RED DEER - The hockey community always shines brightest during the holiday season, and, despite many obstacles, 2020 is no different. Hockey Alberta is featuring the good deeds of teams from across the province this holiday season.

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CAC United Sport and Cycle U16 AAA

For the holidays, the CAC United Sport and Cycle U16 AAA team sponsored a family through the Holiday Hamper Program. As it was a team effort, they chose to sponsor an extra large family which consisted of 4 adults and 6 youths between the ages of 2 and 15. The hamper was delivered on December 19. The first community service was "Arizona’s Goal Jar". This was a fundraiser for a young girl by the name of Arizona that was diagnosed with brain cancer and wanted to take one last trip with her family. (http://www.cac-hockey.com/article/62367). Along with the monetary donation, CAC was kind enough to donate a variety of apparel and other items Arizona could take on her trip. Although this was done before Christmas, it did help make Arizona’s holidays a bit brighter.

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Calgary Northstars

The Calgary Northstars Hockey Association have launched their very own Northstars Cares program in support of HEROS Hockey, the Calgary Flames Sports Bank, and KidSport Calgary & Area. Together with the support of their players, coaches and families the Northstars teams will be working with these organizations to learn about their impact, understand who they are supporting and raise profile, awareness and dollars for the critical work being done by these great organizations.

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Fort Saskatchewan U13 AA Rangers

At the start of the season, the U13 AA Rangers set a goal to support the communities that they live in, even with contending with the elements of COVID-19. The players from Fort Sask, Bruderheim, Lamont, Mundare, Josephburg, Hilliard, and Willingdon raised nearly $3000 in a bottle drive early in the hockey season. After receiving additional private donations, the team was able to help the following organizations this Holiday season: Vegreville Food Bank - 150 lbs of food Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank - 300 lbs of food Lamont Food Bank - 150 lbs of food Vegreville Christmas Bureau - Toy Drive and Coats for Families Fort Sask Families First Society - Santa Workshop Santa’s for Seniors Fort Sask - Senior Secret Santa program for 8 Fort Sask Seniors, 2 Lamont Seniors, and 2 Bruderheim Seniors Proud to do our part to give a helping hand at Christmas.

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Fort Saskatchewan U13 Team 1 Rangers

The Fort Sask U13 Team 1 Rangers is part of snow angels shovelling for local seniors. They have also done a “jersey #” cash donation to their local food bank. The team also did 3-4 Christmas cards for a local housing corporation for seniors, plus a few extras totalling 79 cards. The team is working very hard to support the community and working together as a family despite the pandemic restrictions.

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Fort Saskatchewan U13 Team 3 Rangers

With all the uncertainty of this hockey season, the Fort Saskatchewan U13 Team 3 Rangers focused on things they could do off the ice to help in the community. The team collected 500lbs worth of food donations on behalf of the local food bank. They also worked with a local group called Santa for Seniors, fulfilling Christmas wishes for five seniors. Lastly, they chose as a team to make a donation to a local family in need, with funds raised from their team raffle.

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Girls Hockey Calgary

Six Girls Hockey Calgary teams joined together to brings stockings to isolated seniors this past Christmas. They partnered with Olnalife, a local social venture company, to get sponsorship and source gifts to fill stockings for seniors. Three moms from the teams sewed 100 fleece stockings from donated scrap fabric. The stockings were then decorated by 100 players from U7 - U11. The players made the seniors a Christmas ornament, wrote a letter or drew a picture, and added a small gift of their choosing. The stockings were then filled with socks, gloves, masks, and other items and delivered to seniors for Christmas day in the Calgary and Airdrie area. Some of the stockings were delivered to long term care facilities where quarantine lockdown had been going on for an extended period of time.

