Pickleball FUNdraiser Corporate Charity Challenge Kicks Off at Westerner Park

RED DEER – The inaugural Pickleball FUNdraiser Corporate Charity Challenge took place at Westerner Park on January 24, bringing together local businesses, sports enthusiasts, and community leaders for a day of friendly competition and charitable giving. The event, presented by Nathan Giesbrecht & Associates – IG Private Wealth Management, was a collaborative effort between The Hockey Alberta Foundation and The Outreach Centre. As a result of the event’s success and generous support, $30,000 was raised for the Hockey Alberta Foundation and Outreach Center. Dustin Moore from The Outreach Centre explained where the funds will go, saying, "The event will be split between both charities. It will support programs and services at The Outreach Centre and help kids get involved in hockey, growing the game for the Hockey Alberta Foundation across Alberta." Nathan Giesbrecht shared the planning behind the event, saying, "We wanted to come up with something different that’s not golf or hockey." He added, "Let’s raise some money for a great cause."

With a fun twist on the game’s classic name, the tournament featured two divisions – the Dill Division and the Garlic Division. A total of 80 teams participated, competing in a round-robin format to determine the rankings for the final rounds. Each team played three matches, with scores helping to decide the final matchups. Kevin Watson from Team Pickleballers claims, "It’s been a fun day. For the first time ever, there are lots of people here, and they’re all having fun". During the day, a spirited celebrity Pickleball Showdown took place, with the hosts of the Oh, Deer podcast—Strybosch, Walsh, Dustin, and Lund—facing off in the day’s "feature" game. The friendly yet competitive match offered a lighthearted break for attendees, showcasing the personalities of the local podcast crew in a fun, athletic setting.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Giesbrecht noted, "It’s been a resounding success, from the sponsorship perspective. All the sponsors have stepped up to say we are excited to be here". Tim Leer, Director of Partnership and Marketing at Hockey Alberta, expressed excitement about the future, saying, "We aim to build on the success of year one, increase the number of corporate sponsors, and raise even more money for these two great charities".

Congratulations to Lime-Green Realty for being the first-ever FUNdraiser Pickleball Champions! And a heartfelt thank you to the many sponsors, volunteers, and the planning committee whose hard work made the event a success. Their efforts ensured everything ran smoothly and helped create a fun, memorable day for all involved.

As the 2025 hockey season unfolds, a notable trend is taking shape across Alberta: all-female officiating teams are taking the ice and making their mark. These ground-breaking women are not just blowing the whistle—they’re breaking down barriers, paving the way for future generations of women in the sport, and showing the world that officiating is an arena where talent, leadership, and passion know no gender.

One of the most exciting milestones occurred at the U18AAA AFHL Showcase in Red Deer, held at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on December 21. For the first time in the event’s history, an all-female officiating crew was in charge of the game, setting a powerful example for the young athletes on the ice.

“I always get so happy knowing I’ll be skating with an all-female crew,” said Neve Palmer, official with Hockey Alberta. “There’s a mutual understanding and bond between us female officials, and it’s really nice being able to skate with a whole team of us who go through the same things officials go through every game”.

This breakthrough didn’t just stop in Red Deer. The Circle K Classic in Calgary from December 27 - January 1, which is an international hockey tournament, also featured an all-female officiating team, further reinforcing the role of women in officiating at high-level events.

“Knowing that they trusted us to do a good job allowed me to feel like there is real progress being made for women officials in this province” said Kennedy Roblin, official with Hockey Alberta.

But the momentum didn’t stop there. On January 5, 2025, another all-female officiating crew hit the ice at the Meadow Arena in Edmonton for a U15AA game. This continued success reflects the growing recognition of women in officiating roles and signals that we’re headed toward a future where gender is no longer a factor in officiating talent.

Why More Female Officials Matter

As the presence of female officials grows, the impact on the sport will be felt in many ways. Here are just a few of the positive outcomes that come from having more women in the officiating ranks:

1. Role Models for Future Generations: Female athletes playing in games officiated by women are more likely to see officiating as a legitimate career path for themselves. It’s about showing that there are no limits to what women can achieve in hockey, whether as players, coaches, or officials.
2. Improved Game Dynamics: Diverse perspectives in officiating contribute to better decision-making. Female officials may bring different viewpoints and experiences, which can lead to more balanced and fair calls in games. Women in officiating positions often serve as strong advocates for sportsmanship, respect, and fairness on the ice. This can contribute to a healthier game culture, as players may be more inclined to demonstrate respect for authority when the officials reflect their diversity.
3. Building Leadership Skills: Officiating is more than just about making calls—it’s about leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Being part of an officiating crew teaches life skills that go far beyond the rink, helping women build careers and leadership roles outside of hockey.

Advice for Aspiring Female Officials

For young women considering a future in officiating, the path may seem intimidating, but it’s one worth pursuing. As Roblin advises, “I would highly recommend it. It has given me great life skills that have helped me in my life outside of officiating. I have made countless friends that has opened up opportunities for me career wise. There will be bumps along the way, as any other official can tell you, but if you surround yourself with people you can trust, there is no limit to what you can accomplish in officiating”.

Palmer agrees, adding, “Stick with it! And if you have the option in your area, please try to officiate as many female hockey games as you can! The reason why I am still officiating, after 11 years, is the community, friendships, and support I receive from the female development program”.

