RED DEER – The top 120 under-16 male athletes are taking the ice April 27-30 in Red Deer to play for the Alberta Cup.

The tournament kicks off Thursday with Alberta Green taking on Alberta Blue at 9 A.M., and continues through until the championship game on Sunday at 2 P.M.

Throughout the weekend, six teams will face off in a modified round-robin tournament at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. Each team is comprised of two goaltenders, six defence and 12 forwards.

On Friday, Hockey Alberta will host over 150 students from Fairview Elementary School and Penhold Elementary School. In partnership with the Hockey Alberta Foundation, the school program allows students to experience the game and participate in off-ice activities.

Over the course of three weeks, Hockey Alberta will welcome hundreds of people from across the province to Red Deer for the Spring Showcase. The Alberta Cup launches the annual event, followed by the Alberta Challenge (May 3-7) and Prospects Cup (May 10-13).

To watch live, ticket packages are available at the Gary W. Harris Centre box office or online. Games are being livestreamed on HockeyTV.

Throughout the duration of the tournament a progressive 50/50 is taking place, with the draw planned for Monday, May 1. Tickets can be purchased on-site or online.

For more information on the Alberta Cup, visit abcup.ca or follow Hockey Alberta on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Tickets >

Watch Live >

Schedule >

Rosters >

50/50’s >

­About Alberta Cup

The Alberta Cup aids in the identification and selection of potential players for Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta program, with hundreds of players annually trying out for 120 spots (20 positions on each of the six regional teams). In addition to player development, the Alberta Cup also features opportunities for administrators, referees, coaches, therapists and equipment managers to be identified for potential positions at higher level events, such as the World U17 Hockey Challenge.

RED DEER – Alberta Green are the 2023 Alberta Cup Champions.

The championship final featured a battle of the southern region with Alberta Green and Alberta Red facing off. Midway through the third, Owen Folstrom netted the single goal of the game to clinch the trophy. History was made at the buzzer to conclude the tournament as Alberta Green’s, Carter Esler posted an impressive 0.987 save percentage, to break the Alberta Cup record. Alberta Green went undefeated through the tournament.

Earlier in the day, Alberta Grey showcased a nominating performance to claim third place over Alberta Blue.

While Alberta Black found their momentum against Alberta Gold to finish fifth overall. Throughout the weekend, Alberta Black outshot their opponents 209-119, despite finishing with a 1-4 record.

The 2023 Spring Showcase continues with the Alberta Challenge (May 4-7) and the Prospects Cup (11-14).

Tickets are available online or at the box office and games are livestreamed on HockeyTV.

Standings > | Stats > | Schedule > | Day One Recap > | Day Two Recap > | Day Three Recap > | 2023 Alberta Cup All Stars >

Game #13

Alberta Black 9 – Alberta Gold 1

Players of the Game: Alberta Black: #8 Knox Bendera | Alberta Gold: #31 Kai Zurowski

Boxscore >

Game #14

Alberta Grey 9 – Alberta Blue 3

Players of the Game: Alberta Grey: #9 Sawyer Dingman | Alberta Blue: #5 Aaron Sawatzky

Boxscore >

Game #15

Alberta Green 1 – Alberta Red 0

Player of the Game: Alberta Green: #31 Carter Esler| Alberta Red: #1 Ryley Budd

Boxscore >

Gatorade Alberta Built Performer of the Day – Carter Esler (Alberta Green)

The Alberta Built player of the day is the athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of an "Alberta Built" player. Alberta Built is defined as:

1. Good person - Know who you are.
2. Character player - Believe in yourself.
3. Grit player - Thrive on adversity
4. Leadership - Treat yourself & people right
5. Standard of performance - Focused approach on process - ALWAYS COMPETE - EVERY-DAYERS

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the 2023 Alberta Cup All-Stars:

