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Hockey Alberta is excited to work with Ali Stead (@never2late2learn.hky) to bring you weekly off-ice skills drills, as part of the Hockey at Home Series.

Ali Stead is a hockey player and social media influencer. Having only started playing hockey a few years ago, she developed her skills quickly, and is now passionate about sharing her love and knowledge for the game. Be sure to check back every Thursday for the latest drill!

Backhand Flip

Acquiring a soft touch on the backhand can open up new opportunities during gameplay. Here’s a fun drill to improve your backhand control.

Give it a try with these key points in mind:

• Keep knees bent for a strong stance and good weight transfer
• On the backhand flip, roll wrists forward to create a wedge that will get under the puck and create lift
• On the forehand catch, roll wrists forward to trap and cradle the puck with a closed blade
• Look up periodically to scan your environment

For a regressed version, try using a tennis ball instead!

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

RED DEER - To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Hockey Alberta is shining the spotlight on a handful of volunteers who make a huge impact on the sport in Alberta.

More volunteer profiles can be found on Hockey Alberta’s Volunteer Appreciation page.

Kevin Kuryluk

Kevin has held numerous volunteer positions in the Grande Prairie area, including coaching minor hockey and minor baseball, and has been a minor hockey board member since 2016.

Kevin also volunteers with Hockey Alberta in several capacities, including facilitating coach clinics, on-ice instruction at development camps, and volunteer coaching.

"I feel like if I can help a young athlete grow as a person and become more confident, I can help them accomplish more," said Kevin. "If that’s carried forward with them for their entire life, it will create opportunities for others. I also think back to my youth and how many great people influenced my life through their volunteer work, and I believe we build stronger communities through sport and teamwork and I enjoy watching the players I coach grow and develop. There’s no downside to volunteering."

Kevin notes his recent experience as being part of the Team Alberta North Male coaching staff for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games as one of his most memorable moments.

"Even though the games were cancelled, just being part of the process starting in August with applying for the job through to our training weekend with the players from both the male and female teams it was a fantastic experience," he said. "Another highlight for me has been working all of the Hockey Alberta PEP camps and being with the Hockey Alberta PEP program from the beginning."

Kevin operates a grain farm and is considered an essential worker, so he continues to work through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Janet Fairless

Janet is a long-time volunteer with Hockey Alberta as the Zone 1 Minor Administration Coordinator and Minor Administration Chair. Her long list of volunteer roles in hockey also includes coaching female hockey with the Grimshaw Minor Hockey Assoications, numerous team manager positions, registrar for Grimshaw MHA, and the manager and registrar for the Grimshaw Huskies Senior Men’s team. She also has been a member of the Arctic Winter Games Mission Staff since 2012.

Outside of hockey, Janet holds several other volunteer roles with Ducks Unlimited, the Grimshaw Community Services Board, and has volunteered for both the Alberta Summer and Alberta Winter Games.

"(I volunteer) for the joy it gives to the athletes, that’s the main reason," said Janet. "But also, these things need to be done so activities and organizations can run... someone has to do it. People ask me why I do it, what am I getting out of it. If you are doing it for the purpose of getting something out of it, then I don’t feel that you are there for the right reasons. My answer always is satisfaction from helping others, and the relationships. I have met so many great people and made so many wonderful friends through my volunteering."

Janet said her favourite moments always come from seeing the look of accomplishment on athlete’s faces when they win a banner or medal.

"One that really stands out was giving the Most Sportmanlike banner to the Indis Atom Hockey team last year at Provincials in Peace River," she said. "That was a very happy group of young players. You would think they had won the Stanley Cup and in my eyes they did. I almost cried presenting it to them, they were a great group, right from the bench staff, players to the fans."

RED DEER - Seventy-five Albertans registered in Hockey Canada sanctioned programs heard their names called during 2020 WHL Bantam Draft on Wednesday, including six in the first round.

Zemlak was taken by the Victoria Royals, with blueliner Mazden Leslie (Lloydminster) going right after him, 10th overall to the Vancouver Giants. Cole Miller (Edmonton) went 16th overall to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Saige Weinstein (Edmonton) to the Spokane Chiefs at 18, Dawson Seitz (Medicine Hat) to the Edmonton Oil Kings with the 20th pick, and the Prince George Cougars wrapped up the first round by selecting Ryker Singer (Lloydminster) 22nd overall.

Alberta also boasted the first two goaltenders taken in the draft, with Seattle drafting Scott Ratzlaff (Irma) in the second round, 43rd overall, and Moose Jaw selecting Jackson Unger (Calgary) in the third round, 53rd overall.

