2013-14 magazine - hockey alberta · 7. ultimate fighting 8. the rocket e very june at the hockey...

2013-14

MAGAZINE

Historic FloodingRECOVERING FROM ALBERTA’S

PAGES 12-13

ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT2013T

HE

PAGES 6-10 PAGES 22-23

2013THE GREAT HAUL OF

ALBERTA TEAMS MEDAL NATIONALLY

/hockeyalbertawww.HOCKEYALBERTA.ca

2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE 3 2 2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE

4 HOCKEY ALBERTA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

6 SUMMIT CREATES OPENS DIALOGUE ON HOCKEY IN ALBERTA

8 7 THEMES EMERGE FROM 2013 ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT

10 ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

12 HOCKEY COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER IN TIME OF NEED 19 POINT BLANK: QUICK SHOTS FROM THE BODY CHECKING RULE CHANGE IN ALBERTA

20 DR. STEVEN NORRIS: STUDENT OF THE GAME

22 GOLDEN MOMENTS: THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

24 CHANGES TO THE ALBERTA WINTER GAMES PROGRAM

28 MAKING IT HAPPEN: THE ROAD TO THE PROVINCIALS

29 RAISING FUNDS FOR THE EVERY KID EVERY COMMUNITY PROGRAM

30 BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: FINALLY, HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA COMES TO LLOYDMINSTER

34WHO IS HOCKEY ALBERTA?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

14

16

18

MORGAN KLIMCHUK’S PATH TO THE NHL

HIGH HOPES FOR ‘HEFFS’

PLAYING OTHER SPORTS HELPS HOCKEY PLAYERS IMPROVE


LENSAMLETZKI1. Consultant2.SaskatoonBladesandEdmonton

Oilers3.#14.CEOorCFOofasportorganization5.None.Theyhaveallbeenlearning

experiences.6.Cricket–lookslikefun.7. Iwouldprobablytrymost–except

someoftheextremesports8.Ithoughttherewasonlyone–Slap

Shot

DAVESEVALRUD:1. LawyerwithCarscallenLLP2.Rightnow;theUniversityofAlaska-

AnchorageSeawolves&CalgaryMcKnightMidgetMustangswheremysonsplay.

3.54.Ihaveit.5.IhaveneverhadajobIdidnotlike.6.Heli-Skiing7.Ultimatefighting8.TheRocket

EveryJuneattheHockeyAlbertaAnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM),HockeyAlberta’smembershipvotetoelect

vacantpositionswiththeBoardofDirectors.Atthe2013AGM,therewasonlyonepositiontofill;ChairmanoftheBoard.

RobVirgilhadservedasChairforthepastyearandasPresidentforayearpriortothat(whentheBoardwasre-structuredatthe2012AGM,PresidentchangedtoChair).WithVirgil’stermexpiring,hemovedonandbecamePast-Chair.

Runningunopposed,TerryEngenofEckville,AlbertawasnamedHockeyAlberta’snewChairmanoftheBoard.

EngenalreadyhasalonghistorywithHockeyAlbertaanditsBoardofDirectors.EngenbecamepartoftheHockeyAlbertateamwhenhejoinedtheBoard.In1999,heservedastheZone4Directorandthen

becameVice-PresidentofOperationsandVice-PresidentofDevelopment.In2005,hewaselectedPresidentofHockeyAlbertaforthefirsttime.HewasrecentlynamedVolunteeroftheYearbyHockeyCanadaandhasalsotravelledtoChinawithacoachingdelegation,hopingtosharehisknowledge.

“IfeltthatIstillhadthepassionfortheorganizationandthegamewiththemultitudeofchangethatareoccurringpresently,”saidEngen.“Recognizingthatnotonlyistheorganizationinthemidstofahugestructuralchangebutalsothegameisundertremendouspressuretoaccommodatenewideasandsociety’sexpectations.IbelieveIcanstillprovideguidanceandinputthroughthesechanges.”

EngenisthefirstpersoninHockeyAlberta’shistorytoserveasPresident/ChairmanoftheBoardtwice.

ROBLITWINSKI1. ExecutiveDirectorofHockeyAlberta

(8yrs)2.Amateur:whateverteamsmykids

areon+NJDevils(since1982)

3.Iamjersey#27forPylonsAdultRecteam

4.Ibetitwouldbesafetosaythisone,correct?

5.RemovingPaint/repaintingSchoolDoors(summerjob)

6.Cricket7.UFC8.IsitokaytosaySlapShot?

LAURYSCHMIDT1. GeneralSalesManagerofNewWest

TruckCentersofCalgary,LethbridgeandMedicineHat

2.OkotoksOilers(AJHL)

3.#94.LotteryAdministrator5.Cuttingan11yearoldfromaPeewee

Team6.Surfing7.UFCFighting8.SlapShot(Original)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors

Back Row (L-R): Rob Litwinski, Dave Sevelrud, Laury Schmidt, Len Samletzki. Front Row (L-R): Fred Horbay, Fran Zinger, Terry Engen, Rob Virgil

Terry EngenHockey Alberta’s Chairman of the Board

1. What is your Full-Time Job?2. What’s your favourite hockey team, pro or amateur?3. What would your jersey number be?4. What is your dream job?

