Hockey Gives Back: Community at the Core

The values of hockey extend far beyond the rink, and Week Two of Hockey Gives Back showcases teams across Alberta who are putting those values into action. Through volunteerism, fundraising, and hands-on community support, these teams are strengthening the communities that support the game we all love.

U15 AA Female SPKAC Royals

The SPKAC Royals have made giving back a priority through multiple community initiatives this season. During Kings Day, the team organized a toy drive in support of Ronald McDonald House, helping bring comfort and joy to families in need. In addition, the Royals partnered with three other SPKAC teams the U13 AA Monarchs, the U15 AA Leafs, and Sabres to host a winter clothing drive in support of Hope Mission, ensuring community members had access to warm clothing throughout the winter.

U11 AA Airdrie Lightning

The U11 AA Airdrie Lightning came together to support local youth by collecting over 100 donated items, along with a cash contribution, for teenagers in need through the Airdrie 1st Club. Their efforts demonstrated the impact young players can have when they work together to support their community.

U15 AA Airdrie Lightning

The U15 AA Airdrie Lightning Females took a hands on approach to giving back by shopping for gifts for local teens for the Airdrie 1st organization. Using $500 of their own money, the team ensured that teens in their community felt supported and remembered during the holiday season.

Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds

The Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds sledge hockey program found an inclusive way to give back by volunteering multiple nights throughout the holiday season as part of the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. Ringing bells together provided an accessible volunteer opportunity for players while supporting an organization that gives back so much to the community.

U15 AAA Canadian Athletic Club Volvo Cars Edmonton

The U15 AAA Canadian Athletic Club Volvo Cars Edmonton team combined fundraising with hands on service. The team hosted a food drive during a home game on November 30, collecting non-perishable items for the Edmonton Food Bank. The following weekend, players volunteered at the food bank, helping build hampers for families in need.

U15 AA PAC Green Drop Saints

The PAC Green Drop Saints have completed three successful community initiatives to date. The team spent two days selling poppies at local locations in support of the Legion, volunteered at Superstore raising funds for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, and hosted a non-perishable food drive at a home game to support their local food bank. The team takes great pride in giving back to the communities that have supported them over the years.

U15 Smoky Seed Smoky River Pirates

The Smoky River Pirates signed up with their local FCSS to provide the Snow Angel service, helping residents in need with snow removal throughout the winter season. With a heavy snowfall already, the team has been actively clearing snow for eight community members, an effort that has been extremely well received.

U15 AA Foothills Bisons

The U15 AA Foothills Bisons volunteered their time at a Salvation Army church, packing Christmas hampers ahead of the holiday season. The teamwork and effort shown by the players was inspiring, and they represented their team and community with pride.

U15 AA St. Albert Raiders Bears

The St. Albert Raiders U15 AA Bears participated in the London Drugs Seniors Tree program, shopping for seniors in their community using their own money. Players worked in groups to purchase requested items, creating a meaningful experience that highlighted the importance of giving back.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the host communities for the 2026 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships.

Host communities for 30 provincial championships have been confirmed. The remaining four provincial champions are determined through league playoffs.

Championship tournaments are being hosted in locations across the province – From Fairview to Coaldale, Cold Lake to Okotoks, Alberta is set to be full of action for three straight weekends.

2026 Provincial Hosts >

Participating teams for the provincial championship tournaments are determined through league playoffs.

Hockey Alberta’s Tiered and Female leagues include: Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League, Central Alberta Hockey League, All Peace Hockey League, North Eastern Alberta Hockey League, Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League, and East Central Alberta Female Hockey League.

Week one (March 19-22) sees the first set of players hitting the ice on the schedule, with championships including: U18 Female A, U18 Female B, U15 AAA, U15 AA, U15 A, U15 B, U15 C, U15 A NBC, U15 Female AA, U13 A, U13 B, U13 C, U13 D, U13 Female A* and U13 Female B.

Week two (March 26-29) features: U18 AA, U18 A, U18 B, U18 C, U18 A NBC, U18 Female AA, U15 Female A, U15 Female B, U13 AAA, U13 AA, U13 Female AA and U11 AA.

The final weekend (April 1-6) showcases Junior B, Junior C, U17 AAA and U16 AA.

Junior A, Junior Female, U18 AAA and U18 AAA Female provincial champions are decided through league playoffs.

The U13 Female A event is still vacant and seeking a host for the 2026 Provincial Championships. Please inquire at [email protected] should your minor hockey association be interested in hosting this event.

