Applications are now open for the Lordco Future Stars contest! The contest is open to Alberta teams in the U11 and U13 age divisions. Teams will have the opportunity to announce the daily schedule for the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championships, viewed across Hockey Canada’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The Lordco Future Stars contest will consist of a team winner for each day of the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championships and will receive Lordco swag.
The contest closes November 24, 2021. All selected teams will be notified by email. Video zoom calls to record announcements will occur between December 1-10, 2021.
GivingTuesday is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the United States.
According to its website, givingtuesday.ca, GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement where “charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes.”
This year, Hockey Alberta is pleased to highlight organizations that continue to make hockey accessible to every Albertan.
Sports Central provides sports equipment at no cost to kids in need. Based out of Edmonton, the volunteers also accept gently-used equipment by donation.
Calgary Flames Sports Bank helps kids and families across southern Alberta access equipment at no cost. The organization works with KidSport Calgary to breakdown the cost of fees and equipment to ensure every child has an opportunity to play sports. The Calgary Flames Sports Bank operates with the help of volunteers and donations.
KidSport offers grants to help cover the registration costs for sport, allowing all kids to play. Grants can be applied for online and the organization welcomes donations.
HEROS Hockey uses the game of hockey to teach life-skills and empower marginalized youth. The organizations provides free hockey programming for at risk children and youth, offering a safe and stable environment for them to grow, connect and succeed.
Every kid in every community should have the opportunity to play hockey. Over the years the Hockey Alberta Foundation has given over $1.5 million to help support grassroots minor hockey initiatives and get new players involved in the game.
The Hockey Alberta Foundation raises funds to increase access to hockey throughout Alberta by administering two grant opportunities:
Every Kid Every Community offers two types of grants. The Player Assistance grant provides financial support to current or new players looking to play hockey. The Community Grant funds new programs or support an existing program focused on recruiting new players. Applications for Every Kid Every Community grants are due October 31, January 31, April 30 and July 31.
Hockey Alberta Member Grant presented by Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation supports hockey programming in Northern Alberta (Red Deer - north). Priority for funding is given to those in need for leadership development, introduction to hockey, female, para, Indigenous hockey programming, and any inclusion and diversity initiatives. Applications are due November 30 and February 28.
To donate to one of the organizations supporting hockey opportunities across the province, please contact the partner organization in your area or the Hockey Alberta Foundation at foundation.hockeyalberta.ca.
RED DEER - Hockey Alberta, Hockey Canada, and the World Juniors are pleased to support ten Alberta communities as they host the prestigious IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship trophy each weekend leading up to the 2022 tournament.
The goal of the World Junior Trophy Tour, sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Canada, is to encourage communities to incorporate their culture throughout a weekend event celebrating and growing community spirit through the game of hockey.
On November 27-28, the trophy will be making an appearance in Grande Cache. Here are some of the activities that the community has planned:
RED DEER - Three new members were elected to Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors during the 114th Annual General Meeting held virtually on November 25.
Kirstan Jewell of Rimbey, Karen Lee of Calgary and Bill Gourley of Calgary were elected as Directors at Large to three-year terms. They replace Michael Bates of Cochrane, Wilson Gemmill of Grande Prairie, and Francois Gagnon of Fort McMurray, whose three-year terms have concluded.
Gagnon will continue as a member of the Board, shifting to the role of Finance Director, taking over for Donna Gallant of Edmonton.
The new Directors join Board Chair Len Samletzki, Vice Chair Allan Mowbray, and Directors at Large Fran Zinger and Al-Amin Vira.
The meeting was opened with a land acknowledgement and greetings from Chief Wilton Littlechild of Ermineskin Cree Nation.
In his opening remarks, Samletzki looked back at the hard work of the hockey community across the province during a difficult 2020-21 hockey season.
“Reflecting back on the last year, including the last 20 months, three words come to mind: gratitude, adaptability, players,” said Samletzki. “Gratitude for you, our volunteers, staff and stakeholders across Alberta;. Adaptability - how quickly everyone in hockey was able to change to ensure our game is played. Plans that were changed, stopped, and then changed again. Players - in difficult times - you were here for the right reasons - ensuring the game was there for our players.”
Samletzki also recognized the recent announcement of three new Hockey Alberta Life Members - Terry Ledingham (Bon Accord), Annie Orton (Blairmore) and George Kalley (Drumheller).
