Coach of the Month - December

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta’s Coach of the Month for December is Mark Fournier of Smoky River.

Mark is currently the Head Coach of the Smoky River Smoky Seed Bantams and the Assistant Coach of the Smoky River Novice Richardson Pioneers.

"One of the things I enjoy the most about coaching year after year is seeing their improvement," said Mark. "Having coached some of these kids since they were 3 and coaching them now at 13 is rewarding beyond words. Hockey to me is so much more than just a sport. It is an opportunity that our kids have when coached properly to learn about respect, team work, leadership, pride, accountability, disappointment, perseverance, belonging and commitment. These are skills they will take away with them and use in their everyday lives not only now but as they become adults. It’s important to me that my teams know that the hard work they put in today will always pay off at some point and that in the meantime, it’s also important to have fun!"

"Mark has always played a key integral role in our Minor Hockey Association since way before his first son started initiation in 2008," said the parent who nominated Mark. "He served as a community at large member on the board, took the referee clinic annually, held many roles, wore many hats including referee in chief, coached the local ladies team and shockingly coached initiation level for nearly 10 years as he always had a child in the program. Everyone knows it takes an exceptionally patient, reasonable and considerate person to coach the little ones, to volunteer your time, encourage them, believe in them when they don’t believe in themselves and listened to the 1000’s of stories they have to tell. The # of 1st goals witnessed, and high fives given would have been nearly impossible to keep track of! Mark continues to empower, mentor and inspire the players, referees and fellow coaches, he is also highly respected by parents, officials, coaches and players! He is a dream to now have at the head of our association, he is passionate about the sport and the success and enjoyment of the sport for all!"

Hockey Alberta’s Coach of the Month award is sponsored by Howies Hockey Tape.

For more details on Hockey Alberta’s Coach of the Month, or to nominate a coach, click here.

RED DEER - The Alberta Female Hockey League is pleased to announce the rosters for the 2018 Midget Elite and Bantam Elite AFHL Prospects games.

Midget Elite Prospects Rosters > | Bantam Elite Prospects Rosters >

Two forwards and one defence from each AFHL team were selected to their respective rosters by AFHL coaches, while goaltenders were selected based on their statistical ranking as of January 10. The coaches chosen to represent the North and South teams in each league are from the first and second place teams within each division.

Both AFHL Prospects games are set for February 3 at the NAIT Arena in Edmonton. The Bantam Elite Prospects Game goes at 2:30 p.m., with the Midget Elite Prospects Game to follow at 5:00 p.m.

Prior to each Prospects games, participating players will take part in on-ice goalie and skills sessions, as well as a team-building activity. CCM will also be on site to allow players the chance to try out various pieces of equipment throughout the day.

The 2018 Alberta Cup runs April 25-29 in Spruce Grove.

Register >

All zone camps will take place March 23-25 at the following locations (dates and locations subject to change):

Calgary North and South - East Calgary Twin Arenas
Central - Blackfalds Multiplex
Edmonton - Jubilee Recreation Centre (Fort Saskatchewan)
Northeast - Vegreville Recreation Centre
Northwest - Grant Fuhr/Stu Barnes Arena (Spruce Grove)
South - Pason Centennial Arena (Okotoks)

Please note: The zone boundaries have been re-aligned for the 2018 Alberta Cup, to more closely coincide with the Male Alberta Development Model. Please review the revised zone boundary directory, as players will now attend the appropriate camp based on where they would attend their first tryout for Bantam AAA, unless otherwise indicated. Entire Minor Hockey Associations are within a specific Alberta Cup zone and not split. If you have any questions on the zone boundary changes, please contact Dustin Moore at [email protected] before registering for a zone camp.

Alberta Cup Zone Directory >

2018 Alberta Cup staff announced

Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the staff for each team competing in the 2018 Alberta Cup. A director of operations, coach mentor, head coach, two assistant coaches, and one trainer were selected for each of the eight zone teams.

2018 Team Staff >

The Alberta Cup aids in the identification and selection of potential players for Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta program, with more than 700 players annually trying out for 160 spots (20 positions on each of the eight zone teams).