5. Least favourite job you’ve had?6. What sport have you never tried that you’d like to try?7. What sport would you never try?8. Favourite hockey movie of all time?

ROBVIRGIL1. StandardsSpecialistwithTELUS

Communications2.AnyTeamCanadaorTeamAlberta

team,TheEdmontonOilersandEdmontonOilKings

3.16(oneofmyfavoriteplayer’snumber)4.Jetpilotorgolfpro5.Diggingelectricaltrenchesinthe

winterbyhand.6.BullRiding7.BullRiding8.TheHockeySweaterbyRoch

Carriere.Notreallyamoviebutdefinitelyaclassicshortfilm.

FRANZINGER1. Lawyer;practicingpersonalinjurylaw

exclusively2.Oilersaremyfavoriteproteam3.#64.Agolfproonatourorbeinga

personalshopper5.Firstfulltimejob(forthesummer

aftergraduatingfromhighschool)asawaitress

6.Hangglidingorparachuting7.Highdiving8.Noparticularfavorite

TERRYENGEN1. Commissioner,AlbertaEnergy

Regulator2.Montreal3.74.Politician5.Pipelinelabourer6.Fencing7.Bullriding8.SlapShot

FREDHORBAY1. Retired2.MontrealCanadiens3.114.GolfPro5.Diggingditches6.Kayaking7.Extrememountain

climbing8.?????


2013wasalandmarkseasonforhockeyintheprovincewhenHockeyAlberta,alongwithinvestedstakeholders

HockeyCanada,theCalgaryFlames,theEdmontonOilersandtheWesternHockeyLeaguecreatedtheAlbertaHockeySummitheldonAugust22-24attheBanffCentreinBanff,Alta.

“Withthegameconsistentlyevolvingandchanging,wefeltitnecessary,andthatthetimingwasrighttohostahockeysummitinAlberta,”saidHockeyAlbertaexecutivedirectorRobLitwinski.“ItgavenotonlyHockeyAlberta,butallinvolvedinthegame,theopportunitytomeetcollectivelyandopenthedialogueoncurrenttopicsandthefuturedirectionofhockeyinAlbertaandalsoonthegreaterscale.”

ThesummitwasdevelopedwitharosterofsomeofthegreatesthockeymindsinthecountryincludingopeningspeakerandformerNHLgoalieKenDryden,worldrenownedcoachGeorgeKingston,formerNHLerRyanWalterandDr.SteveNorris,formervicepresidentofWinSportCanada,StanleyCupwinningcoachKenHitchcockandtwo-timeOlympicgoldmedalwinningcoachMelDavidson.HockeyleaderslikeBobNicholsonofHockeyCanada,PatrickLaForgeoftheEdmontonOilers,RonRobisonoftheWesternHockeyLeague,BobHartleyandJimPeplinskioftheCalgaryFlamesandRobLitwinskiofHockeyAlbertaparticipatedinpaneldiscussionsonthefutureofthegameinareasincludingplayerdevelopment,safetyandrecruitment.

Headingintothethree-daysummit,WesternHockeyLeaguecommissionerRonRobison

saidthereweretwoareasinparticularthathehopedwouldbediscussed–officiatingandplayersafety.

“Ithinkthatwehavedoneanexcellentjobinplayerdevelopmentandincoachingdevelopment,”saidRobison.“ButIbelieveweneedtoinvestmoreofourtimeandattentionintheareaofofficiatingtoensurethatthequalityofofficiatingkeepspacewiththequalityofplay.”

Robisonalsohopedtofocusinonprovidingthebestpossibleenvironmenttoencourageparticipationandfun,andatthesametimeacompetitiveenvironment.

“Wedoalotofresearchintheareaofplayersafetyandmakingsurethattheenvironmentisapositiveonefortheplayers,sosharingtheinformationwehavewiththeotherconstituentsinAlberta.”

HockeyAlbertaisthefirstwesternprovincetohostahockeysummitandRobisonsaidtheWesternHockeyLeaguewaslookingforwardtodiscussingissueandideasintheopenforumthatHockeyAlbertahasfostered.

“WeinthehockeysysteminAlbertasharearesponsibilitytoalwayschallengeourselvesinhowwecanimprovethegameateverylevel,”Robisonsaid.“Weareamajorconstituentwhobenefitsfromthegreatworkthatisdoneintheminorhockeysystemthroughouttheprovince,andwefeelthisisanopportunityforustocontributetothosediscussionsanddebatetheissuesthatareofconcerntohockeyconstituentstodayinAlberta.”

HockeyQuebecwasthefirstHockeyCanadabranchtodeliveraprovincialsummitonthesamescaleasHockeyAlberta’sBanffevent.TheQuebecsummitwasheldin2011withtheparticipationoftheMontrealCanadiansandtheQuebecMajorHockeyLeague.

