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News

Hockey Alberta Awards nomination deadline approaching

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta recognizes the amazing work done by groups and individuals in the game of hockey every year through the Hockey Alberta Awards Program.

But we need your help! All members of the hockey community in Alberta are encouraged to submit a nomination for a deserving individual or association.

The awards program has been restructured this year, and there are six awards open for nominations:

  • Volunteer of the Year: a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to amateur hockey during the current season
  • Coach of the Year: a coach who has made an outstanding contribution to amateur hockey during the current season.
  • Player of the Year: a player who has achieved significant achievements, performances and contributions within amateur hockey during the current season.
  • Official of the Year: an official who has made an outstanding contribution to amateur hockey during the current season.
  • Team of the Year: a team that had significant achievements, performances and contributions within amateur hockey during the current season.
  • Order of Merit: recognizing exceptional leadership and distinguished service to amateur hockey in Alberta for ten (10) years or more. Awards may be presented in the categories of Administration, Coaching/ Development, and Officiating.

For more details on each category, check out:

Awards Nomination & Information Package >

The deadline to nominate a group or individual for a Hockey Alberta Award is May 31.

News

OEG Launches Summer ICE Jamboree Novice Hockey Event

EDMONTON - Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG), in partnership with Hockey Alberta, announced today a new Novice hockey event taking place August 11-12, 2018 at the Downtown Community Arena.

In conjunction with the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and Centre ICE Summit, the Summer ICE Jamboree will bring Novice hockey players from across Alberta together to be immersed in the excitement of international hockey and the thrill of learning and playing alongside new teammates. Players will register individually and be placed on teams which will represent each of the eight nations competing in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup - Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

Summer ICE Jamboree joins other existing Edmonton Oilers hockey programming including Oilers Hockey Institute, Oilers Hockey School, Oilers Hockey Clinic and Lil’ Oilers.

“Oilers Entertainment Group is proud to partner with Hockey Alberta and support the growth of grassroots hockey in our province,” said Oilers Entertainment Group CEO and Vice Chair Bob Nicholson.” Growing the game from the bottom up has a very positive effect on our National teams, including Team Canada which will be competing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer.”

Participation in the fun-filled weekend will include five half-ice games and a complimentary ticket to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal game on Saturday, August 11. Registration is open to any players born in 2010 and 2011. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis and the deadline to register is Friday, July 27.

The event will be structured according to Hockey Alberta’s new Intro to Hockey model which focuses on long-term player development by utilizing smaller ice surfaces to enhance skating, passing, shooting and overall touches of the puck.

“Hockey Alberta is excited to partner with OEG and utilize this high-profile event to showcase our Intro to Hockey model. We believe the Jamboree will be an enjoyable experience for players and a great opportunity for Hockey Alberta to continue the education process for parents about Intro to Hockey,” said Rob Litwinski, Chief Executive Officer of Hockey Alberta.

Coaching opportunities will also be available at the Summer ICE Jamboree. Interested coaches can apply at SummerIceJamboree.com. Hockey Alberta staff will be on-site to provide coaches with support in facilitating the new Intro to Hockey format. There will also be drop-in information sessions for parents and the public to attend to learn more about this new approach to Novice hockey. For more information regarding the Intro to Hockey Model, please visit www.hockeyalberta.ca/players/intro-hockey.

For more information or to register, please visit SummerIceJamboree.com. Please email [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

News

Photo credit: Two Point Photography and Design


Nearly 50 AFHL graduates commit to Post-Secondary schools

RED DEER - Close to 50 graduating Midget players from the Alberta Female Hockey League will be suiting up for post-secondary teams this fall.

In the AFHL’s second season, the number of graduating players has nearly doubled, after more than 20 graduating players were committed to post-secondary heading into the 2017-18 season.

The Alberta Female Hockey League is please to announce the following commitments for the 2018-19 season:

