Glencross Invitational Stepping on the Ice in 2022

The Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (Hockey Alberta) is seeking qualified candidates for three (3) positions on its Board of Directors.

Positions include:

1. Chair
2. Vice Chair
3. Director at Large*

*This position is a NEW position that is intended to be elected only if a Notice of Motion to change the Past Chair position to an elected position is approved by the members.

Deadline to submit a nomination package is AUGUST 31, 2022.

APPLICATION / NOMINATION FORM >

Hockey Alberta is the governing body for organized amateur hockey in the Province of Alberta. The Board of Directors builds and monitors the strategy of the organization through its vision, mission, values and strategic direction. The Board operates under a Policy Governance Model and delegates operations to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board is elected by and accountable to the members of Hockey Alberta.

The Board holds regular meetings, either in-person in Hockey Alberta’s head office in Red Deer or via phone/ digital platform.

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Candidate Qualifications

The Board of Directors is focused on being a diverse group comprised of individuals with a variety of skill sets and experiences. For 2021, candidates with previous board experience are being sought to fill the three available positions. Criteria to be considered by the Nominations Committee for each candidate include:

I. Skills/ Experience

• Advocacy (such as government relations/ lobbying)
• Communications/ Marketing/ Social Media
• Equality, Diversity, Inclusion
• Human Resources
• Environmental and Social Responsibility

II. Diversity

• Female
• Visible Minority
• Indigenous
• Younger Age Demographic

In addition:

• 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.
• Experience and understanding of the workings of a Provincial Sport Organization is an asset.
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check is required.

CHAIR OF THE BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION >

DIRECTOR AT LARGE JOB DESCRIPTION >

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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 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). Elected individuals will serve a term of three years.

To be eligible for the Board of Directors, a 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.

I. BYLAWS AND REGULATIONS >

II. BOARD GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND POLICIES >

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For more information, please submit an email to:

[email protected]

21:13 - Board of Directors Recruitment Notice >

RED DEER - Twenty-eight players have been shortlisted and invited to the Female U18 Fall Camp, in hopes of being selected to the 2023 Canada Winter Games Team Alberta roster.

Hockey Alberta has announced its shortlist roster for the Team Alberta U18 Female squad that will participate in the Fall Camp, September 23-25 in Red Deer. The Fall Camp is the final provincial camp in preparation for the selection process for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. The shortlist includes three goaltenders, nine defenders, and 16 forwards.

Team Alberta U18 Female Shortlist >

Players were selected to the shortlist based on their overall play throughout the Team Alberta scouting process, past Team Alberta programs, and at the U18 Summer Camp in Red Deer, July 12 -17. Seventy-two players were invited to Red Deer, and worked through high intensity on-ice sessions, as well as off-ice training and classroom sessions.

"The athletes at our Summer Camp displayed a level of competition and talent that impressed our (Canada Winter Games staff) group," said Kendall Newell, Hockey Alberta’s Manager of Female Hockey. "We’re excited to bring this group to our Fall Camp for the next step in the Team Alberta process as we prepare for the Canada Winter Games."

Fall Camp will include on and off-ice sessions, and some exhibition games. Following the training camp, athletes will continue to be scouted with their club teams in the fall. Twenty players will be selected to the Team Alberta roster. The 2023 Canada Winter Games run February 18 – March 5, 2023, in Prince Edward Island while Team Alberta Female will hit the ice Feb. 26 - March 5.

RED DEER - Thirty-three male athletes from Alberta are one step closer to representing their province at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.

Hockey Alberta has announced its shortlist roster for the Team Alberta U16 Male squad that will participate in the 2023 Canada Winter Games. The shortlist includes four goaltenders, ten defencemen, and 19 forwards.

Team Alberta U16 Male Shortlist Roster >

Players were selected to the shortlist based on their overall play throughout the Team Alberta scouting process, past Team Alberta programs, and at the U16 Summer Camp in Red Deer, July 4-10. Eighty players were invited to Red Deer, and worked through high intensity on-ice sessions, as well as off-ice training and classroom sessions.

“As a staff, we are very impressed with the level of talent and competition at Summer Camp,” said Serge Lajoie, Head Coach of Team Alberta U16 Male. “Now, the final push is on for these 33 players to show us why they belong on Team Alberta.”

The shortlisted players will be scouted with their club teams in the fall, prior to final decisions on the 20 players selected to the Team Alberta roster. The 2023 Canada Winter Games run February 18 - March 5 in PEI.

CANMORE – After more than two years of waiting, the Class of 2022 (formerly the Class of 2020) was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame (AHHF) on Sunday, July 17.

The Class of 2022 features seven outstanding individuals - including four Stanley Cup champions and a two-time Olympic gold medallist - along with the 1975 Canada Winter Games and Alberta Provincial Junior B champions.

Bill Bucyk, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Bob Clark, John Davidson, Dr. Randy Gregg, Ken Hitchcock, Jamie Macoun and the 1974-75 Lethbridge Native Sons were enshrined in Alberta’s hockey history during the AHHF Gala at the Coast Hotel in Canmore.

The Gala is hosted by Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation, and the 2022 event was the 40th anniversary of the initial AHHF induction ceremony held in 1982. Ryan Leslie, NHL host on Sportsnet, was the emcee for the evening.

Throughout the evening, a common theme among the inductees was reflecting on how living in Alberta influenced their careers, and thanking those who played key roles in their success.

BILL BUCYK

Bill Bucyk was a respected linesman, referee and leader who skated in the World Hockey Association and internationally, and helped train some of the longest-serving officials in the NHL. He joins his brother Johnny Bucyk (Class of 2016), the long-time member of the Boston Bruins, in the AHHF.