A full list of Albertans registered in Hockey Canada sanctioned programs drafted can be found below:

RED DEER - To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Hockey Alberta is shining the spotlight on a handful of volunteers who make a huge impact on the sport in Alberta.

More volunteer profiles can be found on Hockey Alberta’s Volunteer Appreciation page.

Lesley Burton

Lesley holds a number of volunteer roles within her Southern Alberta community, most notably as a founding director of the University of Lethbridge Women’s Hockey Alumni Foundation.

She also is the manager of the Tilley Curling Club, President of the Tilley Hockey Academy, and a board member and coach for hockey and power skating. She also recently was a key volunteer for Hockey Alberta’s Female Hockey Day in Lethbridge.

"Growing up, I watched my parents help run our community and I was always very proud of what they did for all of us," said Lesley. "It takes a lot of work sometimes, but the friends you develop and the experiences you take away are what life is all about... ’leave it better than you found it’ is the way I look at it. Being a role model is very important to me as well, helping an athlete achieve their goals is so incredibly rewarding."

Lesley notes her time as a coach has been very memorable, as well as her position with the Tilley Curling Club, which is very near and dear to her family.

Kayne Warwick

Kayne currently sits on the Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association Board of Directors as the Initiation Director, where he started the Learn To Play and Junior Coach programs.

In addition to coaching within SLMHA, Kayne represents the association within the West Country league, and has also coached baseball, lacrosse, and volleyball.

"(I volunteer) for the kids and the game. Whatever small part I can play to ensure that the kids have a safe, fun and a positive experience playing and learning the game I love," said Kayne. "My most memorable moments have come from seeing the kids within the new programs attain that sense of achievement of trying something new and realizing its okay to fall, and there’s nothing that a little determination and work can’t overcome."

RED DEER - To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Hockey Alberta is shining the spotlight on a handful of volunteers who make a huge impact on the sport in Alberta.

More volunteer profiles can be found on Hockey Alberta’s Volunteer Appreciation page.

Julie Feragen

Julie is currently Hockey Alberta’s Minor Female Chair, a position she’s held for four years, and is the Senior Midget Governor for NAI. She’s previously held the position of Vice President and President of the Ponoka Minor Hockey Association, and the Governor for the North Central.

"(Volunteering) brings much appreciation from many, people make a point of telling you that it’s worth it," said Julie. "I find that it’s a great way to meet new people and show that you appreciate others at the same time. Great networking!"

Julie says her most memorable moments are being a part of the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships every year, and being there to see the excitement of the teams who make it to gold medal games.

Being in the agriculture industry, Julie is an essential employee and continues to work and serve her clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scott Henderson

Scott has given his time to the sport for 12 years as a coach, board member and director with Hockey Calgary, as well as the First Shift Program and the Calgary Flames Learn to Play Program.

"I’ve had all four of my children play hockey, and it gave so much to our family that I really like to give back," said Scott. "The satisfaction of seeing children progress from just starting on ice to skating and developing a love for the game is why I volunteer."

Scott currently works in the construction industry, and continues to work through the COVID-19 pandemic.

RED DEER - The Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL), Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League, (AMMHL) and Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL) have announced their 2019-20 league award winners.

AMHL Awards > | AMMHL Awards > | AMBHL Awards >

Hockey Alberta would like to congratulate all individual and team award winners for their standout 2019-20 seasons.

RED DEER - To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Hockey Alberta is shining the spotlight on a handful of volunteers who make a huge impact on the sport in Alberta.

More volunteer profiles can be found on Hockey Alberta’s Volunteer Appreciation page.

Bernie Vanderham

Bernie Vanderham is a volunteer coach with the Innisfail Timbit Eaglet program for four year-olds, a position he’s held for 14 years. Bernie has had the opportunity to coach the program alongside his son Logan, who was just 15 years old when he began coaching.

In addition to his role with the Eaglet program, Bernie also volunteered in various roles throughout his son’s time playing minor hockey, both as a coach and as a manager, earning him numerous awards and recognition, including a Citizen of the Year award from the Town of Innisfail, and a Governor’s Award.

Bernie is also a long-time volunteer at the Innisfail Ski Hill, performing maintenance and inspections when needed.

"My favorite moments are when the young 4 year old players finally get motion forward with their stride, the look on their faces is amazing, once they figure skating out, it’s really cool," said Bernie. "With the ski hill, it’s the same thing , the smile on their faces after a day of skiing."

As a Corrections Officer, Bernie is an essential employee, and continues to work and serve his community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keith Hurd

Keith Hurd has been an active volunteer since 2007, including over 10 years with the Team Alberta program as a Director of Operations at the Alberta Cup, and Camp Coordinator at the Team Alberta U16 Summer Development Camp.

