News - Most Recent

The Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (Hockey Alberta) is seeking qualified candidates for one (1) Director at Large position on its Board of Directors. Deadline to submit a nomination package is AUGUST 31, 2020.

APPLICATION / NOMINATION FORM >

Hockey Alberta is the governing body for organized amateur hockey in the Province of Alberta. The Board provides oversight and approves the vision and policy framework for the organization to carry out its operations. The Board operates under a policy governance model, and is accountable to its Members, ensuring that the mission, vision and values of Hockey Alberta are carried out by the organization. Operations are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board holds monthly meetings, either in-person in Hockey Alberta’s head office in Red Deer or via phone/ digital platform.

Candidate Qualifications

For 2020, the Board has approved the Nominations Committee to seek candidates that meet one or more of the following key criteria in each of two main categories:

I. Diversity

• Female
• Visible Minority
• Younger Age Demographic
  
  II. Skills / Experience

• Advocacy (such as government relations / lobbying)
• Communications (such as public relation / sales/ marketing/ branding)
• Hockey Alberta Member Knowledge/ Experience

In addition to the competencies identified above:

• Previous experience on the Hockey Alberta Board is an asset.
• Previous experience on a not-for-profit board and knowledge of the workings of a board from a good governance perspective are preferred.
• An ICD (Institute of Corporate Directors) designation or equivalent training or experience working with a Board is an asset.
• Experience and understanding of the workings of a Provincial Sport Organization is an asset.
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check is required.

DIRECTOR AT LARGE JOB DESCRIPTION >

Process Overview

The Governance Committee of Hockey Alberta has created an external three-person Nominations Committee that includes a former Chair of the Board of Directors.

All submitted applications are reviewed by the Nominations Committee. Through the application and interview process, the Nominations Committee will prepare a group of qualified candidates endorsed by the Nominations Committee to be presented to the membership for election.

Board of Director positions are elected by the Members of Hockey Alberta at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The 2020 AGM is scheduled for Saturday, November 21. The intention is to have the meeting in person, however there are provisions if a virtual meeting is required. Elected individuals will serve a term of three years.

Each candidate is required to be nominated by a Member of Hockey Alberta, as defined in Article 2 of the Bylaws of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association.

The links below to the Hockey Alberta website provide more information on Hockey Alberta Bylaws, and the Board’s Governance Model, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest policy. Candidates are required to complete a conflict of interest declaration with their application.

1. BYLAWS AND REGULATIONS >
2. BOARD GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND POLICIES >

For more information, please contact:

Rob Virgil Rob Litwinski

Nominations Committee Chair, Hockey Alberta CEO, Hockey Alberta

[email protected] [email protected]

780-915-2873 403-342-6777

RED DEER - While the Shaw Charity Classic has been cancelled for 2020, Shaw is committed to continuing the tournament’s legacy of giving.

In fact, Shaw has made it even easier to donate to the Hockey Alberta Foundation through its #ChipinforKids campaign.

The Hockey Alberta Foundation and Shaw invite you to #ChipinforKids by texting KIDS107 to 30333 to donate $10 and help us provide every child in Alberta the opportunity to play hockey. To make your contribution go further, Shaw will match the donation, and then the Shaw Charity Classic will add up to an additional 50 per cent of the matched total. Your $10 donation can grow into a donation of $30 to the Hockey Alberta Foundation.

The Hockey Alberta Foundation has impacted over 41,000 kids in Alberta through disbursements that help support player fees and equipment, scholarships, and grassroots and mentorship programs. As we prepare to move forward with hockey in the fall, we know the demand and access to financial support services and alternate programming will be on the rise.Your donation and matched contributions raised through the #ChipinforKids program will help ensure that we will be able to continue supporting Alberta’s hockey community.

DONATE NOW >

CANMORE - The 15^th year of the Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic had a different look as 18 teams took the links at Silvertip Golf Resort in support of Every Kid Every Community.

The 2020 event had COVID-19 safety protocols - including a restriction on golfers and using individual golf carts. The event also featured the introduction of the newest Board member for the Hockey Alberta Foundation.

Lisa Vlooswyk joined Foundation Board Chair Dennis Zukiwsky on the second hole, hosting a “Drive for Donations” competition for the participating teams.

