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COVID-19 Update - Hockey Canada Statement

The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, on the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Without question, this an unprecedented period of difficulty for the sports world. The health and safety of all participants in sport, including players, coaches, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public, is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada.

After much consultation with the Hockey Canada membership, our chief medical officer and public health officials, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities*, including our national championships, until further notice, effective Friday, March 13, 2020.

We recognize the tremendous effort that has been put forth all year by individuals across the country as they participate in Canada’s game. Although it is difficult to process the hockey season ending abruptly, we feel this is the best course of action in order to do our part in keeping our country safe.”

*Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities include all Hockey Alberta-sanctioned activities. This means that all Hockey Alberta league games, playoffs, practices, camps and Provincial, Regional and National Championships are cancelled at the Minor, Female, Junior, Senior and Sledge levels.

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Hockey Canada announces change to Age Division names

CALGARY – At its Winter Congress this weekend in Montreal, the Hockey Canada membership approved a regulation change proposed by the board of directors to revise the naming of the age divisions used in minor hockey across Canada.

Following the recommendations of a task team, the age divisions will become U7, U9, U11 and up, impacting all minor and female hockey programs under the Hockey Canada umbrella. The change was initiated by Hockey Canada and its 13 provincial and territorial members and will be implemented nationally with their input and support for the 2020-21 season.

Current Division Name Age Division for 2020-21
Initiation Under-7 (U7)
Novice Under-9 (U9)
Atom Under-11 (U11)
Peewee Under-13 (U13)
Bantam Under-15 (U15)
Minor Midget Under-16 (U16)
Midget Under-18 (U18)

Age divisions can continue to be subdivided as they currently are in some parts of the country. For example, in the Intro to Hockey model in Alberta, where Major and Minor Novice divisions are used by some Minor Hockey Associations, division names would become U8 for Minor Novice and U9 for Major Novice.

“We believe everyone should feel welcome in the game and in our ongoing effort to make hockey more inclusive, the Members at the Hockey Canada Annual Meeting determined that the names of our age Divisions will change,” said Michael Brind’Amour, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “Following a comprehensive review, we believe this change will simplify the system for families who may be new to the game. The new age Division names will be implemented for next season.”

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Hockey is Back

Hockey Alberta wants to remind you that Hockey is Back.

- Minor Hockey has started.

- Travel is permitted.

- Tiering games will happen.

Hockey Alberta under the guidance of the Government of Alberta and Hockey Canada has developed a comprehensive Return to Hockey Plan.

The plan has been designed to ensure the safety of the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and all involved in the game, is the top priority.

It is a document that Hockey Alberta will continue to review, adapt and evolve as the COVID-19 situation and guidelines implemented by the Government of Alberta and Hockey Canada change.

But, in short - HOCKEY IS BACK.


TIERING GAMES WILL HAPPEN

Group: Minor Hockey

Tiering Phase: Competition Cohorts (Pairs and/ or Groups of Teams)

Dates: Teams Selected & Ready to Participate by November

Important to Note:

  • Hockey Alberta and our Minor Leagues have a plan for a transition into a ‘Modified Competition Season’.
  • Using existing cohort guidelines from AHS, teams will be grouped to participate in Tiering play.
  • Teams must be prepared for Tiering Play by ensuring they take a 14-day break after any Exhibition Play.
  • Leagues will switch Competition Cohorts within Tiering Play by utilizing a 14-day break from cohort activity.

TRAVEL IS PERMITTED

Important to Remember for Minor Hockey:

  • AHS has removed the limitation of cohort groups remaining in respective health zones, when Cohort Guidelines are followed.
  • NO TOURNAMENTS are permitted at this time, as they DO NOT comply with Cohort Guidelines.
  • Travel will be permitted. Hockey Alberta and its leagues are working together on timelines, and exhibition games could occur as early as October’.
  • When travel occurs, all teams must follow the proper Cohort Guidelines – a 14 day break when switching to play a new team.

Related Links:


MINOR HOCKEY HAS STARTED

Current Phase: Prep skates/ Physically Distanced Sorting (try outs, camps, etc) are currently in progress

Rough dates: September 7 – October 8

Related Links:

News

Photo Credit: LA Media


2016 Alberta Cup rosters announced

RED DEER - The rosters have been announced for Hockey Alberta’s 2016 Alberta Cup.

Eight teams will take to the ice at the Canmore Recreation Centre April 28-May 1. The teams include two from each of Calgary and Edmonton, and one each representing the South, Central, Northeast and Northwest zones of the province.

