World Juniors and Hlinka Gretzky Cup Return to Alberta this Summer

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the coaching staff that will join Head Coach Serge Lajoie behind the bench for Team Alberta U16 Male at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.

Joining Lajoie are Assistant Coaches James Poole (Calgary) and Cody Reynolds (Sylvan Lake), along with Video Coach Derrick Martin (Edmonton) and Goaltending Coach Derek Purfield (Calgary).

“We are extremely excited for the 2023 Canada Winter Games, and to go through the entire process with such a talented staff,” said Michael Kraichy, Manager, Elite Male Hockey for Hockey Alberta. “The combined experience amongst these coaches is second-to-none, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this group can accomplish.”

Other members of the staff for Team Alberta U16 Male include: Athletic Therapist Paige Shannon (Calgary), Equipment Manager Dave Campbell (Grande Prairie), Head Scout Bobby Fox (Calgary), Coach Mentor Barry Medori (Spruce Grove) and Director of Operations Michael Kraichy (Red Deer).

Lajoie – currently the Head Coach of the OHA Edmonton U18 Prep team – has a storied history in the Team Alberta program. He was an assistant coach with the Team Alberta Male squad that won the bronze medal at the 2011 Games in Halifax, and head coach of the gold medalist U16 male squad at the 2013 Western Canada Challenge Cup. He served as Head Coach for Team Alberta once again at the 2021 WHL Cup, earning a silver medal.

Poole is currently the U18 Prep Head Coach at the Edge School, a position he’s held since 2017. He previously served as the Head Coach and General Manager for the Okotoks Oilers from 2010-2016, and the Calgary Canucks from 2016-2017, both in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. This will be his second time with Team Alberta, having served as Video Coach for the 2021 WHL Cup in Red Deer.

Reynolds is currently an Associate Coach with the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings men’s hockey team, a position he also held from 2016-2020, and returned to for the 2021-22 season after serving as Head Coach of the Red Deer U18 AAA Chiefs for the 2020-21 season. This will be Reynolds’ second time as Assistant Coach with Team Alberta, having been behind the bench at the 2019 WHL Cup in Calgary.

Martin is currently the U16 Prep Head Coach at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Edmonton, and Purfield is the goalie coach for the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

The 2023 Canada Winter Games run February 18 - March 5 in Prince Edward Island.

Edmonton – The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation is proud to announce a $2 Million donation to KidSport to help grow the game of hockey in Oil Country. The donation will fund KidSport’s Hockey Assist Program, through which qualified kids in Alberta from Red Deer north will have their full registration fees covered and access to no-cost equipment.

“Imagine hearing your friends at school talk about their hockey game over the weekend, knowing you will never have the chance to play in one,” said Corey Smith, EOCF Board Chair. “The reality is that hockey is expensive, and for many families it just isn’t possible. That’s why we are excited to partner with Kidsport to help alleviate the cost of playing hockey for kids from underrepresented groups. With this donation, we will ensure that Canada’s game is within reach for all kids across Oil Country.”

The average cost of a minor hockey registration fee across Oil Country is $750 per season. Currently 25 localized KidSport chapters in Oil Country raise funds in their community to assist with $250 per season. Only being able to provide $250 to low-income families leaves a gap which prevents many kids from participating in hockey. With this donation, KidSport is proceeding with the Hockey Assist Program for registrations for the 2022-23 minor hockey season.

“It is important to recognize the leadership that the EOCF is demonstrating by investing back into the hockey community to grow the game of hockey in Oil Country. It is unfortunate that the game has become financially inaccessible to many families. This strategic partnership with KidSport will ensure that low income, Indigenous, and new Canadian kids are able to play,” said Greg Ingalls, Executive Director at KidSport Alberta. “Our 25 local KidSport chapters are collaborating with local minor hockey associations to grow the game in their community. Our partners at Sport Central and Rosenau Transport are going to ensure that we are able to get hockey equipment to those kids who need it as well. The Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta is going to help us get more Indigenous kids playing and Hockey Alberta has played a huge role in connecting everyone in the hockey community. This project is truly a team effort to get more kids playing hockey in Oil Country.”

"My kids love being a part of something special, said a current KidSport parent about the program. My son loves scoring goals. My oldest daughter has struggled with depression and anxiety and when she’s on the ice she feels like a different person with no stress. When they play, it helps them learn to contribute at home. They know that being a good member of society and in the home is the key to being a great team player.”

Families in Oil Country can go to kidsportHAP.ca to learn more and register.

About Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) is a proud supporter of Oil Country and has been contributing to our community’s success since 2001. With a focus on programs aimed at those most vulnerable in our community, especially in Edmonton’s downtown, and youth hockey programming with a goal to increase participation of under-represented groups in our community, the Oilers Foundation is dedicated to building strong, vibrant and safe communities by demonstrating philanthropic leadership and continues its deep legacy of giving back. Thanks to the generosity of our valued hockey fans, Oilers players and alumni, the EOCF Board of Directors, Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) employees and the Katz Family, the Foundation has contributed over $66 million to charitable organizations and minor hockey programs across Oil Country since 2001.

About KidSport

KidSport’s core business as a charity is subsidizing sport registration fees for kids from low-income families. We believe that playing hockey promotes the development of children’s social, mental, and physical well being. We fundamentally believe that all kids who want to play hockey should be able to regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status. We have 25 KidSport chapters throughout Oil Country that provide the infrastructure to get funds to those families who need it to get their kids playing hockey. In addition, the Provincial KidSport Fund covers those communities where we do not have a chapter and the Indigenous KidSport Fund supports kids in Indigenous communities. A simple one-page application process gets things started. Once approved KidSport sends a cheque to the minor hockey association on the child’s behalf for the registration fee. In our last normal year 2019 our 38 chapters across Alberta assisted 13,677 kids into 40 sport’s by paying $3.2 million in registration fees.

RED DEER – The rosters for Prospects Cup have been selected by Hockey Alberta. The top 160 2009-born male athletes will hit the ice in Red Deer at the Gary W. Harris Centre, May 12-15.

The Prospects Cup is the first step of the Hockey Alberta Development program. It provides second-year U13 athletes, coaches, trainers and administrators an opportunity to discover the qualities of competitive hockey in a well-organized regional camp and select team competition. Athletes eligible for the Hockey Alberta Prospects Cup must be registered with a Hockey Canada/Hockey Alberta program.

Rosters were selected following four regional camps held April 15-17 in Calgary, Edmonton, Olds and Vegreville. Players are divided into eight teams (two teams from each camp).

Prospects Cup Rosters > | Prospects Cup Schedule >

“The level of skill exhibited at all four regional camps was very impressive,” said Hudson Kelly, Hockey Alberta’s Coordinator, Elite Male Hockey. “We’re looking forward to watching the young talent that will be showcased at the Prospects Cup in three weeks.”

The Prospects Cup is a four-day, tournament-format competition. Thursday, May 12 and Friday, May 13, begin with a skills session each morning followed by four games each day and four games on Saturday. The finals are slated for Sunday.

The 2022 Prospects Cup returns after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CALGARY – Two Albertans have been selected to represent Canada at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship. Josh Davies (Airdrie) and Rieger Lorenz (Calgary) will head to Germany as part of the Canadian contingent. Both players competed in the 2019 Alberta Cup and 2017 Prospects Cup (then known as the Peewee Prospects Cup)

Joining Davies and Lorenz from Alberta will be Goaltending Coach, Brad Kirkwood (Calgary) and Equipment Manager, A.J. Murley (Beaumont).

On April 18, Hockey Canada unveiled the 25 players named to Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team for the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship, April 23-May 1 in Landshut and Kaufbeuren, Germany.

The three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 14 forwards who will look to defend Canada’s 2021 gold medal were selected by Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont.), director of player personnel, and Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), manager of hockey operations, with assistance from Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations.

The roster includes one player who won gold at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship (Bedard), three players who participated in the 2021 Capital City Challenge (Dragicevic, Howe, Wood) and three players who won bronze at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Delic, Fantilli, Fimis).

“We are excited to unveil the 25 players that will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship and take on the challenge of winning a second-consecutive gold medal,” said Millar. “For many of these players, this is the first time they will represent their country in international competition, and we know they are excited for the opportunity to compete on the world stage.”

Canada will open the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship against the United States on April 23 at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT, and will also take host Germany on April 24 and Czechia on April 26.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 13 games throughout the tournament, including all Team Canada preliminary-round games, four quarterfinals, both semifinals, and the bronze and gold medal games.

Since 2002, Canada has won four gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021), in addition to one silver (2005) and three bronze (2012, 2014, 2015).

For more information on the Team Alberta program, Alberta Cup, or Prospects Cup, visit hockeyalberta.ca. Or for more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

RED DEER – Hockey Alberta has selected the 120 players who will be participating in the 2022 Alberta Challenge.

The six-team tournament takes place May 5-8 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer.

Players identified for the Challenge are 2007 and 2008-born female athletes. The Challenge is part of the Team Alberta U16 path and an important step towards Team Alberta. Coaches, trainers and directors of operations are also evaluated to continue in the U16 and U18 development path.

