Under 16 Program

The U16 Male Program is the third stage of the development and identification process to select a roster for Team Alberta to compete at either the WHL Cup or the Canada Winter Games, beginning with the Alberta Cup. The Games are held every four years, with the last event taking place in 2019 in Red Deer. Players in the U16 Male program will be challenging for the opportunity to compete on one of the three teams that represent Canada each year at the World U17 Hockey Challenge.

Alberta Cup

The Alberta Cup Program begins in March each year with hundreds of players trying out for a spot on one of the six regional teams. The camps include top level instruction and evaluation from Hockey Alberta officials. The teams will then compete in a tournament in April of each year, with players being evaluated for selection for the Team Alberta U16 Male Summer Development Camp in July. Coaches, trainers, officials and director of operations also are evaluated to continue in the development path.

Summer Selection Camp

Eighty players, 12 coaches, four trainers and four administrators are identified and invited to this week-long camp in July. Through high intensity on and off ice training as well as classroom sessions, they are given the opportunity to develop their skills within the game of hockey and as people. From the U16 Provincial Camp, a shortlist is set, with the players scouted with their club teams prior to final roster decisions on the 20 players selected to comprise Team Alberta.

Team Alberta

Twenty players will be selected to the roster of Team Alberta and will compete at either the WHL Cup or the Canada Winter Games. The WHL Cup is usually held in late-October of non-Canada Winter Games years, with Alberta competing against teams from the other three western provinces. Canada Winter Games are held every four years.