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Minor Female Hockey

Alberta currently has over 11,000 players participating in female hockey and is one of the fastest growing sports in the province. Whether your daughter is just starting out or has been playing for a number of years; there are many great opportunities for her to get involved in female hockey.

Female hockey provides the opportunity for girls to engage in a healthy, active lifestyle while developing new friendships that will last after the hockey season ends. Female hockey allows girls to develop as athletes and citizens of Alberta, learning key life lessons through their participation in Canada’s game. Getting your daughter involved in hockey will help to:

  • Set goals and work hard to achieve them.
  • Learn from setbacks and handling adversity in a positive way.
  • Work with others and strive to achieve collective team goals.
  • Grow as a leader and prepare for life outside of hockey.
  • Enjoy Hockey For Life!

Female Hockey Day

Female Hockey Day in a Hockey Alberta initiative aimed at bringing female players, parents, coaches, officials, managers, and supporters together for the development, growth, and celebration of the game. Beginning in 2018, Female Hockey Day has made stops in Fort McMurray, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Lloydminster.

FEMALE HOCKEY DAY HISTORY >

Hockey Alberta

Hockey Alberta Girls Hockey Resource

Hockey Alberta has created this resource to provide information on building a sustainable girls hockey program. Topics include development, engagement strategies and recruitment strategies, along with key considerations for minor hockey associations to work together to create an all girls program. This information is a guide and can be adjusted to fit your association’s needs.

If my daughter is registered on a minor (co-ed) team, is she able to play all-female hockey as well?

Yes, female players that are registered and playing on a minor (co-ed) team are eligible to affiliate to a female hockey team, in accordance with the affiliation supplementation document.

My daughter is graduating from U11 into U13 and is interested in Female AA Hockey; where can she play?

As of the 2023-24 season, the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) has introduced U13 AA Female Hockey. For more information on this division and Elite Female Hockey, please visit the AFHL page.

What are the benefits to having my daughter play female hockey?

  • Female Peers - Young girls will get the opportunity to engage with other females that share similar interests through sport and may help them feel more accepted. The social component is just as important as development, as many girls leave the sport at an early age because they do not feel accepted among co-ed teams that mostly consist of boys.
  • Female Focused Coaching - There are subtle differences between the co-ed and the female game. Staff that coach female hockey will understand the differences as well as how to work with and inspire female athletes. Coaches are also more familiar with the opportunities that female hockey provides and can give guidance to players and their families regarding the next level.
  • Female Coaches - Associations with female teams are more likely to have female coaching staff working with these athletes. They have a vested interest in recruiting alumni to help with their associations’ teams. Female coaches understand the needs of their athletes, the player pathway, and can provide important mentorship for your daughter.
  • Mentorship Programs - Associations with female programs will more than likely host a mentorship program. Whether your daughter is U9 or U18, this is an important opportunity for these athletes to have role models in their community or to give back to the younger generation of players.
  • Leadership - Playing female hockey will give your daughter more of an opportunity to become a leader on her team that she may not get on a co-ed team.  
  • Development - If considering playing co-ed hockey, it is important to think of development in terms of playing time. An important piece of development is getting the opportunity to get ice time in a variety of situations (5-on-5, powerplay, penalty kill, etc.) during games, as it helps to build confidence and motivation to improve skills.

Additional Resources on the benefits of female participation in sport:

Guide to Female Hockey in Canada

Female Participation in Sport

Women in Sport: Fueling a Lifetime of Participation

What associations offer Female Hockey? Currently, 47 Minor Hockey Associations across the province offer grassroots Female Hockey programs. Contact the MHA nearest you to get started.