Lisa, otherwise known as “Lisa Longball” due to her status as an eight-time Canadian Long Drive Champion, used her long drives to help raise over $7,100 for Every Kid Every Community.

Lisa currently competes on the Golf Channel’s World Long Drive Association Tour, and finished as high as second in the world long drive championships. Lisa was the first woman to ever hit it the length of 3 ½ NFL football fields in competition and currently holds the Canadian Women’s Long Drive record at 350 yards 2 feet 2 inches.

In addition to her competitive career, Lisa is a Golf Journalist for several publications including Inside Golf Magazine and has had her own column in Golf Digest Canada. Lisa is a successful keynote Peak Performance Speaker at conferences and conventions, and runs her own Golf School for Women in Canada and the United States. Her entrepreneurial success was recognized when she was awarded the Bank of Montreal Celebrating Women award for Expansion and Growth in Small Business.

The total raised through Lisa’s efforts on Hole 2 will be matched through the Shaw Charity Classic Altalink Birdies for Kids Program. A silent auction also generated an additional $8300. In total over $25,000 was raised in the single day modified event.

A big thank you to all teams, donors and celebrities that came out to support or donated in lieu of attending. We look forward to the prospect of returning in 2021 with a full 36 team event again.

For those who wish to support the Hockey Alberta Foundations Every Kid Every Community program online, please visit https://shawcharityclassic.com/donate/

For more information on the Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic or to get involved for 2021 please contact Danielle Kraichy – [email protected] .

RED DEER – Bob Clark, a Life Member of Hockey Alberta, and a member of the 2020 Induction Class of the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, passed away on Thursday, July 9 at the age of 83.

Bob Clark’s Obituary >

Bob, a resident of Carstairs, was involved in hockey in Alberta for more than half a century, displaying a passion for growing and improving the game for athletes and administrators.

Bob got his start as a goaltender in minor hockey, and served as a coach, general manager, administrator and committee member at the local, provincial and national levels. His involvement included work with Carstairs Minor Hockey, Hockey Alberta, and the Hockey Alberta Foundation.

Bob was the face of Junior A hockey in Alberta. From 1987-95, Bob was general manager of the Olds Grizzlys who captured three Alberta Junior Hockey League championships and the Centennial Cup in 1994. Bob also served as team president for two years. Bob served as the AJHL’s board chair and Hockey Alberta’s Junior A Committee chair, and was a special advisor to the AJHL, and director with the Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey Scholarship Program.

In Bob’s professional life, he was elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1960, and in 1966, he was appointed Alberta’s (and Canada’s) first-ever Minister of Youth. As Minister, Bob commissioned a study with the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association on the state of hockey in the Province. Recommendations from this report led to the development of coaching and refereeing clinics across Western Canada.

Among his other numerous accolades, Bob was inducted into the Alberta Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, received Hockey Alberta’s President’s Award in 2003 and Centennial Award in 2007, received Hockey Canada’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2009, was the Chair of the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee for four years, and was a member of Hockey Alberta Foundation Board of Directors for six years.

During Bob’s involvement in hockey, he was strongly supported by the wife of 55 years Norma, their two children Dean and Donna, and their families.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to PO Box 553, Carstairs, AB T0M 0N0.

MountainviewToday.ca story >

DiscoverAirdrie.com story >

RED DEER - George Kallay, a former Hockey Alberta board member and Chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation board, passed away on Saturday, July 18 at the age of 74.

In addition to his roles with Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation, George served as a player, parent, referee, volunteer and executive member with Hockey Canada for more than two decades.

For his service to hockey in Alberta, George was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. His other accolades include a Hockey Alberta Development Award in 2005, a Hockey Alberta Centennial Award in 2007, Hockey Canada Volunteer of the Year in 2008, and the Alberta Cup 25th Anniversary Builders Award in 2011.

George’s resume with Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada is immense, as he served as Vice Chair of Hockey Development for Hockey Alberta from 1998-2003, the Chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation from 2005-2009, and Chair of the Hockey Canada Development Committee from 2005-2008. He also spent many years with the Team Alberta program in various roles, and was Director of Operations for the gold-medal winning Team Alberta U16 Male at the 1999 Canada Winter Games, and was once again inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of that group.

RED DEER – The Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) and Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL), along with Hockey Alberta are excited to announce a new partnership with InStat Sport.

