ICE TIMES - Edition 21:08

Hockey Alberta is seeking a talented and energetic professional to join the organization as our newest Coordinator, Elite Male Hockey.

The Coordinator, Elite Male Hockey position plays a significant role in the pursuit of the vision and mission of Hockey Alberta. This position focuses on providing quality service to the membership and stakeholders of Hockey Alberta, as well as positive experiences for players within Alberta. Working alongside other staff and volunteers, this position leads and guides Hockey Alberta volunteers, connecting them to the annual strategies aimed at advancing the game. This position also plays a significant role in the development of players, coaches, MHAs, Leagues and Team Staff within the AA and Elite Male Hockey models.

Details >

The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, April 16 at 11:59pm (MST).

The Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 season.

The AEHL scholarship program, open to eligible current or graduated players from the U18 AAA was launched in 2006. To date, 288 players have been awarded with $392,000 in scholarship funds.

New this year, applications will only be accepted through the online form. The link will remain open until end of day on Friday, April 16.

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM >

Review criteria include:

• Citizenship and leadership qualities
• Hockey ability and sportsmanship displayed
• Scholastic standing
• Financial needs

Only successful recipients will be contacted by the AEHL U18 AAA Scholarship Committee.

For a complete list of requirements and more information visit AEHL.ca

HALIFAX/TRURO - Alberta’s own Lacey Senuk is among the on-ice officials selected to work the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Nova Scotia in May.

She was named today by the IIHF as a referee for the event. The 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship runs May 6-16 in Halifax and Truro.

Senuk is a Level 5 referee in the North Region and has worked many prestigious international hockey events. In 2017-18 season, she earned an IIHF U18 assignment in Russia. And this year, she followed up by refereeing the 4-Nations Cup gold medal game. She also refereed the gold medal game from the world women’s championship in Espoo, Finland in 2019.

Senuk was named Hockey Alberta’s Official of the Year for 2019. Her career includes having worked two Esso Cups, the Canada Winter Games, two U18 Women’s national championships, three 4-Nations Cup events, and eight IIHF championships. She also serves as an important resource at the regional level as a mentor and instructor for aspiring officials in the Edmonton area.

RED DEER - Due to the current Government of Alberta restrictions regarding youth sports, Hockey Alberta is postponing all Team Alberta High Performance Selection Camps.

The postponement includes selection camps for the Alberta Cup, Alberta Challenge and Prospects Cup.

Hockey Alberta currently is looking at alternative solutions to implement if/when the Government of Alberta restrictions allow for meaningful competition in a selection camp format.

For more information:

RED DEER - Ron Panchyshyn, one of the founders of the Officiating Program in Alberta, passed away on February 27 at the age of 82, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ron started his officiating career in 1964, working at all levels including University and Major Junior, and multiple national and international championships. Ron was one of the first Level 6 officials in Alberta and Canada, when the Level system started in 1976. Off the ice, Ron was a tireless volunteer who served as tournament chairman at dozens of local and national events. He spent four years as the North Zone Chair, 13 years as the Past Chair, and was the third Provincial Chairman in Alberta (1986-90). Ron also served 14 years on the Board of Directors for Hockey Alberta.

Ron was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and was named a Life Member of the Hockey Alberta Officials Committee in 1998.

Ron was also an influential referee supervisor, mentoring officials such as George McCorry, Mike Rebus, Dave Shaw, and Lance Roberts, who all became Level 6 officials. He was committed to Grassroots officiating, teaching clinics as early as 1973 and was the first referee coordinator for the Edmonton Minor Hockey Week which started in 1964. One of his proudest accomplishments was negotiating the donation of officiating services to that tournament, a tradition that carries on to this day.

Ron was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Joyce, and a man who lived and loved for his children and grandchildren. One of Ron’s favourite things was to watch his grandchildren play hockey and football.

