News - Most Recent

CALGARY - Team Alberta opened up the 2019 WHL Cup with a 7-3 win over Team Manitoba.

Alberta came out strong with four straight goals in the first from Kaiden Ellertson, Billal Noori, Jaren Brinson and Jordan Gustafson, before Manitoba answered back late in the period.

Tyler MacKenzie scored to open the second, and Noori added his second of the game, while Manitoba scored another late goal on the powerplay, giving Alberta a 6-2 lead heading into the third.

Josh Davies gave Alberta a 7-2 lead halfway through the third, and Manitoba answered again for a 7-3 final.

Alberta out-shot Manitoba 37-19, with Justen Maric making 19 stops to earn the win. Nate Danielson earned Player of the Game honours for Alberta.

"I thought we did a lot of really good things, we played hard," said Head Coach Brandin Cote. "The habits were there at times, but we’re going to keep working at that. Our powerplay scored some goals, and we got some key saves at certain times in the game, which was nice to have. We’re really happy about the effort, so we just have to build on that and be even better tomorrow."

Boxscore > | Team Alberta Roster >

Team Alberta (1-0) takes on Saskatchewan (0-1) on Thursday night. Game time is 6:00 p.m. at the Markin MacPhail Centre at Winsport in Calgary.

For more stats, schedule and ticket information for the WHL Cup, click here.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the leadership group for Team Alberta’s U16 Male team for the 2019 WHL Cup in Calgary.

Jordan Gustafson (Fort Saskatchewan) will captain Team Alberta, with defenceman Graydon Gotaas (Camrose) and forwards Nate Danielson (Red Deer) and Rylen Roersma (Lethbridge) serving as Assistant Captains.

The 2019 WHL Cup runs October 23-27 at Winsport’s Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Team Alberta kicks off play round-robin play against Team Manitoba on Wednesday at 6:00pm, with games against Saskatchewan and BC set for Thursday and Friday at 6:00pm, respectively. Semi-finals will go on Saturday, with the 2nd and 3rd place teams playing at 1:00pm, and 1st and 4th at 4:30pm. The bronze medal game is set for Sunday at 9:30am, with the gold medal game to follow at 1:00pm.

Team Alberta U16 Roster >

PARENT ENGAGEMENT SERIES: PART 1 - SOCIAL MEDIA

Hockey Alberta is pleased to launch its Parent Engagement Video Series, aimed at helping parents navigate through the ups and downs of being a hockey parent. Episode One features Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Jordan Eberle of the New York Islanders, and focuses on social media use among young athletes. INFO > | VIDEO >

2019 AGM KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED | REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Registration is now open for Minor Hockey Associations, club teams and registered programs from across the province to attend the 2019 Hockey Alberta Annual General Meeting, with Matt Symes set to deliver the keynote address. The AGM runs November 22 and 23 in Red Deer. INFO > | REGISTER >

LETHBRIDGE TO HOST 2020 FEMALE HOCKEY DAY

Hockey Alberta is hosting the annual Female Hockey Day celebrations in Lethbridge on January 25, 2020. Female Hockey Day celebrates "Why We Play" and the growth of the female game. The day features a number of on-ice and off-ice sessions focusing on players, officials, parents, and coaches. INFO >

NEW NOVICE RULES FOR 2019-20 SEASON

Half-Ice and Cross-Ice hockey is here for all Initiation and Novice players! All negotiable and non-negotiable rules and guidelines can be found on our Intro to Hockey page. DETAILS >

GLENCROSS INVITATIONAL RODEO CHARITY ROUGHSTOCK RAFFLE - UPCOMING EVENTS

The Glencross Invitational Charity Roughstock Event is giving you the chance to win this 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Truck with the elevation package. Proceeds support the Ronald McDonald House® Central Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation Every Kid Every Community program. The Hockey Alberta Foundation will be at the following events selling tickets:

• October 24-November 1, 2019 - The Future Champions Challenge, Calnash Ag Event Centre, Ponoka, AB
• October 29-November 3, 2019 - CFR, Westerner Park, Red Deer, AB

Albertans land on Team Canada, Team WHL rosters

Registration now open for Arctic Winter Games Selection Camps

Alberta well-represented in NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch list

RED DEER - Are you a member of the board or executive with a Hockey Alberta member minor hockey association, club team or registered program?

