Ice Times - Edition 19:03

BE ALBERTA BUILT! UNLOCK YOUR PLAYER’S POTENTIAL - REGISTER FOR A SKILLS CAMP TODAY

Registration is ongoing for Alberta Built Skills Camps offered by Hockey Alberta. Your young players can have their potential unlocked at one of the following camps: Small Area Games, Power Edge Pro (PEP), Super Skills, Dynamic Shooting, Developing Defencemen and Goaltender Skills. Camps for March and April are scheduled in numerous locations across the province. ALBERTA BUILT SKILLS CAMPS REGISTRATION >

SPRINGBANK ROCKIES - ONLY THREE MORE DAYS TO VOTE IN CHEVROLET GOOD DEEDS CUP

The Springbank Rockies are the only Alberta team to qualify as a semi-finalist in the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup. Help win $100,000 for an Alberta charity. CLICK HERE to watch the incredible 60 second video. Each view equals one vote. Once you click and watch the FULL video, it registers your vote. The entire hockey community is encouraged to get involved... every age group, every team, every association to help win $100,000 for the Nathan O’Brien Children’s Foundation and The Calgary Food Bank. CHEVROLET GOOD DEEDS CUP >

CANADA WINTER GAMES - EIGHT DAYS AWAY!

Red Deer will be hosting the 2019 Canada Winter Games from February 15 - March 3. The Male Hockey Tournament will run from Feb. 16-22, followed by the Female Tournament from Feb. 24-Mar. 2.

Team Alberta U16 Male round robin games: Saturday, Feb. 16 - 7:30pm - Centrium; Sunday, Feb. 17 - 4:00pm - Centrium; Monday, Feb. 18 - 7:30pm - Centrium --- FULL MALE HOCKEY SCHEDULE >

Team Alberta U18 Female round robin games: Sunday, Feb 24 - 7:30pm - Centrium; Monday, Feb. 25 - 7:30pm - Centrium; Tuesday, Feb. 26 - 7:30pm - Centrium --- FULL FEMALE HOCKEY SCHEDULE >

HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION PARTICIPATING IN THE 2019 BIRDIES FOR KIDS PROGRAM

The Hockey Alberta Foundation has been accepted as a participating charity in the 2019 Birdies for Kids program. This fundraising program is designed so that the Hockey Alberta Foundation will receive 100% of every donation accepted on its behalf and allows for additional funding of up to 50% of the original donations made. MORE INFORMATION >

Visit the Shaw Charity Classic website and select ‘Alberta Hockey Foundation’ to donate online. DONATE NOW >

COACH OF THE MONTH - JANUARY

Hockey Alberta’s Coach of the Month for January, sponsored by Players Bench Team Apparel, is Ron Laferriere of Wainwright. READ MORE >

The Coach of the Month award is presented every month during the Minor Hockey season, based on nominations submitted to Hockey Alberta. One minor hockey coach will be selected each month from October through March and will receive a coaching package from Players Bench Team Apparel valued at over $500, which includes a helmet, gloves, track suit, coach bag, puck bag, rink board, and coaching resources.

Nominations are open throughout the 2018-19 season. NOMINATION FORM >

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES SUMMER HOCKEY SCHOOL

Hockey Alberta, in partnership with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Lethbridge Minor Hockey are running an incredible development opportunity for young athletes to learn from Hurricanes staff and Hurricanes players. The camp will be open to Novice, Atom and Peewee players. Utilizing the support of Hockey Alberta to instill the values of the Long Term Player Development Model the Hurricanes staff look forward to supporting the next generation of Lethbridge Hurricanes players!

For more information, please contact Matt Weninger, Regional Manager, South - 403-380-0195. REGISTER >

DISTINGUISHED LEADERS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS

Two outstanding post-secondary students have received Distinguished Leader status from the 2018 Future Leaders Development Program. Brett Ponich and Jake Wozney will each receive a $3,000 scholarship for their work during the Development weekend and Team Alberta Male U16 Summer Camp in Camrose. READ MORE >

Registration is now being accepted for the 2019 Future Leaders Development Weekend, taking place in Red Deer, May 3-5. REGISTER NOW >

BAMFORD DONATION HIGHLIGHTS HOMETOWN HOCKEY WEEKEND

The Gord Bamford Foundation provided a $10,000 donation to The Hockey Alberta Foundation, live on Rogers Hometown Hockey in Leduc on Februrary 3. Bamford was one of the special guests in attendance as part of Rogers Hometown Hockey, and he showed his love for the sport, and the kids who play hockey, in two ways. When Bamford took to the stage for a song, he was proudly sporting a Team Alberta jersey. Then, he presented Tim Leer, the Executive Director of the Hockey Alberta Foundation, with a cheque for $10,000 in support of the Every Kid Every Community program. READ MORE >

2019 HIGH PERFORMANCE 1 APPLICATIONS OPEN

Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 High Performance 1 coaching seminar, being held in Red Deer from July 16-21.