The family is asking for those that wish to do so, donations be made in Ron’s name to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Episode Eight of the Centre Ice Podcast takes a closer look at the inequality and discrimination faced by many in the game, but also focuses on the steps being taken to make hockey a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

This episode features Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba and his father, long-time Hockey Alberta Official Charle Dumba speaking about the discrimination their family has faced, and the work being done to eradicate racism in hockey, including Matt’s involvement in the Hockey Diversity Alliance. Sanjeev Bhagrath, a Sikh Official from Edmonton, shares his own experiences of racism and inequality, and Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke speaks on the You Can Play initiative, and the work being done to eradicate homophobia from hockey.

Episode Links: Hockey’s Path Forward > | Hockey Diversity Alliance > | Hockey Alberta Officials > | Coach of the Month Nominations > | Host the First Shift in Your Community > | The Coaches Site Global Skills Showcase > | Foundation Accepted into Birdies for Kids Program > | You Can Play Project >

More Episodes >

Centre Ice is the brand-new Hockey Alberta podcast, featuring the latest news and views on amateur hockey across the province. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast app!

WHITEHORSE – The Arctic Winter Games International Committee (AWGIC), following discussions with Wood Buffalo 2022 Arctic Winter Games Host Society, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) and the Government of Alberta, has made the decision to postpone the Wood Buffalo 2022 Arctic Winter Games in a planned and proactive response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Games, originally scheduled to take place in Wood Buffalo from March 6-12, 2022, will be rescheduled to a later date to be announced.

Held every two years, the Arctic Winter Games is the premier circumpolar sport and cultural event for youth hosting up to 2,000 participants and an equal number of volunteers.

The decision to plan the postponement of the Games was made to ensure the health and safety of all the participants, coaches, volunteers, staff, spectators, and the host community. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic would likely prevent the Arctic Winter Games International Committee from delivering on their mission to host a meaningful Arctic Winter Games experience.

No decision has been made at this time on the new dates for the Arctic Winter Games in Wood Buffalo. The Arctic Winter Games International Committee and the Wood Buffalo Host Society are diligently working together to determine an appropriate date for the Games to be rescheduled and intend to announce that date in the near future. Both organizations will continue to prioritize the health and safety of all Games participants while monitoring the global pandemic and providing updates to all stakeholders on the Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games, as they become available.

FAQ’s on the AWG postponement

For the full release and information visit the Arctic Winter Games website.

RED DEER - The application period for local hockey associations wishing to host the NHL/NHLPA First Shift in 2021-22 is NOW OPEN!

A truly unique experience designed to help kids fall in love with hockey. The six-week learn to play program continues to focus on having fun while learning basic skills. Full head-to-toe Bauer equipment is included with registration.

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift mission is to change the way hockey is offered, to inspire new families to join our community, and enroll their kids in our sport. Because of the program’s belief in all that hockey has to offer kids, their families and our communities, the NHL/NHLPA First Shift was designed to make hockey accessible, affordable, safe and most importantly, fun!

For more information on the program please go to www.firstshift.ca or apply immediately to host an event by CLICKING HERE

HOST ASSOCIATION FAQ >

HOST ASSOCIATION INFO >

RED DEER - The evolution of hockey has been led by the increase in skill of its players.

Behind the scenes, the game’s elite players are being trained by dedicated coaches who have evaluated and broken down the complex skills that hockey demands and transferred these skills to the next generation of players.

Join these dedicated elite level coaches as they share their knowledge during The Coaches Site Global Skills Showcase, March 22-26.

The online five-day event - presented by InStat - will feature the top skill development coaches in hockey, selected from more than 150 applicants.

Each guest coach will provide unique insights into their method for developing players and identifying the key details that will make a difference once the puck is dropped. This is an exclusive opportunity to learn from the game’s best and to enhance your own abilities as a coach.

To register you must be a member of The Coaches Site.

If you are not currently a member of The Coaches Site, you can register at a discounted annual rate which includes attendance to the Global Skills Showcase.

For more information, a complete list of speakers and bios or to register go to The Coaches Site.