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Hanna U9 and U18 Colts

The Hanna U9 Colts delivered Tim Hortons Gift Certificates to all of our local RCMP members and firefighters. They gave treat trays to the Arena staff Town Administration staff. They wanted to show some love to their local Seniors, so the team wrote Christmas cards to 22 residents of the Hanna Long Term Care. As well, the Hanna U18 Colts did a "Non Contact" Food Drive at the beginning of December where they collected non-perishable goodies to be delivered to the local food bank.

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KC Centennials U16 AAA

The KC Centennials U16 AAA team had plans to hold a huge winter clothing drive for one of their December games in the AEHL to help support YESS (Youth Empowerment and Support Services) Edmonton. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta, the game was temporarily put on pause. So quickly switching gears, the players and families decided to donate money to purchase the gift cards and items as needed and requested by YESS in Edmonton to youth in need. The gift cards were delivered on December 11. In addition, on our social media handles and at kccentennials.ca, they are encouraging others to do the same at https://yess.org/donate/. The donations given by the players and families of the KC Centennials U16 AAA will be presented to youth in need who use YESS in Edmonton at their annual YESS Christmas function.

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KC Squires U15 AAA

The KC Squires joined St. Michael’s Health Group to partner their players with residents at their senior care facility to bring them some Christmas joy. Each team member wrote a letter to a resident, and sent along their player profile with a sweet treat. The team is looking forward to hearing back from their pen pals in the days before Christmas. They hope to keep the friendship going beyond the Christmas season.

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Lethbridge Val Matteoti Golden Hawks

The Golden Hawks organized a social distanced drive-thru food drive to donate non-pershiables to the InterFaith food bank in Lethbridge.

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Lloydminster NAI U11 Tier 1

With money raised from a bottle drive and the donations of families, the young men of U11 Northern Alberta Interlock Tier 1 spent their time off ice supporting the Catholic Social Service Angels of Hope Campaign. With the money raised, they spent an afternoon shopping and purchased gifts for 78 children in need. The shopping was done at local businesses, mainly the Lloydminster Home Hardware, to help these businesses stay afloat during a tough year.

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Lloydminster U13 Blazers City 5

The Lloydminster U13 Blazers City 5 did a virtual food drive to fill up the shelves for the local food bank. They solicited donations and had a day for the team to pick up on doorsteps.

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Maple Leaf Athletic Club

The Maple Leaf Athletic Club has nine hockey teams this year from U13 AA to U18 AAA. With the pandemic this year, they decided to give back to the community by each team having a Santa Toy Drive game to help Santa’s Anonymous. As an organization, they collected over 600 toys, $290.00 in cash and $1490.00 in gift cards.

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Red Deer U11 RCM Transport Renegades

The Red Deer U11 RCM Transport Renegades started a kindness challenge at the beginning of December to spread some joy through the community. Players were asked to complete acts of kindness and then report back to the team during their weekly team zoom meeting. The team decided to make Christmas Cards for the residents of Westpark Lodge; an Assisted Living Centre located in Red Deer. There are 36 residents that live there and the team wanted to ensure each person received a card, so they placed a bin on their coach’s front step and collected the cards over the course of the past week, and delivered a total of 39 cards to the lodge.

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Spruce Grove U7 Flying Unicorns

The Spruce Grove U7 Flying Unicorns collected items for the local food bank. This week, they dropped off 150 items and a $50 grocery store gift card to Parkland Food Bank.

CALGARY - The Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup wants to inspire young Canadians to do good by transforming the positive values learned through hockey into Good Deeds within their communities. The goal of the program is to develop hockey players on and off the ice.

Over the past four years, thousands of hockey players across the country have been challenged to go out and perform Good Deeds in their communities. Teams have made an extraordinary impact, but the COVID-19 pandemic means that isn’t possible this season.

For the fifth year of the program, instead of asking teams to submit Good Deeds, Chevrolet is asking for them PITCH GOOD DEED IDEAS that will have a significant impact on their community. Every team that participates has the chance to become this year’s champion and win a $100,000 donation to the registered charity of their choice.