The Alberta Cup is a comprehensive and unique program, and an absolute grassroots program where every bantam-aged player, regardless of experience or community size, has the opportunity to try out for his Zone team.

In addition to player development, the Alberta Cup also features opportunities for administrators, referees, coaches, therapists and equipment managers to be identified for potential positions at higher level events, such as the World U17 Hockey Challenge and Canada Winter Games.

Click here for more information on the 2018 Alberta Cup.

RED DEER - The next step in the Road to Red Deer is now complete, as Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the full list of staff members for the teams that will represent the province at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

The staff members will join Head Coaches Carla MacLeod and Serge Lajoie on Team Alberta’s U18 Female and U16 Male teams, respectively. MacLeod and Lajoie were named the Head Coaches of Team Alberta in November, officially kicking off the Road to Red Deer.

"We’re very excited about both groups we have assembled to lead Team Alberta at the 2019 Canada Winter Games," said Michael Kraichy, Manager, Team Alberta. "Each staff member brings an immense amount of experience within the game, as well as familiarity with the Team Alberta program. They have all earned the opportunity to represent Alberta, and we look forward to carrying on the province’s rich tradition at the Canada Winter Games."

Team Alberta U18 Female Staff

Team Alberta U16 Male Staff

Competition at the Canada Winter Games runs February 14-23, 2019 for the Male squad, and February 23-March 2 for the Female squad.

CALGARY - Seven Albertans will head to Pyeongchang in February to help Canada earn its third straight Olympic gold medal in Men’s Hockey, as Hockey Canada announced its National Men’s Team roster on Thursday.

Ben Scrivens (Spruce Grove) is one of three goaltenders selected by Team Canada, and will be joined on Canada’s back end by defenders Mat Robinson (Calgary) and Karl Stollery (Camrose).

Rene Bourque (Lac La Biche), Rob Klinkhammer (Lethbridge), Brandon Kozun (Calgary), and Mason Raymond (Cochrane) are among the 14 forwards named to Team Canada.

Team Canada opens its Olympic schedule on Thursday, February 15 at the Kwandong Hockey Centre in Gangneung, when it meets Switzerland in Group A. The gold-medal game is set to take place on February 25.

Alberta will also have representation on the female side at the Olympics, as goaltender Shannon Szabados (Edmonton) and defender Meaghan Mikkelson (St. Albert) were named to the Canada’s National Women’s team roster in December.

Hockey Alberta is proud to unveil a new section at hockeyalberta.ca. Home Ice Feature stories will focus on interesting stories about the individuals and groups who make a difference within the hockey community in Alberta. If you have a suggestion for a Home Ice Feature story, email [email protected].

RED DEER - Seventeen of the top female athletes living north of the 55th parallel have been selected to represent Team Alberta North for the 2018 Arctic Winter Games.

Team Alberta North Female Roster >

Mike Carlsen and Roxy Brocklebank will serve as Team Alberta North Female’s Head Coach and Assistant Coach, respectively. Selection camps ran January 5-7, and saw over 40 athletes turn out to compete for a spot with Team Alberta North.

Hockey Alberta’s Junior Female squad, along with a Bantam Male team, will compete in the Arctic Winter Games March 17-24 in Fort Smith and Hay River, NWT.

Male team selection camp ran December 8-10 in High Prairie, with the roster announced on December 12.

The Arctic Winter Games are the world’s largest northern multi-sport and cultural event. The Arctic Winter Games are a celebration of athletic completion, culture, friendship and cooperation between northern contingents. Athletic competition features sports that enjoy worldwide popularity alongside traditional Arctic Sports and Dene games. The cultural component is a pillar of the Games, featuring visual arts, dance, ceremonies and galas with participants from across the circumpolar region.

Each hockey team is comprised of 17 players and two coaches. Teams participate in a round-robin tournament to determine seeding for medal-round pairings. One gold ulu is awarded in each division. Teams that regularly participate in ice hockey include Alaska, Yukon, Alberta North, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Eligible communities for the Arctic Winter Games are located North of the 55th Parallel.