat	WHL	W
Aaron Obobaido	Calgary	Forward	Vancouver	WHL	W
Brett Olson	Spruce Grove	Forward	Vancouver	WHL	W
Cruz Pavao	Calgary	Forward	Tri-City	WHL	W
Nolan Stewart	Edmonton	Forward	Victoria	WHL	W
Jordan Switzer	Edmonton	Goalie	Medicine Hat	WHL	W

Team Alberta

October 20, 2025

Coaching Staffs Announced for Team Alberta North at 2026 Arctic Winter Games

RED DEER - Team Alberta North has announced their respective bench staff for the Junior Female and U15 Male teams.

Kevin Kuryluk leads the way behind the Male bench as the Head Coach, heading into his third Arctic Winter Games. Joining Kuryluk as assistant coaches are Ian Krauskopf and Jordan McTaggart. All three coaches currently spend their time behind the benches of Grande Prairie clubs at multiple levels.

About Kevin Kuryluk:

I grew up playing my Minor Hockey in Hines Creek and Fairview, AB. I was lucky enough to play with Team AB North at the 1994 Arctic Winter Games in Slave Lake, AB. I then moved to Bonnyville where I played 3 seasons with the Pontiacs. During the course of 3 seasons I wore a letter for 2 of those seasons and won the leagues best defensive forward twice and one presidents award. I then moved my talents to Sait in Calgary Alberta where I spent two seasons playing and going to school acquiring a Business Administration Diploma.

Once my career in Hockey came to a close as a player I turned my sights to Coaching and getting involved in my communities. I spent multiple years Coaching a variety of levels at Clairmont Minor Hockey, Grovedale Minor Hockey and Grande Prairie Minor Hockey. I have held board positions with multiple associations and currently and Coaching U13 AA in Grande Prairie.

This will be my 3^rd Arctic Winters Games as a staff member. We won Silver in the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray and won Gold at the 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska.

I am looking forward to guiding another great group of players at this years Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, YK.

Kevin Kuryluk

About Ian Krauskopf:

I coach for many reasons but the number one reason I coach is because I enjoy watching the kids develop and grow their on and off ice skills as well as fostering their love of the game. I work hard to make sure that the players are getting the most out of themselves and are enjoying the game and process. I enjoy the day to day personal improvement that is required to be good at coaching youth. I appreciate the challenge of improving my skills and in turn the skills of the players I coach a little bit every day.

The Arctic Winter games are an amazing experience for both coaches and players involved in the program. I look forward to getting to know the players that are selected to represent Alberta this year. I know that this experience will be something that they remember fondly as they move through their hockey journey and beyond.

Ian Krauskopf

About Jordan McTaggart:

I grew up and played all my minor hockey in Grande Prairie. I went on to play three years with the Grande Prairie Storm in the AJHL and spent my last seasons as an assistant captain with the team. I studied a Bachelor of Physical Education while playing 5 years in the ACAC splitting time between Red Deer College and UofA Augustana. My coaching includes two years the the U18 AAA team in Grande Prairie and now in my second season as Assistant Coach with the Grande Prairie Storm Junior A team.

Jordan McTaggart

On the Female side, Brett Stephenson takes charge as the head coach for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games. Stephenson is currently the Technical Director for Grande Prairie Minor Hockey and the ACAC NWP Women’s Hockey Head Coach. Karsyn Utz and Ryan Perry join him on the bench as assistants. Utz played in two years of the Arctic Winter Games from 2023-24 and is now an assistant coach with PCAFC U15AA in the Alberta Female Hockey League. Perry is a newcomer to the Arctic Winter Games, but has spent many years working with Sexsmith and Grande Prairie Minor Hockey.

About Brett Stephenson:

Since I finished playing, I always wanted to stay in the game that I loved. Coaching now is ingrained in everything I do. Development is my primary focus for our players in the system.

Brett Stephenson

About Karsyn Utz:

I’ve grown up and played hockey for 14 years in and around Grande Prairie. I played 4 years for the PCFAC Storm and 1 year for the U18 AAA Jr. Oilers.

I also played 2 years for Team Alberta North in the Arctic Winter Games from 2023-2024. My first year attending we played in Fort McMurray and my second year in Alaska where I had the honour of leading the team as captain. Unfortunately I tore my Acl and Meniscus in the gold medal game in Alaska which ultimately made me decide to end my playing career after 14 years. I’ve always loved the game of hockey and giving back in any way I can, so after I recovered from surgery I decided I still wanted to be very involved in the hockey world and I took on coaching full time.