Goaltender

#31 Carter Esler - Alberta Green

GP: 3 | MP: 178 | W: 3 | L: 0 | OTL: 0 | SOL: 0 | SO: 2 | SA: 79 | GA: 1 | SVS: 78 | GAA: 0.34 | SV%: 0.987%

Defence

#3 Easton LaPlante - Alberta Green

GP: 5 | G: 1 | A: 0 | Pts: 1 | PIM: 6

Defence

#6 Daxon Rudolph - Alberta Black

GP: 5 | G: 4 | A: 0 | Pts: 4 | PIM: 8

Forward

#11 Riley Boychuk - Alberta Blue

GP: 5 | G: 1 | A: 4 | Pts: 5 | PIM: 0

Forward

#14 Townes Kozicky - Alberta Red

GP: 5 | G: 1 | A: 6 | Pts: 7 | PIM: 0

Forward

#11 Ty Meunier - Alberta Gold

GP: 5 | G: 4 | A: 3 | Pts: 7 | PIM: 6

Top Official

Travis Stewart - Edmonton

It doesn’t take long to find a family that has been impacted by Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta (RMH). The Hockey Alberta family is no different.

RMH supports families seeking vital medical treatment for their seriously sick or injured child. During some of the most difficult times a family can face, the Houses are there to support with a home-away-from-home.

Grow the Game Coordinator, Cassie Campbell, had family stay in RMH while she was going through a complicated labour and delivery with her second child.

“RMH was an amazing second home for my family,” said Cassie Campbell, Hockey Alberta’s Grow the Game Coordinator. “It meant I could focus on taking care of myself and the baby and not worry about my husband, knowing that he could rest and refuel to be there in a moment’s notice. We are both so grateful for the staff and volunteers at RMH. Our time there was short but the impact of their support is unforgettable.”

RMH is equipped with private family suites, a recreation room with a fitness area and games room and open kitchens.

For some families, their stay can last a few nights, while for others, it can last a few months. Situated close to the hospital, the Houses save families millions of dollars on transportation, meals, laundry, parking and more, each year.

Hockey Alberta’s Member Services Coordinator, Stacey Pattison, grew up hours away from a children’s hospital. So when she was diagnosed with meningococcemia septicemia as at nine years-old, to have her family near meant the world.

“Being from a small town, the local hospital didn’t have the resources, so I was transported to a hospital over an hour away from home,” said Pattison. “I’m very foturnate that my mom was able to stay with me the whole time. She used the RMH and was able to be with me the whole time, she could make medical decisions and never missed a doctors drop-in while I was in the hospital.”

Knowing the severity of the illness now, Pattison is thankful to the RMH for allowing her family to be there and help focus on getting her healthy.

“Now as a parent, I understand how families will always make it work to be there for their children, and the opportunity provided by RMH to assist families to reduce the stress in providing accommodations,” said Pattison. “Home cooked meals provides more than that, it allows parents to be 100 per cent available for their children who so desperately need their parents full care and attention to focus on healing.”

After spending their day at the hospital, the last thing families want to do is cook. That’s why the Hockey Alberta staff have committed to the “Home for Dinner” volunteer program offered by RMH.

Home for Dinner is a program that allows volunteer groups to purchase groceries and come into the house to provide dinner for families.

“Most of the Hockey Alberta staff live in Central Alberta, and I feel it is important to give back to the communities where we live,” said Darcy Smith, Hockey Alberta’s Member Development Coordinator. “The heart of our organization is kids, if we can make some of the tough days easier for these families and by cooking homemade meals, then hopefully we have brighten someone’s day just a little.”

Often, those who are utilizing RMH, are part of the hockey family, and for some members of the staff, the initiative hits close to home.

During National Volunteer Week, it’s important to take the time to acknowledge the volunteers that make hockey great across Alberta. However the hockey community is full of volunteers who make an impact bigger than the game. For the Hockey Alberta staff, volunteering at the RMH is just one way we can support those who support us.

To volunteer with the Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, click here.

Volunteers are all ages and sizes.

Take, for example, Ben Woodlock.

Ben is a 14-year-old apprentice coach with the Alberta Elite Hockey League’s U15 AAA St. Albert Gregg Distributors Sabres.

“Ben kind of brought our whole family back into hockey,” said his father, Pat. “When we moved into our neighborhood, there was an ongoing street hockey game. He grew up looking at that and had a hockey stick in his hands in his early years.”

By the age of five, Ben was ready to hit the ice, but his parents were more uncertain.

