Hockey Alberta’s 2023 Year in Review

RED DEER – The 2023 hockey season was an eventful one. Hockey Alberta wants to highlight all the amazing athletes, coaches, volunteers, teams and people that are intertwined into the fabric of the sport across the province.

To celebrate the achievements of those who made an impact throughout the season, Hockey Alberta wanted to recognize 10 stories from this past year that represent what the game of hockey should be about in this year’ version of the Year in Review.

Without further ado, here are those impactful stories from the year 2023.

Hayleigh Craig’s journey to USports ran through the National Women’s U18 Championship

Hayleigh Craig is a key member on the fifth ranked Alberta Golden Pandas hockey team, but before she was trying to help the Pandas win its ninth USports national championship she was competing for Team Alberta at the 2019 National Women’s U18 Championship in Morden and Winkler, Manitoba. The female game has taken a huge leap even since 2019 in the province, as Craig’s team finished sixth at the event, while the 2023 edition of the U18 squad qualified for the bronze medal game. Female hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in Alberta with nearly 8,000 females participating in the sport. There are several initiatives to continue that growth, such as Female Hockey Day, Global Girls Game and World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend.

HAYLEIGH CRAIG’S JOURNEY >

Hockey Alberta giving an assist

Hockey Alberta believes everybody should have the opportunity to play hockey. The Hockey Alberta Foundation raised or donated more than $1.8 million that was used to support over 80 communities and programs across the province for the 2022-23 season. These programs included: the 11.4 Maltreatment Campaign, school programs, Female Hockey Day, Every Kid Every Community (EKEC) grants, Future Leaders, Hockey Alberta Member Grant, Who’s Hockey and volunteer recognition. Some examples of where these funds are going: Hockey Alberta raised $150,000 for the Every Kid Every Community program while the foundation also awards a maximum of $20,000 per member organization as part of the Hockey Alberta Member Grant - supported by the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. Hockey Alberta also donated $90,000 towards Andrew Ladd’s 1616 campaign, a 16-week mental, physical and social wellbeing experience for youth hockey teams. The Hockey Alberta Foundation supports those who need us, those who lead us and those who came before us.

HOCKEY ALBERTA GIVING AN ASSIST FOR GIVINGTUESDAY >

When Connection Meets Opportunity

Once his playing career was over, 23-year-old Brett Kramers started his coaching journey when he was 18, becoming the goaltending coach with South Side Athletic Club. After going through Hockey Alberta’s development programs, five years later he is the youngest head coach in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) assuming the role of bench boss with the U17 AAA Fort Saskatchewan South Fort Chev Rangers. Kramers was given the chance to advance quickly due to the opportunities available to young coaches in the province. Future Coaches and Future Leaders programs are designed to develop and train young coaches who have shown an interest in the position. Coaches can progress to volunteer coaching positions for various Spring Showcase events which are core Hockey Alberta Elite Development program that provides athletes, staff and on-ice officials an opportunity to grow for the next step in their hockey journey.

BRETT KRAMERS STORY >

ALBERTA CUP >

ALBERTA CHALLENGE >

PROSPECTS CUP >

COACH DEVELOPMENT >

Rob Virgil and Loren Krukowski recognized as Hockey Alberta Life Members

Hockey Alberta celebrated two new Life Members in 2023 - Loren Krukowski and Rob Virgil – recognizing their decades of volunteer service to minor hockey in the province. Life Member is the highest and most prestigious honour that may be bestowed by Hockey Alberta, and recognizes the integral roles played by thousands of volunteers across the province in ensuring that amateur hockey operates on a daily basis at the grassroots regional and provincials levels. Krukowski started his volunteer work in Warburg; Virgil in Edmonton. A candidate for Life Member will have enhanced the recognition of Hockey Alberta at the National or International level, and/or made an outstanding contribution to the development of hockey in Alberta.