In addition to electing three new Board members, a Notice of Motion related to Life Memberships was approved by the Members.
Following the completion of the formal AGM agenda, several operational updates were provided to the Members. Dennis Zukiwsky, chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation, recapped a very busy year for the Foundation. Mike Klass, Director of Business Operations for Hockey Alberta, provided an financial update. And Hockey Alberta’s CEO Rob Litwinski provided a review of the 2020-21, and a look forward at the Objectives and Key Results that will shape the organization’s strategic priorities for the next four years.
Episode Seventeen of the Centre Ice Podcast focuses on two very important occurrences in November; Remembrance Day, and Hockey Fights Cancer, the latter of which is a month-long initiative by the National Hockey League.
Former University of Alberta Panda and Edmonton Chimo, Angie Ahn, and her partner, Canadian Armed Forces Commanding Officer, Major Leona Ahn, discuss the balance between being a military family and a hockey family, while the NHL’s Vice President of Community Development and Growth, Jeff Scott, shares the history of Hockey Fights Cancer, and the numerous way it helps those who are battling the disease.
Centre Ice is the brand-new Hockey Alberta podcast, featuring the latest news and views on amateur hockey across the province. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast app!
RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is stepping behind the bench with The Coaches Site over the next three seasons.
The Coaches Site is a community of like-minded coaches that are focused on sharing innovative tools and resources to build better programs, practice plans, and team dynamics.
The partnership provides Hockey Alberta Members with access, for a reduced fee, to The Coaches Site and its abundance of coach resources.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Hockey Alberta to strengthen the collective coaching knowledge across the province,” says Aaron Wilbur, Founder and CEO of The Coaches Site. “We are like-minded in our belief that coaches have the biggest influence on the player experience. We look forward to working with the team at Hockey Alberta to support the education and development of their coaches to ensure their program continues to lead the country.”
Hockey Alberta registered coaches will also be able to participate in the Global Skills Showcase hosted annually in the spring by The Coaches Site. Coaches can learn from top skill development leaders in the game. As well, The Coaches Site will present the Hockey Coaches Conference – an occasion for the hockey community – not only in Alberta but across the country – to interact and unite.
“Hockey Alberta is committed to creating an environment for our Members to emphasize coach development, and partnering with The Coaches Site provides resources for our coaches to broaden their scope and further their development,” said Justin Fesyk, Senior Manager of Hockey Development. “Coach development is the pinnacle of hockey in Alberta and we know it starts at the local level. The Coaches Site offers equal access to resources to coaches across the province.”
Hockey Alberta’s Coaching Pathway includes NCCP certification, instructional stream courses, and professional development opportunities, along with resources such as The Coaches Site. For more information, check out the Hockey Alberta website: hockeyalberta.ca/coaches.
The Coaches Site is a platform where the best hockey leaders in the world share their expertise and experience with a global hockey network. For more information, visit thecoachessite.com.
RED DEER – Three Albertans will be officiating at the IIHF World Junior Championship on home ice this holiday season.
The three Hockey Alberta officials - Fraser Lawrence, Kyle Kowalski and Cody Huseby - will be part of crew of 26 officials donning the stripes in Red Deer and Edmonton.
For Lawrence (Edmonton), this is his third consecutive appearance at the World Juniors. He skated in the Edmonton bubble in 2021 and in the Czech Republic in 2020. Lawrence also worked the Western Hockey League final in 2019 and also has skated a number of other International assignments. He was named the Official of the Year for Hockey Alberta for 2019-20.
Kowalski (Edmonton) is also returning to the World Juniors after officiating in the Edmonton bubble, where he skated the Bronze Medal game in 2021. The son of a Hockey Alberta official and former member of the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons, Kowalski has worked the 2018 World Junior A Challenge, 2018 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and was selected to officiate the 2020 USports Cup that was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Huseby (Red Deer) is getting his first call to the World Juniors. Huseby’s international experience includes the 2018 World Under 20 Division II Tournament and the 2017 Ivan Hlinka tournament in the Czech Republic. In 2011, he and his twin brother, Chad, became the first twins to work the lines together in the WHL. Cody is also the Regional Coordinator for Hockey Alberta’s North Central officials’ region.
RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is now accepting applications for the position of Apprentice Coach at the 2022 Alberta Challenge in Red Deer.
