Hockey Canada Unveils Online 50/50 Draw for 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship

EDMONTON & RED DEER, Alta. – Following the success of the online 50/50 draws at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, which reached a total jackpot of nearly $40 million, Hockey Canada has announced that online 50/50 is returning for the 2022 World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer.

Fans are encouraged to win bigger than ever with the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship online 50/50 draws, including nine draws in each participating province (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan) starting Dec. 17 and concluding with the Rivalry Series game on Jan. 6. Fans in participating provinces can purchase tickets starting at 9-9:30 a.m. local time (depending on province of purchase) on the day each draw opens for as low as $10 by visiting HockeyCanada.ca/5050.

The 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship online 50/50 draw dates include:

• Dec. 23 (draw opens Dec. 17)
• Dec. 26 (draw opens Dec. 24)
• Dec. 28 (draw opens Dec. 27)
• Dec. 29 (draw opens Dec. 29)
• Dec. 31 (draw opens Dec. 30)
• Jan. 2 (draw opens Jan. 1)
• Jan. 4 (draw opens Jan. 3)
• Jan. 5 (draw opens Jan. 5)
• Jan. 6 (draw opens Jan. 6)

“Hockey Canada is excited to extend the 50/50 draws to five provinces during the 2022 World Juniors,” said Riley Wiwchar, executive director of the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. “We know Canadians are passionate about the World Juniors, and we know hockey fans in the participating provinces will embrace the opportunity to not only support the event, but also help benefit grassroots hockey across our country.”

The winners of each 50/50 draw will take home half of the pot, while the other half will remain in the respective province to be reinvested into grassroots hockey programs that enable more people to get involved in the game and help improve their quality of life through hockey. Proceeds from the Dec. 23 draw in Alberta will benefit the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, with funds going towards helping improve the unit and provide care to over 400 families every year.

In addition to the 50/50 draw, Hockey Canada also announced two other initiatives to connect with fans during the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship: the Team Canada game-worn jersey auction and the Ice Barn in Red Deer.

The online jersey auction, which runs from Dec. 31-Jan. 6, is an opportunity for fans to bid on game-worn jerseys of all 25 Canadian athletes wearing the Maple Leaf at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. All game-worn jerseys can be viewed and bid on at HockeyCanada.ca/Auction, with proceeds from the auction supporting the Hockey Canada Foundation and its commitment to the development and promotion of grassroots hockey and ensuring those who want to play the game are able to participate at any level in their community.

The Ice Barn will serve as the ultimate gathering place for hockey fans in Red Deer from Dec. 26-Jan. 2. The free-admission venue, which is connected to the Peavey Mart Centrium, will allow fans to come together at Westerner Park for all pre- and post-game activities throughout the World Juniors. The Ice Barn will feature an affordable, full-service bar, as well as large TV screens showing every World Juniors game and live music as part of the Sirius XM Concert Series. The full line-up of performances, which includes several local and Canadian artists, will be unveiled in the coming days.

“We are excited to once again offer all Canadians the opportunity to bid on their favourite Team Canada jerseys, and to provide fans in Red Deer with a great venue to enjoy all the World Juniors festivities,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties with Hockey Canada. “We know hockey fans in Edmonton and Red Deer, as well as across the country, are excited to take part in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, and these three initiatives will allow fans to engage with the event and further enjoy the World Juniors experience while giving back to the hockey community.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #WorldJuniors.

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.