LIFE MEMBERS INDUCTIONS >

VIRGIL INDUCTION >

LIFE MEMBERS EVENING >

Everyone needs a Budd

Selected as Hockey Alberta’s 2023 Player of the Year presented by ATB, goaltender Ryley Budd made more of an impact than just his .916 save percentage. The 15-year-old from Calgary, who played in the Alberta Elite Hockey League, made waves off the ice when he teamed up with EnerCorp where he donated $1 for every save and $10 for every shutout to donate to HEROS Hockey. The Hockey Alberta Player of the Year is given out annually to a player who has achieved significant achievements, performances and contributions within amateur hockey during the current season, and is one of the Hockey Alberta Awards presented annually to deserving recipients across the province.

EVERYONE NEEDS A BUDD >

2023 Induction Class for the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame

The 2023 Induction Class for the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame highlighted two areas of significant growth in our sport.

Karen Kost was honoured for the 34 years she spent as a hockey referee, linesperson, mentor, instructor and administrator. She officiated at almost every level of hockey nationally and internationally and was the first female official in Canada to earn Level 5 certification. Officials recruitment and development is a key responsibility for Hockey Alberta - ensuring every game across the province has trained and certified officials, and providing opportunities for qualified officials to work at higher levels, including world championship events.

OFFICIALS >

ALBERTAN OFFICIALS SELECTED FOR IIHF EVENTS >

The Edmonton Chimos, from 1983-1993, were honoured for their decade of excellence in women’s hockey. Over the course of the decade, the Chimos earned three gold medals, four silver medals, and three bronze medals at the national championships, marking not only their dominance but also their leadership in the growth of women’s hockey in Alberta.

ELITE FEMALE >

JUNIOR FEMALE >

MINOR FEMALE HOCKEY >

ALBERTA HOCKEY HALL OF FAME >

KAREN KOST AND EDMONTON CHIMOS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION >

You belong, Maltreatment does not

Racism has no place in our game. After overhearing racial slurs during one of their games, the Hinton Havocs decided to act, including entering Hockey Alberta’s Maltreatment Awareness contest (in partnership with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation), to bring awareness to Maltreatment happening in the game. Eliminating maltreatment from hockey is a significant focus for Hockey Alberta. November 2022 saw the inaugural Maltreatment Awareness Day (11.4 Day), and the day was recognized again in 2023 with Hockey Alberta partnering with 17 AAA and AA programs around the province to circulate ‘These Don’t Belong’ banners. Hockey Alberta is also accepting applications for Hockey Alberta’s Local Hockey Leaders EDI Grant, to help minor hockey organizations across the province in how they deal with equity, diversity and inclusion challenges. The program provides up to $5,000 in funding towards general EDI fundamentals training, or a specific awareness and education project.

YOU BELONG, MALTREATMENT DOES NOT >

A family affair

Hockey is a family affair for the Obobaifo brothers. After their parents moved to Alberta from Nigeria, Charles, Aaron, and Kyle fell in love with the game and the sibling love and rivalry followed. The trio of brothers have been mainstays in Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta development programs, with Charles participating in the Prospects Cup and Alberta Cup; Kyle in the Prospects Cup in 2022; and Aaron at the Canada Winter Games. Team Alberta programming is crucial to the development of players in Alberta. The Prospects Cup and Alberta Cup features opportunities for minor hockey players to be identified for potential positions at higher level events such as the WHL Cup, Canada Winter Games, World U17 Hockey Challenge, World Junior A Challenge and World Junior Hockey Championships. On the female side, the Alberta Challenge is a core Hockey Alberta Female Development program, providing players, coaches, therapists, equipment managers, administrators and referees an equal opportunity to discover the great qualities of competitive hockey.

A FAMILY AFFAIR >

Just go for it

Sadie Makokis knows a thing or two about representing Team Alberta. Makokis is a freshman defender for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, and was able to end her minor hockey career on a positive note. During the 2022-23 season, she laced up the skates for her province at the Canada Winter Games and at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship where she represented the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. In 2023 Hockey Alberta partnered with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta to oversee and coordinate the selection process for the coaches and players representing the province of Alberta at the championships. It also includes recruiting and selecting the Indigenous coaching staff, registration and selection camp for the players looking to participate in the tournament, team training, and designing the uniforms.