After participating in North and South regional camps, April 8-10, in Cochrane and Beaumont, players were selected to three teams representing each region.

2022 Alberta Challenge Rosters > | 2022 Alberta Challenge Schedule >

“The talent at the regional camps showcased the dedication and commitment each athlete has to pursuing their hockey goals,” said Kendall Newell, Hockey Alberta’s Manager of Female Hockey. “With the Alberta Challenge rosters in place, the athletes are ready to display their skills in Red Deer.”

Alberta Challenge play begins on Thursday, May 5, with five games. There are four games on Friday and three on Saturday, with the finals set for Sunday. This year’s Alberta Challenge is the first since 2019.

RED DEER – The 2022 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships presented by ATB, are officially in the books. On April 10, two more teams added provincial champions to their resumes.

The Lacombe Generals (Senior AA) skated away with the banner after an overtime win over the host-team, the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs.

The CAC Canadians claimed the Alberta Elite Hockey League’s U16 AAA banner with a 5-2 win over the Calgary Royals.

In total, 31 champions were crowned across four weeks of provincial championship action.

Week 1 Results > | Week 2 Results > | Week 3 Results >

2022 Hockey Alberta Provincial Tournaments

Championship Games

Senior AA – Lacombe Generals 3, Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs 2

U16 AAA –CAC United Cycle 5, Calgary Royals 2

2022 Hockey Alberta League Playoffs

In the Alberta Junior Hockey League, the North and South Division Finals are underway.

In the South Division, Brooks Bandits lead the series 2-0 over the Okotoks Oilers.

Meanwhile, the Spruce Grove Saints are up 2-0 on Drayton Valley Thunder in the North Division Final.

Both finals are a best-of-seven series.

Hockey Alberta Progressive 50/50

Congratulations to Julie Foerger, who took home $10,000 from the Hockey Alberta Progressive 50/50. Thank you to those who purchased tickets in support of developing hockey across the province.

In collaboration with the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL), the Elite Male Committee and the AA Committee, Hockey Alberta is announcing a number of changes to AAA and AA male hockey. Changes include:

• AEHL transitioning U16 AAA to U17 AAA.
• U16 AA expanding to provincial pilot project.
• U13 AA structure changes, including new criteria on the minimum number of U13 players in a recruitment area and amending the numbers at which more than one team is required.

Please direct any questions to Hockey Alberta.

Please refer to Information Bulletin 21-07 for more information regarding the changes.

Info Bulletin 21:07 >

RED DEER – The 120 players have been named to the six teams that will participate in the 2022 Alberta Cup. Players will hit the ice at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer from April 28 – May 1.

The Alberta Cup features the top 2007-born male athletes from across the province. The competition is a major step in the identification process for athletes, coaches, officials and trainers in the Team Alberta program. As well, many players will be chosen in the upcoming 2022 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft.

Rosters were selected following three regional camps held April 1-3 in Spruce Grove, Red Deer and Calgary. Two teams were formed from each camp.

2022 Alberta Cup Roster > | 2022 Alberta Cup Schedule >

“We were thrilled to be back in the arena to host the regional camps and impressed at the level of talent on display,” said Mike Kraichy, Hockey Alberta’s Manager of Elite Male Hockey. “As we name the players who will participate in this year’s Alberta Cup, their work is just beginning as they prepare for the competition while vying for a spot in the Team Alberta program.”

The Alberta Cup is a four-day, tournament-format competition. Round-robin action begins on Thursday, April 28 with five games. There are four games on Friday and three on Saturday, with the finals set for Sunday. This year’s Alberta Cup marks the return of the competition since 2019.

Approximately 80 players from this year’s competition will be selected to attend Team Alberta’s Provincial Camp in July, with a chance to represent their province at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Officials Named to Alberta Cup

Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the 12 officials who will be working the 2022 Alberta Cup.

Spencer Acheson (Edmonton), Parker Adam (Edmonton), Kyle Edwards (Sherwood Park), Jared Gilbeau (St. Albert), Brennen Jasonson (Sherwood Park), Andrew Lattimer (Calgary), Dylan Leaney (Edmonton), Flynn McGeough (Calgary), Dylan Ouellet (Okotoks), Jack Saunders (Sherwood Park), Jesse Wood-Schatz (Leslieville), and Dyson Zukiwsky (Red Deer) will all be skating into the next step of their officiating careers.

The Alberta Cup is the first step in the Hockey Alberta Official’s Development Program. The 12 officials were selected based on their performance at the three Alberta Cup Regional Camps recently held in Spruce Grove, Red Deer and Calgary.