The partnership sees InStat Sport provide the AEHL and AFHL and their teams with a reduced rate on utilizing the statistics and analytical features of the InStat Hockey platform.

“InStat Sport is looking forward to growing our hockey platform across North America and we are excited to partner with Hockey Alberta’s elite leagues as part of that process. When hockey returns, we are ready to provide AEHL and AFHL teams with our leading video analysis and stats platform,” said Mark Yates, Director, InStat North America.

InStat Sport, founded in 2007, is a leading provider of performance analysis services in soccer, basketball and hockey. Hockey clients include teams in the NHL, CHL, NCAA, and USports. The company’s North American base is in Philadelphia.

The InStat Hockey platform is used by league and federation offices, coaches, scouts and management as a communication tool for coaching, player development and/or scouting purposes. At the team level, coaches and players can receive detailed reports after each game, statistical breakdowns, and links to corresponding video or playlists for the purpose of development and exposure to the next level.

“Hockey Alberta is pleased to be able to partner with InStat Sport connecting the organizations and teams of the AEHL and AFHL with the industry leaders in video stats and analytics. We see this as a partnership that will not only benefit individual teams but gives us an international platform to showcase our league talent as well,” said Mike Klass, Director of Business Operations for Hockey Alberta.

For more information regarding InStat, go to their website, www.instatsport.com, or check out their YouTube channel.

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta released its Return to Hockey Plan on Tuesday, providing the framework and minimum standards for Hockey Alberta’s Members to undertake hockey activities.

The Plan also allows players, coaches, officials, parents and other stakeholders to understand the current guidelines for operating sanctioned hockey for the 2020-21 season.

The Return to Hockey Plan and its appendices, along with other announcements and documents pertaining to COVID-19 and its impact on hockey in Alberta, can be reviewed on the Hockey Alberta website:

RETURN TO HOCKEY PLAN >

The Return to Hockey Plan incorporates the current requirements outlined in Stage 2 of the Government of Alberta’s Relaunch Plan, health and safety guidelines from Hockey Canada, and programming, registration and sanctioning for Hockey Alberta.

The health and safety of all participants in the sport is of paramount importance in all activities outlined in the Return to Hockey Plan. The threats and challenges posed by COVID-19 require specific steps to be taken to allow hockey back on the ice, and this plan addresses those requirements.

“It is important for our Members and families to know that there is a plan for hockey in Alberta for the coming season. Our players will be able to have fun, socialize with teammates and peers, and enjoy positive experiences in our game,” said Rob Litwinski, CEO of Hockey Alberta. “The Plan includes options to group players according to skill levels and engage in competition as they continue to develop their skills in preparation for returning to regular season play.”

The Return to Hockey Plan has three components:

• Off-Season Skill Development
• Development Season
• Regular Season

The Development components provide direction on types of hockey activities that can be offered utilizing Physical Distancing or Cohorting; requirements for organizations in determining who is eligible to participate; estimated timelines for each component; travel and other limitations; and registration and sanctioning requirements.

The Return to Hockey Plan – including the timelines included within it - is subject to change, as new guidelines and requirements are put in place by the Government of Alberta.

RED DEER – With the ever-changing landscape and an elevated focus on athlete and participant safety, Hockey Alberta is excited to announce a new partnership with Vereburn Medical Supply.

The partnership sees Vereburn Medical Supply provide Hockey Alberta members with a reduced rate on complete medical kits and supplies.

“Vereburn Medical Supply is honored and excited to partner with Hockey Alberta to provide members with access to exclusive medical kits as well as extended discounts on their required sports medicine supplies” said Matt Veres, President Vereburn Medical Supply.

Vereburn, based in Calgary, is Canada’s leading wholesale manufacturer and distributor of products and equipment focusing on the sports medicine, emergency medical, healthcare and first aid markets. Current partners include the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association and U Sports, and Vereburn was an All-Star Contributor to the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

“Hockey Alberta is pleased to be able to partner with Vereburn Medical Supply in a way that ensures the safety of our participants is front of mind and provides a service to our members. When our members start preparing for a safe return to hockey, we hope the partnership with Vereburn is utilized getting the necessary medical first aid supplies in place,” said Mike Klass, Director of Business Operations for Hockey Alberta.

For more information on Vereburn Medical Supply, go to vereburn.com.

CALGARY - Ten Albertans are among the 113 players invited to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp in July.

Defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk, along with forwards Nate Danielson, Josh Davies, Jordan Gustafson, Reiger Lorenz, Rylen Roersma, Matthew Savoie, Bowden Singleton, Oasiz Wiesblatt and Koehn Ziemmer will all take part in the virtual camp.

The camp runs July 19-25, with a variety of sessions focusing on player development through online education.

CALGARY - Seven Albertans are among the 109 female athletes invited to the BFL Canada National Women’s Development Team and National Women’s Under-18 team summer camps.

Hockey Canada has announced a pool of 109 of the country’s top young players invited to participate in a pair of virtual camps with Canada’s National Women’s Program.

Goaltender Sophie Lajeunesse (Calgary), blueliner Dayle Ross (Spirit River), and forwards Kyle Perry (Ponoka) and Sarah Wozniewicz (Cochrane) will attend the BFL National Women’s Under-18 Team Summer Camp. Wozniewicz is one of three players who won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2020 IIHF U18 Women’s Championship.

As for the BFL Canada National Women’s Development Team Summer Camp, defender Stephanie Markowski and forwards Kassy Betinol and Danielle Serdachny are among the 59 players invited.

Former Team Alberta coach Howie Draper (Edmonton) is on staff as Head Coach of the U18 team, while Mel Davidson (Oyen) returns as Head Scout for the program.

As the virtual meetings progress through the summer, the athletes will cover topics that include at-home strength and conditioning plans, mental performance plans and check-ins, nutrition, dry-land skills, skating simulations, team-building activities, short-term international competition preparation and meetings with coaches.

The online sessions will take place up to twice weekly, with critical information being communicated to athletes to allow them to continue to evolve as high-performance athletes in this new environment, and will utilize the strengths and experience of Canada’s National Women’s Program leadership to help connect one-on-one, athlete-to-athlete.

CALGARY - Eight Albertans are among the 41 players invited to Canada’s virtual National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp.

Sebastian Cossa (Fort McMurray) and Taylor Gauthier (Calgary) are among the five goaltenders invited to the camp. Defencemen Bowen Byram (Lethbridge/Cranbrook), Kaiden Guhle (Sherwood Park) and Matthew Robertson received invites as well, along with forwards Ridly Greig (Lethbridge), Dylan Holloway (Bragg Creek) and Peyton Krebs (Okotoks).

The virtual summer camp runs July 27-31, where players will participate in a variety of sessions with a focus on player development through online education.

Although ’follow your dreams’ is a common phrase, few people have taken that advice to heart quite like Kodie Curran.

At age 30, the Calgarian recently signed his first NHL deal with Anaheim Ducks - a two-year, one-way contract, the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and a seemingly unmatched love for the game.

After two productive seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, including a league MVP title this past season, the blueliner caught the eye of NHL scouts, and the Ducks announced the signing on June 1.

While Curran’s unorthodox pathway to the NHL isn’t completely unheard of, it’s certainly not the ’cookie cutter’ route that many take to hockey’s highest level.

"I think a lot adversity through my career that I’ve had to battle," said Curran of his journey so far. "Not saying that other guys don’t, but there’s late bloomers, and then there’s really late bloomers, and I was a really late bloomer. I didn’t start playing high-end hockey until maybe I was 20, and then I took a bit of a break, and really got into my element when I was about 25."

Kodie with his wife, Caitlin, and daughter Remi. (Photo courtesy of Kodie Curran)

Curran was certainly no stranger to adversity in his younger hockey days. After playing Bantam AAA with the Calgary Buffaloes organization, he was passed over in the WHL Bantam draft, and went on to play Midget AA (playing forward at the time), while many of his peers and former teammates were playing Midget AAA, and trending towards Major Junior hockey. Although somewhat disappointed at the time, he says it only helped push him harder.

"In Midget AA, you’re thinking ’why am I not on the AAA team, why am I not on the AAA team? Now what happens? Now I’m not going to get drafted," Curran said. "There’s so much doubt in your mind when you play in Midget AA at such a young age, but I think now kids are starting to be molded a little bit earlier to deal with that, which I think is great. I think it’s important just to remember that where ever you’re playing, you’re not the player you’re going to be in the future, down the road, so just really enjoy it, and that’s what I tried to do."