JUST GO FOR IT >

National Volunteer Week: Ben Woodlock

Teenager Ben Woodlock proves that volunteers can come in all ages. After having undergone two kidney transplants and his small stature, his future playing the sport he loved became uncertain. Insert Geoff Giacobbo, the head coach for the AEHL’s U15 St. Albert Raiders Sabres who approached Ben to join him on the staff last season as an apprentice coach. Volunteers are an integral part of the sport. Janet Fairless (Grimshaw) was named the 2023 Hockey Alberta Volunteer of the Year. Fairless has volunteered with Hockey Alberta for over a decade in a variety of roles including serving on the Minor Administration Committee, volunteering with Junior B teams, and has been a registrar with senior male and female teams. Hockey Alberta has recognized several volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the game of hockey.

BEN’S INSPIRING STORY >

VOLUNTEERS >

VOLUNTEER CONTACTS >

FORT MCMURRAY – The focus is on Fort McMurray, as Hockey Alberta hosts its annual Female Hockey Day celebrations at the Frank Lacroix Arena this weekend.

Female Hockey Day, presented by ATB, celebrates female hockey, and brings together players, coaches, officials, parents, and volunteers to participate in the continued development and growth of female hockey, January 26-27.

While Fort McMurray is the hosting site for this year’s event, 12 other communities in Alberta are hosting Female Hockey Day celebrations, thanks to grant money provided by the Hockey Alberta Foundation. Different events are planned in Castor and Coronation (3Cs), Fort Saskatchewan, Grovedale, Jasper, Lacombe (Lacoka), Slave Lake, Smoky River, Spruce Grove, Vermilion, and Whitecourt. Lakeland College and Lloydminster as well as Thorhild and Redwater are co-hosting events.

“Female Hockey Day is a great way to celebrate all aspects of the girls’ game across Alberta,” said Morgen Kidney, Hockey Alberta’s coordinator of female hockey. “It’s exciting to see how many associations will be joining in this weekend through their own events; we have over a dozen MHAs hosting in conjunction with our main event in Fort McMurray. We’re thrilled to be up here for 2024 and to focus and celebrate the growth they’ve had over the past few seasons.”

In Fort McMurray there are several events taking place over the weekend for registered teams and youth hockey players. Day 1 features sessions on Goal Scoring and Defensive Skills. The Goal Scoring session allows skaters to learn how to apply their offensive skills to the game, while the Defensive Skills program focuses on improving defensive skills, tactics, and fundamentals. A school program is also taking place at Good Shepherd Community School.

Day 2 allows youth females to play the sport for the first time with a Try Hockey event. This will be used to learn the basics and get a feel for the game. Try Hockey includes both an on-ice session and off-ice activity/ classroom session. In the afternoon, Goaltending Development is the focus for current female goaltenders, with a variety of fundamentals covered by some of Alberta’s best goaltending instructors.

Female Hockey Day was first celebrated in 2018, and has previously visited Red Deer, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, and Calgary before coming to Fort McMurray.

Celebrating Female Hockey Day in your own community? Share with us by tagging Hockey Alberta on social media and use the hashtag - #whyweplay.

For more information on Female Hockey Day, visit https://www.hockeyalberta.ca/players/minor-female-hockey/female-hockey-day/.

FEMALE HOCKEY DAY KICKING OFF IN FORT MCMURRAY

Female Hockey Day is taking place this weekend in Fort McMurray. The event features on and off-ice sessions for current and aspiring players - all to celebrate female hockey. Make sure you register if you haven’t already!

MORE DETAILS >

VIEW THE REST OF THE ICE TIMES NEWSLETTER >

RED DEER – Going from being a professional hockey player to retirement can be tough for some athletes.

For former NHL defenceman Cory Sarich, he found a relatively smooth transition from the ice to the broadcast booth.

Sarich played parts of 15 seasons in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche, suiting up in 969 games, amassing 158 points and over 1,000 penalty minutes while also appearing in 57 playoff games. He won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with Tampa Bay.

