Bauer, Hockey Canada Look To Double The First Shift Next Season

CALGARY- Building on the growing success of The First Shift - a learn-to-play hockey program for kids aged 6-10 - Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada looking to double the number of programs it delivers across the country next season.

With an emphasis on fun, The First Shift allows kids ages 6-10 to easily try hockey for $199, which includes enrollment for a six-week, on-ice curriculum and head-to-toe BAUER equipment that each child can keep. The initiative began in 2012 with four pilot programs in Ontario and Nova Scotia, expanded the following year to 40 programs, and doubled to 80 programs delivered in the 2015-16 hockey season.

“To-date, we’ve introduced more than 4,600 players to the game through The First Shift,” said Mary-Kay Messier, senior director, strategic brand initiatives and partnerships, Bauer Hockey. “The popularity of the program continues to grow for kids and their families, with many of programs having to turn kids away and reaching capacity registration in a matter of days. We’re looking to just about double the number of programs we deliver next season, with a target of 150 The First Shift programs for the 2016-17 season.”

The First Shift was created with the goal of creating an exceptional first experience in hockey not only for young players, but for their entire family.

Based on surveys of families and parents whose children participated in The First Shift, 86 per cent of First Shift participants re-enroll into hockey in the First Shift Transition program, 100 per cent of parents said their kids had fun, and 100 per cent of parents would recommend the program to a friend.

Minor hockey associations asked to register now to bring The First Shift to their community

The First Shift is delivered through minor hockey associations (MHAs) across Canada in partnership with Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada, and relies on volunteer coaches and program administrators to succeed. MHAs interested in applying to bring The First Shift to their community next year are asked to apply now for both fall and winter 2016-17 sessions.

Part of the responsibilities of the MHAs participating in The First Shift include the provision of two blocks of six successive ice sessions on the same day of the week at the same time each day; a space to host the Welcome Event; a commitment to attend program education sessions; and the ability to provide resource personnel to support the delivery of The First Shift program.

“Hockey Canada wants to see more Canadians enjoying the many benefits of hockey - from its ability to support healthy, active lifestyles, to its inherent social outlet and the many life-skills learned from playing in a team environment,” said Paul Carson, vice-president of membership development at Hockey Canada. “Working with Bauer Hockey, The First Shift was developed to specifically meet the needs of those families who are new to hockey and want a fun way for their children to first experience the game.”

RED DEER - The rosters have been announced for Hockey Alberta’s 2016 Alberta Cup.

Eight teams will take to the ice at the Canmore Recreation Centre April 28-May 1. The teams include two from each of Calgary and Edmonton, and one each representing the South, Central, Northeast and Northwest zones of the province.

Twenty 2001-born players comprise each roster, along with volunteers serving as head coach, assistant coaches, trainer, and director of operations. Rosters were selected based on performances at zone camps held March 25-27 throughout the province.

The 2016 Alberta Cup marks the 30th Anniversary of the very first Alberta Cup which was held in Edmonton in 1986.

2016 Alberta Cup Rosters

The teams will play in a four-day, tournament-format competition. The event also features an education seminar hosted by the Western Hockey League (WHL).

“The coaching staffs were faced with some very difficult decisions when it came to selecting the 20 players for each team. For the athletes who have earned a roster spot, congratulations. But the work is just beginning, not just for this edition of the Alberta Cup, but also in the competition to earn a spot on the Team Alberta squad that will compete later this year,” said Michael Kraichy, Hockey Alberta’s manager of Team Alberta.

Eighty players will be invited to the U16 Male Provincial Camp in July. This year, players are also vying for spots on Team Alberta at the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup in October in Calgary.

Alberta Cup graduates include Matt Dumba, Braden Holtby, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Scott Hartnell, Jordan Eberle, Devan Dubnyk, and Andrew Ference.

Click here for more information on the Alberta Cup.

Hockey Alberta is proud to announce the 12 officials that have been selected to officiate at the Western Canada Bantam Championships this week in Okotoks.

The 12 officials are:

Hockey Alberta and the Officiating Committee would like to congratulate each official on their selection.

The Western Canada Bantam Championships run March 31 - April 3 in Okotoks. Click here for the tournament’s website.

Thursday, March 10

IQALUIT - After another busy day of hockey in Nunavut, Team Alberta North skated away from the 2016 Arctic Winter Games with a pair of medals - a gold for the males, and silver for the females.

After finishing round-robin play in second place with a 3-1 record, the male squad drew Team Alaska in the semi-finals, who had a matching 3-1 record.

Team Alberta North edged Alaska 3-2 in the early-morning tilt, and moved on to face NWT in the gold medal final.

Despite a furious comeback by NWT, Alberta North managed to weather the storm and hold on for the 5-4 win, sealing the gold medal.

On the female side, Team Alberta North found themselves in a similar matchup against Team Alaska in the semi-finals, and came out on the winning side of a 2-1 score.

In keeping with the trend, it was a Team Alberta North and NWT gold medal final once again, but this time it was NWT who came away with gold after a 5-1 win.

In other tournament action, Team Alaska landed a pair of bronze medals, as the male squad took down Team Nunavut 9-1, while the females edged the Yukon 2-1.

For the full Arctic Winter Games ice hockey schedule and results, click here.

For more information on the Arctic Winter Games, click here.

Wednesday, March 9

IQALUIT - After the last day of round-robin play at the Arctic Winter Games, both Team Alberta North squads finished with 3-1 records.

The males lost their first game of the tournament Wednesday morning to NWT by a score of 5-0, but rebounded with a 5-2 over Alaska later in the day. The win set up a three-way tie for first place between Team Alberta North, NWT and Alaska.

Through the tie breaker formula, Team Alberta North finished second, and NWT third, so the two teams will meet again bright and early on Thursday at 6 a.m. (MT).

Meanwhile, the females continued to find their stride, winning their second and third straight games on Wednesday after opening the Arctic Winter Games with a loss.

They started the day with a 3-1 win over Team Yukon Wednesday morning, and finished the round-robin on a strong note with an 11-0 triumph over Nunavut.

The pair of wins gave Team Alberta North sole possession of second place on the female side, setting up a semi-final against third-place Alaska Thursday morning at 8:30 (MT).

The winner of each semi-final game will advance to the gold medal final on Thursday evening.

Tuesday, March 8

IQALUIT - Despite experiencing some lengthy delays due to a massive blizzard in Iqaluit, both Team Alberta North squads came up with wins on Day Two of the Arctic Winter Games.

In a game that was supposed to start at 9 a.m. (ET), Team Alberta North Male finally got things going at 6 p.m. (ET) against the Yukon. The extra rest proved benificial for the males, as they cruised to an 11-0 to start the Arctic Winter Games with a 2-0 record.

The females finally hit the ice to battle Team Alaska at 7 p.m. (ET), about six hours later than the scheduled time. After a 4-2 loss on Monday, the team rebounded well with a 3-2 win, moving to an even 1-1 record so far at the games.

It’s a quick turnaround for both teams, as they’ll hit the ice again at 9 a.m. (MT) Wednesday. The males are set to go against NWT, while the females will go head-to-head with the Yukon.

The females play their second game of the day at 1 p.m. (MT) against Nunavut, while the males hit the ice again at 4 p.m. (MT) to take on Alaska.

Monday, March 7

IQALUIT - An up and down opening day for Team Alberta North at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games on Monday.

The male squad opened their Winter Games Monday morning in Iqaluit with a 10-3 win over the host team.

The females didn’t fare as well, falling 4-2 to Team NWT.

The males are back it at Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. (MT) against the Yukon , while the females hit the ice at 11 a.m. (MT) against Alaska.