Is your organization looking for answers in how to deal with the fast-paced changes in our sport and society?

Registration is now open for Minor Hockey Associations, club teams and registered programs from across the province to attend the 2019 Hockey Alberta Annual General Meeting, with Matt Symes set to deliver the keynote address. The AGM runs November 22 and 23 in Red Deer.

Register >

Symes is a founding Partner at Symplicity Designs. Over the last decade, he has helped introduce more than 350 organizations to the Principles, Methods, and Tools of Performance Excellence. Over the last six years, he has guided the deep transformation of numerous organizations in all sectors. Matt has led the successful transformation of companies as large as $30 million in revenue to as small as a two-person, $250,000 PR firm. Matt has also worked to help Government improve and co-led Symplicity’s largest and longest transformation with the Francophone education sector in New Brunswick

Symes will also present on Saturday morning with a leading change workshop’, followed by a session on complaint handling and policy development, led by Steve Indig.

Indig began his career with the Sport Law & Strategy Group in 2003 immediately after being called to the bar as a lawyer. Steve has had the opportunity to work with over 650 national, provincial, and local sport organizations providing consulting and legal services related to governance, employment, contracts, policies, disputes, and privacy. He is a regular guest speaker and presenter at AGMs, conferences, and workshops, and also acts as a mediator and adjudicator. During the early years of his career, Steve was certified by the NFL, CFL, MLS, and FIFA to represent professional athletes as a sports agent. He continues to be involved in sport as an athlete in swimming, hockey, basketball, softball and golf.

Full Schedule >

For more information on the Hockey Alberta Annual General Meeting, go to hockeyalberta.ca or email Michelle Skilnick at mskilnick@hockeyalberta.ca

RED DEER - Wednesday was quite the day for a number of Albertans, as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, National Women’s Team and Team WHL rosters were all announced.

Eight Team Alberta alumni selected for World U17 Hockey Challenge

Eight players from Team Alberta’s 2019 Canada Winter Games U16 squad have been selected to play in the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat and Swift Current.

Defencemen Corson Ceulemans (Beaumont) Kyle Masters (Edmonton) and Olen Zellweger (Fort Saskatchewan), and forwards Jayden Grubbe (Calgary), Dylan Guenther (Edmonton), Matthew Savoie (St. Albert), Sean Tschigerl (Whitecourt) and Kai Uchacz (Okotoks) are among the 66 players chosen to represent Canada.

The 66 players will be divided into three teams representing Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White when they compete against the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States in their quest for a gold medal.

In July, 112 players were invited to the week-long national under-17 development camp, marking the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.

The tournament opens with all three Canadian teams in action Saturday, November 2 at 7p.m. MT; Team Canada Red takes on Russia at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex in Swift Current, and Team Canada Black will face off against Team Canada White at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat.

Single-game tickets will be available for purchase starting at $10 for youth and $15 for adults on Oct. 16, and can be purchased online at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Maschmeyer to suit up for Team Canada in November

Former Team Alberta U18 Female netminder Emerance Maschmeyer will take a familiar spot in net for Team Canada this November, as the Bruderheim native was named to the National Women’s Team roster for the two game-series against the United States set for November 8-10 in Cranberry Township, PA.

Team Canada will take on the United States at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. MT and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. MT. Both games are in preparation for the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship, March 31-April 10 in Halifax and Truro, N.S.

Six Albertans land on Team WHL for Canada Russia Series

Six Albertans will suit up for Team WHL during the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series in Saskatoon and Prince Albert in November.