Bill recalled playing road hockey with Johnny as kids, and waiting for the milkman to go by with the horse so they could get a puck.

He also recalled officiating games in which fellow inductees Randy Gregg and John Davidson played. He talked about Ken Hitchcock. But rather than a Hall of Fame coaching career, Bucyk recalled Hitchcock “as the best man to sharpen skates, nobody could an edge on them like Kenny could.” And he showed off one of the red pucks that were used during his officiating career in the WHA.

CASSIE CAMPBELL-PASCALL

Cassie Campbell-Pascall had an unparalleled career including captain of the Canadian National Women’s hockey team, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and six-time world champion, along with trailblazing work as a broadcaster nationally and internationally.

She reflected on how she got her start in hockey in Ontario, but that she has been a proud Albertan for 22 years. She thanked Mel Davidson (Class of 2017) for her role as a coach, and now as a friend, along with Loretta Normandeau (Class of 2011).

“Loretta, what you’ve done for women in hockey across the country, and particularly in Alberta is tremendous,” Campbell-Pascal said. “Although her team beat my Team Ontario, we were the favourites in 1991, and Team Alberta comes out of nowhere and beats us.”

BOB CLARK

Bob Clark was the first-ever Minister of Youth in Alberta, and the face of Junior A hockey in Alberta with the Olds Grizzlys and the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Clark, who passed away in July 2020, was represented by his children Dean and Donna. His wife Norma said grace prior to dinner being served.

“Over the years, I had many conversations with dad on how to build teams. Dad said one of the most important things was getting the right people to do the right jobs,” said Dean.

Donna talked about her father’s passion for the Grizzlys and the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and how “he bled black and gold.”

Along with Clark’s Hall of Fame induction, a new Hockey Alberta award was announced in his memory by Bob Bartlett, a member of the AHHF committee. The Robert Clark Legacy Award for Leadership in Hockey will recognize individuals for long-time leadership in the sport and for establishing positive community relationships.

JOHN DAVIDSON

John Davidson was an outstanding NHL goaltender, award-winning broadcaster, and respected front office executive who currently is president of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Davidson was unable to attend, but in a video acceptance speech said his induction was about thanks.

“The thanks is owed to the province of Alberta, and all the areas myself and my family have lived,” Davidson said. “And it’s about family… The support has been just wonderful all these years, even though we’ve been spread out.”

He talked about his parents, and recalled when “they stretched out the budget and bought my first pair of goalie skates. It was a big deal to spend that much money, and it was a big deal for me to get it, and it really helped me move along as a goaltender.”

He recalled his one season playing Tier 2 hockey for Lethbridge. They were losing to the Edmonton Maple Leafs in a playoff game in Edmonton, when the arena caught fire and eventually burned to the ground. The series eventually resumed in Taber, with Lethbridge sweeping the series.

DR. RANDY GREGG

Randy Gregg was a five-time Stanley Cup champion with the Edmonton Oilers and two-time CIAU champion.

Gregg took the opportunity to talk about three athletes who have been key people in his life – his wife Kathy, an Olympic speedskater he met at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, and his daughters Sarah and Jessica.

“It’s amazing, for all the accomplishments we all have, the sacrifices that are made by our spouses, the real award should go to my wife Kathy,” Gregg said.

He recalled Sarah as an 11-year-old softball pitcher, who wouldn’t come out of a game after taking a line drive to the shin, because the team needed her.

“I look at that, and the qualities she learned playing sports made her such a great mother, a great wife, and a great community citizen,” Gregg said.

Jessica was also a national team speedskater, who became a great mother and wife, thanks to her involvement in sport.

“As much as we love to give accolades to the fine people who are inducted into a hall of fame, what we really want in the sport of hockey is to make a difference in all those young boys and girls who are playing our sport, and make sure their lives are enriched.”

KEN HITCHCOCK

Ken Hitchcock was a Stanley Cup champion NHL head coach, and three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada over a more than 40-year coaching career.

Hitchcock, who also was unable to attend, focused on the important of living in Alberta as he was starting his career.

“My coaching chops were all cut in Alberta, and in particular Sherwood Park. The support that I had in Sherwood Park minor hockey for 12 years gave me a leg up on a lot of coaches,” Hitchcock said in his video acceptance speech.

He also thanked the support he received from college and university coaches such as Dave King, Clare Drake (Class of 2006) and George Kingston (Class of 2016).

“They allowed us to become coaches and understood the science of coaching. They were very unselfish every summer in spending time and helping us to learn the concepts of what it was like to build a team,” said Hitchcock. “That legacy tree that they started in the early 80s has led a lot of guys who are coaching in the NHL to great careers.”

1974-75 LETHBRIDGE NATIVE SONS

The Lethbridge Native Sons were the 1975 Canada Winter Games and Alberta Junior B provincial champions.

Team captain Joe Meli recalled how when the team was being formed in 1974, no one knew what was in store for them. But when the players and their families have gotten together over the ensuing decades, they have enjoyed telling and retelling the stories.

“Our family, friends, and the fans of Lethbridge made it so exciting for us, especially down the stretch when things were getting really exciting. It was just a tremendous time for a bunch of teenagers to go through that,” said Meli.

JAMIE MACOUN

Jamie Macoun was a two-time Stanley Cup during a 17-year career with Calgary, Toronto and Detroit, and two-time World Championships silver medalist.

Macoun talked about the importance of giving back to the community, and focused on former teammate Lanny McDonald (Class of 2015), and his involvement in Special Olympics dating back to when he was a Toronto Maple Leaf.

“Lanny decided that he needed to give back to the community and he gave back to the community when he was 20, and he’s still giving back to the community now,” said Macoun.