Keith has also served as a Team Manager for four different teams: Calgary Royals Minor Midget AAA (2007-2009), Calgary Royals Bantam AAA (2009-2014), Okotoks Bantam AAA (2014-2017) and Okotoks Midget AAA (2017-2018).

"I love being part of a team and helping to provide lifelong memories for young hockey players," said Keith. "I was on a plane in London Ontario, a couple years ago, on the way to Toronto, when a young man, who was boarding, looked at me and said ’are you Keith?’. It was Devan Reed, who was then attending Western University and had played in the Alberta Cup for Team Calgary North several years earlier... it truly is a lifelong connection."

Keith notes winning the AMBHL Championship and a silver medal in the Western Canadian Bantam Championship with the Okotoks Bantam AAA team, as well as winning the Alberta Cup with Team South in 2017 as two of his most memorable experiences as a volunteer.

As part of the Hockey at Home Series, Hockey Alberta will publish a weekly video focused on goaltender skills drills that can be done at home.

This week, Team Alberta alumna, University of Calgary Dinos goaltender Dayna Owen shows how to practice moving across the crease and passing. Check back every Saturday for the latest goalie skills video!

Moving Across the Crease & Tracking

Now is the perfect time to improve your footwork, agility and tracking, this drill can assist you in improving your skills as you get ready for next season!

Being able to move across the crease, get your feet set and square before the shot is a key element to save selection. You can isolate your footwork and agility skills, or you can combine them with tracking exercises to your glove and blocker. In season and during team drills these skills, without deliberate focus and repetitions, can be easily overlooked which will ultimately limit performance. This drill can be done with a puck or a ball, whichever works best for your training. When practicing these skills, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Start in an athletic stance - bent ankles/knees, chest up and back straight
• Hands away from the body, blocker and glove are positioned in front of the body. Elbows are bent and hands are ready.
• Head stays level during shuffle movements (no bobbing up and down)
• Both hips face forward and square up with your target
• Make sure to square up your shoulders to the “shooter” (or ball being thrown)
• Set your feet prior to the “shot”
• Make sure to track the puck all the way into your glove.
• If you do not catch it, square up to the rebound to practice good habits
• Make sure to do this on both sides (glove and blocker)
• To progress this drill:
• Have someone flash a different number of fingers every 2-3 seconds at the mid-way point
• Incorporate up/down movements to simulate getting in and out of the butterfly (knee pads encouraged)
• Reaction balls can be bounced off of the ground towards the goaltender
• Obstacles can be placed to simulate a screen (depending on the skill set of the goaltender)
• Change up the footwork patterns (smaller shuffles, bigger T-Push like cross crease movements, etc)

Hockey Alberta Goaltender Guide >

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey Alberta is excited to partner with Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd to bring a weekly series to the homes of hockey players across Alberta, focused on strength and conditioning.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home! Stay tuned every for a new workout from Crash every Tuesday.

The Workout:

1. Foam rolling series - 20-30 seconds of each

2. Dynamic warm-up - 10-12 minutes:
a) Lunge complex - 3-5 reps
b) Squat stretch - 5 reps
c) Sumo squats - 5 reps
d) Mountain climber complex - 5 reps slow, 3 reps fast
e) Peeing dog to donkey kick - 5 reps
f) Hip can-opener - 2 sets: 5 opener, 5 squat

3. Ankling:
a) Ankle up/down - 5-10 reps
b) Ankling springs - 10 reps
c) Single-leg ankling - 5 reps/leg
d) 2-leg lateral hops - 2 sets, 5 reps
e) 2-leg forward/backward - 2 sets, 5 reps
f) Single-leg lateral hops - 5 reps
g) Single-leg forward/backward - 5 reps

4. Cross-over Step - 5reps per side (across and return)

5. Strength:
a) Towel pulls (step and pull) - 3 sets, 5-8 pulls
b) Banded split-position pull - 3 sets, 5 reps (hold for 4 seconds)
c) Hockey stick push-pull complex - 5 reps of forehand and backhand (hold for 10 seconds)
d) Bucket/medicine ball seated shoulder press - 2-3 sets, 5 reps

6. Follow the Hockey Alberta nutrition guide - eat and sleep well!

Hockey at Home Series >

As part of the Hockey at Home Series, Hockey Alberta will publish a weekly video focused on goaltender skills drills that can be done at home.

This week, former Team Alberta netminder Dayna Owen shows how to practice pulling the puck off the boards and passing. Check back every Saturday for the latest goalie skills video!

Pulling the Puck off the Boards and Passing

Now is the perfect time to improve your puck-handling and passing, this drill can assist you in improving your passing skills as you get ready for next season!