The Apprentice Coach Program aims to provide an opportunity for six (6) aspiring female coaches to develop in a safe environment through the U16 Team Alberta Female High-Performance Program. If you are interested in learning more about coaching or are considering coaching in the future, this program presents the unique opportunity to learn from and engage with the Alberta Challenge Coaching Staffs and the Coach Mentor throughout the short-term competition process.
The Apprentice Coach Program will provide a safe environment for female coaches to:
Develop coaching skills in several areas
Transition from playing to coaching
Understand the principles of coaching in short-term competition
Give back to the sport
Foster an interest in coaching female hockey
Learn from others and create connections
The Process
All applications must be submitted via the online application form to the Hockey Alberta Office by December 6.
Apprentice Coaches will be selected and notified by the Hockey Alberta Coaches Selection Committee.
The Alberta Challenge allows for athlete evaluation and development through regional selection camps and a six-team tournament format. Athletes will be selected from regional selection camps with three teams representing each region. U15-aged players (2007 & 2008-born) are eligible for the 2022 Alberta Challenge. Regional camps are open tryouts and are held in April prior to the Challenge.
RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is excited to announce the return of the Alberta Cup, Alberta Challenge and Prospects Cup in 2022.
Returning after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trio of events will be held at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at Red Deer Polytechnic in April and May.
For the Alberta Challenge and Prospects Cup (formerly the Peewee Prospects), 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 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Prior to the spring competitions, regional camps will be hosted throughout the province for players to register and attend. More information, including registration and camp details, will be available in January.
All camps and competitions will be subject to COVID-19 protocols and restrictions in place at the time of the camp and event dates.
2022 Alberta Cup - April 27 - May 1
The Alberta Cup features male players born in 2007.
Regional camps run April 1-3 in Spruce Grove, Calgary and Red Deer.
RED DEER - Hockey Alberta, Hockey Canada, and the World Juniors are pleased to support ten Alberta communities as they host the prestigious IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship trophy each weekend leading up to the 2022 tournament.
The goal of the trophy tour is to encourage communities to incorporate their culture throughout a weekend event celebrating and growing community spirit through the game of hockey.
On November 20-21, the trophy will be making an appearance in Nanton. Here are some of the activities that the community has planned:
Nanton
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
EVENT
Friday, November 19
6:00pm
Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre
Opening Ceremony for U7 & U9 Jamboree
Saturday, November 20
8:00am - 5:00pm
Nanton & Stavely
U7 & U9 Jamboree with Trophy on display
Sunday, November 21
8:00am - 3:00pm
Nanton
U7 & U9 Jamboree with Trophy on display
There will be multiple raffles and free draws available throughout the weekend thanks to support from sponsors, volunteers, and the Nanton community.
RED DEER - Hockey Alberta, Hockey Canada, and the World Juniors are pleased to support ten Alberta communities as they host the prestigious IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship trophy each weekend leading up to the 2022 tournament.
The goal of the trophy tour is to encourage communities to incorporate their culture throughout a weekend event celebrating and growing community spirit through the game of hockey.
On November 13-14, the trophy will be making appearances in Canmore and Lacombe. Here are some of the activities that each community has planned:
Canmore
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
EVENT
Friday, November 12
12:00pm
Canmore Recreation Centre
CAHL Tournament Registration with Trophy on display
In 2021, November has notably marked the return of hockey. Life has returned to the busy routine of moving from one activity from the next.
But today, November 11, Hockey Alberta encourages everyone to take a moment to remember those who have fought for our freedoms and honour those who continue to serve.
One of those current officers is also a member of Alberta hockey community - Canadian Armed Forces Commanding Officer, Major Leona Ahn.
Having served for more than 16 years, Leona is currently stationed in Edmonton. As a 23-year-old, she deployed to Afghanistan. Since returning to home soil, she has worked in international events such as the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, relief efforts after natural disasters such as the 2013 floods in Southern Alberta, and 2016 wildfires in Northern Alberta. Most recently, she has aided in the fight against COVID-19.
Though Leona didn’t grow up playing hockey, she fell in love because of the sport. Leona met her spouse, Angie, during a ball hockey tournament. An ice hockey player herself including a stint with the University of Alberta Pandas, Angie enrolled Leona in hockey lessons and Leona was hooked. Sealing their fate of being hockey Moms, their five-year-old daughter began playing Timbits this season.
With a family at home, Leona credits Angie and their two kids for her success and drive.