He also reflected on the unsung heroes who volunteer to help ensure that others can participate, often at the expense of time with their own families. He talked about his father, who founded a junior team in Newmarket, Ontario, and was also on the executive of the Newmarket Minor Hockey Association. Macoun said it wasn’t until he was 12 years old that he realized his father had never been on skates.

“He and my mom, the amount of time spent making dinners, rushing off to practices. It’s not until you get older and have your own family that you realize how much work that is,” Macoun said.

For more information on the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame and the Class of 2022, check the AHHF website at ahhf.ca.

HOCKEY ALBERTA SEEKING MEMBER LIAISONS

Hockey Alberta is expanding the Member Liaison Team and looking for new teammates. The Member Liaison will play a significant role in the pursuit of the vision and mission of Hockey Alberta as it focuses on providing quality service to the member Minor Hockey Associations of Hockey Alberta. The deadline to submit an application or nomination is Wednesday, July 27.

TICKETS >

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RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is expanding the Member Liaison Team and looking for new teammates.

The Member Liaison will play a significant role in the pursuit of the vision and mission of Hockey Alberta as it focuses on providing quality service to the member Minor Hockey Associations of Hockey Alberta. Acting as a liaison based on Association size and location, these positions are key in helping establish and enhance Hockey Alberta’s strategic alliance with members. Not only will the Member Liaison role provide guidance and mentorship on items related to governance and day to day operations, but also support in the connection to member service structure on behalf of Minor Hockey Associations in Alberta. Key areas of responds ability include.

GOVERNANCE

• Provide mentorship and guidance to MHA Executive Members

• Guide the MHA to ensure compliance with the requirements of being a Hockey Alberta member MHA and a registered non-profit organization

• Guide MHA’s on Bylaw, Regulation and Policy development and amendment

• Guide MHA’s with respect to meeting structure and effective / efficient meeting etiquette

• Provide the MHA’s with access to tools and resources designed to share best practices and provide information

MINOR HOCKEY OPERATIONS

• Communication and collaboration with member MHA’s and other stakeholders are a priority focus when sharing and gathering information about minor hockey

• Act as a spokesperson for Hockey Alberta in communicating information to the member Minor Hockey Associations

• Lead and guide the member MHA with respect to Hockey Alberta Member Standards

• Engage member MHA’s in discussions that help share ideas related to growing the game

If you or someone you know would be a great fit in supporting the leadership of minor hockey in Alberta, please complete the following nomination/application process through the link below.

INFORMATION & APPLICATION >

The deadline to submit an application or nomination is Wednesday, July 27.

RED DEER - Twelve Albertans were selected in the 2022 NHL Draft to 10 different teams.

After two Albertans were selected in round one of the draft on Thursday night, 10 more were drafted in rounds two through seven on Friday.

In total, nine are alumni of the Alberta Elite Hockey League and one Team Alberta alumnus.

A full list of Albertans drafted can be found below:

Pick	Player	Team	Position	Hometown
FIRST ROUND
9	Matthew Savoie	Buffalo Sabres	Forward	St. Albert
32	Reid Schaefer	Edmonton Oilers	Forward	Spruce Grove
SECOND ROUND
35	Jagger Firkus	Seattle Kraken	Forward	Irma
40	Dylan James	Detroit Red Wings	Forward	Calgary
56	Rieger Lorenz	Minnesota Wild	Forward	Calgary
THIRD ROUND
79	Jordan Gustafson	Vegas Golden Knights	Forward	Ardrossan
FIFTH ROUND
130	Jared Davidson	Montreal Canadiens	Forward	Edmonton
144	Ty Young	Vancouver Canucks	Goaltender	Coaldale
SIXTH ROUND
162	Emmett Croteau	Montreal Canadiens	Goaltender	Bonnyville
174	Daylan Kuefler	New York Islanders	Forward	Stettler
177	Ben Hemmerling	Vegas Golden Knights	Forward	Sherwood Park
186	Josh Davies	Florida Panthers	Forward	Airdrie

RED DEER - On June 7, Hockey Alberta announced the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot (U11 HADP), an expansion province wide of the U11 AA Pilot Project that was operated last season.

As communicated as part of this announcement, Hockey Alberta identified the initial listing of Minor Hockey Associations (MHAs) that would be hosting U11 HADP. In addition, an application process was communicated that would allow MHAs to apply to Hockey Alberta prior to July 1 to request expansion, reduction or retraction from the U11 HADP.

Upon the July 1^st deadline having past, Hockey Alberta would like to communicate the final U11 HADP team listing for the 2022-2023 hockey season.

North (Operated by APHL)	South (Operated by CAHL)	EFHL	Hockey Calgary
Fort McMurray	Airdrie	Beaumont	Calgary (12)
Grande Prairie	*Brooks	Edmonton (8)
Lakeland	Chestermere	Fort Saskatchewan
Lloydminster	Cochrane	Leduc
*Peace River	*Lacombe	Sherwood Park (2)
*Wainwright	*Lethbridge (2)	Spruce Grove
Whitecourt	Medicine Hat	St. Albert (2)
	Okotoks	Stony Plain
	Olds	Strathcona
	Red Deer (2)	Sturgeon HC
	Strathmore
	Sylvan Lake

* MHAs granted U11 HADP Expansion as part of the expansion/reduction application period.

More information on the U11 HADP can also be found here.

RED DEER - Seventy-Two 2005-2007 born and Fourty-Six 2007-2008 born female athletes from across Alberta have been selected to attend the 2022 Team Alberta U18 and U16 Female Summer Camps.

Invitations have been extended to eight goaltenders, 24 defence and 40 forwards to attend the Team Alberta U18 Female Summer Camp July 12-17 in Red Deer, which is the first step in the selection process for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island.