I started up my coaching journey back in my first year of U18 working with one of Grande Prairies power skating coaches, Tanya Chomyc and her business, Power Plus Hockey. My first full season of coaching started in 2024 as an assistant coach for the PCFAC U13AA Storm team here in Grande Prairie where we had a successful season and placed 4th in provincials. I now have moved up an age group and am an assistant coach for the PCFAC U15AA Storm.

I’m very excited to get started and help out in this upcoming Arctic Winter Games!

Karsyn Utz

About Ryan Perry:

I grew up playing my Minor Hockey in Sexsmith, AB and ended up joining the board and starting my coaching with Sexsmith Minor Hockey. I have spent that past 10 years Coaching teams and helping teams out with Goaltending development. Working with Community and Tiered teams all the way up to AAA teams in and around Grande Prairie. This will be my first time working with Team Alberta North as a staff member and I am excited to get things rolling with this years team as we prepared for Whitehorse 2026.

Ryan Perry

Both teams are also led by Blake Cosgrove; Director of Operations & Manager, Elite Hockey Development at Hockey Alberta. Selection camps for the Arctic Winter Games will take place on November 28 in Fairview for the male team, and December 5 in Manning for the female team.

Hockey Alberta Foundation

October 15, 2025

2025 Glencross Charity Invitational

On October 21, players, fans, and community members will come together once again for the annual Glencross Invitational Charity Hockey Tournament, proudly presented by the Flames Foundation and ATB.

This one of a kind event brings together four teams, each featuring 15 skaters (including four NHL alumni) and a goalie, led by celebrity coaches who bring energy, skill, and a whole lot of fun to the ice. Celebrities this year include Curtis Glencross, Colin Patterson, Doug Hicks, Craig Weller, Robyn Regehr, Rene Corbet, Tim Hunter, Lindsay Carson, Kris Kolanos, Ryan Stone, Brett Carson, Dana Murzyn, Chris Dingman, Noah Welch, Steve MacIntyre, Troy Brouwer, Jay Beagle, Brent Krahn, Scott Reid, Lanny Mcdonald, and Ron Stren.

After the final whistle, players and guests will swap their sticks for cards at the charity fun poker event, continuing the excitement while raising funds for two incredible causes: the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community program and the Ronald McDonald House.

Curtis Glencross, Flames NHL alumni, shared how the event came to life and why it continues to mean so much to him and his family.

“Throughout my playing career, we were always involved in supporting various charities. During my time with the Flames my wife Tanya and I became involved with the RMH and Children’s Hospital going to all kinds of events like Christmas visits and pumpkin carving just to name a couple,” said Glencross.

He adds, “I’ve been very fortunate for what the game of hockey has done for me and my family, and we believe that every child who wants to play should have the opportunity to do so.”

That belief aligns with the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s vision and its Every Kid Every Community program, which works to remove barriers and create opportunities for all children to experience the game.

Over the years, the Glencross Charity Invitational has grown into a signature event in Central Alberta, combining the love of the game with the spirit of community. Each year, it helps make a lasting impact on families and youth across the province, proving that when hockey gives back, everyone wins.

GAME SCHEDULE - GARY W. HARRIS CENTRE

Game 1	9:00-10:00
Game 2	10:15-11:15
Game 3	11:30-12:30
Game 4	12:45-1:45

Support the cause by entering the 50/50 for your chance to win while helping make a difference!

BUY TICKETS HERE >

Take a look back at the 2024 Glencross Charity Invitational:

WATCH VIDEO >

Glencross says, “every year we are so thankful to have so many great supporters. We all come together, play a little hockey, enjoy an evening playing some cards, and support two great charity’s.”

This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and everyone who continues to make the Glencross Charity Invitational a success year after year. (Add Sponsor Graphic here)

News

October 08, 2025

New Hockey Season, New Team: Take the Player Pledge and Online Player Education Program

October 8 - Hockey Alberta is excited to relaunch the Player Pledge and Online Player Education Program for the 2025-26 season, inspiring teams across the province to continue building a culture of inclusion, respect, and leadership in the game we all love.

Originally piloted during the 2023-24 season the Player Pledge encouraged teams competing in Provincials to take action in promoting positive change. Last season, we made the intentional change in the Pledge to go from “It starts with me” to “It starts with us”.

Carlia Schwab, Manager, EDI and SafeSport declares “It starts with us’ is more than a slogan, it’s a shared responsibility. When teams commit to respect, safety, and inclusion, they’re not just shaping how the game is played, they’re shaping how young athletes grow. Hockey has the power to teach resilience, build connection, and create space for every player to feel seen and supported, on and off the ice”.