Defencemen Bowen Byram (Lethbridge/Cranbrook) and Ty Smith (Lloydminster), along with forwards Kirby Dach (Fort Saskatchewan), Dillon Hamaliuk (Leduc), Peyton Krebs (Okotoks) and Brayden Tracey (Calgary) will represent their league in games five and six of the annual series, set for November 13 in Saskatoon, and November 14 in Prince Albert.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to launch its Parent Engagement Video Series, aimed at helping parents navigate through the ups and downs of being a hockey parent.

Episode One features Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Jordan Eberle of the New York Islanders, and focuses on social media use among young athletes.

Social Media Tips > | Parent Engagement Guide >

Social media has seen a rapid rise in popularity in the last decade, and the average age of first-time users continues to decrease. It’s also become a large part of team culture, which poses many opportunities and risks for both individual players, and the team as a whole.

Parents are encouraged to stay involved and monitor their children’s social media activity, and make sure they are responsible with their own social media use. Any inappropriate or irresponsible use of social media can have negative effects on both the individual, and the team, even if it’s not necessarily hockey-related.

For more information and tips on responsible social media use, head to hockeyalberta.ca.

LETHBRIDGE - Hockey Alberta is hosting the annual Female Hockey Day celebrations in Lethbridge on January 25, 2020.

Female Hockey Day celebrates "Why We Play" and the growth of the female game. The day features a number of on-ice and off-ice sessions focusing on players, officials, parents, and coaches.

The day culminates with a USPORTS match-up between the Mount Royal Cougars and the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

“We are excited to build on the success of the first ever Female Hockey Day in Red Deer,” said Kendall Newell, Hockey Alberta’s Manager, Female Hockey. “Now we have the chance to take the event to a new community and influence a new group of female athletes."

Last year in Red Deer, over 160 athletes took part in activities throughout the day, which included on-ice sessions for players and officials of all levels, and off-ice sessions, such as dryland training, parent education, and sport ambassadors. The day was capped off by a CWHL game between the Calgary Inferno and Toronto Furies which drew a crowd of over 600 fans to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

2018 Female Hockey Day Photo Gallery >

RED DEER - Registration is now open for Dodge Caravan Kids for Novice teams across Alberta.

The Dodge Caravan Kids Program is a joint effort between participating minor hockey associations and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram retailers that provides up to $500 in funding and access to exclusive hockey benefits to novice level hockey teams across Canada.

The goal of the Dodge Caravan Kids Program is to help enrich the game of hockey for participating coaches, players and their families and represents one of FCA Canada’s key community efforts.

Learn more at http://www.dodgecaravankids.ca/en/

Register >

Breakaway Giveaway >

Program Benefits
Each team enrolled in the Dodge Caravan Kids Program will receive:

Up to $500 in funding.
The opportunity to enter the Dodge Caravan Kids Photo Contest to win up to $500 in extra funding.
Team kits including an exclusive Dodge Caravan Kids gift for all players and an important information booklet for all parents/guardians.
The opportunity to enter our Score & Win contest for a chance to win a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 and $5,000 for your local Minor Hockey Association.

RED DEER - Registration is now open for male athletes born 2005-2006 and female athletes born 2001-2006 to participate in the 2020 Arctic Winter Games Selection Camp.

The Arctic Winter Games are the world’s largest northern multi-sport and cultural event. The Arctic Winter Games are a celebration of athletic competition, culture, friendship and cooperation between northern contingents. Athletic competition features sports that enjoy worldwide popularity alongside traditional Arctic Sports and Dene games. The cultural component is a pillar of the Games, featuring visual arts, dance, ceremonies and galas with participants from across the circumpolar region.

The male selection camp will be held in Fairview on December 6-8, while the female camp will take place in Manning on December 20-22. Staging/Training weekend for both teams will be hosted in Grande Prairie on February 7-8, 2020. The 2020 Arctic Winter Games take place in Whitehorse, YT on March 14-21.

