Twenty-one Albertans named to NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings

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!

All 2010 & 2011-born female players, registered with a Hockey Alberta-sanctioned Minor Hockey Association or Hockey Canada-sanctioned Accredited School, are now able to register for a Regional Camp and try out for the Alberta Challenge.

REGISTER HERE >

Positions at the two 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 4-6 at the following locations:

• Cochrane (Spray Lake Sawmills)
• Beaumont (Beaumont Sport & Recreation Centre)

REGISTER IN THE CORRECT REGION

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

ALBERTA CHALLENGE REGIONAL BOUNDARIES >

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 Alberta Challenge. 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 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 13^th. 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 Danielle Wheeler ([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 (Cochrane or Beaumont)
  • Date of Birth
  • Current Team

ALBERTA CHALLENGE

Three teams of 20 players are selected from each Regional Camp to compete at the Alberta Challenge, April 30-May 4. The cost for those selected for the Alberta Challenge is being finalized (usually approximately $1,100 per player) and includes:

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

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

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