2023 Provincial Championship recap: Week one

Nineteen Provincial Champions were named during the first week of play.

With upsets, league rivalries, overtime and shootouts, the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships presented by ATB saw it all, and it’s only week one.

2023 Hockey Alberta Provincial Tournaments

Tournament action began on Thursday, March 23 and continued through to Sunday. On Sunday, 34 teams prepared for the game of the season, with 17 skating away champions.

Championship Games

AFHL U18 AAA - Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs 4, Calgary Fire 3 (shootout)

U16 AA - NWCAA Bronks 2, Fort Saskatchewan Rangers 1

AEHL U15 AAA - Airdrie Xtreme 3, Calgary Bisons (CBHA) 2

AFHL U15 AA - Calgary Fire Red 3, Edmonton Pandas 2

U15 AA - Calgary NWCAA Stamps 6, Bow Valley Timberwolves 5 (overtime)

U15 Tier 1 - Cochrane 5, La Crete 4 (overtime)

U15 Tier 2 - 3 C’s Coyotes 7, St. Paul 6 (double overtime)

U15 Tier 3 - Elk Point Avalanche 5, High Level North Stars 4

U15 Tier 1 (NBC) - Springbank NBC 1 8, Trails West NBC 1 3

U15 Female A - GHC Outlaws 2, GHC Rangers 0

U15 Female B - Battle River Knights 5, GHC White 1

U13 Tier 1 - Okotoks 7, Glenlake 5

U13 Tier 2 - Drayton Valley 5, La Crete 3

U13 Tier 3 - Irvine 7, High Prairie 6

U13 Tier 4 - Delburne Outlaws 4, Fort Macleod Mavericks 3

U13 Female A - Cochrane 3, Grande Prairie 2 (overtime)

U13 Female B - Irma 10, St. Albert SA552 0

2023 Hockey Alberta League Playoffs

Going into the weekend, two champions had already been named through their league playoffs.

The Cochrane Chaos of the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League claimed the banner over the Sherwood Park Steele on Sunday, March 19, winning the best of five series in four games.

The Senior AAA division champs are the Innisfail Eagles after they swept the Stony Plain Eagles in three games.

The AEHL’s U18 AAA Calgary NW Flames lead the St. Albert Nektar Raiders two games in the best of five series. The Flames have a chance to seal the series, Wednesday March 29, in St. Albert. Games are available to stream live on HockeyTV.

In the Alberta Junior Hockey League, eight teams remain with series records at:

Okotoks 1, Brooks 1

Drumheller 1, Blackfalds 1

Bonnyville 2, Whitecourt 0

Spruce Grove 2, Sherwood Park 0

Play continues on Tuesday, March 28.

Provincial Championship Merchandise

This year, Hockey Alberta is offering 2023 Provincial Championship merchandise. There are a number of items to choose from and “Champions 2023” can be added to any merchandise purchased after a Provincials tournament. Any questions regarding merchandise can be directed to dkraichy@hockeyalberta.ca.

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Products of the Hockey Alberta system etched their names in the record books on both sides of the border this weekend.

Calgary’s Mount Royal University Cougars made history as the Women’s Hockey program claimed the school’s first ever USPORTS National Championship. The Cougars edged the Concordia Stingers in a 4-3 overtime thriller after tying it up with a buzzer-beating goal late in the third.

Lead by past Team Alberta Coach, Scott Rivett, 15 Alberta built athletes celebrated the win, including: Sydney Benko, Abbey Borbandy, Kaia Borbandy, Mackenzie Butz, Athena Hauck, Jordyn Hutt, Lyndsey Janes, Aliya Jomha, Courtney Kollman, Mackenzie Loupelle, Kaitlyn Ross, Taylor Sawka, Alexandria Spence, Breanne Trotter and Tianna Yaremko. Ross was also named the Championship Most Valuable Player.

Last week, former Alberta Female Hockey League forward, Shae Demale (Saint Mary’s University – Halifax) was named to the USPORTS Second Team All-Canadians. Keana McKibbin (University of Windsor) and Cassidy Rhodes (University of British Columbia) were selected to the All-Rookie Team.

South of the border, Team Alberta alum, Sarah Wozniewicz (2019 Canada Winter Games and 2019 National Women’s Under-18 Championship), helped Wisconsin University claim their seventh NCAA Championship. In a one goal game, Wisconsin upset defending champions, Ohio State University.

Two other Team Alberta alum competed in the coveted NCAA Frozen Four Championship, Emerson Jarvis (Ohio State) and Taze Thompson (Northeastern University).

Danielle Serdachny, of Colgate University, is the first Albertan to be selected as a top-three finalist for the Patti Kazmaier Award as the top women’s player in NCAA Division 1 hockey. Serdachny was selected as the runner-up, but nonetheless she posted a decorated season to conclude her university career. The Edmonton native broke program records on her way to being named the ECAC Forward of the Year and Player of the Year, as well was selected to the All-American First Team.