Not only do teams have the chance to become champions, but also to do additional good. Chevrolet will donate $50 to the Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund for each Good Deed idea submitted, donating up to $75,000 and helping more kids access Canada’s game.

To ensure the impact is felt far and wide, submissions will be open to U11, U13 and U15 minor hockey teams registered with Hockey Canada.

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN AND ENTERING IS SIMPLE

1. Ensure your hockey team is U11, U13 or U15 and registered with Hockey Canada.
2. Be safe! Please follow all applicable COVID-19 guidelines for brainstorming and filming your Good Deed idea videos.
3. Work with your team to brainstorm a Good Deed idea that can help your community.
   • Good Deed examples:
     • Donate $100,000 to your local humane society to help it rescue more animals.
     • Donate $100,000 to your local hospital foundation so it can purchase more machines for their cardiac unit.
     • Be creative! Find a Good Deed that is relevant to your community!
4. Create a video (30-60 seconds) to pitch your Good Deed idea. The video should include:
   • Team name and location (City/Town and province).
   • Your Good Deed idea.
   • Why the Good Deed would be meaningful to your community.
   • Who is the registered charity of your choice to receive the $100,000 prize?
5. Submit your Good Deed idea on Twitter using your hockey team’s Twitter account. Make sure you use the following tags:
   • @ChevroletCanada
   • #ChevroletGoodDeedsCup

CHEVROLET GOOD DEEDS CUP IMPORTANT DATES
December 20, 2020 – January 28, 2021 – Pitch your Good Deed idea

For more information on the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup Program please visit chevroletgooddeedscup.ca

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce that 2021 Female Hockey Day will be taking place virtually (via Zoom) on January 30 & 31.

This event will include a variety of sessions covering relevant topics for athletes from U9 - U18, and feature speakers from the national, provincial, and community levels – all to celebrate female hockey.

Registration will open on January 4. Registered participants will receive the Zoom link the day prior to the event.

2021 Female Hockey Day >

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Fuelled by Gatorade

2021 Female Hockey Day will be Fuelled by Gatorade. Each participant registered will receive an event package including a Gatorade bottle, towel, and other materials. Register by January 26 to receive your package for the event.

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2020 Female Hockey Day Photo Gallery >

CALGARY – Although the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship will be played without fans in the arena in Edmonton, plans have been unveiled for fans in Alberta to engage in the World Juniors.

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Hockey Alberta Foundation, is encouraging fans to win bigger than ever with an online 50/50 draw during every World Juniors game day, including pre-tournament games, beginning Dec. 22. Fans in Alberta can purchase tickets from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. MT on game days for as low as $5 by visiting HockeyCanada.ca/5050.

“The 50/50 draw is a tradition synonymous with live sports, and although fans will be enjoying the World Juniors from home this year, Hockey Canada, the Hockey Canada Foundation and the Hockey Alberta Foundation wanted to keep the tradition alive and ensure fans continue to have an enjoyable World Juniors experience,” said Tim Leer, executive director of the Hockey Alberta Foundation. “As fans in Alberta tune in to watch Team Canada defend its gold medal, they have a great opportunity to engage in the World Juniors while contributing to grassroots hockey programs throughout the province.”

The winners of each 50/50 draw will take home half of the pot, while the other half will be reinvested into grassroots hockey programs to help improve the quality of life of Albertans through hockey while supporting the local community.

In addition to the 50/50 draw, Hockey Canada also announced two other programs to connect with fans across Canada during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship: the Hockey Canada Contest and Hockey Canada Memorabilia Auction.

The Hockey Canada Contest, which runs from Dec. 20-Jan. 5, allows fans across the country (excluding Quebec) to purchase tickets for as low as $1 to be entered into a contest to win exciting prizes. The grand prize is two ticket packages to the World Juniors for the next decade (travel not included), with other prizes including stay-and-play golf packages at Cabot Cape Breton in Inverness, N.S., and Predator Ridge Resort in Vernon, B.C., and two round-trip airfares from Canada to any major international airport in the world. For more information, or to purchase tickets, fans can visit HockeyCanadaContest.ca.

