Membership Monday: Inside the First Shift Experience with Leduc Minor Hockey Association

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.

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For Red Deer Minor Hockey, giving back to the community has become just as important as what happens on the ice. What started as a simple idea, a night of bingo with local seniors has grown into a meaningful tradition that connects players with members of their community in a unique and memorable way.

The Red Deer U15 A Ramada team began visiting the residents at Victoria Park Lodge after an idea was sparked by one of the players, whose grandmother lives at the lodge.

“It started with the idea of trying to give back to the community and not just building good hockey players but good humans as well,” said Head Coach Cody Huseby. “We got in contact with the director at the lodge and built a relationship there, and she suggested the idea of coming to play bingo. It turned into a really valuable experience for both our players and the residents. They really enjoy us coming and bringing a different kind of energy.”

During the event, players spread out across the room to sit with residents, helping them with their bingo cards while sharing conversations and building connections along the way. The team also added a personal touch by baking sweets to bring and share with the residents.

“You get to know the seniors a little bit, go through the rules, and then you have fun playing bingo,” added goaltender Owen Entz.

The impact of the evening goes beyond just a fun activity. For the players, it offers an opportunity to step outside the rink and see how small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day. “It means a lot, you know, just giving back to the community,” said left wing Finn Lynch.

When asked if they would take part in the event again, both players didn’t hesitate. “Yes, of course!”

The success of the initiative has also inspired others within the association. Several other teams in Red Deer Minor Hockey have organized similar visits this season, continuing the ripple effect of community involvement.

“Any time you have a chance to volunteer, whether it’s at a food bank or another initiative, it instills really good values in our players,” said Huseby. “Hopefully it encourages them to continue to give back to their communities once their minor hockey years are over. The community supports our teams throughout the season, so it’s important that we support them as well.”

Through simple initiatives like this, teams are showing that hockey can be about more than just the game. It can also be about building relationships, strengthening communities, and creating moments that leave a lasting impact both on and off the ice.

Female hockey continues to grow across the province and events like Female Hockey Day and HERitage Classic are continue shining spotlight on the athletes, coaches, and volunteers driving the game forward.

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Recently, the Edmonton Female Hockey Alliance (EFHA) hosted Female Hockey Day, presented by ATB, which ran alongside the HERitage Female Classic Hockey Festival at The Meadows Hockey Arena. Female Hockey Day featured 115 players, from Try Hockey participants all the way up to U18 athletes, while the festival brought together 30 teams of girls, ranging from U9 to U18 (A & B levels). Both events gave young players the opportunity to showcase their skills, build confidence, and celebrate the sport they love.

“The more that you have these opportunities to showcase what is happening, it shows your city, that this is a really large area of sport that deserves resources, attention, and investment,” Amiee Skye, President of Edmonton Female Hockey Alliance. “The more we can do these kinds of activities; the more people can see the growth trajectory of female hockey”.

Syke emphasizes the importance of representation for young athletes:

“I’m a big believer that you become the things that you see yourself being able to do. So if you see people playing, if you see females playing, if you see female role models, you are much more likely to push into that sport and be in those roles somehow”.

By highlighting female athletes, coaches, and organizers, events like Female Hockey Day and the HERitage Female Classic are helping to create a stronger, more visible, and more supported female hockey community in Edmonton and across Alberta.

This year, 16 Minor Hockey Associations across the province received $1,000 grants to host Female Hockey Day events in their communities. Through the Every Kid Every Community grant program, initiatives like these continue to expand, opening doors, increasing access, and supporting the continued growth of the female game. All funds raised are courtesy of the Hockey Alberta Foundation.

Today’s Membership Monday serves as a reminder that investing in female hockey through participation, resources, and recognition is an investment in the future of the sport. Associations interested in hosting a Female Hockey Day next season are encouraged to connect with Hockey Alberta to learn more.

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.

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.”