In addition, as part of Hockey Alberta’s commitment towards achieving positive environments through addressing and wanting to remove all forms of discrimination and maltreatment from Hockey, we have created a Player Education Program.

In partnership with the WHL and their Respect in Hockey virtual program and platform, Hockey Alberta has developed our own version of an Online Player Education Program that seeks to help build awareness and education to help enhance players skills.

“All season we preached the importance of being a good teammate, a good person, and most of all respecting the game and everyone involved. The Pledge and the online player education program backed that up, and they [the team] slowly began to realize the importance of this” said the Bow Valley Timberwolves U18AA (Cochrane), a team that participated in the program last season.

Players Pledge

This season, we’re calling on all teams, players, and member organizations to take part in the Hockey Alberta Player Pledge and help build a safer, more respectful, and inclusive hockey community.

The pledge is more than words, it’s a commitment to:

Play and act with respect, on and off the ice.

Create welcoming spaces for everyone in the game.

Lead by example in promoting safety, inclusion, and positivity.

Online Players Education Program

This program seeks to help build awareness of key concepts and topics that would enhance our players skills and abilities, encourage respectful interactions and relationships, and contribute to spaces where welcoming, inclusion, safety, fun and respect are at the forefront.

Our hope is that we can give our players the tools and understanding to stand up for others, get help for themselves or someone else, contribute to positive environments and ultimately move away from harmful behaviors and actions like bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

Early Bird Prizing:

Teams that submit their Pledge commitment before November 4, 2025 (11.4 Day, Maltreatment Awareness Da) will be entered into a draw to win some awesome prizing from Hockey Alberta including tickets for your team to attend a Flames or Oilers game, a Hockey Alberta prize pack, or a WHL signed jersey.

Teams that sign up for the Online Player Education Program prior to November 4, 2025 (11.4 Day, Maltreatment Awareness Day), and who agree to complete the program as a team before December 15th 2025, will be entered into a draw to win some awesome prizing from Hockey Alberta including tickets for your team to attend a Flames or Oilers game, a Hockey Alberta prize pack, or a WHL signed jersey.

Bonus Opportunity: 20 teams to sign up are eligible to receive a FREE team-building session with Brock McGillis as part of his Shiftmakers Tour, coming to Alberta this November.

Email [email protected] with any questions, or register your team at the link below.

TEAM REGISTRATION LINK >

Team Alberta

October 07, 2025

Team Alberta Female selected for 2025 National Women’s Under-18 Championship

RED DEER – Team Alberta has selected the twenty athletes representing Team Alberta Female at the 2025 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, November 2-8, taking place in Mount Pearl and Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year’s roster consists of two goalies, six defence and twelve forwards. Five players on this year’s squad also represented Alberta at the 2024 Championship in Quispamsis, NB, and are returning for another run at the championship.

Seven communities across Alberta are represented in this year’s squad, including Edmonton, Calgary, Airdrie, Sherwood Park, Lloydminster, Rocky Mountain House and Strathmore.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S U18 ROSTER >

Team Alberta’s selection process included the U18 Summer Camp in July in Red Deer with 46 players involved in on and off-ice sessions and three scrimmages. A shortlist of 28 took part in the Team Alberta Fall Camp in Red Deer which included games against USports women’s teams (University of Alberta and University of Calgary).

Staff members of this year’s team are Josh Gosling (Chestermere), Head Coach; Mandy Layden (Drayton Valley), Assistant Coach; Craig Perrett (Calgary), Assistant Coach; Tatum Amy (Calgary), Video Coach; Jamond Cardinal (Edmonton), Goalie Coach; Megan Sehn (Medicine Hat), Therapist; Brady Park (Red Deer), Equipment Manager; Rob Dawson (St. Albert), Coach Mentor and Michael Kraichy (Red Deer); Director of Operations.

Team Alberta begins its tournament on November 2 against British Columbia. The team’s full schedule can be found below, with times listed in Mountain Time.

November 2	Alberta vs British Columbia	4 PM
November 3	Atlantic vs Alberta	4 PM
November 4	Alberta vs Quebec	11 AM
November 6	Quarterfinals	TBD
November 7	Semifinals/5^th Place Game/7^th Place Game	TBD
November 8	Bronze Medal Game	11:30 AM
November 8	Gold Medal Game	3:30 PM

News

October 01, 2025

2026 Spring Showcase Dates Announced, Staff Applications Open

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is excited to announce the return of the Spring Showcase in 2026.

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 Canada Winter Games.

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