The Hockey Canada Memorabilia Auction, which runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 6, is an opportunity for fans to bid on memorabilia from some of the biggest Hockey Canada moments, including the Olympics, IIHF World Championship, IIHF Women’s World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship. Items include autographed jerseys, sticks and photographs, as well as game-worn jerseys from the 2021 World Juniors, and can be viewed and bid on online starting Dec. 26 at HockeyCanadaAuction.ca.

“The World Juniors is an annual holiday tradition, and although the tradition will look and feel a little different this year, Hockey Canada wanted to offer fans across the country the opportunity to get involved in World Juniors while watching the best under-20 players in the world compete for gold in Edmonton,” said Riley Wiwchar, executive director of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. “With a number of great prizes and auction items to be won, we know fans will have another reason to be excited for the World Juniors.”

The 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship begins on Christmas Day with three games before Canada opens its tournament schedule on Dec. 26 against Germany at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all 28 tournament games and the four pre-tournament games that begin Dec. 22. TSN Radio will also provide comprehensive tournament coverage, including all Team Canada pre-tournament and tournament games through to the gold medal game.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_WJC.

RED DEER – Six team Alberta alumni are among the 25 players named to Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 25-Jan. 5 in Edmonton.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier, defencemen Bowen Byram and Kaiden Guhle, and forwards Kirby Dach, Dylan Holloway, and Peyton Krebs will all skate for Canada. Byram is among the six returning players who won gold at the 2020 World Juniors.

Gauthier, Byram, Dach, Holloway and Krebs played for Team Alberta in the 2016 WHL Cup, while Guhle skated for Team Alberta in 2017.

Defenceman Jake Sanderson, who also played for Team Alberta in 2017, was selected to play for the U.S.A. National Junior Team. Sanderson grew up playing hockey in Alberta, but as a dual citizen, opted to join the USA Hockey National Development Team Program in 2018.

The 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship begins on Christmas Day with three games before Canada kicks off its tournament schedule on Dec. 26 against Germany at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all 28 tournament games and the 10 pre-tournament games that begin Dec. 20. TSN Radio will also provide comprehensive tournament coverage, including all Team Canada pre-tournament and tournament games through to the gold medal game.

FAIRVIEW – A Fairview family is seeking help for their son, Max, who was recently diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2.

Max Sych, known as ‘Mighty Max’ by those close to him, is no stranger to adversity. His mother Bryarly had complications during the pregnancy, which resulted in her spending over four weeks on bedrest and giving birth to Max at only 25 weeks. The hospital in Fairview did not have a delivery ward, so Max and his parents were immediately transferred via NICU air ambulance to Edmonton, where he would spend the next 91 days fighting for his life.

Born in January 2019, Max weighed only 1 lb 11 ounces. He had numerous blood transfusions, a bedside surgery, a brain bleed, required ongoing respiratory therapy and was discharged on oxygen. He would spend a total of six months attached to an oxygen tank night and day, and four additional months on nighttime oxygen requiring special care from his parents.

Max was developing at a normal rate and reaching all the appropriate developmental milestones. But in August, his parents noticed a change. He stopped bearing weight on his legs completely, collapsed when put at his table, and arched his back when family held his hands to walk.

In November, genetic test results returned a diagnosis of a rare neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

SMA is a rare neuromuscular disease which leads to a progressive loss of muscle strength that affects the ability to walk, swallow and breathe. One in 10,000 children are born with the disease. In Type 2 SMA, children can sit but cannot walk on their own. Remarkably, this condition is separate from his prematurity.

