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Minor Hockey Associations

Welcome new-to-hockey families into your Minor Hockey Association!

RED DEER - Is your Minor Hockey Association looking to grow its membership?

Bauer, Hockey Canada, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the application process for the 2020-21 NHL/NHLPA First Shift program. The 2020-21 season will mark the seventh year of the program, which has seen more than 800 programs executed across Canada, resulting in more than 30,000 girls and boys across the country trying hockey for the first time.

MHAs are encouraged to review the application criteria and submit an online application if they wish to be selected as a host community for Fall 2020, Winter 2021 and new this upcoming season, Spring 2021. The objective for 2020-21 season is to host a minimum of 225 programs (coed, all girls and Para hockey), with a potential of more the 8,200 participants.

FIRST SHIFT HOST INFO >

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift provides boys and girls ages 6-10 an opportunity to easily try hockey for $229, which includes a six-week on-ice trial, expertly fitted head-to-toe Bauer equipment, and in-depth parent education.

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Parent Engagement Series - Part Two: Multisport

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to continue its Parent Engagement Video Series, aimed at helping parents navigate through the ups and downs of being a hockey parent.

Episode Two features Olympic gold medalist Ben Hebert, and Canmore Eagles Head Coach Andrew Milne, and focuses on the importance of being a multi-sport athlete.


Parent Engagement Guide >

Both the Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Models recommend allowing young athletes to participate in multiple sports rather than specializing at an early age. Participating in multiple sports allows young athletes to learn a variety of motor skills, hone them efficiently and increase their physical literacy. It teaches them diverse movement patterns, varied skill sets and cognitive understanding of game sense.

Encouraging your child to participate in a variety of athletic activities decreases the risk of burnout due to stress, decreased motivation and lack of enjoyment. A study by Ohio State University found that children who specialized early in a single sport led to higher rates of adult physical inactivity. Those who commit to one sport at a young age are often the first to quit, and suffer a lifetime of consequences. Athletes in the study who specialized were 70% to 93% more likely to be injured than children who played multiple sports.

For more information on multisport, and for other parent tips, head to hockeyalberta.ca.

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Photo credit: LA Media

2020 Alberta Cup registration now open | Alberta Cup staff announced

RED DEER - Registration is now open for 2005-born male athletes to participate in one of three regional selection camps for the 2020 Alberta Cup.

The Alberta Cup is being held at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer, April 29 - May 3.

Register >

NOTES:

  1. Registration is limited at each position at each camp.
  2. Only Hockey Canada/Hockey Alberta Registered Athletes are eligible to register.

All regional camps will take place March 27-29 at the following locations (dates and locations subject to change):

Calgary Regional Camp - East Calgary Twin Arenas
Red Deer Regional Camp - Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
Spruce Grove Regional Camp - Spruce Grove Agrena

Alberta Cup Regional Directory >

If you are unsure in which region you reside, or have any other questions, please contact Mike Kraichy at [email protected] prior to registration.

2020 Alberta Cup staff announced

Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the staff for each team competing in the 2020 Alberta Cup. A director of operations, coach mentor, head coach, two assistant coaches, and one trainer were selected for each of the six teams.

2020 Team Staff >

The Alberta Cup aids in the identification and selection of potential players for Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta program, with hundreds of players annually trying out for 120 spots (20 positions on each of the six regional teams).

In addition to player development, the Alberta Cup also features opportunities for administrators, referees, coaches, therapists and equipment managers to be identified for potential positions at higher level events, such as the World U17 Hockey Challenge and Canada Winter Games.

News

Female Hockey Day Weekend celebration events

RED DEER - Five Minor Hockey Associations have received a $1,000 Every Kid Every Community grant for their Female Hockey Day celebration events.

High Prairie, Irma, Nampa, Slave Lake, and Vermilion will all be hosting their own unique events to bring the Female Hockey Day buzz around the province. From jamborees to skills competitions, these events will work to grow the female game and show #WhyWePlay.

Female Hockey Day weekend takes place in Lethbridge January 24-26. The day will feature on and off-ice development sessions for players, goalies, coaches, and officials. All ages and skill levels are welcome to join. To conclude a full day of Female Hockey Day activities, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns will host the Mount Royal Cougars in a U SPORTS Hockey game at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre.

Female Hockey Day event details:

Date Location Description Contact Email

Friday, January 24 &

Saturday, January 25

 High Prairie Skills Competition & Community Game Shawna Flett [email protected]
Saturday, January 25 Irma Community Celebration Event Carrie Larson [email protected]
Sunday, January 26 Nampa Girls Hockey Jamboree Shana Sack [email protected]
Saturday, January 25 Slave Lake Girls Skate, Scrimmage, Alumni Game & Kodiaks Game Bobbi Hartman [email protected]
Saturday, January 25 Vermilion Community Celebration Event Sarah Kastendieck [email protected]

Hockey Alberta Foundation

Introducing the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2020

CALGARY - Seven outstanding individuals, along with the 1975 Canada Winter Games and Alberta Provincial Junior B champions, comprise the 2020 Induction Class for the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.

The announcement of the Class of 2020 was made on Thursday by Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

The 2020 inductees will be recognized at the AHHF Awards Gala on Sunday, July 19, at the Coast Hotel in Canmore:

  • Bill Bucyk – 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
  • Bob Clark – 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.
  • Cassie Campbell-Pascall – unparalled 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.
  • Jamie Macoun – two-time Stanley Cup during a 17-year career with Calgary, Toronto and Detroit, and two-time World Championships silver medalist
  • John Davidson – outstanding NHL goaltender, award-winning broadcaster, and respected front office executive who currently is president of the New York Rangers
  • Ken Hitchcock – Stanley Cup champion NHL head coach, and three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada over a more than 40-year coaching career.
  • Dr. Randy Gregg – five-time Stanley Cup champion with the Edmonton Oilers and two-time CIAU champion.
  • 1974-75 Lethbridge Native Sons – 1975 Canada Winter Games and Alberta Junior B provincial champions

2020 INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIES >