She Leads Hockey Micro Grants Now Open

Building on the impact of last year’s initiative, Hockey Alberta, in partnership with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, is continuing its commitment to growing female hockey by providing funding to help empower female players, strengthen team development, and create meaningful opportunities for girls and women in hockey, both on and off the ice across Oil Country.

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)
• Female coaches, officials, athletic trainers, and team staff etc.
• 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

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

Important Dates

• 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

Please feel free to share this opportunity with teams, coaches, officials, and female participants in your networks. We appreciate your help in spreading the word and supporting the growth of the female game.

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 >