Check out the November edition of Ice Times!

Check out the November Edition of the Ice Times Newsletter.

Included this month:

• AFHL Rivalry Week
• October’s Stars of the Month
• Player Pledge Contest Winners
  AND MORE!

ICE TIMES NEWSLETTER >

Every year, as the holiday season arrives, the hockey community across Alberta steps up in remarkable ways. Rinks fill with more than just practices and games they overflow with generosity, teamwork, and a shared commitment to giving back. It’s a time when teams look beyond the scoreboard and focus on making a meaningful impact in their communities.

Last season, 49 teams participated in Hockey Gives Back, each contributing their own unique story of kindness. From community food drives, warm winter clothing collections, and from volunteering in seniors’ homes to supporting local charities, these teams demonstrated what makes hockey in Alberta so special: the culture, the connection, and the willingness to help others.

This year, Hockey Alberta is excited to continue highlighting the incredible initiatives happening in rinks and communities across the province. And while we were inspired by the 49 submissions we received last year, we know there are even more stories waiting to be told. Stories driven by players, coaches, managers, families, and entire communities rallying behind meaningful causes.

Here are examples:

1. Food Drive – Gather non-perishable items for your local food bank.
2. Care Centre Visits – Brighten someone’s day with a team visit to a long-term care home, or send letters and handmade cards.
3. Clothing & Food Donations – Support local Family and Community Support Services with items they need most.
4. Adopt a Family – Partner with programs such as:
   • North East Calgary Adopt a Family Society
   • The Outreach Centre
   • Holiday Hamper
   • Local Adopt-a-Family initiatives
5. Adopt a Senior – Volunteer through the Senior Secret Service Program.
6. Santa’s Anonymous – Contribute to local holiday toy and gift drives.
7. Thank a Hero – Deliver notes or care packages to first responders in your community.
8. Snow Angels – Shovel walkways for seniors or neighbours who could use a helping hand.
9. Donate Blood – Join Hockey Alberta’s Hockey Gives Blood team (HOCK572890) and support lifesaving efforts province-wide.

This initiative not only strengthens the communities we live in, but it also strengthens the teams themselves. When players step off the ice to work together on a cause, they build something far bigger than hockey skills. They develop empathy. They learn leadership. They see the impact a team can have when everyone contributes. These moments become defining memories for young athletes, shaping how they see the world, and how they choose to make it better.

As we head into the 2025 holiday season, we want to feature even more stories. Whether your team has already planned a community initiative or is just getting started, we invite you to share your story with us. Tell us what inspired your team. Tell us who you’re supporting and why. Tell us what it meant to your players, your parents, and your community.

FILL OUT THE FORM HERE >

The excitement surrounding First Shift continues to grow, with 31 programs being hosted across the province this season. From Grande Prairie to Canmore and in communities like Edmonton, Cochrane, Calgary, Tsuut’ina Nation, Chestermere, Lethbridge, Brooks, Ardrossan, Lamont, Red Deer, and Fort McMurray associations are preparing to welcome children who may be stepping into the world of hockey for the very first time.

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift Program is built on a simple but powerful goal: remove barriers and create a memorable, positive first experience for new-to-hockey families. Designed for kids who have never played before, it provides both the equipment and the confidence needed to enjoy the game at its best. As Vansickle explains, “It’s an excellent opportunity to get more kids interested in the game of hockey. It’s an affordable option for families who may have children not yet playing”.

At the heart of First Shift is the Welcome Event, a day crafted to replace any uncertainty with excitement. Vansickle walks us through what families can expect when they arrive for the first time.

“The day begins with our own LMHA volunteers, where we meet the Bauer reps early in the afternoon to get things set up and organized for the soon to becoming players that arrive. They show up and collect their gear; they go station to station and Bauer reps are present to fit to make sure they get the proper size equipment. By the end of the cycle, they walk out with the full bag of hockey equipment and great big smile on their faces. They’re ready to start their hockey journey”.

The Welcome Event is followed by six on-ice sessions over the next eight weeks, each designed to build confidence and help children fall in love with the game at their own pace.

For anyone considering the program but unsure whether hockey is the right fit, Vansickle has a clear message:

“If you have a child who’s on the fence about hockey, the Bauer First Shift Program is absolutely phenomenal. I encourage any association to jump on board and have your own First Shift program.”

Registration remains open for several First Shift programs beginning in January 2026. Welcome Event dates are posted, and families can expect their six ice sessions to run within the eight weeks that follow.

For families looking for an easy, welcoming, and memorable introduction to hockey, First Shift just might be the perfect first step.

DETAILS >

Today, the hockey community stands together in remembrance.
We honour those who served and sacrificed so that generations could play the game we love in freedom and peace.

Lest we forget. ❤️

The Northwest Warriors are proving that hockey is more than just a sport, it’s a vehicle for building stronger, more connected communities. As one of Calgary’s most community driven associations, the Warriors have embraced growth, change, and the evolving community of hockey, all while staying true to their grassroots values.

Matt Hunter, Manager of Hockey Operations, says the Warriors’ deep roots within their local neighborhoods make them unique.

“Our association is unique due to its deep ties to our communities. The warriors have changed with the hockey landscape in Calgary, but truly still have a closer relationship with the initial crow child in Westwood communities that host our arenas. As we grow, the goal is to continue building on these programs that really use hockey as a vehicle for community development. Understanding that we have a responsibility to those under our care to provide a safe environment, and that kids can really flourish if they feel comfortable and valued”.