PICTURE BUTTE – Ten female officials were a part of Hockey Alberta history in Picture Butte during the U13 Female A Provincials this past weekend.

For the first time in Provincial Championship history, the officiating crew at the tournament was made up of all female officials.

Among that group was 15 year-old Picture Butte resident Rayann Campmans, who, with just two years of officiating under her belt, was the youngest official on the crew.

“When I was growing up, there were no female officials to be seen (in Picture Butte), or even Lethbridge, so I feel honoured to be a part of it,” she said. “Female Hockey has started to become a big thing, and there’s a lot of changes happening, so I feel proud to be part of that change.”

Campmans added it was a welcome sight to have fans back in the stands in her hometown rink, and a relief to be back on the ice.

“I am very elated that hockey is back,” she said. “I played for the majority of my life, and I missed it so much. Now, I’m proud that I can be giving back in a way that keeps me skating and keeps me involved in the game.”

Ten-year officiating veteran Brooke Akune, who turned 21 the day before the tournament kicked off, is happy to see increased visibility for female officials, and was honoured to be a part of history.

“I’ve always reffed with boys,” she said. “This is kind of my first two years of reffing female hockey. I was born in a small town, and that’s where I started reffing – with a bunch of boys.”

Piper Ell, an 18-year old official with six years of experience, echoed Akune’s sentiment, and hopes to be a role model for younger females in the game.

“It means quite a bit,” she said. “I grew up in boys hockey, and I never had a female official in my town, so it was always really cool to see a female official. Now, I’m really happy to be able to be that female official for the young girls.”

Francis Rankin, the Officials Supervisor for the U13 Female A Provincials, and the Female Coordinator for the Southern Region Officials Committee, said all ten officials earned their spot in the tournament, and should be incredibly proud to be a part of history.

“It shows and showcases what these females have accomplished,” he said. “They’re not out there just because they happen to be female. “They’re out there because they’re the ones who are qualified to do this tournament. Hopefully, this continues and will encourage younger females to stick with the game.”

RED DEER - Despite a pair of hard-fought series, the Alberta Female Hockey League’s Edmonton U18 AAA Pandas and the Alberta Elite Hockey League’s Calgary U18 AAA Buffaloes both fell in the Pacific Regional Championships over the weekend.

Taking on the Fraser Valley Rush, the Edmonton Pandas lost Game One 4-3 in overtime, and then fell 3-2 as the Rush swept the best-of-three series to advance to the 2022 Esso Cup, which will be held May 16-22 in Alberta.

Meanwhile, the Calgary Buffaloes were looking to punch their ticket to the 2022 Telus Cup against the Vancouver NE Chiefs. After winning Game One in overtime, Vancouver held off a late Calgary comeback to win Game Two in overtime 4-3, and then held on for a 2-1 win to advance to the National Championship tournament, which also runs in Alberta May 16-22.

RED DEER – Week three of the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships presented by ATB is in the books! Fifteen provincial champions were named on Sunday, April 3.

Teams taking home the banner were: Fort St. John Huskies (Junior B), NWCAA Stamps (U18 AA), SW Cougars (U18 Tier 1), Edson Sabres (U18 Tier 2), Wainwright Bisons (U18 Tier 3), Thorsby Thunder (U18 Tier 4), GHC Inferno Silver (U18 Female A), Cold Lake Jaguars (U18 Female B), Fort McMurray Jr Oil Barons (U13 AA), Cochrane Rockies (U13 Tier 1), Red Deer Chiefs (U13 Tier 2), Bassano Outlaws (U13 Tier 3), Magrath Chiefs (U13 Tier 4), Grande Prairie Knights (U13 Female A) and Irma Aces (U13 Female B).

In total, 29 champions have been crowned.

Week 1 Results >

Week 2 Results >

2022 Hockey Alberta Provincial Tournaments

Championship Games

Junior B – Fort St. John Huskies 6, Cochrane Generals 0

U18 AA – NWCAA Stamps 5, CAC Butchers and Packers 5

U18 Tier 1 – SW Cougars 5, North West Zone 2

U18 Tier 2 – Edson Sabres 3, St. Paul Canadiens 2

U18 Tier 3 – Wainwright Bisons 4, Brooks Junior Bandits 0

U18 Tier 4 – Thorsby Thunder 5, Onion Lake Chiefs 1

U18 Female A – GHC Inferno Silver 3, Edmonton Ravens 2

U18 Female B – Cold Lake Jaguars 4, Lloydminster Blazers 0

U13 AA – Fort McMurray Jr Oil Barons 5, NWCAA Bronks 4

U13 Tier 1 – Cochrane Rockies 6, Drayton Valley Stars 5

U13 Tier 2 – Red Deer Chiefs 3, Springbank Rockies 2

U13 Tier 3 – Bassano Outlaws 7, Trails West Wolves 1

U13 Tier 4 – Magrath Chiefs 6, Sundre Huskies 2

U13 Female A – Grande Prairie Knights 4, Red Deer Chiefs 0

U13 Female B – Irma Aces 4, Lakeland Jaguars 0

2022 Hockey Alberta League Playoffs

The Alberta Junior Hockey League will decide the provincial champion through league playoffs.