HockeyAlbertahostedsevensmallsummiteventsaroundtheprovinceduringthe2007-2008seasonaspartofHockeyCanada’sGrassrootsSummitsinitiativethatsawevery

Summit Creates Open Dialogue on Hockey in AlbertaBY | Nicole Starker

HOCKEY SUMMIT OVERVIEW HOCKEY SUMMIT OVERVIEW

branchhosteitheronelargesummitorseriesofsmallerregionalsummits.

TheAlbertaHockeySummitwasdevelopedtoincludeallmembersofthehockeycommunitywhetheraplayer,coach,parent,official,orsimplyafan,andover200ticketstotheeventweresnapped-upbymembersofthepublic.

IncreasingthenumberofhockeyfansandmembershipinthehockeycommunityissomethingPaulCarson,HockeyCanada’svicepresidentofhockeydevelopment,saidiscrucialtothegame.

“Whilethere’satopicofleadershipandthere’satopicofplayerdevelopment,thosearereallyfoundationaldiscussionsaroundthecriticalpiece–whichisgrowingandsustainingthegame,”CarsonsaidinaninterviewleadinguptotheBanffevent.“IthinkourbiggestchallengeisthatwehavetounderstandthechangingdemographicsofCanada,thenatureofparticipationinsportandwhathockey,likeothersports,hastodotonotonlyencourageandattractyoungsterstothegame,butalsotokeeptheminthegame.”

CarsonsaidtheWesternHockeyLeague,CalgaryFlamesandEdmontonOilersparticipationinthosetalksisimportantbecausethoseorganizationsaren’tsimplyconcernedabouteliteplayers,theytooarelookingtobuildandgrowthehockeycommunityatthegrassrootslevel.

“Thosereallyhigh-endplayersthatpercolatetothetop,theywouldneverbeabletodothatwithoutasystemthatsupportsentryandparticipationinsport,so(theFlamesandOilers)aremoreaboutthatbroaderbaseandmakingsurethatkidshaveaplacetogo,kidshaveaplacetoplay,”Carsonsaid.“It’sacommunityapproachandIreallybelievethattheOilersandtheFlames–that’swhattheirdevelopmentdepartmentsdoistogivebacktocommunitiesandprogramstomakesurethatthey’recontinuingtobuildthatbaseoffamiliesandcommunitiesthatcontributetothesport.”

Inaninterviewpriortothesummit,JimPeplinksi,aformerNHLerandcurrentvicepresidentofbusinessdevelopmentfortheCalgaryFlamessaidthathewaslookingforwardtolisteningtothedifferentperspectivesanddifferentideasthatthegroupassembledbyHockeyAlbertawouldbringtothetable.PeoplelikeKenDryden,RyanWalter,GeorgeKingstonandDr.SteveNorris.

“Tohavepeoplelikethatspeakopenlyandfranklyaboutwhattheyseeasitrelates

toleadershipandthedevelopmentofthegameandthedevelopmentoftheathlete,”Peplinskisaid.“Ithinkit’simportanttogoandlistenandtodiscusswhatactionscancomeoutofobservationsthatintelligent,well-intentionedpeoplemake.”

BothofAlberta’sNHLteamslenttheirsupporttotheeventandPeplinskisaidtheFlamesorganizationwantstosupportthesetypesofconversationsabouthockey.

“It’simportanttoalwayshaveanopenmindandgetpeopletogethertotalkaboutyesterday’sgameandtoday’sgameandwhattomorrow’sgameisgoingtobe.”

HockeyisateamsportateverylevelandthatsentimentwasreflectedinwhattheformerFlamescaptainhadtosayabouthistakeonthegoalsofthestakeholdersaroundthetableattheAlbertaHockeySummit.

“Theobjectiveisnotperfection,”saidPeplinski.“Theobjectiveistoalwayslooktoimproveandtotrytoassistotherstodothesamething,becausehopefullythey’retryingtoassistyou.”


Tryingtoconsolidatetwoandhalfdaysofdiscussionsandpresentationsonanytopiccanbedifficult,especiallywhen

thediscussionisbasedaroundprovidingclarityanddirectioninhockey.The2013AlbertaHockeySummit,presentedbyATBFinancial,broughttheinvestedstakeholdersofhockeyinAlbertatogetherinoneroomforthefirsttimeintheprovince’shistory.Theinvestedstakeholders;HockeyAlberta,theCalgaryFlames,theEdmontonOilers,theWesternHockeyLeague,andHockeyCanada,werejoinedbyover200delegates.

Thedelegategroupwasmadeupofhockeymindsfromalllevelsofthegame.Therewerevolunteersfromlocalminorhockeyassociations(LMHAs),representativesfromtheCanadianInteruniversitySport(CIS),theAlbertaCollegesAthleticConference(ACAC),sportschools,facilityoperators,hockeyparentsandmanymore.

