Strathcona U7 Warriors: Leading the Way in Inclusion and Support for Abby’s Journey

This past weekend, Hockey Alberta’s very own Airdrie Lightning U18AA AFHL team made waves on the international stage, traveling to Nashville to compete in the highly anticipated Preds Girls Classic. Despite a rocky start, the team’s resilience, teamwork, and determination propelled them to an inspiring victory, ending in a gold medal finish.

The tournament began with a tough 5-4 shootout loss to the host team, the Nashville Jr. Preds U16. However, the Airdrie Lightning quickly regrouped, showing the heart and determination that has defined their season. Saturday morning saw them bounce back with a commanding 5-2 win over the Nashville Jr. Preds U19 team, followed by a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the number eight ranked U16 Chicago Hawks later that afternoon. These wins earned the Lightning 6 points and a spot in the finals.

In the championship game, the Lightning faced the U16 Chicago Hawks once again. The final was an intense battle, with both teams giving it their all. A key goal early in the third period put the Lightning ahead, and they played solid, defensive hockey to secure the win, clinching the gold medal.

While the on-ice success was remarkable, the experience off the ice made lasting memories for the team. The players had the opportunity to explore Nashville together, bonding during team dinners, enjoying time on Broadway, and even trying group line dancing. These shared experiences will remain etched in the players’ minds for years to come.

Head coach Abby Laporte, who is new to coaching in Alberta, expressed immense pride in her team’s accomplishments. “Our girls are truly special,” she said, “we have the smallest roster in our league, which requires a lot of grit and determination to play in full games and these girls were dialed in”.

Laporte also took a moment to reflect on her team’s journey, "I am so proud to be their coach, and work alongside these amazing 17 athletes every single day. They make me so proud, and the way we came together in this tournament finals, just showed our character and how we are truly a family. So honoured to coach for Airdrie and these amazing young ladies!”

Team captain Deanna Young also shared her pride in the team’s performance and success. “I am beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to captain this team and thanks to coach, have the opportunity to represent AMHA, Alberta, and CANADA in Nashville”. Young commented, “Additionally, we couldn’t be in the position we’re in without our families and parents. This is a phenomenal group; each individual plays a unique roll, and we wouldn’t be the team we are without every player on this team. The love and compassion, on and off the ice, that we have for one another has factored greatly in our success this year and has turned this team into a family”.

The Airdrie Lightning U18AA team’s gold medal win at the Preds Girls Classic is a significant accomplishment, one that highlights the team’s skill, resilience, and unity. Congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff for their outstanding performance, and we look forward to seeing them continue to shine on the ice throughout the rest of the season.

Schedule and Results >

RED DEER – The inaugural Pickleball FUNdraiser Corporate Charity Challenge took place at Westerner Park on January 24, bringing together local businesses, sports enthusiasts, and community leaders for a day of friendly competition and charitable giving. The event, presented by Nathan Giesbrecht & Associates – IG Private Wealth Management, was a collaborative effort between The Hockey Alberta Foundation and The Outreach Centre. As a result of the event’s success and generous support, $30,000 was raised for the Hockey Alberta Foundation and Outreach Center. Dustin Moore from The Outreach Centre explained where the funds will go, saying, "The event will be split between both charities. It will support programs and services at The Outreach Centre and help kids get involved in hockey, growing the game for the Hockey Alberta Foundation across Alberta." Nathan Giesbrecht shared the planning behind the event, saying, "We wanted to come up with something different that’s not golf or hockey." He added, "Let’s raise some money for a great cause."