Their commitment to inclusivity and community connection can be seen in every aspect of the organization’s work. From youth development to volunteer engagement and their growing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

Through the DEI Committee, the Warriors have launched several initiatives that are shaping a more inclusive and welcoming hockey culture. Their Girls Hockey Day continues to expand each year, supported by a passionate team of volunteers. They’ve also introduced a female coaching program, which has seen remarkable success, with nearly every team now having a female coach, and this season marking the association’s first-ever female head coach for a senior Timbits team.

“We do have a few different programs and initiatives that we are trying to grow because as an association the Northwest Warriors are growing and the goal is to continue growing,” said Beth McIvor, NWW DEI Committee Representative.

The Warriors’ DEI Committee has worked closely with local post-secondary institutions such as Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary, as well as with Hockey Alberta, to align initiatives and messaging across the hockey community. This collaboration has led to the successful integration of the Hockey Alberta Player Pledge, which the Warriors have adopted at every level from players and coaches to parents and volunteers.

“We have not just coaches and players taking the pledges here,” McIvor added. “We’ve invited the parents to join. We’re trying to bring a much more holistic approach to it, to ensure that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s involved, and working towards the same goal, which is, again, just having a safe, inclusive space for kids to grow in sport.”

“As President of the Northwest Warriors, I proudly support the Hockey Alberta Player Pledge. Our organization believes that hockey is truly a sport for everyone. Diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthen not only our teams but our entire community. By embracing the Player Pledge, we are committed to fostering a culture of respect, fair play, and belonging both on and off the ice. Together we are building a hockey community for everyone,” said Sean David, President of the NWW.

For many families, this sense of belonging and purpose is what makes the Warriors special.

Beth, a parent and DEI committee member, shared her perspective: “I think as a parent and a leader in the community, the Northwest Warriors are very inviting and as Hockey Alberta has been of parents such as myself, who are just looking to volunteer and move the needle. There’s such bigger systemic and economical issues that play into kids in sport and kids in hockey, and sometimes it really feels like an uphill battle, it feels like you’re hardly moving the needle, but I think the challenge and the exciting part of it is to not get disheartened and just to keep going because every little bit of change helps and matters.”

Her message to other parents is clear, get involved. “Even if you think as a parent, there’s nothing I can do, I shouldn’t volunteer. Do it anyway. Volunteer. Northwest Warriors are always looking for new members to join the DEI Committee, and there’s tons of opportunities to get involved, especially if you’re an expert or a professional or a leader in the field. We welcome you.”

For the Northwest Warriors, hockey will always be about more than wins and losses. It’s about community, connection, and creating a space where everyone feels like they belong. Through continued collaboration and commitment to inclusion, the Warriors are setting a standard for what it means to truly live out the spirit of “It Starts With Us.”

What began as one student’s idea to honour a young Edmonton hero has grown into uniting schools, inspiring compassion, and driving change for kids across Canada.

The Ben Stelter School Fundraiser (BSSF) was created in February 2023 to celebrate the legacy of Ben Stelter, the six-year-old Edmonton Oilers superfan whose courage and joyful spirit touched hearts nationwide. Ben’s battle with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer, moved the entire hockey community. After his passing, students wanted to keep his impact alive, not just in memory, but through meaningful action.

That inspiration sparked an idea from Aariz Mawji, now the director of the BSSF. He launched the first fundraiser at his school, where students raised an incredible $11,000 in one week. What started as one school quickly grew to more than 65 schools across Edmonton and surrounding areas.

“Ben’s legacy was our motivation,” said Reet Khinda Marketing Director. “We wanted to honour him in a way that would save lives, not just commemorate his memory. That’s why we built a student-led model, to empower young people to lead, learn, and directly impact pediatric cancer care.”

Powered by Youth, Backed by Community

At its heart, the BSSF is for kids, by kids. Students plan creative fundraisers from bake sales to jersey days, all with one goal: to raise money to bring proton therapy to Canada.

Proton therapy is an advanced radiation treatment that precisely targets cancer cells while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissue. Right now, Canada is the only G8 country without proton therapy, meaning many families must travel thousands of kilometres for treatment.

A Moment to Remember: McDavid Meets the Kids

Each year, schools that participate in the BSSF have the chance to win an unforgettable reward, a visit from Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers.

In 2024, Ottewell School won that honour. The visit became an unforgettable day filled with excitement, pride, and inspiration. McDavid’s visit wasn’t just about meeting a hockey hero, it was a celebration of what young people can accomplish when they work together for a greater cause. The event’s buzz helped motivate even more schools to sign up for the 2025 campaign.

“It’s bigger than any prize or competition,” said Khinda. “It’s about saving lives and continuing Ben’s powerful legacy.”

Looking Ahead to 2025

The goal for 2025 is meaningful: hoping to add 97 schools and $200,000 raised, in honour of McDavid’s number.

This year, for every $1,000 raised in the fundraiser, your school will receive a ballot, and these will be placed in a draw to win a visit from the legend, Connor McDavid, to your school. The student leaders from the winning school will also each receive a signed Connor McDavid jersey.

How to Get Involved

Students and parents can talk to their schools about joining the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser and staff can register directly on the website.

Because in the end, the message remains simple and powerful: Kids raising money for kids.

It’s a movement powered by youth and backed by community, a reminder that sometimes, the biggest change starts with the smallest voices.

https://benstelterfoundation.com/media