In Canada, Max has access to Spinraza, a prescription drug that can increase survival and motor function. But Max’s best chance at being able to walk and live a long and healthy life is receiving a dose of Zolgensma, a one-time treatment that is not approved or funded by Health Canada. Zolgensma replaces the faulty gene at the root of the disease. At a reported $2.8 million (CAD), it is the most expensive one-time dose therapy in the world and must be given prior to Max turning two, a timeline that likely falls somewhere between his actual birthday in January 2021 and his due date at the beginning of May.

Max’s father Bowden, a former player and coach with Fairview Minor Hockey, says that his goal is to give Max a live a long and normal life.

“Playing hockey growing up and moving into coaching was so special for me, and I quickly realized how much I wanted to be able to coach my son once he is old enough to play,” said Bowden. “We are super grateful that a solution (Spinraza) exists in Canada, however we believe that Zolgensma will give Max the best quality of life moving forward.”

The family did not have a lot of time to absorb the information, but the community of Fairview was quick to act. They immediately set up a GoFundMe page and began soliciting donations for the medication.

“I cannot understate how amazing the community of Fairview has been since we heard the news,” said Bowden. “They have been incredibly helpful over the past few weeks, and I am realizing now that I live in the most supportive community in the world.”

Sheila Landry, a community member in Fairview, is quick to point out just how important Max, Bowden, and Bryarly are to Fairview.

“Bowden is a life-long hockey fan having played minor hockey in Fairview growing up. He continues to support Fairview Minor Hockey as a coach (stepping back from this when Max was born) and as a sponsor,” said Sheila. “Bryarly is also a huge supporter of our small town and sport programs. She has coached so many of our local youth in basketball. We as a community would like to show the same support that they have showed us.”

The GoFundMe currently sits at over $325,000 on the way to the $2.8 million goal.

You can follow along with Max’s journey on Instagram @movingmountainsformightymax.

GOFUNDME >

BATTLE OF ALBERTA DONATING >

For the third straight season, the Western Hockey League, in association with BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, and Hockey Manitoba, are producing an episodic video series about development as an official. Episode 2 focuses on the recruitment of new officials.

Episode 2: Recruitment

See the entire series, including seasons 1 & 2 here.

Alberta’s hockey community is filled with incredible people and incredible stories. From those who coached us, volunteered for us, kept our skates sharp and our ice fast, those who get up before the sun and make sure we’re up too. To the players who went to their first ever practice, scored the game winning goal or made it to the big leagues - we all have stories to tell about the game we love, and why we love it.

When Edmonton’s Kyle Kowalski got the call that he would be officiating at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships in his hometown later this month, he was hit with a flood of emotion.

“I got a phone call from our referee-in-chief. He just said ‘congratulations on your selection’, and I was just absolutely floored," Kowalski said.

First, he is a born and raised Edmontonian, so working a prestigious international tournament in his home town is an honour.

But he also has officiating in his blood. Not only is Kowalski a long-time Hockey Alberta official, his father Kevin was an official who also has a tie to the World Juniors. In 1995, his father officiated an exhibition game in Grande Prairie when the World Junior Championship was hosted in Red Deer.

Kowalski idolized his father growing up, so every time he steps on the ice to officiate, it’s a special moment for him.

“One of my fondest memories is still just walking behind my dad into the rink at Akinsdale Arena, and then seeing him on the ice as your hero, and now I have the ability to do that," he said.

Kowalski has previously worked the 2018 World Junior A Challenge, 2018 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and was selected to officiate the 2020 USports Cup that was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Kowalski will work as part of a crew of 26 Canadian Officials assigned to the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. He will be joined by fellow Albertans Fraser Lawrence and Deion Foster.

Hockey Alberta wants to share your stories and celebrate the hockey community in our province.

Let’s thank those who show up for us every day and highlight the depth of hockey in Alberta.

Each week we are highlighting your stories on the Hockey Alberta social media. Tell us why you, or someone you know is ‘Hockey For Life’ – the impact hockey has had on you or the impact you’ve had on hockey

Record an interview, tell us your story on camera or write to us in the form below.

