Ice Times Newsletter
CALGARY HOSTS SUCCESSFUL FEMALE HOCKEY DAY
Hockey Alberta hosted Female Hockey Day, presented by ATB, at the Max Bell Centre in Calgary on Saturday, January 7. In partnership with Girls Hockey Calgary, over 200 participants celebrated and supported female hockey while enjoying development sessions, an AFHL game, and skills competition.
Team Alberta
RED DEER – The three hockey teams comprising Team Alberta North are set to open the Arctic Winter Games on Sunday.
The Arctic Winter Games are the world’s largest northern multi-sport and cultural event. This year’s edition is hosted in Wood Buffalo, January 29 to February 4. Hockey is being played in Fort McMurray and Conklin.
Team Alberta North is competing in each of the three hockey divisions: Junior Female, U15 Male and U18 Male. Hoping that home ice will prove to be an advantage, Team Alberta North faces off against Alaska, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon in each division. Round robin play begins Sunday, with medal rounds beginning February 2. Teams are competing for the gold ulu.
Sunday’s opening day action sees the U15 and U18 Male teams taking on Nunavut, while the Junior Female team plays Yukon.
“It’s always exciting to be heading into a short-term tournament, but to play in the Arctic Winter Games on home ice is a special opportunity,” said Blake Cosgrove, Team Alberta North’s Director of Operations. “It’s an honour to represent your province at an international tournament like this. Our athletes recognize that and are ready to showcase their level of compete and represent Alberta the best they can.”
To be eligible to participate in the Arctic Winter Games, athletes and coaches must reside in a community located north of the 55th parallel. The Junior Female team is comprised of athletes born in 2004-2009. The U15 Male team features athletes born in 2008-2009 and the U18 Male team has athletes born in 2005-2007. Male athletes playing AAA hockey this season were not eligible.
The schedule and results are available at awg2023.org. Games are being livestreamed on YouTube.
The Arctic Winter Games are a celebration of athletic completion, culture, friendship and cooperation between northern contingents.
To learn more about Team Alberta North, or the Arctic Winter Games, visit hockeyalberta.ca or follow along on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Ice Times Newsletter
IT’S YOUR GAME CONTEST - WIN TICKETS TO THE ROGERS PLACE SKY LOUNGE FOR AN EDMONTON OILERS GAME
Show your commitment to making the game more inclusive by posing for a picture with one of Hockey Alberta’s anti-maltreatment banners or posters and you’ll be entered to win tickets for your hockey team to attend the Edmonton Oilers game on February 21. The deadline to submit your photo is February 1.
Hockey Alberta Foundation
RED DEER – The Hockey Alberta Foundation (HAF) is skating into 2023 with the Ladd Foundation through a $90,000 donation to support the 1616 program.
1616 is a 16-week mental, physical and social wellbeing experience for youth hockey teams. The first of its kind, this program is delivered virtually at no charge to participants. The focus is on equipping youth hockey players along with their coaches and caregivers, with the mental skills needed to help youth thrive on and off the ice.
“Growing up in Red Deer I have a strong understanding of the impact hockey can have on young Albertans,” said Brandy Ladd, co-founder of Ladd Foundation. “With the help of Alberta Hockey Foundation, we will be able to bring a proactive approach to giving kids, parents and coaches the resources and tools to face mental health challenges head on! We are incredibly grateful to Hockey Alberta for this support!”
Founded by the Ladd Foundation, 1616 launched its first full season of programming in October 2022 with 88 teams including nearly 3,500 players, parents/caregivers and coaches from across Canada and the United States. Alberta is currently 1616’s largest footprint, with 36 teams from across the province participating in the program.
“The Hockey Alberta Foundation recognizes the importance of mental wellness in youth hockey players across the province,” said Tim Leer, Executive Director of the HAF. “By providing funding to 1616, it’s our intent to give more kids the opportunity to learn how to comprehend and cope with the mental side of the game.”
Andrew and Brandy Ladd created 1616 to give mental fitness and wellbeing a more significant focus in youth hockey and to shift minor hockey culture to emphasize hockey performance as well as the development of connections, confidence and character.
For more information on the HAF visit hockeyalbertafoundation.ca or to learn more about 1616 and to register, visit 1616.org.
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ABOUT THE HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION
The Hockey Alberta Foundation’s goal is to raise funds to provide EVERY KID in EVERY COMMUNITY the opportunity to play hockey in Alberta. We work in collaboration with partners to fund those who need us, invest in those who will lead us and honour those before us. For more information on the HAF or to make a donation, visit hockeyalberta.ca.