USPORTS Men’s Hockey

University of Calgary’s Mark Howell was named the Father George Kehoe Memorial Award recipient for the Fox40 Coach of the Year. While three Albertans were named to the All-Rookie Team, Eric Van Impe (Western University), Jake Lee (University of British Columbia) and Jakin Smallwood (University of Alberta).

University of Alberta battled their way to the championship game, but ultimately fell to the University of New Brunswick 3-0, to finish the season second overall.

In January, the U18 Hinton Havoc travelled to a nearby community to play a regular season game. It was just another hockey game in another rural Alberta community.

For Hinton, it wasn’t just another hockey game though.

As the game went on, racial slurs echoed in the arena. At first, the Hinton Havoc’s manager, Charity Lawrence wasn’t sure what she heard. When she saw the mother of an Indigenous player with tears streaming down her face, she knew she heard correctly.

“I’m embarrassed to admit that this was my first experience with racism,” said Lawrence. “I did not know what to do. I was so angry, so emotional.”

The taunts and slurs were coming from a group of local young men. Lawrence confronted them, and when they denied it, she called the local minor hockey association.

After the game she spoke to the player and his mother who told Lawrence that this wasn’t the first time they had experienced this behaviour. As a team manager of seven years, she couldn’t believe that she did not know this was happening on her own team.

“I told this player and his mother that he never has to put up with things like this, it’s not okay,” said Lawrence. “His mother replied, ‘sometimes you just get tired of the same fight.’”

Lawrence responded with the will to fight for them and with them.

“The events of that day kept me awake at night,” said Lawrence. “I demanded the boys in the stands be identified and their parents contacted. I wanted them banned from future games we would play there and punished for what they did. But I didn’t feel like that was enough.”

It was only days later when Hockey Alberta’s Maltreatment Awareness contest came across Lawrence’s social media feed. The contest, in partnership with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF), was developed to bring awareness to Maltreatment happening in the game.

“It could not have come at a better time,” said Lawrence. “This contest was another opportunity for us as a team to show our support for not only this family, but for every family who has ever been treated so horribly in minor hockey.”

The contest encouraged pictures to be taken with the posters and banners that were distributed across facilities in Alberta. Lawrence took it a step further by creating posters for the team to sport during practice and submitted a photo.

The effort and creativity caught the eye of the selection committee. Selected as the winners, the Hinton Havoc were awarded tickets to the Sportsnet Lounge at Rogers Place for the Oilers’ February 21 match-up against the Philadelphia Flyers.

It wasn’t until after they were selected that Hockey Alberta was made aware of how close to the heart this contest was for the team. After learning of Hinton’s experience, the EOCF invited the team to spend the day at Rogers Place. Together the team took in the Oilers and Flyers morning skate, toured the Oilers Hall of Fame, and met alumni, Kevin Lowe. Flyers forward, Kevin Hayes, even gave his stick to one of the boys.

“This event sparked conversations with families and the team,” said Lawrence. “I appreciate this opportunity given to us by Hockey Alberta and the EOCF, not just to go to the Oilers game, but to show this young man and his family how much we care.”

Maltreatment does not belong in the game of hockey. Hockey Alberta wants to create an environment that welcomes everyone. If you or someone you know experiences or witnesses Maltreatment, please report it. Hockey Alberta is committed to ensuring an investigation of all reports of Maltreatment, Bullying or Harassment involving participants takes place. To learn more about Maltreatment and how you can report it, visit hockeyalberta.ca.

If your facility or Minor Hockey Association is interested in the Maltreatment posters or banners, please contact Darcy Smith, dsmith@hockeyalberta.ca.

Hockey Alberta is implementing changes to its Registration Fee structure, as well as increasing the Hockey Alberta Registration Fee, effective for the 2023-24 season.

The Hockey Alberta Registration Fee is assessed for each registered Hockey Alberta participant (Team Official or Player). It is invoiced to registered Senior and Junior Teams, along with member Minor Hockey Associations, Accredited Schools, Pond Hockey, Recreational Hockey, and Para Hockey organizations.

The Hockey Alberta Registration Fee helps offset the costs associated with Hockey Alberta’s administration of operations, member service and development activities. The Registration Fee also includes designated allocations to the Facility and Technology Funds overseen by the Board of Directors.