Eligible communities for the Arctic Winter Games are located North of the 55th Parallel. Players must live in one of these eligible communities.

Male Registration >

Female Registration >

RED DEER - The Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup is here for 2019-20, and Peewee coaches in Alberta can now register to receive their Team Kit.

Coach’s Kit Signup >

Your free Good Deeds Cup Team Kit has everything you need to develop your players on the ice, and create awareness off the ice, all the while reaffirming important values learned through hockey. Every kit is a premium coach’s hockey bag that comes with 10 practice pucks, 24 lace bracelets, 20 emblem stickers and 20 vehicle decals.

As well, all coaches of registered Peewee hockey teams in Canada are eligible to compete for the Good Deeds Cup. This season marks the third year of the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, during which time hundreds of good deeds have been completed by Peewee teams in communities across Alberta and the country. The Good Deeds Cup-winning team will receive a $100,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Submissions open on November 2.

2019-20 Good Deeds Cup >

The Chevrolet Hockey program seeks to inspire young Canadians to be better people by promoting the positive values learned through hockey, and acting on them by performing Good Deeds in their community. The goal is to develop our future hockey players on and off the ice. Through the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, Chevrolet makes donations to causes on behalf of Peewee Hockey teams across the country.

A limited number of kits are available, one kit per team. Don’t delay; go to chevrolethockey.ca today and register for your Good Deeds Cup Coach’s Kit.

FAQ >

RED DEER - Twenty-five teams and organizations from across the province are set to celebrate the ninth annual World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend.

The International Ice Hockey Federation will lead the way on the ninth year of World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend, with dozens of federations around the world taking part. The goal of this weekend is to have events from coast to coast to coast that recruit, retain and engage female players, coaches, officials and fans – old and new. This event aims to celebrate and grow the female game, and unite Canadians through grassroots programming led by female hockey associations, minor hockey associations and communities.

Since 2011, the IIHF has united countries around the globe for World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend. Over the years, thousands of people have taken part and the celebration continues to grow – click here to see events that have been hosted around the world!

The list of teams and organizations who have organized WGIHW events can be found below:

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is now accepting bids from Minor Hockey Associations interested in hosting the 2020 Provincial Championships, presented by ATB Financial.

Hockey Alberta’s Provincial Championships are some of the most exciting and high-profile events in which Hockey Alberta’s membership takes part each season, bringing together the top teams from across the province in each category.

The 2020 Provincial Championships will be held March 19-22 and March 26-29, in each of the respective categories. Further details can be found in the Provincial Bid Guidelines package below:

Provincial Bid Guidelines >

The bid guidelines document outlines the requirements involved, and the opportunities available, for a Minor Hockey Association interested in submitting a bid to host a Hockey Alberta Provincial Championship event.

The deadline to submit a bid to host Provincial Championships is Monday, November 4.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Skilnick, Manager, Member Services, at mskilnick@hockeyalberta.ca.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the Team Alberta roster for the 2019 U18 Female team that will represent the province at the 2019 National Women’s U18 Championships in Morden and Winkler, MB.

Team Alberta U18 Female Roster >

"We saw a lot of talent and determination throughout Summer and Fall Camp, which made the selection of this roster challenging," said Head Coach Craig Perrett. "Now that we have the team selected, our staff is looking forward to working with these players as we move towards competition at the 2019 U18 Nationals.”

Sixty-eight players were originally invited to the U18 Summer Camp in Red Deer in July, where a shortlist roster was established. The shortlisted players moved on to participate in Fall Camp held in Edmonton on September 27-29.

Joining Perrett on the team staff are: Dayna Janzen (assistant coach), Brett Wold (assistant coach), Shanya Shwetz (video coach), Engi Lim (goalie coach), Brent Gaudreau (therapist), Johanna Mykyte (equipment manager), Nate Morris (strength & conditioning), Doug MacLeod (head scout), Kendall Newell (director of hockey operations) and Barry Medori (coach mentor).