AFHL Program Name Post-Secondary Team
Calgary Fire Red Elite Karys Woodward SAIT
Calgary AAA Katie Crowther University of Regina
Calgary AAA Brooke Dennett University of Calgary
Calgary AAA Mary Hirsch Red Deer College
Calgary AAA Nicole Johnson Finlandia University Not finalized)
Calgary AAA Emily Johnston St. Francis Xavier University (Tryout)
Calgary AAA Kalaina Kozak University of Alberta (Tryout)
Calgary AAA Mackenzie Lausberg University of Lethbridge
Calgary AAA Holly Techlenburg Mount Royal University
Edmonton AAA Bronwyn Bjarnason Minot State
Edmonton AAA Alexis Bruce Olds College
Edmonton AAA Bree Edwards Olds College
Edmonton AAA Clarissa Lewis Minot State
Edmonton AAA Rebecca Roszell NAIT
Lloydminster AAA Chelsea Debusschere University of Saskatchewan
Lloydminster AAA Reece Laumbach University of New Brunswick
Lloydminster AAA Alex Thomson Grant MacEwan University
Lloydminster AAA Jaydon Thorpe Mount Royal University
PCFAC Storm Elite Shauna Johnson Olds College
Red Deer AAA Shae Demale Saint Mary’s University
Red Deer AAA Paige Grenier University of New Brunswick
Red Deer AAA Jenna Himer University of New Brunswick
Red Deer AAA Hannah MacDonald St. Francis Xavier University
Red Deer AAA Cassidy Maplethorpe Brock University
Red Deer AAA Kaley Mueller SAIT
Red Deer AAA Brandy Steinman NAIT
Red Deer AAA Emma Thomas St. Francis Xavier University
Red Deer AAA Alayna Wagstaff University of New Brunswick
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Emma Borbandy University of New Brunswick
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Kennedy Brown University of Saskatchewan
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Meagan Dyer University of Lethbridge
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA NIcole Fry University of Saskatchewan
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Stephanie Gross University of Lethbridge
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Laura Jardin McGill University
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Kara Kondrat University of Saskatchewan
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Mary MacDonald Saint Mary’s University
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Isabella Pozzi University of Saskatchewan
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Chloe Puddifant Dartmouth College
Rocky Mountain Raiders AAA Breanne Trotter Mount Royal University
Sherwood Park Elite Katrina Robinson Adrian College
Sherwood Park Elite Rayel Strayer Lindenwood University
St. Albert AAA Mackenzie Butz Mount Royal University
St. Albert AAA Jayme Doyle Grant MacEwan University
St. Albert AAA Camryn Drever University of Saskatchewan
St. Albert AAA Mckenzie Hewett University of Minnesota Duluth
St. Albert AAA Caleigh Meraw Saint Mary’s University
St. Albert AAA Tyra Meropoulis St. Francis Xavier University

Home Ice Feature

Photo credit: LA Media


Edmonton’s Guenther goes first overall at 2018 WHL Bantam Draft | Full list of Albertans selected

For the fourth straight year, an Albertan was the top selection at the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft as the Edmonton Oil Kings took Dylan Guenther with the first overall pick. The Edmonton native is coming off a strong performance at the 2018 Alberta Cup, where he was named to the Alberta Cup All-Star team.

A total of eleven Albertans were taken in the first round of the WHL Bantam Draft, including fellow Alberta Cup All-Stars Kai Uchacz and Keagan Slaney, who were selected 10th overall and 20th overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds and Edmonton Oil Kings, respectively.

Seven forwards from Alberta went in the first 10 picks of the draft, and St. Albert’s Marc Lajoie was the first Albertan defenceman selected, going 14th overall to the Tri-City Americans.

A total of 70 Albertans were selected this year: 40 forwards, 22 defence and eight goaltenders.

Pick Player Team Position Hometown

FIRST ROUND

1st Dylan Guenther Edmonton Oil Kings Forward Edmonton
4th Sean Tschigerl Calgary Hitmen Forward Whitecourt
6th Colton Dach Saskatoon Blades Forward Fort Saskatchewan
7th Jayden Grubbe Red Deer Rebels Forward Calgary
8th Zack Stringer Lethbridge Hurricanes Forward Lethbridge
9th Craig Armstrong Prince George Cougars Forward Airdrie
10th Kai Uchacz Seattle Thunderbirds Forward De Winton
12th Zack Ostapchuk Vancouver Giants Forward St. Albert
14th Marc Lajoie Tri-City Americans Defence St. Albert
16th Kyle Masters Red Deer Rebels Defence Edmonton
20th Keagan Slaney Edmonton Oil Kings Defence Airdrie

SECOND ROUND

24th Brett Hyland Brandon Wheat Kings Forward Edmonton
28th Trey Patterson Red Deer Rebels Defence Calgary
31st Tyson Laventure Prince Albert Raiders Forward Lloydminster
32nd Lucas Ciona Seattle Thunderbirds Forward Edmonton
36th Tristan Zandee Calgary Hitmen Forward Airdrie
37th Dylan James Brandon Wheat Kings Forward Calgary
38th Dru Krebs Medicine Hat Tigers Defence Okotoks
39th Owen Macneil Spokane Chiefs Forward Calgary
42nd Olen Zellweger Everett Silvertips Defence Fort Saskatchewan
44th Blake Eastman Price George Cougars Forward Ardrossan