After graduating from minor hockey, Curran enjoyed a successful career in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Calgary Canucks and Spruce Grove Saints, winning an AJHL title with the latter in 2010. Following his junior career, Curran played five seasons for the University of Calgary Dinos, helping the team to the National Championship in 2001, and earning West First All-Star Team honours in 2014 and 2015.

While the end of a post-secondary career could mark the last stop in a hockey player’s journey, Curran decided he wasn’t ready to give up on his dream. He signed a deal with the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers’ top affiliate, and split time between the Wolf Pack and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the East Coast Hockey League. After making the difficult decision to play pro hockey in Europe, far away from his family and friends, he played in Denmark and Norway in 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively, before landing with Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League.

Curran credits the overwhelming support from his family and friends as a key contributing factor to his success in Europe.

"My family has meant everything to me," he said. "When I think about this moment, and sharing it with them, words aren’t enough to explain what they mean to me. To be that far away from home over in Europe, and to constantly be on FaceTime or getting texts from your family saying ’you’re doing the right thing’, they really solidified for me that I was in the right place in my life, and what I was doing was right."

Curran certainly made the most of his time in Europe, especially his two seasons in Sweden. This past season, he put up staggering numbers for a defenceman (12 goals and 37 points in 48 games), finishing second in the league in scoring, earning the title of league MVP. Curran was the first foreign-born player to be named the SHL’s MVP since current Calgary Flame Derek Ryan, who took a similar path to the NHL, making his league debut at 29 years old.

"Last year was an amazing season," Curran said. "I ended up getting onto a team with young guys, great players, and we got hot, and it was an amazing year, one I’ll never forget."

Despite nothing ever coming easy for him, Curran says his love of the game always got him through, and kept him looking towards the future.

"As you go through your career, everyone puts a label on the teams that you should be playing for, and the things that you should be doing, and where you should be at a certain age. I think a lot of kids, and parents especially, get caught up in that, and can put a lot of pressure on their kids. I didn’t have any pressure from my parents, they really just wanted me to love the game of hockey, and I did that. And I think that’s what got me through those tough times, was just my passion for the game. I didn’t do anything that the hockey world says we ’should do’, and here I am. So I think there are other ways to do it, and I hope this shows that there are other ways to get to your dreams."

Although his hockey career has recently taken him all over the world, Curran says his time playing grassroots hockey in Alberta were vital to his development and success.

"I think what’s so great about (grassroots hockey in Alberta), is the development, and all the branch-offs that you can go into to play to have success. I always remember my roots and where I came from, I think Hockey Alberta’s done a great job in developing young kids and making sure there’s enough areas for all types of skills to play."

While he could have walked away from the game with his head held high at any point in his career, and a number of impressive accomplishments under his belt, Curran never gave up on his dream, and hopes his story can help inspire young athletes to chase theirs, and never let anyone, or anything, stop them.

"I didn’t make a single (division) one team, I think ever, I didn’t make AAA, and I was at a crossroads of whether to play forward or defence at 17 years old," he said. "For me, I always just tried to really fall in love with the game of hockey. If you don’t love it, and it’s not for you, then that’s great. But I know there’s a ton of kids out there that love the game of hockey, so let that be your inspiration, and let that be something that pushes you through these tough times, is that you love the game for its purity."

While the work isn’t quite done for Curran, as the task of earning an NHL roster spot with the Ducks still lies ahead, he says he’s looking forward to the challenge, and in the meantime, will enjoy some much-deserved rest and down time with his family.

(Third photo of Kodie with sister Jessica (left) and mom Deborah (right), courtesy of Kodie Curran)

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is offering another free online seminar for minor hockey coaches on Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m.

The topic of Thursday’s session is ’Player Habits’, and will be delivered by Hockey Alberta Coach Mentor Fran Gow.

Register >

This presentation dives into the habits and characteristics that are recommended for players to be successful. These habits can be implemented and taught to all levels of minor hockey players at different stages of age and development.

PLEASE NOTE:

• All sessions are open to Hockey Alberta members at no cost,
• Sessions will be hosted on the ZOOM meeting platform.
• You will need to sign up for a free ZOOM account prior to joining the session.
• You will receive email confirmation with the ZOOM meeting link 24 hours prior to the start of the session.