Afterthepresentationsbythekeynotespeakersanddiscussionperiodswithpanelists,seventhemesemerged:

“Whatwedon’twanttohavehappeninasportthatwealllove,isgetblindsided,”saidAssociateCoachofthe2013CanadianMen’sNationalTeam,KenHitchcock.“Youwanttolookaheadandyouwanttodoitwithcreativitybutyoualsowanttomakesureyou’reworkingtogether.”

3STRENGTHEN BUSINESS

RELATIONSHIPS

Usethesizeofthegametoleveragerelationshipswithbusinesseswhohaveavestedinterestedinthegameandcanhelpwithinitiatives.

“HockeyisahugeeconomicdriverinAlberta;over$418millionisspenteachyearintheeconomythroughparticipationbyMinorHockey,”saidHockeyAlberta’sSeniorManagerofBusinessDevelopment,ScottRobinson.“Weneedtousethisleveragetogettheattentionofbusinessesandhelpthemtounderstandhockeyasahealthy,vibrantandgrowingsportisgoodforAlbertacommunities.”

4DEVELOP A MODEL FOR THE IDEAL

LOCAL MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (LMHA)

DevelopamodelforhockeyinAlbertabuiltbyhockeyinAlberta.ThemodelwillestablishmetricsofsuccesswhichemphasizetheprinciplesofLong-TermAthleteDevelopment.UsingtechnologytocommunicateandeducatethestakeholderswithintheLMHAonthevision.

“IthinkthemostimportantpeoplearetheLMHAs,”saidManagingDirectoroftheNHLCoaches’Association,GeorgeKingston.“Theyhavetheopportunitytoinfluenceeverychild,everyyoungpersontoplaythegame.Comeandenjoyhockey,comeandparticipateinhockey.Youcanbeaplayer,youcanenjoytheexperienceofplayinghockey.”

5REDUCE SYSTEM BIAS

Worktobenefitabroadercrosssectionofplayersbychallengingtheone-size-fits-allsystemthatdiscouragesparticipation.

“Idon’tthinkit’spossibletoshutoffthemoreandmoreandmore.Ifmoreispossible,

BY | Jimmy Adams

HOCKEY SUMMIT OVERVIEW HOCKEY SUMMIT OVERVIEW

morewillbecomethenormandhasbecomethenorm,”saidformerNHLerandHockeyHallofFamemember,KenDryden.“Whatthenforthatincreasedmajorityofpeoplewhoarelookingforless?”

6OPEN THE DOORS TO NON-TRADITIONAL

PARTICIPANTS

Marketandbrandthegametoopenthedoortonon-traditionalmarkets.Changetheperceptionthathockeyisonlyfortheeliteandfully-committedbypromotingthegameasfun,family-friendlyandflexible.

“Ithinkit’sreallyimportanttoclarifywhattheobjectiveofminorhockeyis,”saidCalgaryFlames’Vice-PresidentofBusinessDevelopment,JimPeplinski.“IsittocreateNHLersorisitcomeupwithanactivitythatyoucanplayuntilyou’re80yearsold?”

7FOCUS ON THE PLAYER

Focusonmakingthegamefunbydevelopingprogramsdesignedforaplayer’sneedandshrinkingthegametotheirsize.

“Playersareleavingthegame,thenumberonereason,becausethey’renothavinganyfun.They’refindinganothergamethatismorefunandoccupiesthem.Thattome,isarealtragedy,”saidKingston.

ThefirsthockeysummitheldinCanadawastheMolsonOpenIceSummitheldinToronto,Ontarioduringthesummerof1999.TheprimaryfocusoftheeventwastodiscussplayerdevelopmentinCanadawhere11recommendationswereproduced.FiveyearsaftertheOpenIceSummit,HockeyCanadareleasedareportonthoseinitiatives.Insummary,HockeyCanadastateditwasdifficulttospeculateontheoutcomes,asmanyoftheprogramsthatcamefromtheeventwerejustbeginningtotakeshapeandHockeyCanadawasstillinthemarketingandpromotingphaseandjuststartingtogrowatthegrassrootslevels.

LiketheOpenIceSummit,theAlbertaHockeySummitwasonlyastartingpoint.TheplanningandhostingoftheeventwastheeasypartaccordingtoRobinson.

“We’llbegatheringtheinformationwelearnedandtheexpertinputwereceivedthenformulatingactionplansforimpactingthatchangeinthemonthsandyearsahead,”saidRobinson.“TheSummitmadeitclearweneedtochangethewayhockeyisdeliveredinAlbertaifwewantittogrow,ifwewanttoservetheathletesandcommunitiesinapositiveandhealthyway.”

Fullreportsonthe2013AlbertaHockeySummitareexpectedtobeputtogethersometimeinlate2013.

“Wegainedalotofknowledgefromthissummitandwewillbedoingsomethingwithit,”saidRobinson.