“It’s never too late to get involved,” said Liam MacIsaac, Officiating Manager at Hockey Alberta. “At the end of the day, officiating should be something you enjoy. Stay passionate about the game, and don’t forget why you got into it in the first place”.

As we move further into 2025, it’s clear that the landscape of hockey officiating is changing for the better. The rise of all-female officiating teams is just one example of how women are making their mark in the sport, and the impact is felt not just on the ice but across the entire hockey community.

Looking Ahead

As more and more women step into officiating roles, the future of hockey looks brighter, more inclusive, and more empowering than ever before. With the support of organizations, mentors, and a growing network of women in the field, the sky’s the limit for future generations of female officials. Here’s to a future where gender no longer matters—only passion, talent, and dedication to the game.

LEDUC - From January 16-19, 48 teams gathered across Alberta for the inaugural U11AA Showcase, held around five arenas. This event marked a significant milestone in the development of young hockey players, providing an opportunity for some of the best 9 and 10-year-olds in the province to come together, showcase their skills, and compete at the elite level.

Taylor Stiles, Host Chair, Leduc Hosting Committee, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "This is an amazing opportunity to showcase our young athletes. Our 9 and 10-year-olds are some of the best hockey players in Alberta at this age group, and we have teams from across Alberta. This is just a great opportunity for all to come together, showcase our abilities, compete against each other, and hopefully have a really great weekend."

With only six weeks left before playoffs, this showcase served as a crucial test for many of the teams, allowing them to face off against some of the best competition in the province. It was the perfect opportunity to gauge where each team stood regarding development. "This is the time for our teams to be tested, to play the best teams in the province, and see how good they are," Deibert added.

The U11 Player Pathway is designed to help young players realize their full potential, and this showcase was the first of its kind. Hockey Canada has emphasized that player development should always remain the top priority. By creating an environment that fosters growth, the U11 Player Pathway benefits the players and their families.

Dana Henfrey, U11AA Chair, highlighted one of the key takeaways from the event: "The divisions playing against other divisions for the first time this season and the networking that’s going to happen because of that. It’s a great chance to meet and greet before provincials."

The showcase also underscored the importance of developing young hockey talent across the province. "I think young hockey in Alberta has a great opportunity with this elite level at such a young age, but our priority is still development," said Henfrey. "These kids get to play elite hockey against other elite athletes and develop simultaneously, and that goes for our coaches and officials as well."

Morgen Kidney, Minor Leagues Coordinator with Hockey Alberta, expressed pride in the event’s success, saying that with 48 teams across 5 sites, "We see a ton of different levels of skill at this age group, but for development, it’s awesome to be able to see them play against each other and see what the whole province has to offer."

Ultimately, the key takeaway is the development of all teams, as they were matched up in pools with similar skill levels, fostering growth and a competitive environment for everyone involved.

The event ended in a thrilling championship game, in which the Lethbridge Hurricanes remained undefeated and emerged as champions. Congratulations to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on their victory and to all participants for making this first-ever U11 AA Showcase a resounding success. As Alberta continues to nurture its young hockey talent, this event marks the beginning of more opportunities for growth and development in the years to come.

U11AA SHOWCASE MEDIA GALLERY >

Registration for the 2025 Prospects Cup Regional Camps has reached capacity.

To be placed on a waitlist, please email [email protected].

RED DEER – Twenty-one players from across the province have been named to the NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Tri-City Americans defenceman Jackson Smith (Calgary) ranked at number 9 among North American Skaters on the list, a ranking within a list of players who are projected to be taken in the first round of the NHL draft. Forwards Braeden Cootes (Sherwood Park) and Nathan Behm (Calgary) ranked at number 21 and 31 respectively.

Goaltender Jake Pilon (Calgary) made the North American goalie rankings at number 23.

The full list of Albertans named to the Central Scouting Midterm Rankings can be found below:

At the end of the 2023-2024 season Hockey Alberta launched the pilot for the Player Pledge initiative, encouraging teams competing in Provincials and the Spring Showcase to become involved.

Now, for the remainder of the 24/25 season, we are excited to issue this new call to action by launching the Player Pledge and Online Player Program engagement opportunities. These programs are designed to encourage teams, associations, and players to promote inclusivity and respect in the sport of hockey.

We are asking for your action, continued help, support and leadership as we guide Hockey in Alberta towards new, innovative, and more inclusive practices.

Change starts within, we invite and challenge all teams to participate in a team building activity, recognize the Player Pledge and commit to actions of safety, inclusion, and respect throughout the remainder of this 2024-2025 season.

Player Pledge: is a commitment directly from teams and players to promote inclusivity, respect and teamwork with the concept of “it starts with us”. Players and teams can join this one-of-a-kind movement to make hockey a place for everyone.

View the Social Media Toolkit and visit the Player Pledge website for more details on how to get started.

Online Player Education Program: a tailored program specific for U15-U18 teams to elevate their pledge commitment by taking part in some added learning. A collaborative effort with the Western Hockey League and their Respect in Hockey platform, this customized program emphasizes leadership and life skill enhancement and promotes respectful interactions with those around us. Available for the remainder of this season at no cost to the first one hundred U15 & U18 teams. Sign up now, don’t miss the opportunity to get in on the program while it’s free.

View the Social Media Toolkit and visit the Player Education Program website page for more details on how to get started.

As a reminder, follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with all things Player Pledge related.

We hope you join us and look forward to seeing all the great team commitments and engagement!