Alberta’s Minor Hockey Associations are very well-represented amongst the team, with 16 different associations represented on the roster: Beaverlodge, Blackfalds, Calgary, Clive, Cochrane, Didsbury, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Morinville, Sherwood Park, Spirit River, St. Albert, Thunderstars, and Whitecourt.

Among the 20 players, eight will be returning from the U18 team that won a gold medal at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer earlier this year: Jaden Bogden, Hayleigh Craig, Aliya Jomha, Bree Kennedy, Sierra LaPlante, Brooklyn Schroeder, Alexandria Spence, and Sarah Wozniewicz.

The 2019 U18 Nationals will feature the top-rated female players in the under-18 age category from different provinces across Canada, and the tournament is the first step on the road to Canada’s National Women’s Team.

Team Alberta opens the tournament against Team Saskatchewan on November 5 in Winkler.

Full Schedule >

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is hosting its 112^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 in Red Deer. The meeting will consist of presentations, information seminars and discussion forums for member associations and teams as well as registered programs.

It is important for Executive Members of member Minor Hockey Associations and Junior/Senior Club Teams to attend the AGM to exercise your right to vote in the election and for Notices of Motion for Bylaw changes. It is also important for registered Accredited Schools, Sledge Hockey programs, Recreational Hockey programs and sanctioned leagues to attend the AGM to participate in discussions with the membership about the future of the game.

The input of our membership and registered programs is extremely important. Friday evening features a special presentation, trade show and networking social. Saturday opens with a series of President Meetings where delegates will be engaged in discussions such a minor hockey boundaries, body checking in Bantam and Midget, and leading change within amateur hockey. The Annual General Meeting portion of the weekend will take place on Saturday afternoon. Registration will be available in early October.

Hockey Alberta has partnered with the Best Western Hotel and the Cambridge Red Deer Hotel to provide the best possible rates for accommodations. Please book your accommodations as soon as possible to access these rates. If you are booking by phone, please indicate you are with the Hockey Alberta Annual General Meeting.

Information regarding Nominations for the Board of Directors and potential Notices of Motion will be circulated no less than thirty (30) days prior to the AGM. Please note that Member Dues for the 2019-2020 season and any overdue accounts must be paid in full for Members to be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting. Please refer to Article 4, 4.6 (b) of the Hockey Alberta Bylaws and Regulations for information about voting privileges/procedures.

For any further information please contact either Michelle Skilnick (mskilnick@hockeyalberta.ca) or Allison Marriott (amarriott@hockeyalberta.ca).

EDMONTON - Twenty-Eight short listed players will take to the ice this weekend looking to earn a spot on the Team Alberta U18 Female team.

Hockey Alberta will be hosting their Team Alberta Female U18 Fall Selection Camp at Clare Drake Arena beginning Friday, September 27. A shortlist of 28 players was announced in July after 68 athletes had competed at a Summer Evaluation Camp held in Red Deer. The shortlist includes three goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 16 forwards. The final roster of 20 players will compete at the 2019 U18 National Championship tournament in Morden and Winkler, MB.

TEAM ALBERTA U18 FEMALE SHORTLIST ROSTER >

Of the 28 players, 19 will be playing in the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) this upcoming season. Eight players hoping to make the team this fall already have experience at the provincial level, as Jaden Bogden, Hayleigh Craig, Aliya Jomha, Bree Kennedy, Sierra Laplante, Brooklyn Schroeder, and Alexandria Spence won a gold medal at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.

Bogden and Schroeder were also part of the 2019 Esso Cup Champion St. Albert Slash along with Holly Borrett, Dayle Ross, Bronwyn Boucher, Natalie Kieser, and Allison Reich.

Players were selected to the shortlist based on their overall play throughout the Team Alberta scouting process, past Team Alberta programs, and at the U18 Summer Camp in Red Deer, July 9-14. The 2019 U18 National Championship Tournament will be running November 3-9 in Morden and Winkler, MB.

U18 Fall Camp Game Schedule

RED DEER - National Coaches Week is a week to celebrate the tremendous positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. Along with parents and teachers, coaches have a profound impact on the future of our children. It is a great responsibility, and Canada’s two million coaches embrace it with passion and dedication. This week is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play by simply saying #ThanksCoach.

Get involved with National Coaches Week:

EVENTS >

PARTICIPATION GUIDE >

COACH SPOTLIGHT >

HOCKEY COACHING RESOURCES >

RED DEER - The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are partnering with Hockey Alberta to bring the NHL/NHLPA First Shift to Red Deer this winter.

Registration is now open for the six-week learn-to-play program, which runs Saturdays from 8:30-9:30 am at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, beginning February 15. The focus of the on-ice sessions is fun-first, while teaching basic skating and fundamental hockey skills through play. Each week’s session also will feature alumni from the Flames and Oilers.

Register >

Registration is just $199, which includes full head-to-toe equipment. The First Shift is open to any new-to-hockey athletes aged six to 10 years (born between January 1, 2009 and March 1, 2014).

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift is a truly unique experience for new-to-hockey families, designed to ease kids and their families into the sport of hockey in a fun and friendly environment before you buy the gear. The ultimate goal is to create a path forward which includes follow-up programming that is accessible, affordable and fun.

A welcome event is set for Friday, January 24 for registered participants. That event offers information and activities to help build the athlete’s confidence, and for parents to feel comfortable in a hockey environment. It is also where the participants will get fitted with their equipment.

Aside from the Red Deer program, various other NHL/NHLPA First Shift programs are offered across the province in both the fall and winter, with limited spaces remaining. Alberta First Shift Programs >

For more information on the Calgary Flames/Edmonton Oilers First Shift program in Red Deer, please contact Bryden Burrell at bburrell@hockeyalberta.ca

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is now accepting applications for coaches and trainers for the 2020 Alberta Winter Games (male and female programs) and the 2020 Alberta Cup.

The deadline for all applications is Friday, October 4.

2020 Alberta Winter Games

Female Program

Hockey Alberta is seeking one head coach, one assistant coach, and one trainer for each of the six Alberta Winter Games regional teams.

AWG Female Coach Application > | AWG Female Trainer Application >

Male Program

Hockey Alberta is seeking one head coach and two assistant coaches for each of the eight Alberta Winter Games regional teams.

AWG Male Coach Application >

The 2020 Alberta Winter Games run February 14-17 in Airdrie.

2020 Alberta Cup

Hockey Alberta is seeking one head coach and two assistant coaches for each of the six Alberta Cup regional teams.

AB Cup Coach Application > | AB Cup Trainer Application >

The 2020 Alberta Cup runs April 29 - May 3 in Red Deer.

RED DEER - Registration is now open for 2007-born male athletes, as well as 2005 & 2006-born female athletes to take part in regional selection camps for the 2020 Alberta Winter Games.

The 2020 Alberta Winter Games run February 14-17 in Airdrie.

NOTES:

1. Registration is limited at each position at each camp.
2. Only Hockey Canada/Hockey Alberta Registered Athletes are eligible to register.

Male Regional Selection Camps

All four male regional camps will take place December 6-8 at the following locations (dates and locations subject to change):

Calgary - East Calgary Twin Arenas
Capital - Kinsmen Twin Arena (Edmonton)
North - Vegreville Recreation Centre
South - Olds Sportsplex

Register >

Space at each regional camp is limited, and registration is on a first come, first served basis. *Each camp has limited space for goaltenders*

Regional Directory > | Regional Map >

If you are unsure in which region you reside, or have any other questions, please contact Dustin Moore at dmoore@hockeyalberta.ca prior to registration.

The deadline to register for a male regional selection camp (subject to capacity) is Friday, November 15.