Team Alberta
RED DEER – Registration is now open for the 2023 Prospects Cup Regional Camps.
All 2010-born Male players, registered with a Hockey Alberta Sanctioned Minor Hockey Association are eligible to register and try out for the Prospects Cup. Positions at tryouts are limited and awarded on a first-come first serve basis. There will be four (4) Regional Camps occurring simultaneously between April 14-16 at the following locations:
2023 Prospects Cup Registration Directory >
Please ensure that prior to registration, you have reviewed the Prospects Cup Registration Directory above to determine what region your child resides in. Athletes are only permitted to register for the region in which they reside and the position (goaltender, defence or forward) for which they wish to be considered for the Prospects Cup. Any athlete who registers for an incorrect region or position may have their registration refunded less an admin fee and will not be guaranteed acceptance to attend the regional camp tryout, subject to the correct region/position’s availability.
Should the region/position be sold out at the time you try and register, please email Hudson Kelly ([email protected]) to be added to a waitlist for that position/region, do not try and register for another region.
Visa and Mastercard are the only payment methods that are accepted through the payment platform. American Express and debit cards will not be approved. Please ensure that you are prepared with an accepted method of payment.
PROSPECTS CUP REGIONAL CAMP REGISTRATION >
2023 PROSPECTS CUP TEAM STAFFS >
The 2023 Prospects Cup will take place May 10-14 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer.
News
RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is excited to announce a new partnership with CoachThem as the organization’s official Coach Practice Planning Tool.
With this partnership, Hockey Alberta coaches will receive membership to the CoachThem platform at a discounted rate, including access to 1400 marketplace drills with video and helpful articles to better your game.
As the premier coach practice planning platform, CoachThem and Hockey Alberta will collaborate to bring a revolutionary coach planning tool to associations and coaches across Alberta.
“With Hockey Alberta’s drive to grow the game by improving their player’s experience, CoachThem will support the coaching community by empowering the game of hockey through technology. “, said Mike Weaver, NHL Alumni and CEO of CoachThem. “I am excited to simplify and inspire the coaching experience as they teach the next generation.”
The partnership will feature:
“Hockey Alberta is always looking for new ways to engage our associations and their coaches to provide them with high-quality resources,” said Justin Fesyk, Hockey Alberta’s Senior Manager of Hockey Development. “We are excited to work with CoachThem to enhance the coaching experience across the province.”
CoachThem is a web-based coaching platform for creating digital drills for a simple, fast, organized practice plan. With over 1400 free drills with video, you will never have to create another drill again. As the platform continues to evolve with 20k coaches, 600k drills created by coaches, 14 NHL teams and well over 170 associations, CoachThem is driven by innovation, simplicity, teamwork and their commitment to customers.
As one of the 13 members of Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta is the governing body for all sanctioned minor hockey in the province of Alberta. Their mission is to create positive opportunities and experiences for all players through innovative leadership and exceptional service with a vision of creating Hockey for Life.
News
CONTEST: Show your commitment to making the game more inclusive by posing for a picture with one of Hockey Alberta’s anti-maltreatment banners or posters in your arena and you’ll be entered to win tickets for your hockey team to attend the Edmonton Oilers game on February 21.
The full package includes:
These tickets were donated by the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.
Team Alberta
Registration is now open for the 2023 Alberta Challenge Regional Camps.
All 2008 and 2009-born female players, registered with a Hockey Alberta or a Hockey Canada sanctioned minor hockey association are eligible to register and try out for the Alberta Challenge. Eligible athletes must be permanent residents of Alberta.
Positions at Regional Camps are limited and awarded on a first-come, first serve basis. There will be two Regional Camps occurring simultaneously between April 7-9 at the following locations:
Alberta Challenge Regional Boundaries >
Please ensure that prior to registration, you have reviewed the Alberta Challenge Regional Boundaries to determine what zone your child resides in. Athletes are only permitted to register for the region in which they reside and the position (goaltender, defense or forward) for which they wish to be considered for the Alberta Challenge. Any athlete who registers for an incorrect region or position may have their registration refunded less an admin fee and will not be guaranteed acceptance to attend the regional camp tryout, subject to the correct region/position availability.
Should the region/position be sold out at the time you try and register, please email [email protected] to be added to a wait list for that position/region, do not try and register for another region.
Visa and Mastercard are the only payment methods that are accepted through the payment platform. American Express and debit cards will not be approved. Please ensure that you are prepared with an accepted method of payment.
Alberta Challenge Regional Camp Registration >
2023 Alberta Cup Team Staffs >
The 2023 Alberta Challenge will take place May 3-7 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer.