With a fun twist on the game’s classic name, the tournament featured two divisions – the Dill Division and the Garlic Division. A total of 80 teams participated, competing in a round-robin format to determine the rankings for the final rounds. Each team played three matches, with scores helping to decide the final matchups. Kevin Watson from Team Pickleballers claims, "It’s been a fun day. For the first time ever, there are lots of people here, and they’re all having fun". During the day, a spirited celebrity Pickleball Showdown took place, with the hosts of the Oh, Deer podcast—Strybosch, Walsh, Dustin, and Lund—facing off in the day’s "feature" game. The friendly yet competitive match offered a lighthearted break for attendees, showcasing the personalities of the local podcast crew in a fun, athletic setting.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Giesbrecht noted, "It’s been a resounding success, from the sponsorship perspective. All the sponsors have stepped up to say we are excited to be here". Tim Leer, Director of Partnership and Marketing at Hockey Alberta, expressed excitement about the future, saying, "We aim to build on the success of year one, increase the number of corporate sponsors, and raise even more money for these two great charities".

Congratulations to Lime-Green Realty for being the first-ever FUNdraiser Pickleball Champions! And a heartfelt thank you to the many sponsors, volunteers, and the planning committee whose hard work made the event a success. Their efforts ensured everything ran smoothly and helped create a fun, memorable day for all involved.

As the 2025 hockey season unfolds, a notable trend is taking shape across Alberta: all-female officiating teams are taking the ice and making their mark. These ground-breaking women are not just blowing the whistle—they’re breaking down barriers, paving the way for future generations of women in the sport, and showing the world that officiating is an arena where talent, leadership, and passion know no gender.

One of the most exciting milestones occurred at the U18AAA AFHL Showcase in Red Deer, held at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on December 21. For the first time in the event’s history, an all-female officiating crew was in charge of the game, setting a powerful example for the young athletes on the ice.

“I always get so happy knowing I’ll be skating with an all-female crew,” said Neve Palmer, official with Hockey Alberta. “There’s a mutual understanding and bond between us female officials, and it’s really nice being able to skate with a whole team of us who go through the same things officials go through every game”.

This breakthrough didn’t just stop in Red Deer. The Circle K Classic in Calgary from December 27 - January 1, which is an international hockey tournament, also featured an all-female officiating team, further reinforcing the role of women in officiating at high-level events.

“Knowing that they trusted us to do a good job allowed me to feel like there is real progress being made for women officials in this province” said Kennedy Roblin, official with Hockey Alberta.

But the momentum didn’t stop there. On January 5, 2025, another all-female officiating crew hit the ice at the Meadow Arena in Edmonton for a U15AA game. This continued success reflects the growing recognition of women in officiating roles and signals that we’re headed toward a future where gender is no longer a factor in officiating talent.

Why More Female Officials Matter

As the presence of female officials grows, the impact on the sport will be felt in many ways. Here are just a few of the positive outcomes that come from having more women in the officiating ranks:

1. Role Models for Future Generations: Female athletes playing in games officiated by women are more likely to see officiating as a legitimate career path for themselves. It’s about showing that there are no limits to what women can achieve in hockey, whether as players, coaches, or officials.
2. Improved Game Dynamics: Diverse perspectives in officiating contribute to better decision-making. Female officials may bring different viewpoints and experiences, which can lead to more balanced and fair calls in games. Women in officiating positions often serve as strong advocates for sportsmanship, respect, and fairness on the ice. This can contribute to a healthier game culture, as players may be more inclined to demonstrate respect for authority when the officials reflect their diversity.
3. Building Leadership Skills: Officiating is more than just about making calls—it’s about leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Being part of an officiating crew teaches life skills that go far beyond the rink, helping women build careers and leadership roles outside of hockey.

Advice for Aspiring Female Officials

For young women considering a future in officiating, the path may seem intimidating, but it’s one worth pursuing. As Roblin advises, “I would highly recommend it. It has given me great life skills that have helped me in my life outside of officiating. I have made countless friends that has opened up opportunities for me career wise. There will be bumps along the way, as any other official can tell you, but if you surround yourself with people you can trust, there is no limit to what you can accomplish in officiating”.

Palmer agrees, adding, “Stick with it! And if you have the option in your area, please try to officiate as many female hockey games as you can! The reason why I am still officiating, after 11 years, is the community, friendships, and support I receive from the female development program”.

“It’s never too late to get involved,” said Liam MacIsaac, Officiating Manager at Hockey Alberta. “At the end of the day, officiating should be something you enjoy. Stay passionate about the game, and don’t forget why you got into it in the first place”.

As we move further into 2025, it’s clear that the landscape of hockey officiating is changing for the better. The rise of all-female officiating teams is just one example of how women are making their mark in the sport, and the impact is felt not just on the ice but across the entire hockey community.

Looking Ahead

As more and more women step into officiating roles, the future of hockey looks brighter, more inclusive, and more empowering than ever before. With the support of organizations, mentors, and a growing network of women in the field, the sky’s the limit for future generations of female officials. Here’s to a future where gender no longer matters—only passion, talent, and dedication to the game.

LEDUC - From January 16-19, 48 teams gathered across Alberta for the inaugural U11AA Showcase, held around five arenas. This event marked a significant milestone in the development of young hockey players, providing an opportunity for some of the best 9 and 10-year-olds in the province to come together, showcase their skills, and compete at the elite level.

Taylor Stiles, Host Chair, Leduc Hosting Committee, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "This is an amazing opportunity to showcase our young athletes. Our 9 and 10-year-olds are some of the best hockey players in Alberta at this age group, and we have teams from across Alberta. This is just a great opportunity for all to come together, showcase our abilities, compete against each other, and hopefully have a really great weekend."

With only six weeks left before playoffs, this showcase served as a crucial test for many of the teams, allowing them to face off against some of the best competition in the province. It was the perfect opportunity to gauge where each team stood regarding development. "This is the time for our teams to be tested, to play the best teams in the province, and see how good they are," Deibert added.

The U11 Player Pathway is designed to help young players realize their full potential, and this showcase was the first of its kind. Hockey Canada has emphasized that player development should always remain the top priority. By creating an environment that fosters growth, the U11 Player Pathway benefits the players and their families.

Dana Henfrey, U11AA Chair, highlighted one of the key takeaways from the event: "The divisions playing against other divisions for the first time this season and the networking that’s going to happen because of that. It’s a great chance to meet and greet before provincials."

The showcase also underscored the importance of developing young hockey talent across the province. "I think young hockey in Alberta has a great opportunity with this elite level at such a young age, but our priority is still development," said Henfrey. "These kids get to play elite hockey against other elite athletes and develop simultaneously, and that goes for our coaches and officials as well."

Morgen Kidney, Minor Leagues Coordinator with Hockey Alberta, expressed pride in the event’s success, saying that with 48 teams across 5 sites, "We see a ton of different levels of skill at this age group, but for development, it’s awesome to be able to see them play against each other and see what the whole province has to offer."

Ultimately, the key takeaway is the development of all teams, as they were matched up in pools with similar skill levels, fostering growth and a competitive environment for everyone involved.

The event ended in a thrilling championship game, in which the Lethbridge Hurricanes remained undefeated and emerged as champions. Congratulations to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on their victory and to all participants for making this first-ever U11 AA Showcase a resounding success. As Alberta continues to nurture its young hockey talent, this event marks the beginning of more opportunities for growth and development in the years to come.

U11AA SHOWCASE MEDIA GALLERY >

Registration for the 2025 Prospects Cup Regional Camps has reached capacity.

To be placed on a waitlist, please email [email protected].

RED DEER – Twenty-one players from across the province have been named to the NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Tri-City Americans defenceman Jackson Smith (Calgary) ranked at number 9 among North American Skaters on the list, a ranking within a list of players who are projected to be taken in the first round of the NHL draft. Forwards Braeden Cootes (Sherwood Park) and Nathan Behm (Calgary) ranked at number 21 and 31 respectively.

Goaltender Jake Pilon (Calgary) made the North American goalie rankings at number 23.

