Hockey Alberta to conduct U11 AA pilot project

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta will conduct a U11 AA Pilot Project in the 2021-22 season that implements an amended regional hosting structure, player movement rules, league schedule and coach and player development standards. This pilot project is based largely off of the final report and recommendations of the Non-Sanctioned Hockey Workgroup of last season.

We will be working in collaboration with the Northern Alberta Interlock League (Host League), the North East Alberta Hockey League, the All Peace Hockey League and, of course, their member MHA’s. We are looking to create a series of actionable recommendations that will be identified in time for implementation of a new, province wide, U11 model in the 2022-2023 season.

The outcome of this pilot is to identify the best overall structure for the top level of U11 and to ensure alignment and progression within the entire hockey system. The principles of Long-Term Athlete Development and Hockey Canada’s U11 Pathway will be adhered to within all recommendations. The best philosophy for developing players is to create an environment where similarly skilled players can compete together and against each other.

To make it fair and equitable for all teams within the pilot, regions have been established. These regions ensure there is an opportunity for all players that reside within the pilot areas that want to play and have the skill to play at the top level of U11, can. These regions largely follow the U13AA recruitment areas. The established regions allow for the progression of players from Tiered Minor Hockey programs, through to the host programs within this pilot.

Hockey Alberta has established a Workgroup for this U11AA Pilot Project, members include:

Brett Kelly – Hockey Alberta Staff, Innisfail, AB

Mike Applegate – Hockey Alberta Staff, Lloydminster, AB

Hudson Kelly – Hockey Alberta Staff, Red Deer, AB

Randy Mak – NAI Liaison, Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Rick Nordstrom – Grande Prairie, AB

Jason Grinevitch – Bonnyville, AB

If you have any questions, please contact Brett Kelly, Manager, Officiating at [email protected]

RED DEER - It was a banner year for Alberta at the 2021 NHL Draft, with 17 Albertans drafted to 13 different teams.

After three Albertans were selected in round one of the draft on Friday night, 11 more were drafted in rounds two through seven on Saturday.

Saturday’s portion of the draft saw a pair of Albertans drafted to the teams their older brothers currently play for, as Colton Dach will join older brother Kirby with the Chicago Blackhawks, while the Colorado Avalanche selected Taylor Makar, the younger brother of defenceman Cale.

The 17 Albertans drafted hail from nine different Minor Hockey Associations, 16 are alumni of the Alberta Elite Hockey League, and nine played for Team Alberta.

A full list of Albertans drafted can be found below:

RED DEER - Three Albertans heard their names called and had their dreams realized during the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft on Friday evening.

The first round of the draft, which was done virtually for the second straight year, saw three athletes from Alberta drafted, including Dylan Guenther, who was the first Albertan selected when the Arizona Coyotes selected him ninth overall.

Guenther’s Edmonton Oil Kings teammate Sebastian Cossa was the next Albertan to go, and was the first goaltender off the board as the Detroit Red Wings traded up to select him 15th overall.

Brooks Bandits defenceman Corson Ceulemans was the third and final Albertan selected in the first round, going to the Columbus Blue Jackets with the 25th pick.

All three players are Alberta Elite Hockey League alumni, and also all suited up for Team Alberta (Cossa at the 2017 WHL Cup, Ceulemans and Guenther at the 2019 Canada Winter Games).

Rounds two through seven of the 2021 NHL Draft will conclude on Saturday.

Grant MacEwan University has developed the “Grow the Game” initiative for online anti-racism resources for hockey. The goal of the project is to fill the gap around racism information, education, awareness and its impact on those in the hockey community, both on and off the ice.

Federally funded by the Canada Heritage Anti-Racism Program, Grow the Game was created by Alim Tharani and Irfan Chaudhry as a virtual summit in December 2020. The summit featured a diverse line-up of experts to speak on a variety of different racial experiences in hockey including: the impact, anti-racism, unconscious bias and barriers in addressing racial discrimination.

“The biggest thing that we heard from people is just having a baseline of what racism is and how it manifests in the sport of hockey; and what can be done about it,” said Chaudhry. “People don’t know where to turn or what to do and then it (racism) often times does not get addressed in a meaningful way.”

Grow the Game resources are available online. To begin the education process, there is a “Starter Kit” available with definitions, articles and videos to highlight the impact of racial discrimination in hockey. As well, the website includes recordings of the discussions at the virtual summit in December.

For more information on Grow the Game, visit growthegame.hockey or contact Tharani and Chaudhry by clicking here.

With Hockey Alberta ready for Stage 3 of the Government of Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan, the Hockey Alberta Foundation and Every Kid Every Community has teamed up with Sports Central, Calgary Flames Sports Bank and KidSport to help eliminate the financial barriers of playing hockey.

Sports Central provides sports equipment at no cost to kids in need. Based out of Edmonton, the volunteers also accept gently-used equipment by donation.

Calgary Flames Sports Bank helps kids and families across southern Alberta access equipment at no cost. The organization works with KidSport Calgary to breakdown the cost of fees and equipment to ensure every child has an opportunity to play sports. The Calgary Flames Sports Bank operates with the help of volunteers and donations.

KidSport offers grants to help cover the registration costs for sport, allowing all kids to play. Grants can be applied for online and the organization welcomes donations.

Every kid in every community should have the opportunity to play hockey. Contact the partner organization in your area or Hockey Alberta.