Initiation Guidelines And Non-body Checking Options Highlight Plans For 2015-2016

Hockey Alberta capped a very busy 2014-15 season by holding Spring zone meetings in Spirit River, Lloydminster, Sangudo, Sylvan Lake, Fort MacLeod, Airdrie, Camrose, Edmonton and Calgary.

The meetings served as a wrap-up to the just-concluded season, as well as an opportunity for Hockey Alberta to unveil plans for the upcoming season.

The 2015-16 season has some significant initiatives planned relating to the growth and evolution of the Hockey Development Model in Alberta. These initiatives were circulated through Information Bulletins to Local Minor Hockey Associations (LMHA) prior to the Zone meetings, and resulted in some good question and answer sessions.

Specifically, the following will be undertaken for the 2015-16 season:

NON-BODY CHECKING OPTIONS: Hockey Alberta is working with associations and leagues to assist in developing local options for players with regard to non-body checking regulations at the Bantam and/or Midget levels. The first step is to compile a list of initiatives planned by LMHAs or leagues for 2015-16. Once that information has been reviewed, Hockey Alberta will be offering sanction options for tournaments or exhibition games to allow a larger audience to see what non-body checking looks like at the Bantam or Midget level. At the end of season, feedback from participants will be reviewed, and plans developed for 2016-17.

INITIATION HOCKEY: Hockey Alberta is adopting Initiation Program guidelines, for players six years and under, and will work with LMHAs on the transition to incorporate these guidelines into their operational structure. The guidelines focus on players having fun, and outline an official playing surface that is one-half, one-third or one-quarter the size of a regular playing surface, less stringent registration and rules requirements, and instructor training that is appropriate for the age and development level of the players. Resources for LMHAs and instructors will be available prior to the start of the season.

AA HOCKEY: A standardized model for the operation of AA level hockey in Peewee, Bantam and Midget divisions will be implemented. The new AA system is based on the philosophy of having similarly-skilled players compete with and against each other and providing skill development opportunities through a “feeder” system that bridges the gap between grassroots and AAA/Elite hockey. The AA Model establishes recruitment areas that allow players to progress from an LMHA, to AA programs, and up to the Alberta Development Model.

FEMALE HOCKEY: A new Female Model will be finalized in 2015-16 to implement a framework for the overall operation of Female Hockey in Alberta starting in 2016-17. The model will feature a pyramid structure with Team Alberta programs as the focal point, fewer teams and no recruitment boundaries at the Midget AAA level, a new province-wide 16-team Midget AA league, a regional philosophy for LMHAs to restructure grassroots leagues, and a focus on Long Term Player Development principles.

Additional details on these initiatives, and other plans for the 2015-16 season, will be discussed during the Hockey Administration stream at Hockey Alberta’s Annual General Meeting and Hockey Conference in Calgary, June 12-13.

For more information on the initiatives outlined above, links are provided below to the Information Bulletins posted on the Hockey Alberta website:
Non-Body Checking
Initiation Program
Female Model

Edmonton Green captured the championship crown at the inaugural ATB Alberta Peewee Prospects Cup on Sunday, defeating South Black, 4-2, in the A Final.

The victory was actually Edmonton Green’s second win over South Black in the tournament, as the teams had met in round-robin pool play action on Thursday, when Green won 4-3. Green went through the tournament undefeated, winning over Calgary Red and North Blue in the other preliminary games, and then defeating Edmonton Royal, 3-1 in the semi-finals.

In the other final games on Sunday, Edmonton Royal defeated North Grey, 5-2; South Yellow defeated North Blue, 4-2; and Calgary Red defeated Calgary White 5-3.

This was the first year that Hockey Alberta has hosted the ATB Alberta Peewee Prospects Cup, for 2002-born athletes, as a part of the Team Alberta program. The event was held at the OldsSportsplex, and players were selected based on their performance at tryout camps held in April. The tournament also provided the opportunity for interested coaches, trainers, coach mentors, officials and administrators to work with a talented group of young athletes.

Calgary South wins the 2015 ATB Alberta Cup, defeating South by a score of 4-3 at the Canmore Recreation Centre in Canmore.

This is Calgary South’s third time winning the Alberta Cup. They last won in 2008 when the event was held in Lloydminster, one of only two times they had won since the event became a Bantam-aged tournament.

Calgary South came out strong to begin the game, controlling much of the play while directing nine shots at South’s goalie, Aiden Kruger (Lethbridge), before South could even get their first shot-on-goal.

South was first to break through though, when Salt Jackson (Okotoks) pounded away at a loose puck until it eventually crossed the line, giving South a 1-0 lead. Assists went to Joel Krahenbeil (Strathmore) and Brandon Machado (Airdrie).

Just a minute and a half later, Zach Huber (Millarville) extended South’s lead to 2-0, with a shot from the far circle. Assists on the play were given to Noah Wakeford (Okotoks) and Cole Reinhardt (Irricana).