The full list of Albertans named to the Central Scouting Midterm Rankings can be found below:

At the end of the 2023-2024 season Hockey Alberta launched the pilot for the Player Pledge initiative, encouraging teams competing in Provincials and the Spring Showcase to become involved.

Now, for the remainder of the 24/25 season, we are excited to issue this new call to action by launching the Player Pledge and Online Player Program engagement opportunities. These programs are designed to encourage teams, associations, and players to promote inclusivity and respect in the sport of hockey.

We are asking for your action, continued help, support and leadership as we guide Hockey in Alberta towards new, innovative, and more inclusive practices.

Change starts within, we invite and challenge all teams to participate in a team building activity, recognize the Player Pledge and commit to actions of safety, inclusion, and respect throughout the remainder of this 2024-2025 season.

Player Pledge: is a commitment directly from teams and players to promote inclusivity, respect and teamwork with the concept of “it starts with us”. Players and teams can join this one-of-a-kind movement to make hockey a place for everyone.

View the Social Media Toolkit and visit the Player Pledge website for more details on how to get started.

Online Player Education Program: a tailored program specific for U15-U18 teams to elevate their pledge commitment by taking part in some added learning. A collaborative effort with the Western Hockey League and their Respect in Hockey platform, this customized program emphasizes leadership and life skill enhancement and promotes respectful interactions with those around us. Available for the remainder of this season at no cost to the first one hundred U15 & U18 teams. Sign up now, don’t miss the opportunity to get in on the program while it’s free.

View the Social Media Toolkit and visit the Player Education Program website page for more details on how to get started.

As a reminder, follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with all things Player Pledge related.

We hope you join us and look forward to seeing all the great team commitments and engagement!

Registration for the 2025 Alberta Challenge Regional Camps has reached capacity.

To be placed on a waitlist, please email [email protected].

Registration for the 2025 Alberta Cup Regional Camps has reached capacity.

To be placed on a waitlist, please email [email protected].

The 2024 Ben’s Cup brought together 32 hockey teams from across Alberta for an unforgettable event that combined hockey, competition, and fundraising for a meaningful cause. Held from December 27th to 29th, 2024, at the Ardrossan Recreation Complex and Strathcona Olympiette Centre, the tournament featured 16 U-11 and 16 U-13 teams, competing in AA, Tier 1, and Tier 2 divisions for each age group. This Hockey Alberta-sanctioned tournament aimed to raise funds for the Ben Stelter Foundation, which is dedicated to bringing Proton Beam Therapy to Canada for the first time.

A unique aspect of the Ben’s Cup was the participation of the top 40 fundraisers, who had raised the most money leading up to the All-Star Game. These players were selected to play in the highly anticipated All-Star game, where they were joined by special guest appearances from beloved figures like the Edmonton Oilers mascot, Hunter, and super fans such as Banjo Guy, Super Fan Magoo, and McMullet. Mike and Leah Stelter also coached the teams, while Hunter split his time between the orange and blue teams as a player.

All funds raised from Ben’s Cup went directly to the Ben Stelter Foundation, which is working to bring Proton Beam Therapy to Canada. Proton Therapy is a cutting-edge cancer treatment, but Canada is the only G8 country without it. Every year, many Albertans must travel to the United States to access this vital treatment. The Ben Stelter Foundation is committed to changing that by bringing Proton Therapy to Canada and making it available to all who need it.

Before the puck dropped, attendees heard from special guest Peyton Walker, a 16-year-old who received Proton Therapy in Jacksonville, Florida, earlier this year. Peyton shared her powerful story of strength and courage, inspiring everyone in attendance. The Stelter family also spoke about the importance of Ben’s Cup and what it means to them. To make the event even more special, Robert Clark the Edmonton Oilers anthem singer sang "O Canada" before the game began.

All fundraisers were recognized at the end of the All-Star game, with Kaleb Williams leading the way by raising an impressive $19,467. He was followed by Emmett Madigin ($18,097), Jake Sarvas ($11,640), Carson Walker ($10,330), and Niall O’Brien Buckley ($9,975). Their dedication to the cause not only contributed to the success of Ben’s Cup but also played a significant role in raising funds to bring Proton Therapy to Canada.

