Photo credit: Rob Wallator
2020 Team Alberta U18 Female Program
The Team Alberta U18 program is the final stage of identification and evaluation towards Team Alberta and one of the stages of identification for Canada’s national programs. Through on and off-ice evaluation, the high performance U18 program works towards the final goal of taking Team Alberta to the National Women’s U18 Hockey Championship or the Canada Winter Games.
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Team Alberta U18 Female Development and Selection process has been postponed. Please view the FAQ below for more information.
Why did Hockey Alberta revise its 2020 High Performance Camps?
The prime concern for Hockey Alberta is player safety. With arenas closed across the province, athletes have not been able to train on ice for several months. We do not want to risk injury to any athlete by returning too quickly. We want to ensure that our athletes have the ability to return to the ice prior to our camps and that each athlete has the best chance for success at these camps.
Do you have tentative dates for rescheduled camps?
No, these camps are postponed until further notice. Without a clear timeline on returning to the rinks, we do not feel comfortable scheduling tentative camps at this point in time. We want to ensure that we are following the guidelines from the Provincial Government as well as Hockey Canada’s Return to Hockey framework on when it is safe to return to hockey. We will work to ensure that all athletes across the province will be able to access on ice training and arena facilities prior to attending a Team Alberta High Performance Camp.
What is the process that will be used for camp invitations?
Hockey Alberta is not extending any camp invitations to athletes at this time. Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, and the other Member Branches are reviewing the situation and its potential impact to previously scheduled Regional/National competitions. As more information becomes available, we will work with our Member Associations, Leagues and Club Teams to ensure Team Alberta camps will not conflict with team schedules so athletes are able to participate. Once dates are set, Hockey Alberta will solicit input from coaches, scouts, and other personnel within our scouting network to determine a short list of players. Invitations will then be issued from the Hockey Alberta office.
Will the U18 Female and U16 Male High Performance Camps be the same structures as previous years?
No. Each camp will have a smaller number of teams and neither camp will have more than two teams per camp.
Will the WHL Cup and U18 Nationals be hosted in their original time frame?
Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, and the other Member Branches are currently reviewing the situation. An update to this FAQ document will be provided once more information is provided. The 2020 U18 Nationals scheduled for November 1-7 in Dawson Creek, B.C., were postponed to 2021.
For more information, contact Kendall Newell, Manager, Female Hockey
