Alberta Flood Relief Efforts

On Monday, August 19th, Hockey Alberta received a sizeable donation for the Hockey Canada Foundation in order to assist families affected by the June Floods in southern Alberta.

$250,000 will be allocated to local minor hockey associations to offset the costs of minor hockey registration fees, keeping players who had planned to play during the 2013-14 season involved in the game. In addition, another $250,000 will go to KidSport Calgary, which aims to make sports such as hockey more affordable for underprivileged youth.

The announcement of the donation followed a hugely successful equipment drive that was organized by in High River where truckloads of hockey equipment was distributed among players. There was so much equipment, was received and given out, that the organizers were able to send extra to the Siksika Minor Hockey Association to help those affected there.

Foothills Minor Hockey had received 94 applications for flood relief assistance as of August 16th, a number they estimate will only cover half of those in need.

Hockey Alberta Chairman, Terry Engen, said he expects the demand to ramp up as sign-ups start and players prepare to hit the ice in October.

“It may be unrealistic to think it will cover all of the cost to play,” he said of the funding. “But it will be a terrific hand up.”

The 2013 Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic, presented by ATB Investor Services, wrapped up Tuesday at the Stewart Creek Golf Club in Canmore, Alberta. The tournament raised over $65,000 for the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community (EKEC) Fund through event sponsorship, a live auction and a silent auction.

“We’re always trying to find ways to make this event more and more successful,” said the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Executive Director, Scott Robinson. “Every year we’re amazed at the funds raised at this event, and it goes to show how important hockey is to everyone and reinforces our belief in the Every Kid, Every Community program.”

The Every Kid Every Community Fund is designed to direct funds towards strategies that will engage communities and help them provide better access to kids who are not currently registered in hockey in Alberta. Since its first cycle in 2011, Hockey Alberta has awarded nearly $60,000 of funding split between 11 different community groups across the province to create local introductory hockey programs. The Golf Classic raises the majority of the funds for the program.

“The students, parents and staff ecstatic to have been recipients if the EKEC grants as it’s been instrumental in the continued implementation of our program,” said the coach of Muriel Clayton School Hockey Program, Matthew Carter. “This grant has enabled us to expose students to the game who may not have had the opportunity otherwise. They are now hockey players.”

“Of course, this event wouldn’t be possible without the support of organizations like ATB Investor Services,” added Robinson. “Without the sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to put on such a top notch event that not only benefits children around Alberta, but we can also create an unforgettable experience for everyone that comes out to Stewart Creek.”

Jay Onrait (Former TSN anchor), Dan O’Toole (Former TSN anchor), Jordan Eberle (Edmonton Oilers), Zach Boychuk (Carolina Hurricanes), Thomas Hickey (New York Islanders), Ray Bennett (St. Louis Blues, Assistant Coach), Mel Davidson (Canadian National Women’s Team, Head Coach), Adam Cracknell (St. Louis Blues), Mike Commodore (Former Calgary Flame), Tyson Stratchan (Washington Capitals) and Morgan Klimchuk (Calgary Flames, 1^st Round pick) were among this year’s celebrity guests.

“The Hockey Alberta Foundation puts on a first class event, obviously it’s a great golf course and a great bunch of people,” said Eberle. “It’s all about raising money and it’s a great cause. We’re raising money to gives kids a chance to play the game and anytime you can get as many kids into the sport as you can, it only helps.”

“Building and keeping relationships with athletes like Eberle, Boychuk, Hickey and all those guys that played through our Team Alberta program is really gratifying,” said Tim Leer, Hockey Alberta’s senior manager of hockey development. “Being able to reconnect with them after they’ve gone on to play or coach at elite levels means a lot to us.”

Next year’s Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic will return to the Stewart Creek Golf Club in Canmore for the fourth year in a row.