THEMES EMERGE FROM 2013 ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT

1SHARED LEADERSHIP ACROSS SPORTS

Strivetobeastrongersportleaderanduseourleveragetoinfluencegovernmentforbetterfundingofallsports.Promoteregistrationinmultiplesports,reducecosts,leadperspectiveinthegamethathockeyisn’teverythingandworkwiththosethatarewillingtoacceptchangetodelivertheseobjectives.

2TRAIN OUR FUTURE LEADERS

Beintentionalaboutdevelopinghockeytrailblazersbyidentifyingpotentialleadersatyoungeragesandfosteringtheirgrowth.Waystoaccomplishthisaretoengagetheeducationsystemandutilizestakeholdersandpartnerstotrainhockeyleadersundertheirpersonneldevelopment.

2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE 11

AsIwasleavingtheBanffCentrefollowingtheATBFinancialAlbertaHockeySummit,Iwasthinkingto

myselfabouthowbesttosumupwhattheeventwasabout.TheanswerhitmeassoonasIlookedatanenvelopesittingonmydesk.

CHALLENGETHEFUTURE.

Thosethreewordsonthatenvelope,rightbelowtheHockeyAlbertalogoontheupperleftcorner,perfectlycapturedwhattheSummitwasallabout.Howdowechangetheperceptionsandeliminatethebarriersthatarepushingplayersawayfromminorhockeyandkeepingothersfromjoining.HowdowemakesureeveryonehasfunbeingapartofCanada’sgameinthisgreatprovince?

BynowyouhavereadabouttheseventhemesthatemergedfromtheSummit,soIwilljusttouchonsomeofwhatstoodouttomefromtheSummitkeynotespeeches.KenDrydenasked“Doyouwanttomakethefuture?”Inordertodosowemustlearnfromthepastandunderstandthepresent.Definitelyagreatbitofintrospectivethinking.

RyanWalter,inhisspeechonleadership,explainedthatleadershipisinfactgettingpeopletodowhatyouwantthemtodobecausetheywanttodoit.Whatagreatwaytogetpeopleinvolvedincreatingchange!

Dr.SteveNorristouchedontheideaofhavingkidstakepartinothersportsandactivities,outsideofhockey,inordertohelp

keepthegamefunandtohelpoverallplayerdevelopment.ThishaslongbeenapersonalbeliefofmineandhearingDr.Norrisspeakaboutitstrengthenedmyconvictionsonthisconcept.

GeorgeKingstonemphaticallysaidthatthe‘fun’needstobebroughtbackintoteachingfundamentals.Whatmoreneedstobesaid?Ifit’snotfun,kidsaren’tgoingtodoit.

Havingthesegreatdiscussionsandidentifyingtheseventhemesisagreatstart.Butitcan’tbewhereitends...getinvolved,folks!Itisyoutheparent,player,coach,official,administratorandfanwhoisanimportantstakeholderinthegame.AsRobKerremphaticallytoldSummitdelegates“We’reallhockeyplayers!”Onewayoranother,weareallplayersinthisgame.AndthisSummitwasaboutmakingthegameasgoodasitpossiblycanbefortheplayers.AndasScottRobinsonwithHockeyAlbertatoldSummitdelegates“Leadershipisadialogue,notamonologue.”He’sright,folks.Solet’skeepthedialoguerolling.

VisitHockeyAlberta’swebsiteanddownloadthepowerpointsfromkeynotepresentationsbyRyanWalter,Dr.Norris,andGeorgeKingston.Theirwiderangeofthoughtsisveryinteresting,informative,andhard-hitting.TheyhelpedkickstartsomeimportantconversationsandtheycertainlyhavemethinkingaboutthegameofhockeyinwaysIhadn’tbeforetheSummit.

Ourgameisn’tbroken,butitcanalwaysbebetter.Andthat’swhattheSummit,andtheseimportantdiscussionsmovingforward,isallabout.

ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT

HOCKEY SUMMIT OVERVIEW

BY | Troy Gillard,News&SportsDirector,RebelsHostforBig105and107TheDriveinRedDeer

FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

10 2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE


intheaftermathoftheSouthernAlbertafloods,aHockeyAlbertazonerepresentativeinitiatedanequipment

drive—andthesupportwasextraordinary.

TamaraRobbinsandhercrewhadsomuchsupportthattheyfiguredtheybeabletooutfitalargeportion–ifnottheentire–FoothillsMinorHockeyAssociation.

Fromaclosing-downsportinggoodsstorethatdonatedalltheirgear,toHayleyWickenheiserspreadingthewordviaTwitter—itwasanunbelievableeffortbythehockeycommunity.

“[Tamara]wasthecatalystandsentoutanemailtohercolleagueswithinHockeyAlberta,”saidDerekHarper,presidentofFoothillsMHA.“ItmadeitsroundsonHayleyWickenheiser’sTwitteraccountand,sincethen,ithasbeengrownrapidlyatapacewecouldnotcontrol.”