For 2023-24, the following changes are being implemented:

1. For Minor Hockey (including Accredited Schools), the Team Fee and Registration Fee structure is changing. The new structure incorporates the Team Fee into the Registration Fee for Minor Hockey (including Accredited Schools) and discontinues separate invoicing of the Team Fee, as both fees previously were allocated to cover similar types of expenses. The Team Fee continues to be invoiced separately for Junior and Senior division teams.
2. Hockey Alberta is increasing the Registration Fee for all Players and Team Officials - except at the Intro to Hockey level. This increase is to help offset inflation. The change for Senior and Junior Hockey is $3 per individual. For Minor Hockey (excluding Accredited Schools), the change per individual is $5.50, which includes the merging of the Team Fee as noted above. For Accredited Schools, the change is $15.50 per individual, after merging the Team Fee.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. The shift to the new Hockey Alberta Registration Fee structure was done to maintain similar revenue levels for Hockey Alberta and similar expenses for Minor Hockey members as previously existed with the separate Team Fee. The new structure also preserves lower costs for those entering the game at the Intro to Hockey and Recreational levels.
2. Hockey Canada is finalizing insurance rates for the 2023-24 season. The rates listed in the following chart are subject to change. Hockey Alberta will update members when Hockey Canada’s fees are approved.

Full details are outlined in Information Bulletin 22:09, including a chart with provides the full breakdown of fees collected on behalf of Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada, and the projected Total Fee per Participant. The chart will be updated once Hockey Canada fees are confirmed.

Information on Hockey Alberta’s finances is reported to the membership annually at the Annual General Meeting in Hockey Alberta’s Audited Financial Statements.

HOCKEY ALBERTA INFORMATION BULLETINS >

RED DEER – Team Alberta Male U16 and Team Alberta Female U18, fuelled by Gatorade, both returned with fifth place finishes from the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island.

Competing in Summerside, the U16 team finished round robin with a 2-1-0 record before falling to Quebec in the quarterfinals. The squad rebounded to finish fifth overall, with a 4-1 win over Manitoba.

“The Canada Winter Games were an unbelievable experience for the staff and the team,” said Serge Lajoie, head coach of the U16 team. “Although we did not meet our on-ice expectation of winning a medal at the Games, our daily commitment to excellence and being supportive of each other throughout this journey has helped us all grow, not only as players and coaches, but most importantly as people.“

The U18 team was on the ice in Charlottetown in week two of competition. The team finished with a 1-1-1 record in round-robin, before also meeting Quebec in the quarterfinals, losing 3-0. Team Alberta then defeated Saskatchewan 6-2 to finish fifth.

"We couldn’t have been more proud as a staff of the group regardless of our outcome,” said Brett Wold, head coach of the U18 team. “Falling short of the medal rounds was tough, but our team bought in from day one at summer camp and that never wavered. Lots made new friendships that will last a lifetime, and the girls soaked in the atmosphere of the Canada Winter Games."

For more information on Team Alberta and the Canada Winter Games, visit hockeyalberta.ca or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

RED DEER – International Women’s Day is March 8. This year, Hockey Alberta is taking the time to celebrate and recognize the female staff and volunteers who dedicate their time to making our game great!

International Women’s Day is a global day to recognize the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Celebrated annually, the day serves to celebrate women’s achievements, educate and raise awareness for women’s equality, call for positive change advancing women and lobby for accelerated gender parity.

Hundreds of women have created a space in the game for themselves as players, coaches, officials, executives and volunteers at all levels. In the Hockey Alberta realm, 52 women have carved a path as staff members or volunteer committee members.

In addition, each year there are dozens of women volunteering annually as executive members on Regional Officials committees, and as coaches, trainers and therapists, and directors of operations for events such as the Alberta Challenge and the Summer Showcase, and Team Alberta programming.

Today, Hockey Alberta is recognizing all of the women who are involved with Hockey Alberta, and celebrating all women who across the province who work within the sport and who continue to inspire.

Hockey Alberta Staff

Cassie Campbell, Morgen Kidney, Danielle Kraichy, Kendall Newell, Holly McDavid, Katrina Papke, Stacey Pattison, Ellery Platts, Michelle Skilnick, Darcy Smith, Kara Spady and Danielle Wheeler.

Hockey Alberta Board of Directors

Kirstan Jewell, Karen Lee, Danielle Paradis

Hockey Alberta Foundation Board of Directors

Lisa Vlooswyk

Life Member

Annie Orton

Posthumous Life Member

Anne Hayden

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Taryn Barry, Lauren Dormer, Zahra Nurani and Alicia Souveny

Administration Committee

Amber Boman, Pam Douglas, Janet Fairless, Jennifer Foster, Seema King, Dawn Lemaistre, Lin Lumye and Diane Ziemer.

Appeals Committee

Debbie Northcott

Club Team Administrator

Lisa Davies

Elite Female Committee

Lise Cote and Stacey Keyowski

Female Officials Development Coordinator

Ricki Lee Brown

Maltreatment Committee

Renee Cook, Shelina Rawji and Jamie Williamson

Member Liaison

Chantel Timmons

Minor Discipline Committee

Sharlene Cook, Michelle Malbeuf and Robin Latajka

Minor Female Committee

Julie Feragen, Nicole Halvorson and Dana Henfrey

Para Hockey Committee

Tara Chisholm, Janice Coulter, Desiree Desrochers-Pegueno, Brooke Martens, Katrina Maximuchuk, Jen Sales and Sharon Veeneman