Five Team Alberta Players Named To Canada’s National Women’s U22 & U18 Team Rosters

Hockey Canada announced Sunday the 22 players that will play for Canada’s National Women’s Under-22/Development Team in a three-game series against the United States’ Women’s Under-22 Select Team from Thursday, Aug. 16 to Sunday, Aug. 19 in Calgary.

Of the 22 players, 18-year-old goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer was the lone Alberta selectee.

The 13 forwards, seven defencemen and two goaltenders were chosen following Canada’s National Women’s Under-22/Development Team selection camp held Aug. 3-11, also held in Calgary, at Hockey Canada’s home rink, the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex.

Maschmeyer is one of four players who won a gold medal with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18-Team at the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship in Zlin, Czech Republic, in January.

“The 40 players who took to the ice in Calgary for this summer’s National Women’s Under-22/Development Team selection camp represent some of the top female hockey talent in our country,” Head Coach Lisa Jordan said. “It was difficult to narrow it down, but we know the 22 players chosen to play three games against the United States will represent Canada with confidence and class.”

Canada’s National Women’s Under-22/Development Team will play games against the United States’ Women’s Under-22 Select Team on Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. MT, Friday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. MT and Sunday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. MT, at the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex in Calgary.

Following the series, Hockey Canada scouts, along with Canada’s National Women’s Under-22/Development Team coaching staff, will continue to evaluate players with their club teams during the 2012-13 season, in preparation for selecting the Canadian contingent that will compete at the 2013 Meco Cup in Germany next January.

Hockey Canada also announced Sunday the 22 players that will play for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team in a three-game series against the United States’ Women’s Under-18 National Team from Thursday, Aug. 16 to Sunday, Aug. 19 in Blaine, Minn.

Of the 22 players, four of the selectees are from Alberta. The players are defencemen Taryn Baumgardt (Innisfail) and Sydney Smith (Lethbridge), forwards Karly Heffernan (St. Albert) and Eden Murray (Medicine Hat).

The 13 forwards, seven defencemen and two goaltenders were chosen following Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp held Aug. 3-11 at Hockey Canada’s home rink, the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex, in Calgary.

Heffernan is the only player on the roster who participated in the 2012 IIHF High Performance Camp in Vierumäki, Finland, in July (Heffernan);

“All 40 players who participated in our National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp should be very proud of their achievements,” Head Coach Jim Fetter said. “The competition on the ice in Calgary was intense, but we’re confident that the final 22 players chosen to wear the red and white on the ice next week in Blaine will represent Canada well both on and off the ice.”

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will play three games against the United States’ Women’s Under-18 National Team on Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. CT, Friday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. CT and Sunday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. CT, at the National Sports Centre’s Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.

Following the series, Hockey Canada scouts, along with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team coaching staff, will continue to evaluate players with their club teams during the 2012-13 season, in preparation for selecting the Canadian contingent that will compete at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship in Vierumäki, Finland next January.

The 2012 Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic, presented by ATB Investor Services, wrapped up Tuesday at the Stewart Creek Golf Club in Canmore, Alberta. The tournament earned over $45,000 for the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community Fund through event sponsorship and a live and silent auction.

“Every year we push to make this event more successful than the previous year,” said the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Executive Director, Scott Robinson. “Everyone that participates in this event demonstrates that hockey is important to Albertans and it 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. Over the past two years, 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.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Hockey Alberta and the funds provided through the Every Kid, Every Community grant,” said Senior Director of Programs for the Boys and Girls of Calgary, Ronni Abraham. “For many of our kids, who have never held a stick before, our floor hockey program provides a unique introduction to the sport. Not only do our kids have fun, but they get to participate in a new experience that builds skills for life, positive relationships and confidence through teamwork, communication and problem-solving.”

“The support we receive from all the great organizations and people involved make this event wonderful,” added Robinson. “Organizations like ATB Investor Services allow us to put on such an excellent event that not only benefits children around the province, but provides an unforgettable experience for everyone that comes out to the Golf Classic.”

“Our partnership with Hockey Alberta has been fantastic,” said ATB Financial Services President, Sheldon Dyck. “Sport is an incredibly important part of society, the lessons you learn in sport are the lessons you need in life.”

Jordan Eberle (Edmonton Oilers), Zach Boychuk (Carolina Hurricanes), Thomas Hickey (Los Angeles Kings), Ray Bennett (St. Louis Blues, Assistant Coach) and Mel Davidson (Canadian National Women’s Team, Head Coach) 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.”

“We’re proud that we can build and maintain relationships with people like Jordan Eberle who have come through our Team Alberta program,” said Hockey Alberta Senior Manager of Hockey Development, Tim Leer. “It’s very gratifying to come to the Golf Classic and reconnect with people who have gone on to play or coach in elite leagues in Canada and internationally.”

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