“Theactualsupportcomparedtotheinitialexpectationshasbeenoverwhelming.Ineveranticipatedthegenerosityfromalloverthecountry…Ittookthefocusoffofeveryone’shardshipsanditgaveeveryonehope,again…Withoutthisopportunity,theregistrationnumberswouldhavedroppedsubstantiallyandwewouldpotentiallynothavehockeythisyear.”

Tocomplementtheincredibleworkoftheequipmentdriveatthegrassrootslevel,HockeyCanadadonateda$250,000registrationassistancepledge,theNHLPAandRBCpartneredtodonate$50,000inequipment,andBauerdonated$37,000worthofnewhomeandawayjerseys.

“EquipmentdriveslikethisinspiredadditionalfloodreliefeffortslikeHockeyCanadaFoundation’s$250,000dollarregistrationassistancepledgethatwe,HockeyAlberta,helpedthemadministeranddistribute,”saidGregPallister,manageratHockeyAlberta.“Gatheringtheregistrationassistanceapplicationshascalledforatremendouseffortfromallthevolunteersinvolved.IbelieveHockeyAlbertaandtheHockeyCanadaFoundationhavedoneagreatjobofreachingoutandassistingalargemajorityofthoseplayersinneed.”

Talkaboutasuccessstory;anditallstartedwithanideafromTamaraRobbins.

AC:Tamara,howdidthisamazingjourneybegin?TR:ThisallstartedwhenIranintotheFoothillsMinorHockeyregistrarafewdaysaftertheflood,whiletheywerestillevacuated.Shestartedtotellmethatshedidn’tknowiftheircommunitywouldbeabletohavehockeythisseason;thearenawas

flooded,andtheymayhavelostsomeoftheassociation’sgear.Shesaid,eveniftheycouldgeteverythingreplaced,shedidn’tbelievetheywouldhaveplayers,assomanyhadlosttheirhomes,theirhockeygear,andwiththeinsurancequestionslooming,thiswouldbealowprioritywhenyouconsiderthemagnitudeofthesituation.

Manyfamiliesalsohadtheirbusinessesorplacesofworkimpacted,drastically.

Icamehome;thinkingaboutmyownfamily,andwasheartbroken.Forthesechildrenandtheirfamilies,theirliveshavebeenturnedupsidedownandnowthechildrenmaynotbeabletoplayhockey.

Isatdownandstartedthinkingaboutit.Then,theideacametome,asIthought,Ihaveextrageardownstairs,ifIcouldcollectenoughtohelpthemout,wecouldatleastdressthem;thenIthought,forthosewhomaynothaveextragear-ifwecancollectsomefinancialdonationstohelpbringtheregistrationfeesdown-maybewecouldgetthechildrenplayinghockeyandhelphealthiscommunity,bringthemsomenormalinallthechaos–toeveryone–iftheycangototherinkandforgetabouteverythingforevenjustforanhourorso,visitandwatchhockey,that’swhatitsallabout.

AC:So,howdidyougetthewordout?TR:Isatdownandwroteanemailandpostedtheletteronsocialmedia,explainingthesituationandmygoalswithmyrequestsforHighRiverHockeyplayers.IsentittoallmyhockeycontactsandfamilyandfriendsthroughoutAlberta.IhaveexperiencedthisgreathockeycommunityinAlbertaforthepast15years,soIwasveryoptimistic.

AC:Andwhatwerepeople’sinitialreactions?TR:Thewordspreadquicklyandtheresponsewasphenomenal.ThenIreceivedacallandwasinformedHayleyWickenheiserwasTweetingaboutit.Iwasspeechless—thequeenofhockeyhadmyemailandwasspreadingitaround.

AC:So,howdidtheequipmentstartcomingin?TR:Albertareallycameforward;peoplestartedhockeyequipmentdrivesandsoforthinSlaveLake,FortSaskatchewan,Taber–plus,Shaunavon,Sask.–andmanyassociationsinCalgary—thiswasjustthestart.Peoplewerevolunteeringthroughouttheprovincetohelp–especiallyCalgary,whoalsohadbeenaffectedfromthefloodsandwantedtohelp—equipmentdrives,hockeytournaments&fundraisers.Withinthefirstweek,Ihadtofindahalltostoreeverything—mygaragewasfull.VinceMillerwiththeHighRiverJuniorBteamfoundmeahall,freeofcharge,forthesummer.Then,

callsandemailsstartedtocomeinfromacrossCanada,equipmentcameoutfromasfarasStirling,Ont.Telusthencameonboardwithvolunteersandafinancialdonationtotheassociation.

AC:HowdidHockeyCanadacomeonboard?TR:IhadcalculatedtheaveragecostforplayersinHighRiverandthenumberofplayersaffectedanditwasgoingtocostapproximately$110,000tocovertheirregistrations.IreceivedacallfromHockeyCanada;theywantedtoknowthecostsandinformedmetheyweregoingtodonate$250,000toallplayersaffectedfromthefloodinSouthernAlbertatopayfortheirregistrationfees.