Purpose

Designed for players ages 5–8, this program provides a structured, age-appropriate start to hockey development. It emphasizes fun, skill-building, confidence, and progressive learning while introducing team concepts as players mature.

Research shows that the largest detriment to player development between the ages of 5–8 is playing on surfaces that are too large for their stage of growth. Smaller-surface formats—such as stations, cross-ice, and half-ice—are used to match physical and cognitive readiness. This creates more puck touches, engagement, and decision-making opportunities, leading to faster skill development and more enjoyment.

Recognizing that players grow at different rates, coaches are encouraged to focus on individual progress rather than comparison, ensuring every child has the chance to develop at their own pace.

Benefits

1. Age-Appropriate Skill Development

Players learn through stations and small-area games, focusing on fun and core skills like skating, passing, and shooting.

2. Confidence, Engagement, and Love for the Game

Activities maximize participation and enjoyment, building confidence and a love for hockey.

3. Progressive Learning

Development follows a pyramid: technical skills first, then individual and team tactics as players mature.

4. Structured Practices That Encourage Exploration

Practice is where players develop skills and habits - such as decision-making - far quicker than in games. Well-structured sessions provide meaningful repetition, keep players highly engaged, and ensure learning while still being fun.

5. Individualized Challenge

Grouping by skill level ensures drills match each player’s needs and abilities.

6. Balanced Development Focus

Most time is spent on technical skills (75–85%), gradually building toward the introduction of individual tactics. Minimal emphasis is placed on team tactics or positional play at this stage, ensuring development stays age-appropriate and focused on fundamentals.

Summary

The Intro to Hockey Program makes hockey fun, accessible, and developmentally appropriate for beginners. By focusing on smaller playing surfaces, exploration, decision-making, and strong technical foundations, the program helps players gain confidence, enjoy the game, and develop at their own pace. With patience and understanding, every player can grow, learn, and build a lifelong love for hockey.

INTRO TO HOCKEY >

Edmonton is set for an exciting week of women’s hockey as fans gear up for two Rivalry Series matchups. As part as the AFHL Rivalry week presented by ATB, Hockey Alberta is excited to partner with Hockey Canada and the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation to help amplify the women’s game in our province. From world class gameplay to interactive fan experiences, this week showcases the passion, talent, and growth of the female game in Alberta.

Rivalry Series Game 1 - December 10

Team Canada and Team USA open the week with Game 1 of the Rivalry Series on Wednesday, December 10. This highly anticipated matchup brings the intensity of one of hockey’s greatest rivalries to the heart of Edmonton.

Tickets are still available for fans looking to join the action and cheer on some of the best players in the world.
TICKETS >

Hockey Alberta Hockey House Presented by ATB - December 13

On Saturday, December 13, fans are invited to join us at the Hockey Alberta Hockey House Presented by ATB for a pre-game celebration held inside Rogers Place.

EVENT LINK >

Event Time: 4:00–6:00 PM

Location: Ford Hall, Rogers Place

Event Highlights

• Poster-Making Station
  • Fans can create custom posters to show their support for Team Canada, celebrate their favourite players, and display their community pride. This hands on activity is open to all ages.
• Seven Prize Packs to Be Won
  • Registered minor hockey players in Alberta will have the chance to win one of seven incredible prize packs.
  • Prize Pack Lineup
    • ATB: FTW CCM full set of gear
    • Explore Edmonton: 2026 CPKC Women’s Open package (2 weekend passes + 2-night hotel stay)
    • EOCF: Signed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins jersey
    • EOCF: Mini-stick bundle (bag, sticks, net + signed Mattias Ekholm puck)
    • Hockey Canada: Signed 2021 Team Canada Women’s Worlds jersey
    • PWHL x Line Change: Merch pack + two tickets to the Dec. 27 PWHL game
    • PWHL x Line Change: Merch pack + two tickets to the Dec. 27 PWHL game

These prizing opportunities help celebrate grassroots hockey and give young players another reason to get excited about the Rivalry Series.

Be sure to check out all the kiosks for great giveaways, interactive games, and more prizing!

Rivalry Series Game 2 - December 13

After Hockey House, fans will head into Rogers Place for Game 2 of the Rivalry Series.

Gates Open: 6:00 PM

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM

This is a perfect opportunity to support Team Canada and take in an unforgettable night of elite women’s hockey.