Keep your story brief - submissions may be edited for length and clarity. Videos will be edited to under two minutes.

Upload photos and videos to a cloud based service and share a link with us for download.

Learn more and submit your story >

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta’s Coach of the Month, sponsored by Players Bench Team Apparel, is Randy Rosen of Sherwood Park.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCKS PAIRS UP WITH HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION

For every pair of socks sold HERE between November 19 and December 31, using code ’hockeyalberta’ at checkout, Major League Socks will donate $6 per pair back to the Every Kid Every Community Program. Your team can also win a Zoom call with an NHL player by sending out the link to friends and family. The team with the most socks sold will get a 30 minute zoom call with an Oilers or Flames player, as well as a set of teams socks of their choice.

SHOP NOW > | CONTEST DETAILS >

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VIRA, ZINGER ELECTED TO HOCKEY ALBERTA BOARD | BARTLETT, HAYDEN RECOGNIZED AS LIFE MEMBERS

Al-Amir Vira and Frances Zinger were elected to the Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors at the organization’s 113th Annual General Meeting held virtually on November 21. Bob Bartlett and Anne Hayden were also recognized with Life Membership status for their combined more than 90 years of service in the province of Alberta.

AGM FOLLOW UP >

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ENGEN JOINS HOCKEY CANADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terry Engen, the past Chair of Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors, was elected to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors on November 14 at Hockey Canada’s Winter Congress and Annual Meeting

MORE INFORMATION >

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EVERY KID EVERY COMMUNITY PROGRAM AWARDS $34,000 IN GRANTS THIS QUARTER

Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation are pleased to announce this quarter’s Every Kid Every Community grant recipients. Over $34,000 is being distributed to communities around Alberta, helping more than 400 kids access the game.

VIEW THE RECIPIENTS >

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• Edmonton player making history in female hockey league - Global
• Three Albertan Officials selected for World Junior Championship
• How to keep your players engaged - Video hosted by Barry Medori
• 2020 WHL Cup Cancelled
• Registration still open for NHL/NHLPA First Shift Program
• Return to Hockey

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RED DEER – Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation are pleased to announce this quarter’s Every Kid Every Community grant recipients.

Over $34,000 is being distributed to communities around Alberta, helping more than 400 kids access the game.

Intro to Hockey and Learn to Skate programs have been implemented by Clive Minor Hockey Club, Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association and Thunderstars Minor Hockey Association. These programs help recruit new players to the game of hockey and encourage families to get involved with their local association.

A grant to Variety – the Children’s Charity of Alberta will support their new Volt Hockey program. The Volt Hockey program offers a unique adaptation to the sport so that almost anyone living with mobility limitations can utilize specialized wheelchairs and equipment to play hockey independently. Volt hockey wheelchairs are nearly impossible to tip, are fast and agile and all the player needs is to be able to operate a joystick. Alberta is the second province to host Volt and will be running in both Calgary and Edmonton.

Five MHAs received Player Assistance Grants to assist with fees, equipment costs and additional costs for kids within the community who may not otherwise have access to the financial needs required to play the game of hockey.

The Every Kid Every Community program was launched in 2011, to provide a pathway to play hockey for any child in Alberta who is interested in the sport. The goal is to provide every child in Alberta the opportunity to play hockey, have fun and, in many cases, experience the sport for the first time.

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To see the application criteria, grant options and to apply, Click Here >The next application deadline for the Every Kid Every Community Grant is January 31.

The Hockey Alberta Foundation relies on the generosity of donors across the province to help ensure that any child who wants to participate in hockey has the opportunity. To donate please Click Here >

RED DEER - Three Albertans are among the 26 Canadian Officials selected to work the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Referees Kyle Kowalski and Fraser Lawrence, and Linesperson Deion Foster will all take to the ice when the World Juniors comes to the Edmonton bubble in December.