The selection process for U18 is based on athletes being evaluated with their Hockey Canada sanction Club Team throughout the 2021-22 season. From the U18 Summer Camp, a shortlist will be established, with those players getting invited to Fall Camp in September and being scouted with their club teams until the 20 players who will comprise the roster for Team Alberta are named.

Team Alberta U18 Female Summer Camp Invites >

Six goaltenders,16 defence, and 24 forwards have been invited to take part in the Team Alberta U16 Summer Development Camp July 14-17. The selection process for U16 is based on players performances during the 2022 Alberta Challenge in Red Deer, which ran May 4-8. The U16 Summer Development Camp is where athletes train to progress within the Team Alberta program. The camp focuses on skill development, position specific focus, off-ice training and much more to help accelerate them towards the possibility of getting an invite to the U18 Summer Camp and other opportunities in the future.

Team Alberta U16 Female Summer Camp Invites >

"We are excited to be getting back to a traditional summer camp with our U16 and U18 groups, and are very pleased with the level of talent that we are bringing to both camps," said Kendall Newell, Manager of Female Hockey. "The coaching staff is excited to work with both groups and see what they can show us as they move forward in the Team Alberta process."

All games will be streamed live for free on HockeyTV.

2022 HLINKA GRETZKY CUP TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE NOW

The 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, presented by RAM, is coming back to Red Deer July 31-August 6. Adult and youth ticket packages are available for games for $249 and $149, respectively, plus applicable taxes and fees. Spend your summer holidays watching Team Canada go for gold at the Peavey Mart Centrium in Red Deer! For more details on the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, please visit hlinkagretzkycup.ca.

TICKETS >

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RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the dates for the 2023 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships.

A total of 34 events will be held in communities around the province next March and April. The applications to bid to host a 2023 Provincials event will be open in the fall.

The Provincial Championships will open during the week of March 23-26, and carry on for three consecutive weeks until April 6-9. Below is a breakdown of events during each week:

Dates	Number of Events
March 23 - 26	17
March 30 - April 2	11
April 6 - 9	2
League Playoffs	4

Week one will feature the most events with 17, with a large majority of them taking place in the U13 and U15 divisions. Week two features 11 events, most of which will be in the U18 division. Junior B Male and U17 AAA will be the only events on the April 6-9 weekend, while four champions will be decided via playoffs.

Most Minor Tiered and Minor Female events will feature eight teams - the host, a wild card and the champions from each division’s respective leagues: Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League, Central Alberta Hockey League, Northern Alberta Interlock, All Peace Hockey League, North Eastern Alberta Hockey League, Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League, and East Central Female Hockey League.

2023 Provincial Championship Dates >

Trina Radcliffe’s life has come full circle as the manager of athletics at Olds College.

The positive impact she’s making on students goes beyond athletics, as she works with the college to make it an inclusive and safe space for all.

When you arrive on campus at Olds College, you are welcomed by three flags flying proudly across the Alberta skies. Throughout the month of June, the red and white of the Canadian flag is anchored by the blue of the Alberta flag on one side, and the rainbow colours of the Pride flag on the other. It signifies the welcome, inclusive and safe space the institution is working to provide its staff, students and community.

Over the last decade, Olds College has worked to develop its Broncos athletics program, expanding to include basketball, volleyball, futsal, rodeo and women’s hockey. The growth that Broncos Athletics has seen over the last five years can be credited to Radcliffe and the team she has built.

Radcliffe, originally from Oyen, Alta., is a product of her small-town roots. She grew up playing baseball and school sports, not because she was a standout on the court with her 5-foot-2 frame, but because the school needed her to have a team. In the winter, she could be found on the backyard rink built by her dad where she learned to play hockey with her three brothers. It wasn’t until she was 13 that she finally got to lace up for organized hockey. An hour away in Hanna they were starting a girls’ program. And as the story goes in small-town Alberta – they needed everyone to have a team.

“There was everything from nine-year-olds to 18-year-olds on that team. I was in the middle at 13 years old and loved the experience of playing hockey with girls,” says Radcliffe. “I’d always played hockey, but never got to play organized, just on the pond, so getting to play organized hockey for the first time was such an incredible experience.”

It was a twist of fate that led to a goaltending career. Radcliffe, who had played defence until then, was first in line to strap on the pads when the team’s goaltender got hurt. She was a natural between the posts and made the transition to goalie. It was a decision that paid off when she became the first goaltender for the women’s hockey team at Mount Royal College (now Mount Royal University) in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

Taking the lessons she learned as part of a start-up team in small-town Alberta, Radcliffe applied the same techniques to starting the team at Mount Royal.

“You just go and talk to as many people as you can and convince them that it might be scary, but come out and give it a try,” offers Radcliffe. “Myself and my coach, Chris Dawe, were putting up posters saying, ‘Come try out,’ We had ringette players, we had people who had never played hockey before, who had only public skated before, could barely skate when they came to try out. We played in the intramural league, wearing the men’s old jerseys. We played until midnight some nights and then we played in exhibition tournaments with Augustana, Red Deer and Grant MacEwan, so that was kind of the start of women’s ACAC hockey back in 1998.”

Her role in starting the Mount Royal women’s team led Radcliffe to her next transition – from player to administration. During her last season with Mount Royal, she was coached by Shelly Coolidge, who was also the female development manager at Hockey Canada. Whenever Coolidge needed volunteers, Radcliffe was there. Because of the network she had built, Radcliffe eventually earned a full-time position with Hockey Canada as the female development coordinator before moving into the manager position.

In 2015, Radcliffe made the move to Olds College. She saw the move as a return to her small-town roots, but with the opportunity to stay connected to the network she had built over years of volunteering.