If you have did not receive the link 24 hours prior to, or you have questions regarding the sessions, please contact Stephen Pattison - [email protected]

Hockey Alberta is excited to partner with Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd to bring a weekly series to the homes of hockey players across Alberta, focused on strength and conditioning.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home!

Episode nine features former Team Alberta Video Coach Alex Mandolidis and Dr James Werner. DC., CSCS , Masters of Sport Medicine, with a focus on mobility and enhancing tissue quality.

Hockey at Home Series >

This morning, Hockey Canada’s Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, issued a statement on the return-to-hockey process in Canada. The statement included the following announcement:

“After ongoing discussions with the board of directors, our chief medical officer, the 13 Members and public health authorities across the country, it has been determined that the best approach for a return to hockey in Canada is to allow each Member the opportunity to work with authorities in their respective regions to determine when it is safe to return to the ice in areas that fall under their jurisdiction. We expect the timing of each Member’s return to hockey will be different, but will be based on the advice of their government and public health authority.”

For Hockey Alberta, this statement means that when arenas reopen as part of the government of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy, our Members may resume on-ice, sanctioned activities – subject to compliance with current health and safety standards in Alberta and Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey plan. The reopening of arenas in Alberta is still slated to occur in Phase 3 of the province’s Relaunch strategy. Hockey Alberta is participating in information sessions with the government, and if we can assist with the plan to reopen arenas, we will.

Hockey Alberta continues to work with Hockey Canada, other provincial branches, and Provincial Sport Organizations in Alberta to develop a Return to Hockey Plan for this province. The plan will include safety and risk guidelines and requirements, along with a phased-in approach on the ice. Hockey Alberta has identified a group of Member representatives who will review the proposal, and we are committed to circulating a formal draft to all Members by June 15. Throughout the process, we expect several revisions as circumstances change and feedback is received.

In the meantime, the statement by Hockey Canada means that sanctioned, off-ice hockey-related activities may be held, as long as they are operated in accordance with current health and safety standards in Alberta. Off-ice training consists of any activity organized by a Hockey Alberta Member or sanctioned organization that takes place off-ice and meets specified criteria as outlined by Hockey Canada.

It there are questions pertaining to the Hockey Canada announcement or Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey plan, please submit via email to: [email protected].

The full Hockey Canada statement can be found at hockeycanada.ca. Hockey Canada’s Return to Hockey guidelines can be found at hockeycanada.ca/returntohockey.

CALGARY - The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer.

“Recent events have amplified the inequality that exists among us, and now is the time to use the Hockey Canada platform to encourage discussion and change.

We know racism exists in the world. It is far too common here in Canada, and people of colour experience racism daily. Unfortunately, racism and inequality have occurred in the hockey community. We recognize that and understand that our organization needs to do more to combat acts of injustice and ensure a safe space for everyone.

Hockey Canada and its 13 Members need to listen and learn, have difficult conversations about our own shortcomings and be open to change if we are going to make progress towards a better future for all participants.

It is easy to talk about being inclusive, welcoming and safe, but now is a time to listen and support those facing racism. We need to do better, be leaders in equality and be part of the solution.”

RED DEER – The structure of AAA male hockey in Alberta will have a different look for the 2020-21 season.

The Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) was announced on Saturday as the new home for Hockey Alberta’s elite male players.

“The new Alberta Elite Hockey League brings all elite male hockey in Alberta under one set of operating standards which is an important step in ensuring that players within the AAA hockey stream are offered a consistent program and experience, regardless of their age division of hockey or location,” said Neil Robertson, chair of the Elite Male Committee.

The decision was made in December to restructure elite male hockey in the province. An extensive review process concluded that a restructured program would be more cost-effective for the members and stakeholders, while helping raise the status of elite male hockey programming, consolidating volunteer workload at the team and organizational levels, and aligning league operations. There was also a Name the League contest.

The AEHL is comprised of the U18 AAA Division (formerly the Alberta Midget Hockey League), U16 AAA Division (formerly the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League), and U15 AAA Division (formerly the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League). Renaming the divisions, to align with Hockey Canada’s new Age Division Names policy, was a key impetus to the overall restructuring decision.

In addition to the new league and divisional structures, the AEHL will be housed on a new, state-of-the-art website platform currently being designed by HockeyTech. The AEHL website is being built in conjunction with a new web platform for the Alberta Female Hockey League, with the goal of providing a one-stop location for all news and information pertaining to elite hockey in the province.