The Alberta Challenge is a core Hockey Alberta Female Development program, providing players, coaches, therapists, equipment managers, administrators and referees an equal opportunity to discover the great qualities of competitive hockey.
The Alberta Challenge aids in preparation, evaluation and identification of potential players for Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta program and is a grassroots program. Through the camps, the players are able to measure themselves against other players of the same age and receive instruction from some of the best coaches in the province. For those selected to the regional teams, the Alberta Challenge is a taste of top level competition.
News
RED DEER - Michael Bates of Cochrane is returning to Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors for 2023.
Bates is filling the Director vacancy created when it was announced at the 2022 Annual General Meeting that Fran Zinger was retiring. Zinger had one year remaining on her three-year term.
Bates previously completed a term as a Director at Large from 2018-2021.
He joins a Board which is comprised of chair Len Samletzki, vice chair Allan Mowbray, and directors Francois Gagnon, Bill Gourley, Kirstan Jewell, Karen Lee, Al-Amin Vira and Danielle Paradis.
For more information, go to the Board of Directors page on the Hockey Alberta website.
Team Alberta
Photo credit: LA Media
Registration for Alberta Cup Regional Camps is now full. Please contact Mike Kraichy ([email protected]) to be added to a waitlist.
All 2008-born Male players, registered with a Hockey Alberta Sanctioned Minor Hockey Association or Hockey Canada Sanctioned Accredited School are eligible to register and try out for the Alberta Cup.
Positions at regional camps are limited and awarded on a first-come first-serve basis. There will be three Regional Camps occurring simultaneously between March 31 - April 2 at the following locations:
Alberta Cup Regional Directory >
Please ensure that prior to registration, you have reviewed the Alberta Cup Regional Directory above to determine what region your child resides in. Athletes are only permitted to register for the region in which they reside and the position (goaltender, defence, or forward) for which they wish to be considered for the Alberta Cup. Any athlete who registers for an incorrect region or position may have their registration refunded less an admin fee and will not be guaranteed acceptance to attend the regional camp tryout, subject to the correct region/position’s availability.
Should the region/position be sold out at the time you try and register, please email [email protected] to be added to a waitlist for that position/region, do not try and register for another region.
Visa and Mastercard are the only payment methods that are accepted through the payment platform. American Express and debit cards will not be approved. Please ensure that you are prepared with an accepted method of payment.
ALBERTA CUP REGIONAL CAMP REGISTRATION >
2023 ALBERTA CUP TEAM STAFFS >
The 2023 Alberta Cup will take place April 26-30 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer.
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
CALGARY – Celebrate female hockey on Saturday, January 7!
Hockey Alberta is hosting Female Hockey Day, presented by ATB, at the Max Bell Centre in Calgary. In partnership with Girls Hockey Calgary, the day celebrates female hockey and bringing together supporters for the development, growth, and celebration of the game.
Female Hockey Day has something for everyone with a Try Hockey event, Try Goalie session, U11 and U13 Skills Competition, an officiating clinic, and Introduction to Coaching seminar taking place. As well, the day’s activities are highlighted by an Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) feature game.
At 12:30 P.M., The AFHL U18 AA division’s Calgary Fire White will take on the Airdrie Lightning. The game will be available to stream online at HockeyTV. With non-stop action, the game’s next generation of stars will step on the ice during the first intermission for a U7 scrimmage. During the second intermission, members of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) will host a meet and greet, giving the girls a chance to meet their idols.
The schedule caps off with a U11 and U13 Skills Competition. Girls Hockey Calgary U11 Teal, U11 Red, U13 Silver, and U13 Spark will showcase their skills, with the demonstrations being done by the members of the PWHPA.
Across the province, other Female Hockey Day celebrations are taking place as well, with the Hockey Alberta Foundation supporting festivities planned in Leduc, Sherwood Park, and Whitecourt.
Celebrating Female Hockey Day in your own community? Share with us by tagging Hockey Alberta on social media and use the hashtag - #whyweplay.
For more information on Female Hockey Day, visit hockeyalberta.ca.
News
Photo Credit: Carmen Parsons
RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is set to host the inaugural U11 HADP Showcase in Red Deer, beginning Friday, January 6.
Eight teams from around the province will converge on the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer for a weekend tournament.
Teams involved in the showcase include:
Each team will play four games starting at 9:30am on Friday, with the championship game being held on Sunday at 2:00pm. All games will be streamed for free on HockeyTV.
For the 2022-23 hockey season, Hockey Alberta has expanded the U11 AA Pilot Project province wide and renamed 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.
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