“I got to know people,” says Radcliffe. “Just building that network and volunteering. That’s still what I tell everyone. Just build your network, don’t worry about getting paid for everything that you do and volunteer. That’s basically how I got every job in sport since then.”

Radcliffe grew up in a family that gave back to the community thugh volunteering. Reaping the rewards of her own experiences, Radcliffe has asked the Broncos to give back and be involved in their community.

“We’ve seen our Broncos women’s hockey team coaching minor hockey teams, going out to schools and skating with the physical education programs and we’re seeing them in all of the Hockey Alberta camps as team leaders and assistant coaches. So that’s one of the things I’m most proud of,” Radcliffe says.

Broncos athletes spent over 3,700 hours in the last year volunteering in the community. Radcliffe has recognized that it’s a struggle for most organizations to find volunteers right now, but that struggle creates opportunity for student-athletes in Olds.

“It honestly is such an important part of who we are. It’s engrained in our student-athletes. They’ll come to me now and [ask] who needs help. Who needs help in the community? Pretty much anything, we want them out there. My number-one goal is to help our student-athletes grow as people and to provide them opportunity. [Volunteering] was the best way for me and I want to instill that in them.”

Radcliffe’s work at Olds College has not gone unnoticed. In April, she received the Colleges & institutes Canada Leadership Excellence Award for Managerial Staff. The award acknowledges her work to create a collaborative, welcoming team that makes a positive impact on students, while doing it under the strategic plan of the institution. The support Radcliffe feels from her team, leadership and the community is what encourages her to be creative and collaborative.

The support from the community is what has encouraged Olds College to establish the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) in 2019 and an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. The GSA is composed of faculty, staff and representatives from Olds High School, with Radcliffe playing an instrumental role in their development.

“Olds High School is actually the ones who taught us how to implement a GSA at the college because they have such a strong GSA group at their high school,” says Radcliffe. “It just started as staff as allies. It has taken us four years for students to feel comfortable to say ‘Yeah, I’m an ally. I’ll come and be a part of the GSA.’ So, it’s been huge steps and that’s the goal, is that the GSA should be student-led.”

Radcliffe is a member of the LGTBQ+ community and the EDI Committee. Currently, the college is working on safe-space signage for offices. In addition, there are 27 gender-inclusive washrooms available on campus, two Pride flags flying high and an EDI webpage complete with resources and directories for Indigenous students, people of colour and the GSA.

“I think everyone is trying to achieve the same thing,” Radcliffe says, reflecting on the progress she has led. “Whether it’s in sport, EDI, the registrar’s office and recruitment of student-athletes, everyone is trying to be better and do better.

“Being able to represent the LGBTQ+ community here, we’re working on painting a crosswalk on campus as well. The town has supported us. The town has gotten behind and sat on our EDI Committee as well. And I think that’s all important.”

Although June marks Pride Month across the country, the efforts to be better do not end on June 30.

“You have to be repetitive with it,” Radcliffe says. “So every year when we start our registration process for our minor sports leagues, every year when we do the initial team meetings, we talk about how we are going to be kind, how we are going to treat each other with respect, how we will not tolerate bullying on the basis of the colour of the skin or gender or sexual identity or any of those things and it has to be on the forefront all the time. But we have to be repetitive about it. We have to always talk about it.”

Summer is officially here! What better way to cool off than at the rink during the first-ever summer World Juniors. Single-game tickets for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship are on sale now, starting at just $40. Ticket packages to attend multiple games from Aug. 9-20 are also available, starting at $295. Grab your sunglasses, the brightest stars in the junior game are coming to Edmonton.

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LETHBRIDGE – For Brent, Ryan, and Levi Woods, a life in the game of hockey has come in the form of officiating.

Growing up in small town British Columbia, Brent Woods was recruited to become an official from a family friend around the age of 14 or 15. When he moved to Alberta for university, he debated whether to continue with officiating, and ultimately opted to stick with it as it was a good way to make some extra money and spend his spare time.

He would eventually begin a role with the South Region Officials Committee as the lead of the mentoring and supervision program, which would continue with for many years. Along with that role, Brent also took on a role as an assigner. After taking a break from the Board, he is now back on as the Vice-Chair and lead of their grassroots program, which is aimed at recruiting more officials, particularly in rural areas.

With such a prominent role on the officials committee, it was only natural that his two sons, Ryan and Levi, would step in and join their father. Ryan has now been an official for six seasons, claiming that his love for the game was the reason for getting into it. When he stopped playing hockey, it was a great way for him to still be involved.

Levi just completed his first season as an official, which he says had some bumps in the road, but he continued to progress and get more comfortable with every game that he was a part of. He says that he would lean on his Father and Brother for advice throughout the year.

The trio were able to work a few games as crew, something that they said was a fun and unique experience.

“It makes it easier when we’re out there,” said Ryan. “When I’m refereeing a game and I know that my two linesmen are my dad and my brother, it’s easier for me because I know them personally, and I know I can have good communication between them.”

As a mentor, Brent’s best advice to a young official is to just go out and try it, and if you see a penalty, call it. Whether it’s the right or wrong call, if you saw it, trust your judgement, and make the call. That advice is something that both of his sons echo as younger officials.

“This is something I’ve wanted for a long time,” said Brent. “It gives me comfortability and confidence when I can be out there with them, and make sure they are getting respect from the coaches, fans, and players.”

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta would like to thank the sponsors, presenters, attendees, and staff who all contributed to a successful organizational summit.

The 2022 Hockey Alberta Summit presented by Sprung Arenas, Stantec and CANA took place in Red Deer, at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, June 10-12. The summit brought the leaders of our sport together for a weekend of Community, Collaboration & Innovation. Focusing on member appreciation and education, the Summit consisted of presentations, workshop sessions, expert panels and social engagement. Through these various forums, we explored both the challenges and opportunities facing our sport and our members that deliver it.

The summit began on Friday, June 10 with a powerful keynote presentation from Dr. Jody Carrington of Olds. Carrington told the approximately 200 people in attendance that society is facing a looming mental health crisis that is immense, and that our children are suffering from uncertainty, fear and “emotional dysregulation”. She noted that one in four children between the ages of 12 and 18 years have a plan to end their lives.

Moving into Saturday, the summit included presentation streams for both presidents and administrators, as well as development leaders. A wide variety of topics were covered by numerous speakers and the day was capped off with a member appreciation night at Bo’s Bar and Stage.

The final day featured more presentations in the morning, and a visit from Hockey Canada President & C.O.O, Scott Smith.

Hockey Alberta is asking for your feedback on the summit, whether you attended or not. Please take the time to fill out our survey below so we can better serve our members in the future.

PRESENTATIONS >

SURVEY >

RED DEER – Minor hockey coaches are not only life-changers, but they could be life-savers, for their players.

That powerful message was delivered by Dr. Jody Carrington, a clinical psychologist from Olds, to kick off the 2022 Hockey Alberta Summit presented by Sprung Arenas, Stantec and CANA. The Summit runs until Sunday at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre.

“You are going to change a life this season, and probably save it,” said Carrington during her keynote address on Friday night.

Carrington told the approximately 200 people in attendance that society is facing a looming mental health crisis that is immense, and that our children are suffering from uncertainty, fear and “emotional dysregulation”. She noted that one in four children between the ages of 12 and 18 years have a plan to end their lives.

But hockey, and youth sports in general, can be part of the solution, with coaches playing a key role.

“Some of the most pivotal moments in my life happened in the hockey rink,” said Carrington, who is also a hockey coach. “Coaches, you are woven into their stories. No one forgets a hockey coach.”

Carrington emphasized that every coach will have traumatized kids on their team. That makes the role of coach integral in helping their players deal with the situations they are facing, not only with the team but in their personal lives. She talked about the importance of taking the time to get to know the players. And when they are hurting, the key is to provide genuine acknowledgement of the situation, not just an apology.

“When you’re acknowledged, you rise,” Carrington said. “Feeling seen is the only thing you need moving forward.”

For more on Dr. Jody Carrington, check out her website at https://www.drjodycarrington.com/.

The 2022 Hockey Alberta Summit continues on Saturday with sessions geared towards Administration and Coach/ Player Development – each with a series of presentations, workshop sessions, expert panels and social engagement.

For the 2022-23 hockey season, Hockey Alberta is expanding the U11 AA Pilot Project province wide and renaming it the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot (U11 HADP). The focus of the U11 HADP is to implement amended hosting structures, player movement rules, league scheduling and Coach and Player Development Standards.

During the 2021-22 hockey season, Hockey Alberta established the U11 AA Pilot Project in conjunction with the Northern Alberta Interlock (NAI). The initial pilot offered scheduling options conducive to league geography, a formal tryout process (similar to that used within the AA Hockey Model) and allowed players to be certain of the level of competition at which they would participate. Feedback was positive and the interest in a predetermined top level of U11 HADP hockey continues to increase, which has resulted in expanding the pilot province wide.

Under the U11 HADP, Hockey Alberta will be working in collaboration with our Minor Hockey Leagues and their member MHAs. The Central Alberta Hockey League, Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League will host the U11 HADP for their member associations, while the All Peace Hockey League, NAI and North Eastern Alberta Hockey League will work together to host the U11 HADP for their member associations.

The goal of the U11 HADP is to identify the best overall structure for the top level of U11 and to ensure alignment and progression within the entire hockey system. The Principles of Long-Term Athlete Development and Hockey Canada’s U11 Pathway will be followed, as the best philosophy for developing players is to create an environment where similarly skilled players can compete.

If you have any questions regarding the expansion and renaming of the U11 Hockey Alberta Development Pilot, please contact Hockey Alberta.

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Please refer to Information Bulletin 21-11 for more information regarding the changes or the U11 HADP webpage.

Info Bulletin 21:11 >

U11 HADP >

RED DEER – Recognizing the need for change in sport culture, Hockey Alberta set out to understand the extent to which racism and lack of inclusion impacts hockey across the province. The organization formed the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force in October 2021. Over the last seven months, the task force has been working to change the narrative.

June marks the celebration of Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month. Members of the task force include Justin Connelly, who identifies as a gay male, and Devin Buffalo, a member of the Samson Cree Nation.

Connelly sits on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Inclusive Hockey Association (CIHA). Pioneers of LGBTQ+ hockey awareness in Alberta, the CIHA has a spot on the roster for everyone of all skill levels. Connelly’s own hockey experience has allowed him to bring a unique perspective to the EDI Task Force.

“The reason why I joined Hockey Alberta’s EDI Task Force is because I want to be able to give back to the game and sport that have meant so much to me. I have played, volunteered and worked in hockey the majority of my life,” said Connelly. “But at the age of 17, I stopped playing, I felt different. I didn’t feel included in the sport, in the game that I love. At the age of 23, I came out and realized it was okay to be myself. My true and genuine self, be confident, and still play the sport I love. I want to be able to give back and for other people like me to feel the exact same way. I want to make sure that hockey is an inclusive, open and a safe place for them so they can play the sport they love and be who they are without anyone standing in their way.”

Buffalo is a member of the Samson Cree Nation and grew up in Wetaskiwin. Over the course of his minor hockey career, he faced racism. He chose to overcome the remarks by showing what he was capable of on the ice. His goaltending career led him to the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and his performances earned him a scholarship to Dartmouth College. In his third season, he was nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial award for the top men’s hockey player in the NCAA.