The NCCP High Performance 1 Seminar will include professional speakers in the delivery of sessions including special teams, planning to perform, offensive/defensive team play, goaltending, game and bench management, ethics in coaching, teambuilding and many more. All Head Coaches coaching Bantam AAA, Midget AAA and Junior A teams that compete in Inter-provincial or National Championships or the highest level as determined by the branch, must be High Performance 1 Certified. APPLY NOW >

PARENTS & PLAYERS GUIDE FEATURE - NUTRITION WHILE TRAVELLING

With many teams heading on the road for tournaments and Provincial Championships, it is always important to plan ahead for your player’s diet. Eating healthy while travelling can be a challenge, but is easier when the team is on the same page with the same goals! When on the road, pack items that can last without refrigeration for a few days, ie. bananas, trail mix, whole-grain bagels, and/or nut butters. If you keep a cooler in your car, other snacks you could pack include unsweetened yogurt products, cut up veggies and dip, hard-boiled eggs and/or hummus! Out of town tournaments are often associated with eating at restaurants. For more information and resources, check out the Parents tab at the Hockey Alberta website. RESOURCES >

LET’S RECOGNIZE OUR PEOPLE!

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Hockey Alberta Awards. You can nominate a deserving individual for any of the following awards: Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Official of the Year or the Award of Merit. You may also nominate an outstanding team for Team of the Year. This is a chance to recognize the outstanding people in your organization. The deadline for nominations in April 15. HOCKEY ALBERTA AWARDS NOMINATION FORM >

TEAMMATES HELPING TEAMMATES RAFFLE

Throughout the hockey season many team focus fundraising efforts on a charity of choice to support. We hope you will consider your teammates at the Hockey Alberta Foundation as your hockey charity of choice. We have launched the Teammates helping Teammates raffle in support of the Every Kid Every Community Grant Program. There are only 100 tickets available, with two identical grand prizes available: 25 tickets to the Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks game on Friday, March 29, and transportation via motorcoach to and from Scotiabank Saddledome. Tickets are available for $100 each and can be purchased by cash, cheque or credit card by contacting the Hockey Alberta Foundation office or completing the online form.

THANK YOU TO ATB FINANCIAL

ATB Financial hosted a fundraising event at Bo’s Bar and Grill, in Red Deer, on January 19. The Hockey Alberta Foundation would like to extend their thanks to Curtis Stange, John Windwick, and ATB for including the Foundation as the beneficiaries for the evening and for their continued support. Check out their feature article on Team Alberta U18 Female coach Carla MacLeod --- Coach knows preparation is key for Canada Winter Games >

ARE YOU READY TO VOLUNTEER AT THE ALLAN CUP?

The Lacombe Generals are hosting the 2019 Canadian Senior AAA hockey championship - the Viking Projects Allan Cup, April 8-13 in Lacombe. If you are interested in tickets, sponsorship or being a Volunteer at the event, email [email protected] or check out the Generals’ website. GO TO THE WEBSITE >

STORIES IN THE HOCKEY WORLD

Innisfail Province - Innisfailian behind bench at Canada Winter Games

Rocky View Weekly - Springbank Rockies make top 10 of Good Deeds Cup

Regina Leader-Post - Lacombe Generals wrap season, clinch first in ACHW

Lethbridge News Now - Funding approved for World U-17 Hockey Challenge

RED DEER - It was another banner year for Alberta’s collegiate athletes as Canada West announced its year-end honours on Wednesday.

Seven Albertans - three in Men’s Hockey and four in Women’s Hockey, were recognized for their outstanding seasons.

Canmore’s Luke Philp (University of Alberta) repeated as the Canada West Player of the Year, while Edmonton’s Grayson Pawlenchuk (University of Alberta) was named the Rookie of the Year. Sherwood Park native Riley Kieser (University of Alberta) was honoured with the Student-Athlete Community Service Award.

Both Philp and Pawlenchuk are Team Alberta alumni, with Philp winning bronze with Alberta at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.

It was a clean-sweep for Albertans in Women’s Hockey, with all four awards going to Team Alberta alumni. Edmonton native Alex Poznikoff (University of Alberta) earned top honours as the Canada West Player of the Year, Okotoks’ Breanne Trotter (Mount Royal University) was named the Rookie of the Year, and the Student Athlete Community Service Award went to Anna Purschke (Mount Royal University) of Sherwood Park. Former Team Alberta Coach Howie Draper (University of Alberta) was named Coach of the Year.