RED DEER - Do you have a coach that has had a positive impact on your team through the 2020-21 season? Hockey Alberta is still accepting nominations for the Coach of the Month program, sponsored by Players Bench Team Apparel.

Hockey Alberta is looking to celebrate coaches who showed exceptional leadership, initiative, and innovation during the difficult 2020-21 season. In a year with a long pause, and increased guidelines and responsibilities, coaches have been even more important to the minor hockey experience. Their countless hours and dedication provide the opportunity for over 60,000 kids in Alberta to experience hockey in a safe and fun environment.

Help us recognize a coach in your community by nominating him or her for the Hockey Alberta Coach of the Month, presented by Players Bench Team Apparel.

Nominate a Coach of the Month ›

Selected coaches will receive a coaching package valued at over $500.

Get your nominations in soon! The deadline is Monday, March 22 at 11:59pm.

CANMORE – Less than a week remains for Alberta’s hockey community to cast online votes in support of the Canmore Eagles U13A team.

The Rockies Hockey League squad is Alberta’s regional finalist in the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup. And if Alberta casts enough votes, the Eagles will earn the $100,000 first prize in support of their selected charitable group – Rocky Mountain Adaptive Program.

WATCH THE VIDEO > | VOTE NOW >

The announcement of the 11 provincial finalists was made on Saturday by Alberta Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Maclean during the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.

The team’s coach, Sean Kjemhus, said the players were obviously very excited when the announcement was made. Having the chance to win the Good Deeds Cup is something that would benefit the entire community because of the work that Rocky Mountain Adaptive does throughout the region.

“The charity was chosen through a vote by the players,” said Kjemhus. “They felt the Rocky Mountain Adaptive Program was a super cool initiative to give access to all sports for those who are disabled, and it was right here in our community.”

RMA offers over 20 different adaptive sport and recreational activities, catering to entry level participants, developing competitive athletes and everyone in between. RMA provides private lessons, supported experiences, multi-day programs and camps, equipment rentals, as well as programming to Disability Groups. During the winter season, they offer an elite training program to aspiring para-athletes. 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Kjemhus noted that fundraising opportunities and grants have been limited for Rocky Mountain Adaptive. Winning the Good Deeds Cup would allow the Eagles to help with the purchase of new equipment such as sit skis, and hand trikes, and help reduce RMA’s costs of operating their individual and group programs.

The Good Deeds Cup is open to teams across Canada in the U11, U13 and U15 age divisions. In previous years, teams would submit a video of a good deed they had carried out involving a local charity. This season, due to COVID-19, teams were asked to submit a video via Twitter talking about their charitable group, and how they would spend $100,000 if they won the Good Deeds Cup.

Voting is open and continues until February 24. You can vote once a day. The winner will be announced on March 23.

For more information on the Canmore Eagles U13A team and Rocky Mountain Adaptive, check out the story in the Rocky Mountain Outlook, or follow on Twitter at Canmore Eagles or Rocky Mountain Adaptive.

Thanks again for the province wide support.  Please be sure to tag #GoodDeedsCup and us @CanmoreA and @RockyMtnAdaptiv when you can.

Step 1 of the Government of Alberta’s A Path Forward allows specific hockey activity to occur. Children and youth are allowed to participate in limited team sport activities, subject to mandatory restrictions as outlined by the Government of Alberta.

• All participants must be 18 years old or younger, except coaches/ instructors.
• Practices are allowed for indoor and outdoor training.
  • Games are not allowed.
• Physical distancing must be maintained at all times between all groups and all participants (players, coaches/ instructors) in each group at all times:
  • 3-metres physical distance for indoor activities
  • 2-metres physical distance for outdoor activities
• An indoor ice surface can be split (use physical dividers wherever possible), allowing for two groups of 10 to be active on the ice at the same time. See Children’s Sport and Performance Activities tab.

Full guidelines and requirements can be found in the updated version of Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey Plan - Hockey’s Path Forward.