Being able to pull the puck off the boards, move it away from pressure and up the boards to one of your teammates can assist your team in breaking the puck out of your own zone. Try isolating this skill, without deliberate focus and repetitions it can be easily overlooked which will ultimately limit performance. When practicing this skill try to keep the eyes up as much as possible, there will always be a need to “check” the puck but push yourself to keep your eyes up, when possible, to be able to scan and evaluate incoming forecheckers.

• Start in an athletic stance - bent ankles/knees, chest up and back straight
• Hands away from the body, blocker is positioned at the butt end of the stick and the glove hand is positioned in an inverted grip above the paddle of the stick
• The glove can rotate to a standard player grip on the stick – based on the skill set of the goaltender
• Glove hand applies downward pressure and prepares to pass the puck
• Sweep the puck along the surface and pass towards your target
• Legs are bent and feet pivot as you make the pass
• Obstacles can be placed to simulate a defender (depending on the skill set of the goaltender)
• To progress this drill:
• Head is up to read options to make the pass
• Do this on your backhand
• Have someone flash que cards
• Have someone flash a different number of fingers every 2-3 seconds
• Identify various things in your environment to cycle between

Hockey Alberta Goaltender Guide >

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey Alberta is excited to work with Ali Stead (@never2late2learn.hky) to bring you weekly off-ice skills drills, as part of the Hockey at Home Series.

Ali Stead is a hockey player and social media influencer. Having only started playing hockey a few years ago, she developed her skills quickly, and is now passionate about sharing her love and knowledge for the game. Be sure to check back every Thursday for the latest drill!

Eyes-Up Stick Handling

Now is the perfect time to improve your puck-handling by feel, this simple skill can dramatically improve hockey sense in a short time!

Scanning the ice in order to gather more information leads to better decisions, the ability to efficiently scan the ice can be severely affected by stick handling habits. Try isolating this skill, without deliberate focus and repetitions it can be easily overlooked which will ultimately limit performance. When practicing this skill try to keep the eyes up as much as possible, there will always be a need to “check” the puck but work towards handling with feel & peripherals only.

• Start in a proper hockey stance with bent ankles/knees, chest up and back straight
• Hands away from the body, top hand should not touch hip
• Head should be tilted down slightly to improve peripheral range
• Start narrow and work the puck wider as comfort level increases
• For better control remember to pinch/shade the puck by rolling wrists
• Practice these various scanning habits while stick-handling:
  -watching TV
  -have someone flash que cards
  -have someone flash a different number of fingers every 2-3 seconds
  -identify various things in your environment to cycle between

• Progress to a combination of puck handling and shooting without looking directly at the puck

For more Hockey at Home videos, go to hockeyalberta.ca/hockey-home

Hockey Alberta is excited to partner with Doug ’Crash’ Crashley of Crash Conditioning Ltd to bring a weekly series to the homes of hockey players across Alberta, focused on strength and conditioning.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us all at home, it’s important to maintain strength, conditioning and proper nutrition as much as possible. Follow along with Crash each week as he takes us through a routine to help everyone become a ’Crashlete’ at home!

The Workout:

1. Lacrosse ball rolling - 20-30 seconds of each body part
2. Sitting squat - 30 second hold, two sets
3. Angle lunge mobility - 10 reps per side, two sets
4. Standing ankle ’toes up, heels up" - 10 reps, two sets
5. Sitting squad - 30 seconds, one set
6. Hip-dominant push complex - repeat order of each exercise 2-4 times with 60 seconds rest between each, 5 reps per.
a) Double-leg squat - 6 second isometric hold
b) Rear-foot elevated single-leg squat - 6 seconds down, 4 seconds iso hold per leg
c) Single-leg squat - 6 seconds down, 4 seconds iso hold per leg
7. Hip posterior chain pull complex - same as above for volume
a) Slider hip raise leg curls - 6 seconds down, 4 seconds iso hold
b) Single-leg versions of above
c) Stork stand to hinge reach - 6 seconds down, 4 seconds iso hold per leg
8. Upper body prep complex - 2-3 sets of the below exercises, 60 second rest periods:
a) Towel push-pull tension - 5 x 12 second reps with as much force as possible
b) Split-position lateral towel raise - 5 x 8 second iso holds
9. Aerobic recovery - 15-20 minutes of some type of static movement (jog, bike, skip, row, etc) at your 60% effort level (about 125-135 bpm heartrate)
10. Stretch - 40 second holds of static stretch exercises
11. Follow the Hockey Alberta nutrition guide - eat and sleep well!

Stay tuned every for a new workout from Crash every Tuesday!