Female Regional Selection Camps

Both female regional camps will take place November 29 - December 1 at the following locations (dates and locations subject to change):

North - Wetaskiwin Civic Centre Twin Arenas
South - Innisfail Twin Arenas

Register >

Space at each regional camp is limited, and registration is on a first come, first served basis. *Each camp has limited space for goaltenders*

Regional Map >

If you are unsure in which region you reside, or have any other questions, please contact Taryn Baumgardt at tbaumgardt@hockeyalberta.ca prior to registration.

The deadline to apply for a female regional selection camp (subject to capacity) is Friday, November 8.

RED DEER - World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend, sponsored by BFL Canada, is quickly approaching, and your team can help us celebrate the female game across the province, country, and world!

From Oct. 4-6, the International Ice Hockey Federation will lead the way on the ninth year of World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend, with dozens of federations around the world taking part. The goal of this weekend is to have events from coast to coast to coast that recruit, retain and engage female players, coaches, officials and fans – old and new. This event aims to celebrate and grow the female game, and unite Canadians through grassroots programming led by female hockey associations, minor hockey associations and communities.

Since 2011, the IIHF has united countries around the globe for World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend. Over the years, thousands of people have taken part and the celebration continues to grow – click here to see events that have been hosted around the world!

Get involved in your own unique way or check this list to find events you can attend in your community!

Associations and teams from across Alberta are encouraged to join in on the global celebration by hosting an event - it doesn’t even have to be about playing the game! Need a few ideas? Click here.

Interested in hosting an event or celebration? CLICK HERE!

LLOYDMINSTER – The Esso Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, is headed back to Alberta in 2021 when the Lloydminster Steelers host the 13th edition of the event, April 18-24.

The 2021 Esso Cup represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, the Lloydminster Steelers and the local host organizing committee, which made the announcement Thursday in the Border City.

The host Steelers will face off against five regional champions – Atlantic, Ontario, Pacific Quebec and West – in their quest to capture a national championship at the 1,700-seat Centennial Civic Centre. The Steelers will look to become the first host team to win the Esso Cup and third host to earn a medal at Canada’s National Female Midget Championship.

“Hosting an event of this scale will provide our community an exciting opportunity to showcase our commitment to volunteerism and sport,” said Gerald Aalbers, mayor of the City of Lloydminster. “The Lloydminster Steelers play a pivotal role in the growth and development of female athletes within Alberta and it will be our shared privilege to stand with them in welcoming the nation’s top-performing female hockey players as they look to achieve personal goals and compete for the 2021 Esso Cup right here in our city.”

Although the Steelers have yet to appear in the Esso Cup, Pacific Region teams have won nine medals since the event’s inception, including three-consecutive national championships from 2017-19, two silver medals and four bronze.

Alberta has hosted Canada’s National Female Midget Championship three times in the event’s 11-year history, with Calgary (2009), St. Albert (2011) and Red Deer (2015) all welcoming the tournament.

“The City of Lloydminster is ecstatic to be selected as the host city for the 2021 Esso Cup, as our community has a proven record of hosting national events in the past and we look forward to once again showcasing hockey in the Border City,” said Ryan Sklapsky, co-chair of the local host organizing committee. “Lloydminster’s support for elite female hockey is widely recognized and we are excited for the athletes that will make up the Lloydminster Steelers roster for the 2020-21 hockey season as they will have the chance to compete for a national championship. Since the inception of the Midget program in 2004, the Steelers have been a premier organization on and off the ice, and the program continues to develop elite players that move on to the ACAC, U SPORTS and NCAA programs."

The 2021 Esso Cup marks the second Hockey Canada event held in Lloydminster, which also hosted the 2016 National Junior A Championship. As with all of Hockey Canada’s national championships, net proceeds from all ticket sales, sponsorship and grants at the event will stay within the host community to help support the growth and development of the game at the grassroots level. Recent editions of the Esso Cup have also resulted in an economic boost of up to $1.5 million to the host regions over the seven-day event.

The official tournament schedule and ticket information for the 2021 Esso Cup will be announced at a later date.

