KidSport’s Oil Country Hockey Assist Program launches for second season

EDMONTON – KidSport’s Oil Country Hockey Assist Program is back!

The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and KidSport Alberta have teamed up once again to launch the second season of the KidSport Oil Country Hockey Assist Program.

Players registered in Red Deer area and north are eligible to apply for the program. Approved applicants will have their full registration fees (up to $3,000) covered and have access to no-cost equipment from Sport Central.

Hockey Alberta is proud to be partnering with the KidSport Oil Country Hockey Assist Program to help kids get on the ice this season.

How to Apply >

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About Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) is a proud supporter of Oil Country and has been contributing to our community’s success since 2001. With a focus on programs aimed at those most vulnerable in our community, especially in Edmonton’s downtown, and youth hockey programming with a goal to increase participation of under-represented groups in our community, the Oilers Foundation is dedicated to building strong, vibrant and safe communities by demonstrating philanthropic leadership and continues its deep legacy of giving back. Thanks to the generosity of our valued hockey fans, Oilers players and alumni, the EOCF Board of Directors, Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) employees and the Katz Family, the Foundation has contributed over $66 million to charitable organizations and minor hockey programs across Oil Country since 2001.

About KidSport

KidSport’s core business as a charity is subsidizing sport registration fees for kids from low-income families. We believe that playing hockey promotes the development of children’s social, mental, and physical well being. We fundamentally believe that all kids who want to play hockey should be able to regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status. We have 25 KidSport chapters throughout Oil Country that provide the infrastructure to get funds to those families who need it to get their kids playing hockey. In addition, the Provincial KidSport Fund covers those communities where we do not have a chapter and the Indigenous KidSport Fund supports kids in Indigenous communities. A simple one-page application process gets things started. Once approved KidSport sends a cheque to the minor hockey association on the child’s behalf for the registration fee. In our last normal year 2019 our 38 chapters across Alberta assisted 13,677 kids into 40 sport’s by paying $3.2 million in registration fees.

RED DEER – The Glencross Invitational is celebrating its 10th anniversary of raising funds for charitable organizations in central Alberta with the second annual Charity Hockey Tournament and Celebrity Poker Event on October 19.

Over the past decade, the Glencross Invitational has raised $1.8 million for the Hockey Alberta Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta through the Glencross Roughstock event, and last year’s inaugural hockey tournament and poker event.

This year’s edition of the Glencross Invitational sees the Charity Hockey Tournament hosted at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre followed by the Celebrity Poker Event at the Harvest Centre in Red Deer.

Four teams compete on the ice in the morning. Each team of 15 skaters and a goaltender includes five celebrities and an appearance by a celebrity guest coach. A limited number of player spots are available for purchase, as well as tickets to watch the action unfold. Once the skates are hung up, cards are dealt for the Celebrity Poker Event.

“We’re excited to celebrate 10 years of the Glencross Invitational and are looking forward to getting back on the ice,” said Curtis Glencross. “When we started this, we didn’t have a goal dollar, but to be 10 years in and have raised nearly $2 million for children and families across Alberta is pretty incredible.”

More information on the partnership opportunities is available in the Sponsorship Package below. Tickets to watch the tournament are available online.

Sponsorship Package >

Hockey Tickets >

Hockey Alberta is set to host the fifth Para Hockey Season Kick-Off Event on September 9-10 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Game Centre in Red Deer.

The event consists of a Player Development Camp on the Saturday, and a Coach 2 – Coach Level certification course on Sunday.

The Player Development Camp is for new and returning players of all ages, abilities and skill levels. There will be two ice sessions on Saturday that will focus on skill development and game play. Equipment (sledges and sticks) are provided for new players to use at the camp. A bonus “drop-in” ice time also is available on Sunday from 9-10 am.

The Coach Clinic is Para Hockey-specific. Current Para Hockey coaches, or anyone who would like to coach Para Hockey, are eligible to register. The course includes an in-person classroom session (four hours) and an on-ice session (one hour). This is a great opportunity for para hockey players to develop leadership skills and learn the basics of coaching. To gain the full Coach 2 certification, coaches must also complete an online course.

REGISTER FOR THE PARA HOCKEY PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP >

REGISTER FOR COACH 2 CLINIC >

REGISTER FOR COACH 2 – ON-LINE COURSE >

RED DEER – Registration for Hockey Alberta Officials Clinics is now open. Beginning August 26, clinics are taking place across the province, continuing through to November.   

Officiating offers a network of people who love the game and are looking to give back. For every game worked, officials receive a game fee and there is an opportunity to work through the ranks from minor to elite hockey.  

Anyone 12 years old (13 years old in the Calgary and Edmonton areas) as of December 31 is eligible to become an official. Each season, officials must re-certify by taking a clinic.  Clinics include an online course, in-person portion and an on-ice session.

To become an official, create an HCR 3.0 account and register for the HU – Online Officiating ½ course that must be completed prior to the in-person portion. Skates, a helmet with a visor and a whistle are necessary for the on-ice sessions.  

Become an official > 
Find a clinic near you >  

Check back regularly to find a clinic near you and that fits your schedule as dates and locations are continuously added.  

Frequently asked questions >