HOCKEY’S PATH FORWARD PLAN >

RETURN TO HOCKEY PAGE >

Episode Seven of the Centre Ice Podcast is centred around Black History Month, and celebrating the Albertans who pushed through adversity to achieve success, featuring interviews with Team Alberta alumna Cassandra Vilgrain, and legendary goaltender Grant Fuhr.

Episode Links: Hockey’s Path Forward > | The Story of John Utendale > | Female Hockey Day Sessions > | AEHL Rinkside >

More Episodes >

Centre Ice is the brand-new Hockey Alberta podcast, featuring the latest news and views on amateur hockey across the province. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast app!

Hockey Alberta and its Senior and Junior leagues unanimously decided to conclude all regular league play for the remainder of the 2020-21 season during a meeting held on February 8.

While league play is concluded for this season, the opportunity for Teams to return to on-ice activity at some point remains a possibility. In the Government of Alberta’s “A Path Forward”, Step 3 outlines the potential return of ‘adult team sports’ which could potentially occur in mid to late March.

Hockey Alberta will continue to work closely with government representatives to explore all options that could allow players to return to on-ice activity.

The decision applies to the following leagues:

Senior Leagues

• North Peace Hockey League
• North Central Hockey League
• Sask-Alta Hockey League
• East Central Senior Hockey League
• Ranchland Hockey League

Junior Leagues

• North West Junior Hockey League
• North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League
• Capital Junior Hockey League
• Heritage Junior Hockey League
• Hockey Calgary Junior B and C
• Noralta Junior Hockey League
• Alberta Junior Female Hockey League

Finally, a glimpse of good news for the hockey community in Alberta.

Under Step 1 of the Government of Alberta’s “A Path Forward”, updates provided by the Government on Saturday, February 6 have provided some positive news for Hockey Alberta and our Members.

Children and youth are allowed to participate in limited team sport activities in Step 1, subject to certain mandatory restrictions as outlined on the Government’s A Path Forward webpage.

For Hockey’s Path Forward, effective Monday, February 8, practices are allowed for indoor and outdoor training. Please note, games are not allowed and the maximum number of participants is 10 (including coaches and trainers).

An indoor arena ice surface can be divided in half, and two groups of 10 can participate in on-ice activities at the same time. Each group and all participants in each group must maintain at least three metres physical distancing from each other at all times. Wherever possible, physical barriers should be used to divide the ice surface.

It is imperative that during Step 1 any organization or team hosting activities must be diligent in adhering to all public health requirements – including physical distancing and maximum participant limit requirements – outlined in the Public Health Order.

Full details are outlined in Information Bulletin 20-13, and Information Bulletin 20-14. There is also an FAQ document, and some suggestions on how to set up sessions on a split ice surface. This information will be posted to Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey webpage and updated regularly as required.

RED DEER - Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta are providing a reduction for the 2020-21 season in the annual registration fees collected.

The current fee structure sees the assessment of a Team or Program Fee as well as a Participant Fee of $47.80 per player and team official ($46.80 for Intro to Hockey, Rec/Pond Hockey and Sledge Hockey). Of the Participant Fee, Hockey Alberta’s portion is $24.00 ($23.00 for Intro to Hockey), with the remainder of that fee going to Hockey Canada for its participant fee and insurance. For Junior and Senior teams, depending on the level of hockey, there may be an additional insurance assessment related to half shields, full cages or supplementary medical/ dental.

Hockey Alberta has decided to reduce the overall fees charged by removing $7.00 from the Participant Fee. As well, Hockey Canada is reducing its assessment and insurance fee by $15.71.

For full details on the Registration Fee reduction, please review the following Information Bulletins:

- Information Bulletin 20-11: Minor Hockey, Rec/ Pond Hockey, Sledge Hockey
- Information Bulletin 20-12: Junior and Senior Teams

On February 26, 2020, the Provincial Archives of Alberta published a Facebook post that asked the following question:

“Did you know that Edmonton-born John Utendale; was the first Black hockey player to sign a contract with the NHL?”