“As an indigenous player playing hockey in Alberta, I faced racism and stereotypes. In particular, during a racial incident in hockey there was a feeling of fear, confusion, I really had no idea what to do in the moment. No one to turn to,” said Buffalo. “Like many players who have faced racism in hockey there was no outlet, or I didn’t feel safe sharing what happened to me at the time. Threatened that my position might get taken away from me, etc.”

After five seasons playing professionally in the East Coast Hockey League, Buffalo returned to Alberta to set his sights on new goals. In 2020, he began Waniska Athletics, named for a Cree word that means “wake up and rise,” Buffalo has delivered hockey camps and virtual school tours to Indigenous youth. He is currently attending law school at the University of Alberta.

“I really do think that this committee is headed in the right direction in Hockey Alberta and it’s very exciting to be a part of that,” said Buffalo. “When I had this opportunity to join this task force I thought maybe it was a good opportunity to have my voice heard and to have an influence in policy making and to make a difference so that no other indigenous hockey player had to deal with that and they had avenues and they had ways and people to support them.”

During the month of June, celebrate Pride and National Indigenous History Month while taking the time to listen to the stories. The EDI Task Force is listening to the experiences to improve the game of hockey for the better. Hockey Alberta encourages everyone to step up and make the game more inclusive for every individual because hockey is for everyone.

RECONNECTING THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY WITH DR. JODY CARRINGTON

Hockey Alberta is inviting you to Dr. Jody Carrington! Her message, “Kids These Days – Reconnecting our Hockey Community,” embraces Hockey Alberta’s values and can be heard on Friday, June 10, at the Hockey Alberta Summit presented by Sprung Arenas, Stantec and CANA.

TICKETS >

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VIEW THE REST OF THE ICE TIMES NEWSLETTER >

Do you have a child aged 6-10 years who is ready to fall in love with hockey? Registration is now open for the 2022-23 NHL/NHLPA First Shift program.

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift program is designed to ensure a positive experience for new-to-hockey families by offering a low-cost entry program to hockey.

Register For the First Shift Program Now >

Hockey Alberta will be running the First Shift Program from Feb. 11 - March 18, 2023. In total, the First Shift will be offered in nine locations across Alberta during the 2022-23 season:

• Canmore - Fall
• Calgary (Hockey Calgary) - Fall
• Chestermere - Winter
• Edmonton (Edmonton Oilers & Hockey Edmonton) - Fall & Winter
• Grande Prairie - Fall
• Red Deer (Hockey Alberta) - Winter
• Leduc - Fall
• Ponoka - Winter
• Peace River - Fall

To register for a First Shift program near you, and for more information, click here.

Hockey Alberta’s Minor Leagues Committee, which is comprised of Alberta’s six (6) tiered Minor Hockey Leagues (CAHL, NAI, NEAHL, All Peace, EFHL & Hockey Calgary) have unanimously agreed to implement non-body checking/body contact only hockey at the Tier 4-6 categories of the U18 division for the 2022-2023 season.

The decision to extend non-body checking into the U18 division at the Tier 4 – 6 categories comes after having implemented the same changes two season ago at the U15 division prior to the 2020-2021 hockey season.

Minor Hockey Associations in any of the six (6) tiered Minor Hockey Leagues will be required to declare their teams in accordance with the Alberta One Standardized Tiering Grid.

If you have any questions regarding the implementation of non-body checking hockey at the U18 division, please contact either your League President or the Hockey Alberta Office.

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Please refer to Information Bulletin 21-10 for more information regarding the changes.

Info Bulletin 21:10 >

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is now accepting applications for the positions of Director of Operations, Coach, and Trainer for the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Hockey Alberta, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, is overseeing and coordinating the selection process for the players and coaches representing the province at the championships. That process includes recruiting and selecting the Indigenous coaching staff, registration and selection camps for players, team training, and designing the uniforms.

The Aboriginal Sport Circle established the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in 2002 to serve as the premiere competition for young Aboriginal hockey players in Canada.

The annual event provides a forum for elite U15 and U18 aged Aboriginal male and female youth and attracts participation from First Nation, Inuit and Metis across the 13 provinces and territories. This annual event helps foster cultural unity and pride to celebrate the athletic abilities of Aboriginal athletes from across the country. The NAHC also serves as a focal point for grassroots and regional Aboriginal hockey development.

Details on the the 2023 edition of the NAHC will be released soon. More than 500 elite U15 and U18 Indigenous hockey players from across Canada will compete in male and female divisions in the tournament.

2023 NAHC TEAM ALBERTA DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS APPLICATION >

2023 NAHC TEAM ALBERTA COACHING APPLICATION >

2023 NAHC TEAM ALBERTA TRAINER APPLICATION >

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For any questions, please contact Mike Applegate, Regional Manager, Northeast.

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the coaching staff that will be behind the bench for Team Alberta U18 Female at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.

Leading the group is Brett Wold (Red Deer), who will be joined by Assistant Coaches Ally Bendfeld (Innisfail) and Evan Vossen (Medicine Hat), along with Video Coach Jessie Olfert (Edmonton), Goaltending Coach Marlène Boissonnault (Calgary), and Apprentice Coach Shanya Shwetz (Edmonton).

“As we head towards the 2023 Canada Winter Games in P.E.I., we are thrilled to have put together such a great coaching staff," said Kendall Newell, Manager, Female Hockey for Hockey Alberta. “The group has a lot of experience in the Team Alberta program, and we are looking forward to starting the evaluation process."

Other members of the staff for Team Alberta U18 Female include: Athletic Therapist Paige Shannon (Calgary), Equipment Manager Dave Campbell (Grande Prairie), and Director of Operations Kendall Newell (Red Deer).