Twenty 2001-born players comprise each roster, along with volunteers serving as head coach, assistant coaches, trainer, and director of operations. Rosters were selected based on performances at zone camps held March 25-27 throughout the province.

The 2016 Alberta Cup marks the 30th Anniversary of the very first Alberta Cup which was held in Edmonton in 1986.

2016 Alberta Cup Rosters

The teams will play in a four-day, tournament-format competition. The event also features an education seminar hosted by the Western Hockey League (WHL).

“The coaching staffs were faced with some very difficult decisions when it came to selecting the 20 players for each team. For the athletes who have earned a roster spot, congratulations. But the work is just beginning, not just for this edition of the Alberta Cup, but also in the competition to earn a spot on the Team Alberta squad that will compete later this year,” said Michael Kraichy, Hockey Alberta’s manager of Team Alberta.

Eighty players will be invited to the U16 Male Provincial Camp in July. This year, players are also vying for spots on Team Alberta at the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup in October in Calgary.

Alberta Cup graduates include Matt Dumba, Braden Holtby, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Scott Hartnell, Jordan Eberle, Devan Dubnyk, and Andrew Ference.

Click here for more information on the Alberta Cup.

News

Standardized tiering coming to Alberta for 2018-19 season

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta, its two largest Minor Hockey Associations, and the four largest minor leagues in the province are pleased to announce that the Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model will be in operation for the 2018-19 season.

Hockey Calgary, Hockey Edmonton, Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL), Northern Alberta Interlock, All Peace Hockey League, and North Eastern Alberta Hockey League are implementing the Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model for the upcoming hockey season.

Consistency in tiering has been a significant concern raised in feedback provided by families across the province in Participant Satisfaction Surveys conducted by Hockey Alberta in 2015 and 2017.

For the past year, these six organizations have worked within Hockey Alberta’s Minor Leagues Committee to develop a tiering model that ensures teams are tiered accurately and consistently by accounting for the size of a minor hockey association, the size of a league, and various geographic factors.

The Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model includes:

  • Six tiers within the divisions of Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.
  • A tiering grid to assist organizations in placing their teams within a specific division.
  • The ability for larger organizations to split tiers into smaller groups based on number of teams, games to be played and travel
  • The ability for smaller organizations to utilize the grid to determine the number of tiers to operate based on number of teams.
  • Teams proceed through tiering rounds for final placement determined by policies of the individual league.

Hockey Alberta’s member organizations were informed of the new Alberta One Standardized Tiering Model through an Information Bulletin on April 11.

News

Photo credit: LA Media


2018 Alberta Cup rosters announced

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the rosters for the 2018 Alberta Cup.

Eight teams will take to the ice at the Agrena in Spruce Grove April 25-29. The teams include two from each of Calgary and Edmonton, and one each representing the South, Central, Northeast and Northwest zones of the province.

Twenty 2003-born players comprise each roster, along with volunteers serving as head coach, assistant coaches, trainer, and director of operations. Rosters were selected in the aftermath of zone camps held March 23-25 throughout the province.

2018 Alberta Cup Rosters > | 2018 Alberta Cup Schedule >

"We are very excited to take the next step in the Road to Red Deer," said Manager of Team Alberta, Mike Kraichy. "We’re looking forward to a fantastic event in Spruce Grove this year, and for the high level of talent that will hit the ice."

The teams will play in a four-day, tournament-format competition. The event also features an education seminar hosted by the Western Hockey League.

Eighty players from this year’s competition will be selected to attend Team Alberta’s Provincial Camp in July, with a chance to represent their province at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.


Tournament Passes

Tournament passes for the 2018 Alberta Cup are now on sale. A weekend pass is $59 (plus GST), a family weekend pass (two adults and two children) is $173 (plus GST), and a day pass is $17 (plus GST). Day Passes will also be available at the door.

Tournament Passes >


Alberta Cup Banquet

Tickets for the 2018 Alberta Cup Banquet are also now available for purchase. Tickets are $59 per person (plus GST). Only 180 tickets are available, and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.. The Alberta Cup Banquet is Saturday, April 28 at 5 p.m. at the Stony Plain Pavilion.

Banquet Tickets >


Volunteers

The 2018 Alberta Cup is looking for passionate, dedicated volunteers! If you are interested in being part of the Alberta Cup, numerous volunteer positions are available throughout the tournament, including: off-ice officials, admission table, program and 50/50 sales, security and more. To apply to be a volunteer, please fill out the form below.

Volunteer Form >


Alberta Cup Apparel

2018 Alberta Cup apparel is now available for pre-order. All orders must be placed by April 12. To place an order, click the link below.

Alberta Cup Apparel >


For more information on the Alberta Cup, click here.