Kowalski (Edmonton), the son of a Hockey Alberta official and former member of the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons, has worked the 2018 World Junior A Challenge, 2018 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and was selected to officiate the 2020 USports Cup that was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Foster (Edmonton) grew up playing in Lloydminster, and now calls Edmonton home. He has officiated the 2016 & 2019 National Jr A Championship, worked the 2019 WHL Championship Series between the Vancouver Giants and the Prince Albert Raiders.

Lawrence (Edmonton) officiated the 2020 World Juniors last January in the Czech Republic and also worked the WHL Final in 2019 and many other International assignments, Lawrence was named the Official of the Year for Hockey Alberta for the 2019-20 Hockey Season.

Due to the unique nature of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, the IIHF Officiating Committee has selected an all-Canadian line-up of 26 officials – 14 referees and 12 linesmen - that represent seven Hockey Canada Members. The decision was made to ensure the health and safety of all participants due to COVID-19 and current travel restrictions.

“Hockey Canada is proud of the 26 Canadian officials that have been selected to work the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship this year. Although it is a unique year, we know these individuals will represent Canada with pride when they step on the ice in Edmonton,” said Todd Anderson, senior manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “Our officials have worked tirelessly to get to this point in their careers, and to be considered among the top officials in Canada is an honour.”

All 26 officials are products of the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, which includes six levels of certification and is the foundation for the training and development of officials across Canada.

CALGARY - Hockey Alberta, BC Hockey, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, and Hockey Manitoba, in conjunction with the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Hockey Canada, have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 WHL Cup.

With the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the decision was made with the health and safety of all coaches, staff, and participants as the top priority.

The WHL Cup features U16 provincial teams representing BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The round-robin tournament is the first step in the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence and assists Hockey Canada in evaluating these top prospects in this age group for future high-performance programs.

With Christmas around the corner, what better way to surprise the avid hockey fan on your list than with their favourite player - in sock form!

Major Leagues Socks is Pair[ing] up with the Hockey Alberta Foundation!

When you use the code: HOCKEYALBERTA at checkout, Major League Socks will donate $6 per pair back to the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community Program.

Shop Now >

With the impact of COVID-19 and the cancellation of in-person fundraising events, every dollar raised will go a long way to keep kids playing hockey across Alberta.

Anyone can use the link to purchase, but who doesn’t love a friendly competition? If you’re looking for a fun way to engage your team virtually while supporting a great cause, take a look below for more information!

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The Perfect Pair[ing] Team Contest

WIN A ZOOM CALL WITH A FLAMES OR OILERS PLAYER

• Pitch the idea to your hockey team.
• Register your team for the Perfect Pair[ing] Contest here
• Send out the website link www.majorleaguesocks.com/collections/hockey-alberta to your family and friends (for tracking purposes must purchase off this link).
• Your family and friends forward their purchase confirmation emails to [email protected] with your team name.
• The number of socks sold in support of your team will be tallied.
• Contest runs November 23 - December 31, 2020.
• The team with the most socks sold will get a 30 minute zoom call with an Oilers or Flames player, as well as a set of teams socks of their choice.
• Runner up gets a set of team socks of their choice

But wait, there’s more!

If you or your friends and family show off your Major League socks on Twitter or Instagram and tag @HockeyAlberta @MLSocks in your post (be sure to tag us in the photo, not just in the caption), along with your team, you earn an additional tally to your teams total!

Register Your Team >

RED DEER - Two members were elected to the Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors at the organization’s 113th Annual General Meeting held virtually on Saturday.

Al-Amin Vira of Heritage Pointe joins the Board of Directors for his initial three-year term as a Director at Large. Vira brings an extensive business background to the Board of Directors, including his current position executive director with Okotoks Honda.

Fran Zinger of Sherwood Park returns to the Board for her 15th year. She originally joined the Board in 2006, and has served in various capacities, including vice chair.