THIRD ROUND

45th Matt Smith Edmonton Oil Kings Defence Edmonton
46th Drew Sim Vancouver Giants Goaltender Tees
47th Mark Pocherewny Calgary Hitmen Goaltender Calgary
50th Josh Medernach Red Deer Rebels Forward Lloydminster
53rd Dean Spak Prince Albert Raiders Forward Calgary
57th Lochlan Gordon Portland Winterhawks Goaltender Edmonton
58th Carson Haynes Tri-City Americans Defence Taber
60th Ty Mueller Prince George Cougars Forward Cochrane
66th Jayden Davis Medicine Hat Tigers Forward Calgary

FOURTH ROUND

70th Charlie Wright Saskatoon Blades Defence Olds
71st James Gibson Calgary Hitmen Forward Edmonton
75th Devin Aubin Spokane Chiefs Defence Falher
79th Josh Hoekstra Moose Jaw Warriors Forward Edmonton
80th Tyson Greenway Tri-City Americans Forward St. Albert
81st Jake Snashall Regina Pats Forward Calgary

FIFTH ROUND

91st Sam Popwich Seattle Thunderbirds Forward Camrose
92nd Colby Knight Edmonton Oil Kings Goaltender Red Deer
97th Brett Moravec Prince Albert Raiders Forward Airdrie
99th Rhett Parsons Medicine Hat Tigers Defence Cremona
100th Corson Ceulemans Moose Jaw Warriors Defence Beaumont
108th Jaxon Dube Brandon Wheat Kings Forward St. Albert
109th Jonah Bevinton Portland Winterhawks Forward Edmonton
110th Nathan Airey Kootenay Ice Goaltender Cochrane

SIXTH ROUND

112th Kent Anderson Prince George Cougars Defence Calgary
113th Jacob Romanchuk Calgary Hitmen Defence Fort McMurray
120th Dylan Lacroix Red Deer Rebels Goaltender Calgary
122nd Wyatt Cook Vancouver Giants Forward Sherwood Park
127th Ethan Sundar Kootenay Ice Forward St. Albert

SEVENTH ROUND

133rd Jayden Henderson Edmonton Oil Kings Forward Sylvan Lake
134th Alex Walicki Medicine Hat Tigers Forward Calgary

EIGHTH ROUND

157th Parker Berge Regina Pats Defence Edmonton
158th Evan Waldie Kootenay Ice Forward Sherwood Park
161st Bosten Lajeunesse Lethbridge Hurricanes Defence Red Deer
162nd Jayden Watson Saskatoon Blades Forward Grande Prairie
164th Reid Schaefer Seattle Thunderbirds Forward Spruce Grove
173rd Brody Tallman Portland Winterhawks Defence Lethbridge

NINTH ROUND

177th Kade Turner Saskatoon Blades Defence Calgary
185th Myles Hilman Prince Albert Raiders Forward Blackfalds
188th Shea Dougan Swift Current Broncos Defence Vermilion
189th Graeme Hampton Victoria Royals Defence Sturgeon County
193rd Zachery Burns Spokane Chiefs Forward Eckville
197th Caleb Wyrostok Swift Current Broncos Forward Medicine Hat

TENTH ROUND

202nd Colby Ball Kootenay Ice Defence Sherwood Park
208th Cole Larocque Tri-City Americans Forward Lethbridge
211th Tyler Palmer Spokane Chiefs Goaltender Lethbridge
212th Ashton McNelly Swift Current Broncos Forward Westlock
215th Cameron Emigh Swift Current Broncos Defence Bonnyville

ELEVENTH ROUND

218th Brett Huxley Victoria Royals Forward Calgary
222nd Ashton Billesberger Swift Current Broncos Goaltender Edmonton

Home Ice Feature

Photo credit: LA Media


Giving back to the game

Few coaches carry the pedigree of 2017 Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Perry Pearn, and he brought that knowledge with him as a Coach Mentor at the 2018 Alberta Cup.

Fresh off a silver medal with the National Women’s Team at the 2018 Olympics, the former NHL coach volunteered his time to serve as a Coach Mentor for Edmonton Yellow, helping Edmonton reach the championship final.

Pearn and Edmonton Yellow Head Coach Alex Mandolidis took the time to share their experience at the Alberta Cup:

For more scores, stats and stories from the 2018 Alberta Cup, click here.


Hockey Alberta is proud to unveil a new section at hockeyalberta.ca. Home Ice Feature stories will focus on interesting stories about the individuals and groups who make a difference within the hockey community in Alberta. If you have a suggestion for a Home Ice Feature story, email [email protected].