Under two minutes later, South continued to pulled away when Tucker Zdunich (High River) faked a shot before finally wiring a wristshot past Shawn Wiranata (Calgary) to give South a 3-0 lead. Assists to Kale Clouston (Rockyview) and Tyson Terretta (High River).

Before the end of the period, Calgary South was able to pull to within a couple goals when tournament all-star, Spencer Moe (Calgary) blasted a shot past Kruger to make it 3-1. Assists on the play to Austin Chorney (Calgary) and OrcaWiesblatt (Calgary).

Shots after the first period were 9-8 in favour of Calgary South.

Calgary South’s powerplay went to work in the second period. Just two minutes into the period, Zane Kindrachuk (Calgary) pulled his team to within one while on the man advantage, with help from Moe and Andrew Viggars (Calgary).

Less than two minutes later, Wiesblatt poked the puck over the red line after a scrum in front of the net to tie the game at three. The powerplay goal was assisted by Chorney and KaremHanlon (Calgary).

About halfway through the game, Berk Berkeliev (Calgary) came into the game, relieving Wiranata for Calgary South.

With just over three minutes left in the second period, once again on the powerplay, Kindrachuk scored his second goal of the period to give Calgary South its first lead of the game. The assist on the goal went to Moe, his third point of the game.

Shots after the second were 21-17 for Calgary South.

The third period began with another goalie change, as Riley Kell (High River) got his chance to play in the championship game for Team South. The period was a tight checking period, with only one penalty called early in the period.

Team South pulled their goalie with 1:19 left in the game, and while they buzzed around the Calgary South end, they couldn’t find the back of the net for the equalizer. Kindrachuk’s second goal, would eventually stand as the game winning goal for Calgary South.

Final shots were 28-21 in favour of Team South.

Sunday, May 03, 2015
Northwest 3 - Central 2 OT
Edmonton Blue 1 - Northeast 6
Edmonton Yellow 2 - Calgary North 5
South 3 - Calgary South 2

Saturday, May 02, 2015
Edmonton Blue 8 - Central 1
Northeast 7 - Northwest 4
Calgary North 4 - South 5
Calgary South 5 - Edmonton Yellow 3

Friday, May 1, 2015
Calgary North 3 - Edmonton Yellow 3
Central 2 - Northeast 3
Edmonton Blue 5 - Northwest 0
South 2 - Calgary South 7
Northeast 2 - Calgary North 6
Edmonton Yellow 5 - Central 6

Thursday, April 30, 2015
Calgary South 6 - Edmonton Blue 5
Northwest 5 - South 7
Calgary North 5 - Central 2
Edmonton Yellow 5 - Northeast 3
Calgary South 2 - Northwest 4
Edmonton Blue 0 - South 5

CLICK HERE FOR STATS, SCHEDULE, ROSTERS AND MORE INFORMATION

Tournament All-Stars, decided on by WHL scouts and Team Alberta staff, were announced at the ATB Alberta Cup Banquet.

ATB Alberta Cup All-Star Team

Goalie - Carl Stankowski (Calgary North)
Defense - Ty Smith (Northeast)
Defense - Jonathon Tychonick (Calgary North)
Forward - Josh Tarzwell (Central)
Forward - Eric Florchuk (Edmonton Yellow)
Forward - Spencer Moe (Calgary South)

The 2015 Source for Sports PlaySMART Award was handed out to Team Central for their exceptional sportsmanship, respect and attitudes both on and off the ice throughout the tournament. This award is voted on by each team, the officials and staff at the ATB Alberta Cup.

The ATB Alberta Cup Program begins in March each year with close to 800 players trying out at their respective zone camps. Each of the 160 athletes playing in the ATB Alberta Cup are competing for one of 80 invites to the U16 Male Provincial Camp in July in Camrose. The U16 Male Provincial Camp is the final stage in the first year of the Team Alberta Program. The 2000-born athletes will also be the group that will represent Team Alberta at the 2015 Western Canada Challenge Cup taking place in Calgary, October 27 to November 1.

The ATB Alberta Cup is the premier event in the province that helps identify the top male players in Alberta. It is well attended by scouts as they prepare for the Western Hockey League’s bantam draft. In addition to player evaluations, the competition is also an opportunity for administrators, coaches, trainers and referees to be evaluated for future positions with the Team Alberta Program.

Former ATB Alberta Cup graduates include such players as Matt Dumba, Braden Holtby, Jordan Eberle, Devan Dubnyk, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Scott Hartnell and Andrew Ference.

ATB Financial is the title sponsor of all Team Alberta programs, including the ATB Alberta Cup and the ATB Alberta Challenge. The Team Alberta Male Program is a two year progression for elite athletes that begins at the ATB Alberta Cup, a U15 age level event, and progresses to the U17 age level. The Team Alberta Female Program is a four year progression for elite athletes that begins at the ATB Alberta Challenge, a U16 age level event, and progresses to the U18 age level. Team Alberta programs feed into Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.