He transitioned to the broadcasting world once he retired, making a regular appearance on the Sportsnet telecast as an intermission analyst during Calgary Flames home games.

“I’d had people mention it towards the end of my career. I think conveying my thoughts while on camera, it never seemed to be much of an issue for me,” Sarich said of his post hockey career which also includes a number of charity events, such as Glencross Invitational that took place in October. The charity hockey tournament raises funds for the Hockey Alberta Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities® Alberta.

“Maybe it’s because I talk a lot too. Someone told me ‘Hey we think you might be good at filling some air time and filling some dead air’.”

Photo: Ellery Platts

While Sarich has made the move to the media look smooth, he said it wasn’t something that he actively pursued.

“I knew when I was done hockey that I was going to take time for my family. Now I have a bunch of teenagers so I’m starting to have a bit more time on my hands, but it’s not easy, the transition into post career,” Sarich said. “I am at a great spot in my career now, as a freelancer of sorts with Sportsnet. I still have lots of time with my family, and it’s in a great spot. Some athletes are very prepared, some are a little more unprepared, but you just kind of roll with the punches after your career is done.”

While making that career move wasn’t planned or necessarily thought out, Sarich always had a lot of respect for those who did the job while he was playing.

“At times you have different relationships as a player with the media. At times you think they know nothing and other times you think ‘you know what they can help boost my career’,” Sarich said. “I always tried to treat people with the utmost respect, and it always seemed very interesting to me. The way that they come up with stories, the time and commitment they put into following one specific team, players, whatever it is.

He said he was also fortunate to have some quality people help him with the move to the other side of the microphone.

“I was fortunate enough to be given a chance by the likes of Roger Millions. Ryan Leslie has put some faith in me, so it’s been an easy transition,” Sarich said. “Especially when you’re talking about the sport of hockey. I’m just trying to learn every day from the professionals. As a player you only get to see one side of it, but now that I’m on the other side, you see the prep work … you can’t just talk about the game itself. You’ve got to dig up stories and have a relationship with the players. You also must find the balance between being complimentary and critical.”

Hockey and broadcasting have more similarities than the average person might recognize, starting with pre-game preparation.

“As a player I was always prepared and you need to be prepared going on TV or radio, just so you aren’t tripping over your own tongue,” Sarich said. “There are some other things that are similar between the two … poise, thinking on your feet, teamwork. It might be Ryan Leslie kicking me under the table, telling me to get out, I’m taking too long, and we need to go to break or bailing me out when that thought doesn’t come into my head. So, there’s a lot of similarities between the two and I’m really enjoying myself.”

RED DEER – Two-time Stanley Cup champion Andrew Ladd and his wife Brandy are ensuring that youth hockey teams across Alberta and North America are focusing on their mental, physical, and social well-being through their 1616 initiative.

1616 focuses on making those three traits a more significant focus for youth hockey. It’s also looking to shift the culture in minor hockey to one that not only emphasizes hockey performance, but also development of character, confidence, and connections through environments both with parents and coaches that promotes this healthy development.

"Having grown up in the game I understand the challenges players face,” said Andrew Ladd. “At 1616 we are intentionally leveraging stories of the top athletes in our game to teach the next generation that in every challenge lies an opportunity to strengthen your mind and grow as a person."

The program is designed by a team of experts to create a 16-module experience with video content from some of the best hockey players in the world including Adam Oates, Blayre Turnbull, and Mark Giordano. It features guided in-person discussion prompts for coaches and parents, as well as on-ice drills to enhance on-ice performance, and challenges to help participants apply 1616 principles.

The benefits of 1616 have already been noticed from players, teams and parents who have previously participated in the initiative. 1616 has grown exponentially, as the pilot project in 2021 had 500 participants across North America.

Since then, it has grown to 88 teams across North America including 36 teams from Alberta in 2022 and more than 200 teams in 2023 with over 100 teams coming from this province.

The Hockey Alberta Foundation has played a key role in the success and growth of 1616, partnering with the Ladd Foundation through two donations totalling $120,000 in the last year.