For more information on the new Board members, short videos and biography overviews can be found on the Hockey Alberta website.

Vira and Zinger join current members of the Board: Chair Len Samletzki (St. Albert); Vice Chair Allan Mowbray (Calgary); Finance Director Donna Gallant (Edmonton); Directors at Large Michael Bates (Cochrane), Francois Gagnon (Fort McMurray), and Wilson Gemmill (Grande Prairie); and Past Chair Terry Engen (Eckville).

Two individuals were also recognized with Life Membership status for their combined more than 90 years of service in the province of Alberta. Life Membership is the highest honour which may be bestowed by Hockey Alberta.

The new Life Members are Anne Hayden of Vauxhall (posthumous induction) and Bob Bartlett of Lethbridge. Bartlett has been involved in hockey in the province for more than five decades, while Hayden was involved for more than 40 years. For more on each new Life Member, click the images below to view a short biography video:

During the business portion of the meeting, the membership of Hockey Alberta approved a Notice of Motion to change the definition of Regular Membership within Hockey Alberta. Based on the recommendations of an Ad Hoc Committee that sought input over the past couple of years, the changes recognize that all types of programs currently registered with Hockey Alberta and operating amateur hockey will have the opportunity to apply for full membership.

RED DEER - Targeted public health measures came into effect November 13 in Alberta, impacting hockey, and other indoor team sports, in specific areas of the province.

Details of the announcement by the Government of Alberta were provided by Hockey Alberta to its Members in an Information Bulletin sent out on Thursday, November 12.

BULLETIN 20:07 >

Since the announcement, Hockey Alberta has been establishing communication plans with Alberta Health Services, Leagues and Minor Hockey Associations. As a result of these discussions, Hockey Alberta has put together an FAQ document to address questions regarding what is allowed within our sport during the 14-day pause in activity. The FAQ document was updated on November 17 to provide further clarification.

The FAQ can be found on the Return to Hockey page and will be updated as is appropriate.

FAQ - Targeted Public Health Measures (Updated Nov 27) >

CALGARY – Terry Engen, the past Chair of Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors, was elected to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors on Saturday at Hockey Canada’s Winter Congress and Annual Meeting - held virtually for the first time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The elections proved to be a significant step forward as Hockey Canada continues to address areas of diversity and inclusion throughout the organization. An important by-law change approved at the 2019 Annual Meeting requires the Board to include a minimum of two males and two females to better reflect Canadian society.

Engen, from Eckville, was one of five new directors elected to serve two-year terms.

The new board includes Michael Brind’Amour, returning as chair for the second consecutive term and three re-elected directors who will serve two-year terms; Kirk Lamb, Barry Reynard and Goops Wooldridge. Joining Engen as new directors are Bobby Sahni, Andrea Skinner, Leanne Standryk, and Mary Anne Veroba.

“We issued ourselves a directive to be more inclusive and this is an important step in that process,” said Tom Renney, chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “Our entire organization is excited to welcome Andrea, Leanne, Mary Anne, Terry and Bobby to our board, joining Michael, Barry, Goops and Kirk as we continue the mandate that our organization and board members, past and present, have been working towards.”

Hockey Canada and its members extend their appreciation to the outgoing board members Al Hubbs (Indian Head, Sask.), Réal Langlais (Delson, Que.), Randy Pulsifer (Stillwater Lake, N.S.), Ed Pupich (Schumacher, Ont.) and Randy Henderson (Prince George, B.C.) - for their ongoing dedication and contributions to the game. In particular, the organization values their leadership in helping create a more inclusive and diverse board.

Hockey Canada’s Winter Congress and Annual Meeting brought together the governing body’s board of directors and partners, along with representation from all 13 Members.

Hockey Canada’s next Winter Congress and Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 18-20, 2021 in Toronto.

For board member bios and more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca .