2022 World Junior Championship Cancelled

EDMONTON & RED DEER – On December 29, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced the cancellation of the 2022 World Junior Championship.

The following is a joint statement on behalf Hockey Canada and the IIHF from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, and Luc Tardif, president of the IIHF, in response to the cancellation of the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“Hockey Canada has worked tirelessly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure it would be equipped to host world-class, international events in a safe and healthy environment. Despite our best efforts, and continually adapting and strengthening protocols, we have unfortunately fallen short of our goal of completing the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship and handing out medals on Jan. 5 due to the challenges of the current COVID-19 landscape. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have always made the health and safety of event participants and the community at large a priority, and given the news that we have encountered positive cases within the World Juniors environment, we understand and support the decision to cancel the remainder of the event. Although we know this is the right decision, we sympathize with all participants who have earned the opportunity to represent their countries on the world stage and that will not be able to realize that dream in its entirety.” - Tom Renney and Scott Smith

“Together with the teams, we came into this event with full confidence in the COVID-19 protocols put in place by the IIHF, the local organizing committee, Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant forced us to readjust our protocols almost immediately upon arrival to stay ahead of any potential spread. This included daily testing and the team quarantine requirement when positive cases were confirmed. We owed it to the participating teams to do our best to create the conditions necessary for this event to work. Unfortunately, this was not enough. We now have to take some time and focus on getting all players and team staff back home safely." - Luc Tardif

The following are statements on behalf of Hockey Canada from Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties, and Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of hockey operations.

“The COVID-19 landscape is ever-changing, and since we started planning for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, we were confident in the health and safety protocols that were put in place. In working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and the IIHF, we were confident in our hosting plan, and continued to have ongoing discussions with all stakeholders to ensure our protocols were aligned with the Government of Alberta. Shortly after teams arrived in Canada, health and safety protocols were strengthened and daily testing was implemented to ensure cases of COVID-19 were detected early and to minimize spread to participants and the community. We are disappointed for the participants, volunteers and fans, but this is the right decision given the current situation." - Dean McIntosh

“Today’s news is devastating for the players, coaches and support staff with Canada’s National Junior Team. From the time our group arrived at selection camp, we have been cautious in our approach to ensure we could arrive in Edmonton healthy and eligible to participate in the tournament, but we recognize how difficult it is to maintain a secure environment given the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team has worked hard and made sacrifices to earn the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Juniors, and to potentially play for a gold medal on home ice in front of our fans. We share our disappointment with our fans, the other nine competing teams, and the event staff and volunteers. On behalf of our entire team, we wish to extend our appreciation to the IIHF and the local organizing committee for their time and effort in planning for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.” - Scott Salmond

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Throughout 2021, the hockey community has rallied together. This holiday season, teams from across the province have committed good deeds in their communities. Hockey Alberta is featuring some of those teams who have given back this season.

Girls Hockey Calgary

Girls Hockey Calgary collaborated as an association to complete a food drive in November for the Veterans Association Food Bank. Fifty teams dropped off donations in one day. In total, the association filled 26 skids of food and more of toilet paper, paper towel, Kleenex, cleaning and hygiene products.

Fort Saskatchewan U16 AAA

On December 19, the U16 AAA TC Infrastructure Rangers of Fort Saskatchewan played their home game versus the St. Albert Tetz Powell CPAs Flyers in support of Ty’s Toy Drive. For every goal scored, TC Infrastructure donated $100 per goal and $50 per assist. Via cash donations and 50/50 sales, a total of $2,469 was raised for the cause. Five full boxes of toys were collected upon admission. Ty’s Toy Drive is organized by seven-year-old Tyler to donate toys to kids at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

PAC Saints U15 AA Green - Parkland County

The U15 AA PAC Saints Green are embodying the giving season. The team participated in the Kinettes Christmas Hamper Program. The team collected donations of food and money at their local “No Frills”, a 50/50 draw as well as a “fill the net” event. Through their efforts, the PAC Saints Green raised over $1,000 in cash, gift cards and toys to help families in need this holiday season.

Barrhead Bucks U11

The U11 Barrhead Bucks delivered the holiday spirit to their local continuing care centre this season. The team provided gift baskets filled with necessities to each resident and spread cheer through singing Christmas songs.

Wainwright U18 and U15 AA

At the December 11 home games, Wainwright’s U18 and U15 AA Polar Kings collected food donations to donate to the local food bank.

Camrose U13 AA

On their Saturday off, the U13 AA Camrose Vikings traversed the streets of Camrose collecting cash and food bank items. The donation were the finishing touches to the local Christmas hampers that were distributed to 300 families in need in Camrose.

Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association

Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association rallied together to generate over 800 lbs of food for the Golden Arrow U15 AAA Storm Christmas Food Drive. The association donated approximately 40 boxes of food that will help many people within the community!

Delburne U15 Tournament

Delburne’s U15 division added a twist to their tournament activities - a food bank challenge. The Delburne Food Bank received a truck load of goods and cash donations while the winning team enjoyed pizza for their efforts.

Coaldale Minor Hockey Association

Beginning on December 1, the Coaldale Minor Hockey Association began collecting donations for the local food bank. With a goal to fill "the box", the association amassed a truck load that was delivered to help those in the community in need.

Smoky River Minor Hockey Association

The Smoky River Minor Hockey Association’s U7, U9 and U11 teams displayed their skills in a minor hockey showcase earlier this season. They showcased more than their on-ice skills as the teams channelled their community spirit and competed to fill a hockey bag with the most donations to the local FCSS. Each team was a winner as they combined for over 482 lbs of food to be donated to fill the Christmas food hampers to help those in the community this holiday season!

Coaldale U18 Cobras

Coaldale’s U18 Cobras are giving back all season long. The team has volunteered to participate in the Town of Coaldale’s Snow Angels program. After each snowfall this winter, the team will remove snow for those who are unable to do it themselves.

Drumheller U15 and U18 Raptors

In support of the Salvation Army’s Tree of Hope, the Drumheller U15 and U18’s held a toy drive at their home games on November 20. The toy drive was a huge success, with the proceeds from the 50/50 going towards the initiative. The teams are already planning for bigger and better in 2022!

Calgary Knights Hockey Club U11-3 and U9-2 Grey

Hockey Calgary’s U11-3 and U9-2 Grey teamed up to adopt a family through the North East Calgary Adopt-A-Family Society (NECAAFS). Through the generosity by the two teams, they were able to provide clothes, toys, essentials and grocery gift certificates totalling in excess of $1000 for their "adopted family".

Has your team or association committed a good deed in the community this holiday season? Hockey Alberta wants to hear about it! Submit the way your team is giving back this holiday season by clicking this link:

Hockey Gives Back

RED DEER - The 118 volunteers who will lead teams at the 2022 Alberta Cup, Alberta Challenge and Prospects Cup have been selected by Hockey Alberta.

A director of operations, coach mentor, head coach and two assistant coaches were selected for each team. Teams at the Alberta Cup and Alberta Challenge will be accompanied by a trainer. Alberta Challenge staff will also feature a coach apprentice shadowing each team’s coaching staff.

Volunteers for each team are listed below. Each of the events will be held on consecutive weeks at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer, starting with the Alberta Cup on April 27.

Registration and details regarding regional camps for each event will be released in the new year. Eligible participants for any of these Hockey Alberta programs must be registered with a Hockey Canada/Hockey Alberta program.

2022 Alberta Cup Team Staff

2022 Alberta Challenge Team Staff

2022 Prospects Cup Team Staff

RED DEER – After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, presented by ATB Financial, are returning in 2022.

A total of 32 provincial champions will be crowned during March and April. Host locations for the 29 weekend championship tournaments were announced December 17. The final three provincial champions will be determined through league playoffs.

Championship tournaments will be hosted in locations across the province – from Slave Lake in the north, west to Grande Prairie, east to Cold Lake and south to Picture Butte.

2022 Provincial Hosts >

For the first time, zone playdowns will not be used to determine the qualifying teams. Rather, participating teams for provincial championship tournaments will be determined through league playoffs.

Most Minor Tiered and Minor Female events will feature eight teams - the host, a wild card and the champions from each division’s respective leagues: Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League, Central Alberta Hockey League, Northern Alberta Interlock, All Peace Hockey League, North Eastern Alberta Hockey League, Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League, and East Central Female Hockey League.

Two divisions in the Alberta Female Hockey League will kick off the March to a Title with the U15 Female AA and the U18 Female AAA champions being crowned on March 20.

Week two (March 24-27) will feature nine tournaments: AFHL U18 Female AA, Alberta Elite Hockey League U15 AAA, U15 AA, U15 Tier 1, U15 Tier 2, U15 Tier 3, U15 Tier 4, U15 Female A, and U15 Female B.

Another 15 tournaments are set for March 31 – April 3, including: Junior B, U18 AA, U18 Tier 1, U18 Tier 2, U18 Tier 3, U18 Tier 4, U18 Female A, U18 Female B, U13 AA, U13 Tier 1, U13 Tier 2, U13 Tier 3, U13 Tier 4, U13 Female A, and U13 Female B.

The final weekend of 2022 provincial play wraps up April 7-10, as the tournaments showcase the Senior AA and AEHL U16 AAA.

Junior A, Junior Female and the AEHL’s U18 AAA provincial champions are decided through league playoffs.

ATB Financial is returning as the presenting sponsor of the 2022 Provincial Sponsorships.

“We know playing for the championship is every young hockey player’s goal at the start of each season," said Kris Noble, Senior Manager, Sponsorship and Community Investment. "We are excited to be back as the Presenting Sponsor of the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships and look forward to making these events a special experience for everyone involved; the players, parents, officials and volunteers."

Hockey Alberta is still accepting applications for the following events: U15 Tier 4, U15 Female A, U13 Tier 4, and U13 Female B. If interested in hosting a 2022 provincial championship tournament, contact Michelle Skilnick, Member Services ([email protected]).

RED DEER - Seven Albertans will suit up for Team Canada on home soil at the 2022 World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer.

Following a four-day selection camp, Hockey Canada announced its 25-player roster on Sunday night. Forwards Ridly Greig (Lethbridge), Dylan Guenther (Edmonton), and Jake Neighbours (Airdrie) are among the 14 forwards selected, joined by defencemen Kaiden Guhle (Sherwood Park), Ronan Seeley (Olds) and Olen Zellweger (Fort Saskatchewan), as well as goaltender Sebastian Cossa (Fort McMurray).

Guhle is the lone Albertan with World Juniors experience, and just one of three on the team who won a silver medal with Canada in 2021.

All seven players are Team Alberta alumni, with Greig, Neighbours, Guhle, Seeley and Cossa all playing together at the 2017 WHL Cup, and Guenther and Zellweger skating for Alberta at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Albertans on staff include assistant coach Michael Dyck (Lethbridge), and team physician Dr. Barry Weins (Red Deer).

Canada’s National Junior Team will head to Banff, Alta., for a training camp at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre, Dec. 14-19. It will then travel to Red Deer for a pair of pre-tournament games on Dec. 19 and 20 against Switzerland and Sweden, respectively, before moving to Edmonton for its final pre-tournament match-up on Dec. 22 against Russia as part of the Lordco Road to the World Juniors.

The 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship begins on Boxing Day with Canada kicking off its tournament against the Czech Republic. In addition to its opening-night match-up, Canada will also play Austria on Dec. 28, Germany on Dec. 29 and Finland on Dec. 31 to wrap up preliminary-round action. All Team Canada games will be played at 5 p.m. MT

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will carry extensive game coverage and analysis throughout the World Juniors. TSN will broadcast all 31 tournament games and five pre-tournament games, while RDS will broadcast all 31 tournament games and three pre-tournament games. TSN Radio will also provide comprehensive coverage.

For more information from the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit the official tournament website at 2022.worldjuniors.hockey.