TICKETS >

RED DEER – Seventeen athletes are representing Team Alberta North in the Junior Female division at the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, March 8-15.

The final roster was determined after selection camp on December 5-7 in Manning.

The team will consist of two goaltenders, six defence and nine forwards.

ROSTER >

To be eligible for the Arctic Winter Games, athletes must reside north of the 55^th parallel to be eligible for Team Alberta North.

The team is led by head coach Brett Stephenson, while assistant coaches Ryan Perry and Karsyn Utz (Grande Prairie) join him on the bench.

Team Alberta North Junior Female participates in a round-robin tournament to determine seeding for the medal-round pairings in hopes of qualifying for the playoffs to compete for the gold ulu.

In 2024, Alaska hosted the Games with the Junior Female team winning the gold ulu in their event.

The Arctic Winter Games are the world’s largest northern multi-sport and cultural event. The Arctic Winter Games are a celebration of athletic completion, culture, friendship and cooperation between northern contingents. Teams that regularly participate in ice hockey include Alaska, Yukon, Alberta North, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Strathcona Minor Hockey Association hosts many great events throughout the hockey season. One that brings the entire community together in a way that few tournaments can is the Strathcona Classic. What started as a simple weekend of hockey has grown into one of the most anticipated celebrations within the association uniting players, families, coaches, and volunteers from every division. The 2025 Strathcona Classic was no exception, showcasing what makes minor hockey so special is connection, culture, and community.

What truly sets the Strathcona Classic apart is the intentional structure behind the on ice experience. Instead of traditional team entry, players from across all divisions are drafted into mixed teams, creating line combinations that ensure competition stays fair and fun for everyone.

“We work really, really hard on setting the lines so they’re comparable and equal,” Steve Blink President of SMHA explained. “We even put colour coordinated stickers on helmets so each line is instantly identifiable. Then we have a buzzer that goes every 75 seconds, making sure like plays with like.”

This thoughtful approach means Tier 1 skaters are matched with Tier 1, Tier 2 with Tier 2, and so on, ensuring players of all skill levels can enjoy the game without mismatches. Still, everyone plays together under one team banner.

The tournament’s name isn’t an accident. The “Strathcona Classic” was created not only as an annual celebration but also as a way to honour the rich history of the association.

Strathcona Minor Hockey began as an amalgamation of the Ardrossan, Fultonvale, Tofield, and Josephburg hockey communities. Later, the Strathcona Sabres joined the legacy through the junior division. Today, every team in the Classic represents one of these founding groups wearing their colours, carrying their flags, and learning the history of the program they now belong to.

“It connects the kids to something bigger than themselves. They take pride in representing the founding members of Strathcona Minor Hockey.” Natalie Williams General Manager of SMHA.

The Strathcona Classic is a celebration atmosphere like no other. What happens off the ice is just as important as what happens on it. Unlike traditional tournaments where families show up for the game and quickly head home, the Strathcona Classic transforms the entire rink into a weekend festival.

“We’ve got five or six hundred people in the lobby at all times. It’s a big party.” Blink said. The weekend includes activities like a live DJ playing all day, photo booth and on site entertainment, balloon artists and glitter tattoo stations, visits from the Edmonton Oil Kings mascot, a free pancake breakfast, a parent party, and more.

“The kids don’t want to go home,” Blink laughed. “Parents are dragging them out at the end of the night. That’s what makes this event special it’s truly a social event, not just a hockey tournament.”

The heart of the Strathcona Classic is connection. Whether it’s players forming friendships across divisions, parents sharing laughs in the lobby, or volunteers coming together to build something meaningful, the event creates a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond the weekend.

“It’s about building a community. Creating an avenue for kids and families to interact. It becomes the highlight of the season not because of the hockey alone, but because of the experience” Williams explains.

Blink and Williams both agreed that building an event of this scale takes time, resources, and commitment. In the early years, it was a significant investment.

“But it was an investment in shaping our culture,” Williams shared. “Now, as people have come to appreciate the event, the 50/50 and raffle tables help offset costs. Once it gains traction, it almost pays for itself.”

Their advice for other associations is to “be patient. It may take a couple of years to catch on, but the results are worth it. You create something powerful for your membership something that brings everyone together, no matter the tier or division.”

The Strathcona Classic has become more than a tournament, it’s a tradition. A celebration of inclusivity, history, and community spirit. A reminder that minor hockey is as much about relationships and memories as it is about goals and games.