The 2024 Ben’s Cup served as a powerful reminder that hockey is about more than just the game. As Mike Stelter stated, “It’s more than just a game.” He expressed his gratitude to all the players and parents for their incredible efforts in helping raise money for such a meaningful cause. It was an unforgettable weekend. Mike explained, “What made the tournament so great was seeing the kids stepping up to help other kids and fundraise.” By December 28th, the tournament had raised an incredible $494,897.77, and by December 30th, that total had risen to $605,402.91 in support of the Ben Stelter Foundation.

Mike continued, “It had such a fun environment, and hockey almost felt like the fun bonus of the weekend. The kids worked so hard on their fundraising, and it was so great to see them have so much fun after all of their hard work and dedication at the All-Star game.”

The success of this event highlights the power of sport to bring people together. The generosity of the hockey community will leave a lasting legacy on the lives of many Canadians.

To learn more about the Ben Stelter Foundation and how you can contribute to bringing Proton Therapy to Canada, visit www.benstelterfoundation.com.

2024 BEN’S CUP - PHOTO GALLERY >

Happy Holidays from Hockey Alberta!

Staff at Hockey Alberta would like to wish you and your families Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. The Hockey Alberta office is closed December 25-31 and January 1, with some staff working remotely January 2-3. The Hockey Alberta office at Red Deer Polytechnic re-opens with regular hours on Monday, January 6.

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the host communities for the 2025 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, presented by ATB.

Host communities for the 30 provincial championships have been confirmed. The remaining four provincial champions are determined through league playoffs.

Championship tournaments are being hosted in locations across the province - from Peace River to Okotoks, and Jasper to Wainwright, the action will carry itself throughout Alberta.

2025 Provincial Hosts >

ATB is returning as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Provincial Sponsorships.

Participating teams for the provincial championship tournaments are determined through league playoffs.

Hockey Alberta’s Tiered and Female leagues include: Hockey Calgary, Edmonton Federation Hockey League, Central Alberta Hockey League, All Peace Hockey League, North Eastern Alberta Hockey League, Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League, and East Central Alberta Female Hockey League.

Week one (March 20-23) sees the first action on the schedule, with championships including: U18 Female A, U18 Female B, U16 AA, U15 AAA, U15 AA, U15 A, U15 B, U15 C, U15 A NBC, U15 Female AA, U13 A, U13 B, U13 C, U13 D and U13 Female B.

Week two (March 27-30) features: Junior C, U18 AA, U18 A, U18 B, U18 C, U18 A NBC, U18 Female AA, U15 Female A, U15 Female B, U13 AA, U13 Female AA, U13 Female A and U11 AA.

The final weekend (April 2-6) showcases Junior B and U17 AAA.

Junior A, Junior Female, U18AAA and U18 AAA Female provincial champions are decided through league playoffs.

RED DEER – Forty volunteers have been selected to lead the eight teams competing at the 2025 Prospects Cup.

The staffing complement for each team includes a director of operations, a coach mentor, a head coach, two assistant coaches, and a trainer. The Prospects Cup is a core Hockey Alberta Development program that allows athletes, staff and on-ice officials an opportunity for growth into the next steps of their hockey journey.

The Prospects Cup is being held in Red Deer at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, May 7-11. The province is divided into four regions, with two teams selected from each region. Male athletes born in 2012 and playing in a Hockey Canada-sanctioned program are eligible to try out.

Regional Camp registration opens on January 20. Regional camps will take place April 11-13 in Calgary, Olds, Vegreville, and Edmonton.

Listing of team staff below, the director of operations will be announced closer to the Prospects Cup.