AC:Andwhatwasyourreactionatthatpoint?TR:Wedidit.Wehadalotofthegearandhockeyfeescovered.IthenreceivedacallfromtheNHLPA.Devinaskedwheredonationswerelacking?IexplainedIamconcernedwithusedhelmetsasasafetyissue;also,wedidnothaveenoughusedbagsorstickstogiveeveryone.HecalledmebackandinformedmetheyhadpartneredupwithRBCandweredonating$50,000worthofequipmentforallplayersintheminorhockeyassociation.Theysuppliedbrandnewhelmets,sticks,bagsandglovesforall304players.

AC:Intheend,howmuchequipmentdidyoucollect?TR:WehadenoughgeartocompletelydressallhockeyplayersinHighRiverfromheadtotoe:skates,socks,jerseys,shinpads,pants,chestprotector,elbowpads,gloves,andhelmet.Andthat’sforminorhockey,JuniorB,coaches,seniormen,ladies,andchildrenthatjustwanttoplayhockeyonthepond.Wealsotookouttwotruck-and-trailerloadswithenoughgeartodress200playerswithSiksikaFirstNations.Andallplayersthatwereaffectedbythefloodshadtheirregistrationcovered.Wehadsurpassedthegoalsbyamile—thiscouldhavenotbeendonewithoutthisgreathockeycommunityweliveinthroughoutCanada.

AC:Lookingbackatallthattranspired,whatareyourconclusions?TR:Thisexperiencehaschangedmylife.Whatstartedasaneedtohelpthechildrenandthecommunityturnedintosomuchmorethanthat.Theresponseacrossthiscountryfromahockeyparenttoalargeorganization—everyonecametogethertohelpthiscommunity.Youhavetoremember,also,thiswasoff-season–summerholidays–sotohavesomuchinvolvementwasbeyondwords.Iwillneverbeabletoputintowordshowitfeltthatday,watchingthehockeyplayersdress-upandthefamilieschattinghockey.Ifeltsoprivilegedtohavebeenapartofthatdate.

HOCKEY COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER IN TIME OF NEED

UNBELIEVABLE RESPONSE FOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT DRIVE IN WAKE OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA FLOODS; Q&A WITH TAMARA ROBBINS, THE WOMAN WHO STARTED IT ALL

FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTSFLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS

BY | Andrew Chong


KlimchukgothisstartwiththeTeamAlbertaprogramatthe2010AlbertaCup(nowknownastheATBAlbertaCup),scoringninepointsinfivegameswhilesuitingupfortheCalgarySouthFlames.Atthe2011CanadaWinterGames,KlimchukdawnedtheTeamAlbertajerseyforthefirsttime,finishingwiththreegoalsandanassistinsixgameshelpingAlbertawinabronzemedal.

“Ireallyenjoyedtheopportunity[toplayforTeamAlberta]andlearnedalot,”saidKlimchuk.“Yougettowearyourjerseyinfrontofallthescoutsandgettoseehowyoustackupagainsttoptalentinyourarea.”

TheTeamAlbertaprogramisdesignedtoleadathletesintoHockeyCanada’sProgramofExcellence.160athletescompeteattheATBAlbertaCup,afterwhichtheyareinvitedtoparticipateinoneofHockeyAlberta’sweek-longcamps,TeamAlbertaU16ProvincialCamporTeamAlbertaEliteDevelopmentCamp.Throughhighintensityonandoff-icetraining,playersaregiventhechancetodeveloptheirskillsashockeyplayersandpeople.

Oncethecampsaredoneinthesummertime,TeamAlbertashortliststheTop35playersintheprovince.Thoseplayersarethenscoutedwiththeirclubteams,inKlimchuk’scase,theCalgaryBuffaloes,untiltheUnder-16teamisnamed.

“Itwasprettynerve-rackingbecauseIhadneverreallybeenthroughthatandyou’renotreallysurewhereyoufitin.Yougettoseehowtheteamisgoingtoshapeupasplayersgetturneddownsoyoujusthavetokeepbattlingthroughthecuts,”heexplains.

TheU16Programstrivestocreateanenvironmentwhereplayers,coaches,trainersandadministratorscanmeetnewfriends,competewithpeersandapproachlevelsofcommitmentandexcellenceeveryonehasthepotentialtoachieve.

“It’sprettyspecial;toweartheTeamAlbertajerseyisonethinganditwasanhonourbutthefriendshipsmakeitallthemorespecial.”saysKlimchuk.

AftercompetingattheCanadaWinterGamesinHalifax,NovaScotia,KlimchukcontinuedtoprogresswithintheTeamAlbertaProgram.HewasinvitedtoparticipateintheUnder-17ProvincialCampwherehewouldidentifiedasoneoftheTop11playersfromAlbertaandnamedtotheTeamPacificrosterthatwouldcompeteattheWorldUnder-17HockeyChallenge.Hewouldfinishthetournamentsecondinteamscoringwithsixpointsinfivegames,goodenoughtobesixthinscoringamong

Canadian-bornplayers.