POSITION	NAME	HOMETOWN
Director of Hockey Operations	Kendall Newell	Red Deer
Head Coach	Brett Wold	Red Deer
Assistant Coach	Ally Bendfeld	Innisfail
Assistant Coach	Evan Vossen	Medicine Hat
Video Coach	Jessie Olfert	Edmonton
Goalie Coach	Marlène Boissonnault	Calgary
Canada Games Apprentice Coach	Shanya Shwetz	Edmonton
Athletic Therapist	Paige Shannon	Calgary
Equipment Manager	Dave Campbell	Grande Prairie

Wold has spent the last two seasons as the Head Coach of the U18 AAA Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs, where he was named 2021-22 Coach of the Year for the Alberta Female Hockey League. In the Team Alberta program, Wold joined the 2019 U18 Women’s National Championship team as an Assistant Coach.

Bendfeld works as an Assistant Coach with the Olds College Broncos of the ACAC. She has also been involved in many events with the Team Alberta program, including as an Assistant Coach with the gold medal winning 2019 Canada Winter Games team. Most recently, she was a Coach Mentor for South White at the 2022 Alberta Challenge.

Vossen is the current head coach of South Alberta Hockey Academy Female U18 Prep. At the 2022 Alberta Challenge he was part of the championship team, South Black, as an Assistant Coach. Aside from the Challenge, the Canada Winter Games will mark his debut behind the bench for Team Alberta.

Olfert spent 2021-22 as the head coach of the U15 AA North Central Impact. She has been involved in the Alberta Challenge and Alberta Winter Games as both an assistant and head coach. Recently, the head coach for North Blue at the 2022 Alberta Challenge.

Boissonnault joined the Team Alberta U18 team as the goaltender coach at the 2021 Western Regional Championships, where they earned silver. She is a Canada Winter Games Alumni, then a goaltender for Team New Brunswick in 2015.

Shwetz spent the past season as an assistant coach with the provincial champions, the U18 AAA Edmonton Pandas. She has also been involved with the Alberta Challenge, Alberta Winter Games, and with the U18 Provincial Team as a Video Coach (2019) and Assistant Coach (2021). At the 2022 Alberta Challenge, she stepped behind the bench as head coach of North Yellow.

Canada Games Apprentice Coach Information

Canada Games Apprentice Coach Program

The 2023 Canada Winter Games run February 18 - March 5 in Prince Edward Island. For more information on Team Alberta, please visit hockeyalberta.ca or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Each May, we celebrate Asian Heritage Month. Throughout the month, Hockey Alberta reflects on the many achievements and contributions of Albertans of Asian heritage who, throughout our history, have done so much to make hockey the game we know and love.

To celebrate this year’s theme, “Continuing a legacy of greatness,” we first must look back at the legacies of those before us, including Larry Kwong. Born in Vernon, B.C., Kwong quickly became an offensive phenom for the Vernon Hyrdophones at 16 years old. As his skills heightened, so did the impact of World War II. Kwong put his dreams on hold to enlist in the army. His basic training stationed him in Red Deer, where he played for the army’s Red Deer Wheelers. As his comrades were sent overseas, Kwong was instructed to stay in Red Deer to play hockey to entertain the troops. During this time, he found himself facing off against NHL’ers and holding his own. Little did he know, his dreams were in motion. Kwong, a trailblazer for Chinese-Canadian players became the first player of Asian heritage and the first person of colour to play in the NHL. Kwong played his first and last shift in the league on March 13, 1948, but he opened the gate for many to follow, like Steve Tsujiura of Coaldale.

Though he never played in the NHL, Tsujiura put up impressive numbers and received several WHL awards to catch the eyes of the professional scouts. In 1981, he was chosen in the 10^th round of the 1981 NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Tsujiura’s professional career spanned over 14 seasons in the AHL and in leagues overseas in Switzerland and Italy. Prior to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, he was extended an invitation to represent Japan on the national stage. Following the Games, Tsujiura retired from playing to take on the role of head coach of the Japanese National Team. Tsujiura saw the coaching position as an opportunity to stay in the game, something he took advantage of for four seasons before retiring from the game completely.

Similar to Tsujiura, Kassy Betinol’s Olympic debut came in 2022 with the Chinese Women’s National Team. The Okotoks native received an invitation to centralize with Team China because of her Chinese heritage. Betinol became a fixture on Team Alberta growing up and played in the Okanagan in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League before earning a scholarship to Minnesota-Duluth University. After a rookie NCAA season cut short due to COVID-19, Betinol received an invitation to Canada’s National Women’s Development Team 2020 Summer Camp. After spending her 2021-22 season with the Chinese National Team, Betinol will return for another season at Minnesota-Duluth before looking for professional opportunities. She credits her Team Alberta experience for aiding in her development in a organized and professional environment to set her up in the success she has achieved thus far in her career.

The Team Alberta program is constructed to develop not only the players, but support staff as well, which is what trainer Alex Le was looking for when he volunteered. Le, of Calgary, has volunteered with Hockey Alberta on several occasions, including as the U16 Equipment Manager and Trainer in 2015 and 2016. Joining the Northwest Calgary Athletics Association as the trainer for the Midget A Bruins in 2007, Le was looking to learn and grow when he began volunteering with Hockey Alberta. Also an employee of Hockey Alberta’s long-time partner and supporter, ATB Financial, Le concludes that ATB is here to support Albertans through everything, just like Hockey Alberta.

Kwong, Tsujiura, Betinol and Le have stamped their mark on the game in their own way. Reflecting on their legacies, we will look to the next generations of Asian-Canadians to continue the legacy of greatness on the sport of hockey.