North Grey (Vegreville) 

 
North Blue (Vegreville) 

 
Capital Green (Edmonton) 

 
Capital Purple (Edmonton) 

 
South Gold (Olds) 

 
South Black (Olds) 

Calgary White

Calgary Red

 
Hockey Alberta Staff 

RED DEER  –  Thirty volunteers have been selected to lead the six teams competing at the 2025 Alberta Challenge.

The staffing complement for each team includes a director of operations, head coach, mentor coach, two assistant coaches, apprentice coach and therapist. The Alberta Challenge is a core Hockey Alberta Female Development program that allows athletes, staff and on-ice officials an opportunity for growth for the next step in their hockey journey.

The Alberta Challenge is hosted at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer from April 30-May 4. The province is divided into North and South regions, with three teams selected from each region. Female athletes born in 2010 and 2011, playing in a Hockey Canada-sanctioned program, are eligible to try out.

Regional Camp registration opens on January 13. Regional camps will take place April 4-6 in Cochrane and Beaumont.

Listing of the director of operations and therapists will be announced closer to the Alberta Challenge.

Alberta Challenge Website >

South Black 

 
South Green 

 
South Grey 

 
North Blue 

 
North Red 

 
North Yellow 

 
Hockey Alberta Staff 

RED DEER – Thirty-six volunteers have been selected to lead the six teams competing at the 2025 Alberta Cup.

The staffing complement for each team includes a director of operations, coach mentor, head coach, two assistant coaches and a therapist. The Alberta Cup is a core Hockey Alberta Elite Development program that allows athletes, staff and on-ice officials an opportunity for growth for the next step in their hockey journey.

The Alberta Cup is hosted in Red Deer at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, April 23-27. The province is divided into North, Central and South regions, with two teams selected from each region. Male athletes born in 2010 and playing in a Hockey Canada-sanctioned program are eligible to tryout.

Registration for regional camps opens on January 7. Regional camps will take place March 28-30 in Calgary, Red Deer, and Spruce Grove.

Listing of team staff is below.

Alberta Cup Website >

Alberta Green (Calgary) 

 
Alberta Red (Calgary) 

 
Alberta Black (Red Deer) 

 
Alberta Blue (Red Deer) 

 
Alberta Gold (Spruce Grove) 

 
Alberta Grey (Spruce Grove) 

 
Hockey Alberta Staff 

During the 117th Annual General Meeting, three candidates were elected to Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors.

Incumbents Bill Gourley and Karen Lee are joined by Zahra Nurani all of Calgary were elected to the three-year term by the member organizations in attendance at the AGM, which was held virtually on November 28.

Short videos for the newly-elected directors can be found on the Hockey Alberta website. They join returning directors Allan Mowbray, Francois Gagnon, Michael Bates, Al-Amin Vira, Danielle Paradis, and Len Samletzki (Chair).

Additionally, the 2024 AGM included two Notices of Motion that were passed unanimously to amend Bylaws 1.7(f) and 5.1(a), (b), (c).

The amended bylaws implement term limits for all directors, and replace election of the chair position by the members with the Chair being appointed by the elected directors.

2024 AGM >

RED DEER - Hockey Alberta is now accepting coach applications for the 2025 Team Alberta programs.

Team Alberta U18 Female is looking fora Head Coach, two Assistant Coaches, one Video Coach, and one Goaltender Coach to guide the team at the 2025 National Women’s Under-18 Championship. The event takes place in November at a location that will be determined later.

U18 FEMALE COACH APPLICATION >

Team Alberta U16 Male is seeking a Head Coach, two Assistant Coaches and one Video Coach for the 2025 WHL Cup. The WHL Cup is slated for October 2025.

U16 MALE COACH APPLICATION >

Applicants must:

- Be qualified at the NCCP High Performance 1;

- Be in good standing with Hockey Alberta and/or member Branch;

- Have a strong knowledge base and understanding of systems and strategies.

The deadline for all applications is January 6, 2025.

Inquiries can be directed to Mike Kraichy, Manager, High Performance at [email protected].