“Given Ben’s medical history, we weren’t sure if he should or could play,” said Pat. “We talked to his team of medical specialists and they felt that the overall benefit (of playing hockey) outweighed the risk.”

At 14, Ben has already undergone two kidney transplants – first, when he was a year and a half and his second at age 11. For a large part of his life, he in the hospital three or four times a week receiving dialysis and treatments.

While going through treatment, Ben would pass the time on his iPad, watching NHL highlights, studying different plays, researching statistics and doing quizzes about hockey.

“I had watched all the shows so I decided to look up hockey stats and it went from there,” said Ben. “If I’m ever having a bad day, I can rely on hockey.”

The way Ben thinks and understands the game is beyond how most hockey fans see it. But standing at approximately 4’10”, a combination of his size and medical history left Ben uncertain about his playing future. After five years, he said he lost his love for playing the game.

His parents saw Ben still had passion for the game and recommended officiating. Knowing the game, this was an easy transition for Ben, but he still had more to give.

In August, the Sabres head coach, Geoff Giacobbo heard Ben’s story. He didn’t think twice about approaching Ben about whether he would be interested in an apprentice coaching role.

“As a coach, it’s a win-win,” said Giacobbo. “Our team gets a better understanding of how fortunate we are to do what we love every day. They get to see what a difference kindness can make for someone and for Ben, he gets to be a part of a team and the sport he loves.”

Ben’s role with the team looked like any other coach. He participated in team activities, helped at practice, recorded game videos, counted team and individual stats and sometimes he’d just watch to take it all in.

“Ben’s a lot happier overall and this (new role) has given him a lot of confidence,” said Pat. “The whole thing with hockey is that it teaches you life skills. As parents, it’s at the forefront for us that our kids are learning life lessons that go beyond whether you win or lose a particular game. I’ve found that experience has been front and centre with Ben in his new role.”

The ice has barely thawed for this season and Ben is already looking ahead to next year. With a goal of one day getting into scouting, or working as a player agent, he’s using his role to gain the experience to make his dreams come true.

“In May, we have a selection camp that I’ll be part of, it’s pretty exciting because it’s like scouting,” said Ben. “I’ll be more experienced and know the team so I’m already looking forward to what’s coming up.”

The Alberta Elite Hockey League’s (AEHL) U18 AAA Calgary (NW) Flames punched their ticket to the Hockey Canada Men’s U18 National Club Championships, while the Alberta Female Hockey League’s (AFHL) U18 AAA Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs hosted the Fraser Valley Rush in the Pacific Regional Championships April 7-8.

AEHL Pacific Regional Championships

The Flames swept the Okanagan Rockets in two games to claim the Pacific Regional Championship.

The series took place in Calgary at the Father David Bauer Arena, and offence was on display for both teams.

In game one, the Rockets scored twice in the third period to send the game to overtime. But it only 23 seconds in the extra frame for Wade Wallace to score the winning goal in the 5-4 victory. Calgary goals in regulation time were scored by Braden Ivey, Brett Wilson, Max Heise, and Aidan Larose.

In game two on Saturday, the Okanagan jumped out to a 4-2 lead after one. But the Flames scored five straight goals in a 15-minute span, and then held on for an 8-6 victory. Calgary was led by Joshua Wiebe with three goals and two assists, while Larose also added a hat-trick. Ivey and Russ Demo had the singles. Wilson had three assists, while Heise and Nolan Kelly had a pair of helpers each.

The Flames will now travel to the Men’s U18 National Club Championship to take on the top five U18 AAA teams from across the country. The tournament runs from April 24-20 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.

AFHL Pacific Regional Championships

Game one of the best-of-three series took place on Friday. In a back-and-forth game, Red Deer couldn’t find the back of the net as the Rush pulled away with a 3-0 win. Rebecca Noble earned the shutout for Fraser Valley.

Back at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on Saturday for game two, Red Deer got goals from Nadia Lavoie and Rylee McLeod, but it wasn’t enough as the Rush prevailed 5-2.

The Fraser Valley Rush will compete at the Esso Cup April 23-29 in Prince Albert, Sask.