“I would be nothing without Angie and our family and I know that a lot of military members would say the same thing,” said Leona. “We cannot do what we do, we cannot do what we love, without our families and the incredible sacrifices of parenting alone. The postings, the instability for families sometimes and putting them through that and still having a smile and supporting, that means the world to us.”
For Angie, who is a teacher, being part of a military family means that schedules can change quite quickly, depending on Leona’s role at the time. But it is worth it.
“It’s a real honour to be a spouse to someone in uniform, that’s representing our country,” said Angie. “I always look at it as a really great opportunity for our kids to see somebody who’s not just looking out for family, but looking out for our community and our country.”
For the Ahn family, Remembrance Day is a time to set aside political affiliation or thoughts on foreign policy, and “support the human behind the uniform.”
“Remembrance Day is a great week to be in reflection and full of gratitude for the abundance of what we have as Canadians and to reflect on all the veterans that are no longer with us today and to the soldiers that are currently serving right now,” said Leona. “Because we’re mothers and fathers, we’re sisters and brothers, we’re your friends, we’re your neighbours.”
And the last 18 months have provided a new, contemporary context for the role of the military in Canada.
“Never did we think that the Canadian Armed Forces would be in long-term care facilities during a global pandemic. Never did we think that we’d be sending military nurses to be at the Royal Alex supporting ICU capacity, or did we think that we were going to do vaccine distribution in Indigenous communities up north,” Leona said. “These are your everyday soldiers. It’s not all about the bloodshed and combat, we’re a pretty holistic force as we’ve proven this year. We’re fighting fires, we’re doing flood relief operations, we’re up north, as well as trying to build relations, diplomatic ties, securities in other regions outside Canada where they don’t have the same privileges as us.”
This Remembrance Day take a moment. Reflect on those who have served, honour those who continue to serve and respect the thousands of military families who have sacrificed for our freedom and our country. Lest we forget.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB - Team Alberta fell 3-2 to Team BC in overtime of the gold medal game at the 2021 Western Regional Women’s U18 Championship.
Team Alberta got off to an early lead thanks to Ryann Perrett’s tournament-leading sixth goal. but BC answered back late in the period to tie things up.
Hanna Perrier gave Alberta a 2-1 lead late in the second period, before BC tied things up again early on in the third.
With no goals being scored the rest of the way in regulation, the game went to extra time, where BC scored the winner shortly after the halfway mark of the period.
Team captain Cassidy Rhodes was named Alberta’s Player of the Game. Perrett was named as the tournament’s top forward after recording 11 points in five games. Emerson Jarvis was awarded Most Valuable Player of the tournament with nine points in five games.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB - Team Alberta will play for gold at the 2021 Western Regional Women’s U18 Championship after sealing a 2-0 victory over Team Saskatchewan on Friday afternoon.
The game remained scoreless until the midway point of the second period when Evelyn Lawrence found the puck in a scramble and buried it to give Alberta the 1-0 lead.
The third period went back and forth until Robyn Brokenshire scored to make it 2-0 with just 2:42 left to play. Farah Walker would shut the door the rest of the way to cap off the win.
After recording a shutout, Walker was named Alberta’s Player of the Game. She turned away 20 shots in the game, while Alberta put 35 towards the Saskatchewan net.
Team Alberta will play in the championship game Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm MDT at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie, MB. Their opponent will be determined after the second semi-final game between Manitoba and British Columbia. All games can be streamed on HockeyTV.
RED DEER - Hockey Alberta, Hockey Canada, and the World Juniors are pleased to support ten Alberta communities as they host the prestigious IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship trophy each weekend leading up to the 2022 tournament.
The goal of the trophy tour is to encourage communities to incorporate their culture throughout a weekend event celebrating and growing community spirit through the game of hockey.
On November 6-7, the trophy will be making it’s first appearances in Strathcona and Olds. Here are some of the activities that each community has planned:
Strathcona
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
EVENT
Saturday, November 6
10:30am - 3:00pm
Ardrossan Rec Complex (ARC)
Pancake Brunch
Saturday, November 6
11:45am - 4:45pm
ARC/SOC
4 on 4 Tournament
Saturday, November 6
2:30pm - 5:00pm
Strathcona Olympiette
Hockey AB Shooting & Scoring Coach Clinic
Saturday, November 6
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Strathcona Olympiette
Come Try Hockey!
