Alberta Cup coming to Red Deer

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the Alberta Cup will be hosted in the City of Red Deer in 2019 and 2020.

The new Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre is the host location for the event. The 2019 event will be held April 24-28.

“We are excited to host the Alberta Cup in our new home at Red Deer College," said Rob Litwinski, Hockey Alberta CEO. "Part of the vision we’ve had for this facility was the ability to host signature regional, provincial, national hockey events in this location, and the Alberta Cup is a major Provincial Event. We look forward to working with our Host Committee, the community and region, and partners like the WHL to make the Alberta Cup a great success in 2019 and 2020.”

The Alberta Cup is a significant step in the identification and evaluation process for Team Alberta’s U16 Male provincial team. It is also the final opportunity for Western Hockey League scouts to evaluate players eligible for the WHL bantam draft.

As part of a busy week of hockey, the WHL Awards and Bantam Draft will be held in Red Deer in the days following the Alberta Cup in both 2019 and 2020.

“As a longstanding partner of Hockey Alberta and a major supporter of the Alberta Cup, the WHL is delighted that this event will be held in Red Deer in 2019 and 2020,” said Ron Robison, WHL Commissioner . “With our WHL Awards and Bantam Draft also being held in conjunction with the Alberta Cup, it promises to be an exciting week for hockey enthusiasts of all ages in Red Deer.”

Regional Camps for the 2019 Alberta Cup are set for March 29-31, locations TBD. Registration for Regional Camps will open in January.

The Alberta Cup also provides coaches, therapists, equipment managers, administrators and officials the opportunity to be identified for potential positions at higher level events such as the Western Challenge, World U17 Hockey Challenge and Canada Winter Games. Alberta Cup Coach and Trainer applications will be open next week.

For more information on the Alberta Cup, go to hockeyalberta.ca or abcup.ca.

CALGARY - The Western Hockey League announced today the WHL and Hockey Alberta have extended their current partnership agreement through the 2020-21 season. The new three-year partnership agreement will encompass the current 2018-19 season along with the upcoming 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

The agreement includes the WHL continuing to be a major sponsor of Hockey Alberta’s High Performance Programs and the Alberta Cup. Within the partnership, Hockey Alberta will continue to recognize the WHL as an official partner in Hockey Alberta’s Male Alberta Development Model, which includes the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League and the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League. The WHL will also continue as an official sponsor of other grassroots development programs.

“The WHL is very proud to continue serving as a major supporter of Hockey Alberta’s high performance and minor hockey system,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We are committed to assisting Hockey Alberta with the growth and development of the game throughout the province.”

“We have worked collaboratively with the Western Hockey League for several years to provide many positive development opportunities for players throughout the minor hockey system,” said Rob Litwinski, Hockey Alberta’s CEO. “We look forward to continuing this work for the benefit of players throughout the minor hockey system.”

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

About Hockey Alberta

Hockey Alberta is the Provincial Sports Organization and governing body for organized amateur hockey in the Province of Alberta. Hockey Alberta’s Vision is Hockey for Life, and Hockey Alberta encourages participation on both a competitive and recreational level for those who enjoy hockey for the sportsmanship, skill and enjoyment it can provide. Hockey Alberta’s Regional Centre network includes offices in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge. In 2017-18, there were more than 105,000 registered participants, including more than 86,000 players in Alberta.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is hosting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24 in Red Deer.

Please refer to Information Bulletin 18:06 for updates pertaining to the AGM, including accommodation and schedule details, as well as a notice of motion.

Info Bulletin 18:06 >

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is proud to recognize the four officials selected to represent the province on the national and international stage this season.

Referee Taylor Burzminski (St. Albert) has been assigned to Hockey Canada’s officiating team for the 2018 World Under-17 Challenge, which runs November 3-10 in Saint John/Quispamsis, New Brunswick.

Internationally, linesman Cody Huseby (Red Deer) is one of 23 Canadian officials selected for IIHF championships in 2018-19. Huseby will work the Group A games at the World Under-20 Division II Championships in Estonia, January 13-19.

Referee Fraser Lawrence (Edmonton) will also officiate at the IIHF World Championships in Division III in Iceland, January 14-20.

On the female side, referee Lacy Senuk (St. Albert) is doubling up this season, as she will work both the 2018 4 Nations Cup November 6-10 in Saskatoon, and the IIHF Women’s World Championship April 4-14 in Finland.

"A national or international assignment is the ultimate goal for an amateur official," said Craig DeCoursey, Chair of the Hockey Alberta Official’s Committee. "The selection of these four officials is a reflection of their commitment, dedication, and perseverance in their field. Not only are they leaders on the ice in Alberta, but their participation off the ice in supervision, mentorship and develepment programs makes their selection even more rewarding."

RED DEER - Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney discusses the important of half-ice at the Intro to Hockey level, and the efforts being made in Alberta to ensure everyone’s first hockey experience is an enjoyable one.