Brooks Bandits will face the Okotoks Oilers in the South Division Final.

In the North Division Final, the Spruce Grove Saints will meet the Drayton Valley Thunder.

Hockey Alberta Progressive 50/50

Hockey Alberta is giving you a chance to win big! From March 17 – April 10, the organization will be launching it’s inaugural progressive 50/50 during the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships presented by ATB. This weekend’s early bird prize was a weekend getaway to Canmore, including: Ford Mustang Rental courtesy of Lacombe Ford; two-night stay at the Solara Resort; $100 gift card to Murrieta’s; $100 gift card to the Iron Goat; two $50 gift cards to Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club; $200 gift card for Canmore Raft Tours. The winning ticket number is: C-1266.

Prizes can be claimed by emailing [email protected]. The holder of the winning ticket must reach out by email within 48 hours of the draw.

Tickets >

Ticketing Information >

CALGARY – The excitement of the return of the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, presented by ATB, can be felt throughout the province.

At the U18 level, the excitement comes with bitter-sweetness. With the U18 provincial championships underway, many are playing their last games of minor hockey this weekend.

With 13 graduating players, the Calgary Royals, host of the U18 AA provincials, are playing their last minor hockey games at home. Reflecting on what sport and the community has done for them, they’ve chosen to use this tournament to give back to the community.

In honour of each Player of the Game, a $25 donation will be made in their name to KidSport. As well, the championship team will make a $500 donation to a charity of their choice, thanks to a sponsorship from Ocean Trailer.

“As parents, we’ve been part of the hockey community for 15 or more years, and while it’s coming to an end, we all so appreciate what sport has done for our kids beyond hockey,” said Jodi Drake, part of the organizing host committee. “With the pandemic and getting back to sport, we want more kids to be able to do that so we’re making those donations.”

Although many minor hockey careers are coming to an end this weekend, parents like Drake will be forever thankful for the opportunities sport gave their children.

“Hockey has been a fabric of our kids growing up. I think everybody is thinking about hockey differently given the break we’ve had over the last couple of years. The hockey community was missed,” said Drake. “Being back on the ice, seeing the kids come together, hearing them talk about this as their family, community, their therapy, it’s just heart warming to give them the opportunity to be back.”

And there is something special about being back on the ice at the Hockey Alberta Provincials presented by ATB.

“Not all kids get to play in provincials, we recognize the honour that comes with this and we’re looking forward to making a really fantastic experience for all five teams that are here. Being a part of the community and giving back is a big part of that,” said Drake.

The U18 AA Provincial Championship continues play until Sunday, April 3 at the Stu Peppard Arena in Calgary. Provincial championship action can be found throughout the province, check out haprovincials.ca to find a tournament near you.

LANGLEY, BC – Two Alberta U18 AAA teams are gearing up to play for a chance to head to the National Championships beginning on Friday.

The AEHL’s Calgary Buffaloes (U18 AAA Male) and AFHL’s Edmonton Pandas (U18 AAA Female) have traveled to Langley, BC to begin their best-of-three series games for the Pacific Regional Championships.

The Buffaloes defeated the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers 4-1 on March 23 to sweep the best-of-five series three games to none. They will now be taking on the Vancouver NE Chiefs for a spot in the TELUS Cup.

The Pandas defeated the St. Albert Bauer Slash 2-1 on March 20 to win the U18 AAA Female Provincial Championships and cement their spot in the Pacific Regionals. They will now battle the Fraser Valley Rush for a spot in the Esso Cup.

U18 AAA Male Schedule

Friday, April 1 @ 7:00pm – Langley Events Centre

Saturday, April 2 @ 7:45pm – Scotia Barn

*Sunday, April 3 @ 11:00am – Scotia Barn

U18 AAA Female Schedule

Friday, April 1 @ 6:00pm – Langley Twin Rinks

Saturday, April 2 @ 1:15pm – Langley Twin Rinks

*Sunday, April 3 @10:30am – Langley Twin Rinks

*If Necessary

All game times are local and will be streamed live on PlayFullScreen.