Poznikoff won a bronze medal with Team Alberta at the 2013 National Women’s U18 Championship, and again at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Draper coached the bronze-medal winning 2015 team, and also led Team Alberta to gold at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.

RED DEER - The Canada Winter Games attract volunteers and spectators from all walks of life, but for one volunteer, the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer are particularly special.

Billings, a Red Deer native, was back in his hometown during the winter months for the first time in nearly ten years, as he and his wife both volunteered for the 2019 games.

According to Billings, it was important for him to take part in the Canada Winter Games in his hometown, as he was part of the inaugural games in 1967. In fact, Billings was a member of the gold medal-winning University of Alberta Golden Bears, who represented Alberta at the games.

"It makes me feel old, for one thing," said Billings on volunteering for the Canada Winter Games 52 years after winning gold. "I’m glad to still be here to enjoy it, and it probably means more to me now than when it happened, because I understand things a little better, you know, you cherish things more. I’m excited for all the young kids too, I’m looking forward to seeing it and being a part of it again."

Billings said as time passed by, he gained a greater appreciation for the one-in-a-lifetime experience in 1967.

"I didn’t really understand it all back then, I was just 19 years old, and in my first year of University," he said. "It was just exciting to be part of it. We played in the Quebec Coliseum, the building that Jean Beliveau built, that’s exciting. You walk in there, and you look up and see all these guys and say ’wow, I can’t believe I’m here’. Then we finally won, and that was hard to accept, we sat there and thought ’wow, did we really do this’? Then it hits home after awhile, and just like anything that you win, it was surreal."

Billings had the honour of representing the historic 1967 Men’s Hockey team at the 2019 Canada Winter Games Opening Ceremonies as well, as was selected as one of the final torch-bearers.

Although 52 years have passed, Billings said he still carries fond memories of the 1967 Canada Winter Games, and is looking forward to make new memories in 2019.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the leadership group for Team Alberta’s U18 Female team for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Danielle Serdachny (Edmonton) will captain Team Alberta, with Kassy Betinol (Okotoks), Teghan Inglis (Okotoks) and Isabelle Lajoie (St. Albert) serving as Assistant Captains.

Team Alberta kicks off play round-robin play against Team BC on Sunday at 7:30pm, with games against Nova Scotia and Ontario set for Monday and Tuesday at 7:30pm, respectively. All games are at the Centrium at Westerner Park.

RED DEER - Team Alberta rebounded from an 8-4 semi-final loss with a 12-0 win over Saskatchewan Friday night to claim the bronze medal in Men’s Hockey at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

In the second matchup of the tournament between the two teams, Alberta avenged a 4-3 overtime loss to Saskatchewan on Saturday.

Matt Savoie opened the scoring for Alberta late in the first period, and added two more to open the second period for a natural hat-trick. Savoie also had two assists for a five-point game, and finished the Canada Winter games with 13 points.

Alberta saw six more tallies in the second as part of an eight-goal period, and three more in the third. Craig Armstrong (2), Dylan Guenther (2), Tyson Laventure, Zack Stringer, Olen Zellweger, Owen MacNeil and Marc Lajoie all scored goals for Alberta in the win. Guenther added three assists to also finish the tournament with 13 points, tied for the team lead with Savoie.

Alberta goaltender Drew Sim stopped all 37 shots he faced to earn the shutout win.

The Canada Winter Games take a one-day break on Saturday before re-starting for Week Two on Sunday, when Team Alberta U18 Female kicks off their quest for gold at 7:30pm at the Centrium.

Game Stats > | Game One Recap > | Game Two Recap > | Game Three Recap > | Quarter Final Recap >

Semi Final Recap > | Team Alberta Roster > | Team Alberta CWG Guide > | Full Schedule/Standings >

RED DEER - Sixteen outstanding young Albertans will hit the ice in Calgary on Saturday for the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Global Girls Hockey Game.

In addition to the game itself, athletes will participate in skills clinics, visit the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and take in presentations from guest speakers.

The Global Girls Game goes at 3pm at the Flames Community Rink.

The sixteen Bantam-aged Albertans participating in the Global Game are:

About the Global Game

The Global Game embodies the spirit of enjoyment, teamwork, and collaborating with those from diverse backgrounds. This unique game starts on Saturday and will be played in 28 different countries before being handed off to Canada to play the final segment of the game. A cumulative score is kept across all 28 countries between Team White and Team Blue with a winner being declared after the Canadian portion of the game. The goal this game is to unite all females currently playing hockey as one global family.