COVID-19 Update: Hockey Alberta closing office, staff working remotely

RED DEER – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, Hockey Alberta is taking additional measures to protect our staff and the hockey community. We are temporarily closing our Red Deer office until further notice.

While the office is closed, Hockey Alberta is still open for business, with staff working remotely. We are striving to carry on regular operations with as little interruption as possible. During this time, the best way to contact us is via the following channels:

• Direct email: A staff list, with a direct link to each staff’s email, can be found on our website
• General email: Submit your inquiry to [email protected]
• Website: Submit your inquiry through the Hockey Alberta website: Contact Us
• By phone: Call Hockey Alberta’s main line, 403-342-6777, and leave a voicemail (please specify the recipient of the message or a brief description of what you’re calling about). Your message will be delivered via our voicemail-to-email platform.

The office will remain closed until at least Monday, April 6. As circumstances develop, we will keep everyone informed of changes and updates. We apologize for any issues or inconvenience that may arise due to the office being closed.

Please take all precautions to stay safe. Follow the directions of local, provincial and federal health and government authorities, as we work together with fellow Albertans, and citizens across the country, to help resolve this situation.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to work through these uncharted waters.

Rob Litwinski,
CEO, Hockey Alberta

RED DEER - The Alberta Female Hockey League is pleased to announce the 2019-20 league award and scholarship winners.

Four awards are handed out in each league: Most Valuable Player, Top Goaltender, Top Rookie, and Coach of the Year. One award is also given for the AFHL Administrator of the Year.

Bantam Elite

Most Valuable Player: Chloe Goofers, North Central Impact
Top Goaltender: Jorja Fisher, Calgary Fire Red
Top Rookie: Chloe Goofers, North Central Impact
Coach of the Year: Annette Jensen, Sherwood Park Royals

Midget Elite

Most Valuable Player: Kendal Pierson, Southern Express
Top Goaltender: Cienna Kinghorn, St. Albert Sharks
Top Rookie: Kendal Pierson, Southern Express
Coach of the Year: James King, Southern Express

Midget AAA

Most Valuable Player: Kaia Borbandy, Rocky Mountain Raiders
Top Goaltender: Elise Hugens, Edmonton Pandas
Top Rookie: Cassidy Rhodes, St. Albert Slash
Coach of the Year: Dustin Borbandy, Rocky Mountain Raiders

Administrator of the Year

AFHL Administrator of the Year: Dan Basterash, Edmonton Female Athletic Club

AFHL Scholarship Winners

Midget Elite: Alex Walsh, Lethbridge Cyclones

Alex was born in Fort Saskatchewan, and has grown into a graduating player from the SPKAC Midget Elite Fury. After playing with the Fury for the past three seasons, her plan is to play hockey at the post secondary level. Alex has been offered two scholarships but is still yet to commit. She credits her coaches, among others, who have supported her throughout her hockey journey.

Midget AAA: Alesha Santos, Rocky Mountain Raiders

Alesha Santos is a graduating defenseman from the Midget AAA Rocky Mountain Raiders, and currently lives in Calgary. Other than playing Ice Hockey, Alesha also plays Field Hockey for her High School team. Some of her most notable achievements include being a two time Ice Hockey Provincial Champion (2016-2017 Bantam Elite Fire White, 2017-2018 Midget Elite Fire White), receiving two MVP Awards for Field Hockey (2018 season, 2019 season), and being a consistent Honour Roll student. Playing hockey has also given her many volunteer opportunities which included volunteering at Tudor Manor Seniors Home, and mentoring young female hockey players. When she’s not playing sports, Alesha enjoys spending time with her family and friends. In the Fall, Alesha will be playing for the Red Deer College Queens Hockey team while pursuing a Nursing Degree.

PAST AWARD WINNERS >

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.

Message to the Hockey Alberta Community:

At around 6:30 pm (MT) on Thursday, March 12, the Board of Directors of Hockey Canada, our national governing body, made the tough decision to “cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities, including our national championships, until further notice, effective Friday, March 13, 2020.”

A notification of this decision was placed on the Hockey Alberta website, and circulated to our Members, volunteers, staff, teams and partners.

The cancellation includes all hockey activities for participants registered through Hockey Alberta: games, tournaments, playoffs, tryouts, practices, camps, on-ice and off-ice team activities, programs (such as FirstShift), and Provincial, Regional, and National Championships at the Recreational (Pond Hockey), Minor, Female, Junior, Senior and Sledge levels.

For clarity, the 2019-20 season is cancelled. All sanctioned hockey activities and events in Alberta (and Canada) are cancelled for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. “Until further notice” refers to the fact that the cancellation may extend beyond the conclusion of this season. The Hockey Canada Board of Directors will decide when sanctioned hockey will resume in Canada.

TOM RENNEY TSN INTERVIEW >

The decision to cancel hockey was based on feedback and input from medical and health experts, provincially and nationally, to determine what steps were necessary to ensure the health and safety of all participants who are the priority.

Hockey Alberta thanks Hockey Canada, its Board of Directors, and our Branch partners across the country for working together to arrive at this very difficult decision.

And we thank the hockey community in Alberta for your support and understanding as we proceed into uncharted waters.

We will update our Members and the hockey community in Alberta as new developments arise.

Rob Litwinski, Len Samletzki,

CEO, Hockey Alberta Chair, Board of Directors

The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, on the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Without question, this an unprecedented period of difficulty for the sports world. The health and safety of all participants in sport, including players, coaches, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public, is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada.

After much consultation with the Hockey Canada membership, our chief medical officer and public health officials, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities*, including our national championships, until further notice, effective Friday, March 13, 2020.

We recognize the tremendous effort that has been put forth all year by individuals across the country as they participate in Canada’s game. Although it is difficult to process the hockey season ending abruptly, we feel this is the best course of action in order to do our part in keeping our country safe.”

*Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities include all Hockey Alberta-sanctioned activities. This means that all Hockey Alberta league games, playoffs, practices, camps and Provincial, Regional and National Championships are cancelled at the Minor, Female, Junior, Senior and Sledge levels.