“The Esso brand takes great pride in its support of the Esso Cup,” said Susan Di Giorgio, fuels sponsorship manager for Imperial. “As a premier sponsor of Hockey Canada through the years and in partnership on programs such as Esso Medals of Achievement and Esso Fun Days, the Esso brand is committed to supporting the development of grassroots hockey across Canada.”

For more information on the 2021 Esso Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/EssoCup, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is proud to be recognized by Respect Group for our long-time participation and leadership in the Respect in Sport program. Hockey Alberta was the first sport organization to implement Respect in Sport certification for parents and coaches, as well as the first to require mandatory recertification.

Co-founders of Respect Group – Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil – visited Hockey Alberta on Wednesday to present CEO Rob Litwinski and Director of Business Operations Mike Klass with a specially designed paddle.

The paddle symbolizes the support of organizations such as Hockey Alberta who partnered with Respect Group and adopted Respect in Sport programming before acknowledgement of the importance of preventing bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination was widely recognized.

RED DEER - The Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) today announced a new agreement with HeadCheck Health, Inc. (HeadCheck) to supply all teams with mobile and web-based technology to follow the league’s concussion protocol and record and share vital information on suspected concussions with medical professionals.

“We’re very pleased to be teaming up with HeadCheck to help solve some of our biggest challenges in concussion safety,” said Kendall Newell, Manager of the AFHL. “Their tech simplifies what’s normally a complicated process and provides our medical professionals with the information they want to make the most informed decisions possible on the welfare of our players.”

“It shows an incredible commitment to player safety on the part of the AFHL to kick off this agreement by bringing all three levels of play onto HeadCheck,” said Harrison Brown, CEO of HeadCheck Health, Inc. “This is just the first step in providing the league with unparalleled visibility into exactly where they can best allocate resources for concussion safety.”

As part of the agreement, all Bantam Elite, Midget Elite, and Midget AAA teams will be able to use HeadCheck beginning with the upcoming season. Team trainers, athletic therapists, and safety personnel can use HeadCheck’s mobile app to document suspected concussions, perform concussion assessments per what is appropriate for their qualifications and transfer the information collected to medical professionals and partner clinics to safely return players to the ice. The platform allows a player’s concussion history to transfer with them from team-to-team or level-to-level for more informed care.

Additionally, HeadCheck is customized to the league’s concussion protocol and provides administrators governance tools and the ability to monitor compliance in real-time. Where needed, HeadCheck will supply teams within the league with contracted athletic therapists to support team staff. HeadCheck is a secure system that meets all top line health privacy standards in Canada and the United States.

About the AFHL

The Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) is home to 30 teams at the Midget AAA, Midget Elite, and Bantam Elite levels, providing a competitive platform for young aspiring female athletes to enhance their skills. A collection of 12 host associations around the province are committed to the growth and development of AAA and Elite female hockey. The member associations include Airdrie, Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Leduc, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Okotoks, Olds, and Red Deer. Through dedicated staff and volunteers, the AFHL offers opportunities for female athletes to receive mentorship, off-ice education sessions, female specific coaching, post-secondary exposure opportunities, academic & billet programs, and a competitive skill development atmosphere. https://www.afhl.ca

About HeadCheck Health, Inc.
HeadCheck is an innovative mobile and web-based platform that gives medical and non-medical personnel the appropriate tools to follow any concussion protocol, integrates all individuals involved in concussion care, and allows the data collected to be analyzed for health and safety improvements. Hundreds of teams across the world from minor through professional sports have adopted the HeadCheck platform including: the CFL, CJHL, BC Hockey, Trek Factory Racing, Volleyball Canada, UBC Athletics, BC Rugby, Eastern Washington University, Rugby Ontario, Western Lacrosse Association, Rugby Quebec, and more. For more information visit http://www.headcheckhealth.com

Media Contacts

Kari Kylo - kari@somaworks.com
604.889.8057