"This program was recommended to the team by a family physician and we’re having a great experience. My son is very introverted and quiet, and it’s been great for helping him think about how to build more connections with his teammates... and the resilience aspect, seeing famous hockey players have a similar experience as him has been meaningful. At this age of 10-12 years old, they’re starting to understand the world and become self conscious, so it’s great."

1616 Parent/ Caregiver

"I would like to say thank you to the program... I can feel that my son is being shaped and developed mentally along his hockey path. It is much more difficult for parents to communicate or teach our children directly, especially when they are transitioning to teenagers. With the program saying it, the program, coaches and players are actually working as a team, and it seems quite effective. You have full support from our family. Cheers to 1616."

1616 Parent/ Caregiver

In the 2023 season 1616 expanded its reach. The program launched a school partnership with Edge School in Calgary where more than 40 families enrolled into a facilitated 1616 experience. The Ladd Foundation also took 1616 and partnered with Jumpstart to bring to bring the experience to new communities across Canada. On top of that, The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers Foundations partnered with 1616 to bring expanded support and awareness to teams across the province, which resulted in more Alberta based teams participating than anywhere else in North America.

“Every parent wants the best for their kids, whether that’s opportunity or health,” Ladd said. “Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to be able to provide those things to their children. We have great compassion for those parents and if we can alleviate some of the stress that comes with facing these issues, we want to help.”

For more information on 1616, registration or placing a donation please visit www.1616.org.

All 2011-born male players, registered with a Hockey Alberta-sanctioned Minor Hockey Association are now able to register for a Regional Camp and try out for the Prospects Cup.

REGISTER HERE >

Positions at the four Regional Camp tryouts are limited and awarded based on the order that registration is completed and confirmed in the online registration system. Regional Camps are scheduled for the weekend of April 12-14 at the following locations:

• South (Olds Sportsplex – Olds)
• Calgary (Don Hartman NESS – Calgary)
• Capital (The Meadows – Edmonton)
• North (Wally Fedun – Vegreville)

REGISTER IN THE CORRECT REGION

Prior to Regional Camp registration, please review the Prospects Cup registration directory to determine in which region your child resides.

2024 PROSPECTS CUP REGISTRATION DIRECTORY >

Athletes are only permitted to register for the region in which they reside and the position (goaltender, defence or forward) for which they wish to be considered for the Prospects Cup. Any athlete who registers for an incorrect region or position may have their registration refunded (less an admin fee) and is not guaranteed a spot at to the Regional Camp tryout, subject to position availability in the correct region.

Please ensure you have your athlete’s Alberta Health Number when registering. This is a required field. Player Hockey ID numbers are not required.

The cost to participate in a Regional Camp is $250 (plus tax and admin fee) and includes:

• Four ice sessions
• One practice jersey
• Three zoom webinars in March to help athletes prepare for the Regional Camp, and learn more about Short Term Competition, and the Team Alberta program.

Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent to the billing email. Athletes who register will be sent webinar information in February. Approximately one week prior to Regional Camp weekend, rosters and schedules for the tryouts are sent to each player.

REGIONAL CAMP WAIT LISTS

It is expected that registration will fill up quickly on January 22. In the event the region and position your child falls within, or the registration in its entirety is sold out at the time you try and register, do not attempt to register for another position or camp. Instead, please do the following:

• Email Hudson Kelly ([email protected]) to be added to a waitlist
• In your email, provide the following information for the player you are looking to add to the waitlist:
  • Full name,
  • Position (F,D,G),
  • Region (South, Calgary, Capital, North)
  • Date of Birth
  • Current team

PROSPECTS CUP

Two teams of 20 players are selected from each Regional Camp to compete at the Prospects Cup, May 8-12. The cost for those selected for the Prospects Cup is being finalized (usually approximately $1000 per player) and includes:

• 5 days and 4 nights of accommodations and meals (including busing to offsite meals) at the event
• One practice on Wednesday of the event
• One practice on either Thursday or Friday
• 4 games from Thursday – Sunday
• Team jersey and socks
• Team Alberta apparel