Saturday, November 6
8:30pm - 11:00pm
ARC - MacMillan East Arena
SMHA Alumni Game
Sunday, November 7
10:30am - 3:30pm
ARC/SOC
4 on 4 Tournament
Sunday, November 7
3:30pm - 6:00pm
Strathcona Olympiette
Strathcona Bruins vs. Beaumont Chiefs (Jr. B)
Sunday, November 7
3:45pm - 6:00pm
ARC - MacMillan East Arena
SP Steele vs. Calgary Titans (Jr. A Female)
Sunday, November 7
6:15pm - 8:30pm
Strathcona Olympiette
Strathcona Warriors vs. SEERA Icemen (Jr. C)
Strathcona is also running an online 50/50 for their event which runs until Sunday - BUY TICKETS >
Olds
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
EVENT
Saturday, November 6
10:00am
Centennial Park
Trophy Arrives - Wear your favourite jersey!
Saturday, November 6
10:30am
Centennial Park
Trophy & Jersey Parade
Saturday, November 6
11:00am - 1:00pm
Olds Sportsplex
Street Hockey - Enter as team or individual
Saturday, November 6
11:00am - 1:00pm
Olds Sportsplex
Slap Shot Game - Donations to Mountain View Food Bank
Saturday, November 6
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Olds Sportsplex
Complimentary BBQ
Saturday, November 6
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Olds Sportsplex
"Try Hockey" Ice Time
Saturday, November 6
6:15pm - 6:40pm
Olds Sportsplex
AJHL Coach Hotstove
Saturday, November 6
7:00pm
Olds Sportsplex
Olds Grizzlys vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
Saturday, November 6
7:15pm - 9:15pm
Olds Sportsplex
Trophy on Concourse for photos
Sunday, November 7
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Olds Sportsplex
Female Hockey Development with ACAC Broncos (U7-U11)
Sunday, November 7
2:15
Olds Sportsplex
Photos with Trophy
Sunday, November 7
2:30pm - 4:15pm
Olds Sportsplex
Female Hockey Development with ACAC Broncos (U13-U18)
To volunteer for the event or register for the street hockey tournament please email: [email protected]
Shawn is currently head coach of the Wabasca U18 Eagles and also an assistant coach with the Wabasca U13 Eagles. Over the past ten years, he has coached nearly every level of hockey with four different Minor Hockey Associations (Bow Island, High Level, Medicine Hat, and Wabasca).
As an RCMP officer, Shawn sees the importance of being involved in the community that he polices, a lesson that he learned from his father. His goal is to utilize hockey to engage the local public and interact with community members while not on duty. He achieves this by building a strong bond with the players on his team, and renting additional ice for the RCMP to interact, teach, and socialize with local youth.
"As a head coach and an assistant, Coach Shawn took it upon himself to learn as much as he could about the Metis and Dene population, which allowed him to associate personally with the Indigenous kids on the team," said the parent who submitted the nomination. "He has utilized his ability to gain buy-in from the players he coaches by encouraging them to take chances and play hockey without fear of making mistakes."
Shawn spends the majority of his free time at the rink, as he also volunteers as an official and was a minor hockey board member for ten years. When at home, he spends his time watching and cheering on the Edmonton Oilers and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
"Hockey should be an escape from the stresses in each player’s life, so it is imperative that coaches foster an atmosphere which is free from consequences for trying and failing," said Shawn. "Coaches can empower every player by highlighting their importance to the team no matter what their skill level may be."
The Coach of the Month award is presented every month during the Minor Hockey season, based on nominations submitted to Hockey Alberta.
Minor hockey coaches will be selected throughout the hockey season and will receive a coaching package from Players Bench Team Apparel valued at over $500, which includes a helmet, gloves, track suit, coach bag, puck bag, rink board, and coaching resources.
The next episode of the Centre Ice Podcast comes a little bit early, as it focuses on the Western Regional Women’s U18 Championship, which runs in Portage la Prairie, MB, Nov 2-6.
Hockey Alberta’s Manager of Female Hockey, Kendall Newell, who is also the Director of Operations for Team Alberta U18 Female, joins us to talk about the tournament, and how it came about in the wake of the National Women’s U18 Championship’s cancellation.
Two-time Team Albertan Danielle Serdachny, who captained Team Alberta to a gold medal at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, also joins the show to talk about her Team Alberta experience, as well as the opportunity to suit up for Team Canada, and her post-secondary experience so far.
Centre Ice is the brand-new Hockey Alberta podcast, featuring the latest news and views on amateur hockey across the province. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast app!