That National Hockey League contract was signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 1955, three years before Willie O’Ree broke the NHL’s colour barrier in 1958 with the Boston Bruins. Utendale attended three or four camps with the Wings, skating with the likes of Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio and Red Kelly.

Utendale never played for the Red Wings, instead seeing action with Wings’ farm team, the Edmonton Flyers.

But O’Ree has been quoted, including in a 2018 article in The Undefeated, that it could easily have been Utendale, or O’Ree’s Boston teammate Stan Maxwell, or Herb Carnegie or Art Dorrington who could have the NHL’s first black player.

According to an Edmonton Journal article in 2006, as a youth and teenager, Utendale played on the outdoor city rinks in Edmonton while playing peewee, bantam and midget hockey. His post-minor hockey career started with the Edmonton Oil Kings, prior to his historic signing with the Red Wings. After that, he played three seasons with the Flyers, followed by a couple of seasons where he moved east, playing for teams such as the Windsor Bulldogs and North Bay Trappers (Ontario Senior league), Quebec Aces (Quebec Hockey League), and Sudbury Wolves (Eastern Professional Hockey League).

In his 1958-59 part-season (five games) with the Aces, Utendale would be joined by O’Ree and Maxwell, where they played together on “The Black Line.” And it is believed Utendale was only the fourth black player to play Senior A hockey in Ontario, joining Herb and Ossie Carnegie and Manny McIntyre

He eventually returned to western Canada, getting married to Maryan “Mickey” Maddison Leonard in 1959, and starting his university education. Utendale earned his teaching certificate from the University of British Columbia in 1961, and then enrolled at the University of Alberta, earning his Bachelor of Education degree in two years. He worked for three years at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), when that school was being established in the mid-1960s, becoming the school’s first Director of Physical Education and coaching the men’s hockey team (1966-67).

Throughout the 1960s, until his on-ice career ended in 1969, Utendale was still playing, including stints with the Ponoka Stampeders, Edmonton Nuggets and Edmonton Monarchs, along with the Spokane Jets (Western International Hockey League).

Had his story ended here, Utendale would already have established himself as a significant figure in the history of the sport of hockey.

But a sentence included in his obituary, published in the Edmonton Journal following his death in 2006, illustrates that hockey really was a lifelong passion for Utendale:

“John’s career was a story of diversity from professional hockey player to professor.”

With the conclusion of his playing career in 1969, Utendale’s focus shifted to what would be a long and influential career in post-secondary education.

He earned his Master’s degree at Eastern Washington State College, and was hired at Washington State University. During his three years at WSU he was academic coordinator for the athletic department, a member of the Washington State Human Rights commission, taught a course in the black studies department and coached little league baseball, all while earning his Doctorate in Education.

Dr. Utendale then joined Western Washington State College (now University), becoming the first black faculty member of the Woodring College of Education. For a quarter century, he headed the Student Personnel Administration graduate program, dramatically increasing the number of minority students at the school. Utendale was nationally recognized for his academic work, and moved into full professorship, becoming one of the few minor faculty members with tenure. He also held numerous positions in the Washington state community, including leading the Higher Education Administration.

But hockey always played a significant role in Utendale’s life. During his time as an educator, he was involved in hockey at the local, post-secondary and regional levels in Washington State. He helped found the Bellingham Area Minor Hockey Association and the city’s junior team (which he also coached), coached the Western Washington University Vikings team, and served as Western Regional Director for the Amateur Hockey Association of the U.S.

He was also an assistant training coach with the U.S. Olympic team in 1980, becoming the first black member of the coaching staff of the men’s hockey team. That team won gold at the “Miracle on Ice” Lake Placid Olympics.

John Utendale was born in Edmonton in 1937. He retired from Western Washington University in 2001, and he died in Bellingham, Washington in 2006.