“TheTeamAlbertaprogrampreparesyouforwhattoexpectwithTeamCanada,thepreparationittakestogetreadyforgamesandpracticesandhowseriouslyyouhavetotakethings,”saidKlimchuk.

TheWorldU17HockeyChallengeisthefirststepofHockeyCanada’sProgramofExcellence,givingHockeyCanadatheirfirstopportunitytoevaluatethecountry’stop110athletes.

FollowinghisappearancewithTeamPacific,KlimchukwouldweartheTeamCanadacresttwiceinhisNHLdraftyear.HisfirsttasteofhockeyasamemberofthenationalteamwouldyieldhimagoldmedalattheIvanHlinkaMemorialTournamentbeforethe2012-13season.Hissecondshowingwould

alsoresultinagoldmedalatthe2013IIHFWorldU18Championships,wherehewasamongtournamentscoringleaderswitheightpointsinsevengames,tiedforsecondonTeamCanada.

Thateventendedjustlessthantwomonthsbeforethe2013NHLDraftinNewJersey.Goingintothedraft,Klimchukwasranked25thamongNorthAmericanskatersandhishometownteam,theCalgaryFlameshadthreepicksinthefirstround,twoofwhichwereacquiredintradeswiththeSt.LouisBluesandPittsburghPenguins,sotheywerelateintheround.

WithCalgary’sfinalfirstroundpick,28thoverall,MorganKlimchukheardhisnamecalledbyGeneralManager,JayFeaster.Klimchukwasthe19thNorthAmericanskatertaken.

“Itwasprettyspecial,”saysKlimchuk.“HearingyournameinthefirstroundandhearingitcalledfromyourhometownteamissomethingyoudreamofaskidandsomethingI’llneverforget.”

Whenaskedwhathewasthinkingwhilehewasmakinghiswaydowntothestage,Klimchukjokesthathehadtotellhimselfnot

tofall,“Iknewalotofpeoplewerewatchingbuttherewerealotofemotionsgoingthroughmyhead.”

MeanwhileonTV,TSN’sHockeyAnalystRayFerrarocomparedKlimchuktothe1983CalderMemorialTrophywinner,SteveLarmer,aremarkthatwowedPierreMcGuireandBobMcKenzie,theotheranalysts.

“Wow…that’satremendoushockeyplayer,SteveLarmer,oneofthebetter,unsungplayersthat’splayedintheNationalHockeyLeagueinthelast25years,”claimedMcGuire.

“Thescoutsalwaysliketogetperspectivefromthepeers,guystheyplaywithandagainst…thescoutsItalkedtosaidthat,overandoveragain,playerssaidMorgan

Klimchukisaguytheyrespect,theylikeplayingwithandfindhardtoplayagainst,”saidMcKenzie

TherewasoneotherplayerFerraromentionedatthedraft;JordanEberleoftheEdmontonOilers.

KlimchukandEberlehavebecomegoodfriendsandtrainingpartners,butthey’vealsofollowedverysimilarhockeypaths.

EberlewasborninRegina,Saskatchewan,livedinCalgary,playedintheCalgaryBuffaloessystem,draftedbytheReginaPats,representedTeamAlbertaattheCanadaWinterGamesbeforemovingontoplayforTeamCanadaattheIvanHlinkaMemorialTournamentandagainattheIIHFWorldU18Championships.InhisNHLdraftyear,hescored75pointsin70gamesandwassubsequentlydraftedbyanAlberta-basedNHLteaminthefirstround.HewentontoplayamajorrolewithTeamCanadaattheWorldJuniorChampionshipandWorldChampionshipandscored156pointsin195gamesinhisfirstthreeNHLseasons.

“IfIcanbecomehalftheplayerandhalfthepersonthatJordanis,that’sanhonourinofitself,”saysKlimchuk.

MORGAN KLIMCHUK MORGAN KLIMCHUK

KLIMCHUK CLIMBS HOCKEY RANKS IN WILD ROSE COUNTRY, ALL THE WAY TO NHL DRAFT

HEARING YOUR NAME IN THE FIRST ROUND AND HEARING IT CALLED FROM YOUR HOMETOWN TEAM IS SOMETHING YOU DREAM OF AS KID AND SOMETHING I’LL NEVER FORGET.

MorganKlimchukwasborninRegina,Saskatchewan,livedinCalgary,playedintheCalgaryBuffaloessystem,

draftedbytheReginaPats,representedTeamAlbertaattheCanadaWinterGamesbeforemovingontoplayforTeamCanadaattheIvanHlinkaMemorialTournamentandagainattheIIHFWorldU18Championships.InhisNHLdraftyear,hescored76pointsin72gamesandwassubsequentlydraftedbyanAlberta-basedNHLteaminthefirstround.

MORGAN KLIMCHUK’SPATH TO THE NHL

BY | Jimmy Adams

2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE 15


There’sanAlbertafemalehockeystarontheriseanditdoesn’tlooklikeanythingcanstopherascent.

SherwoodPark’sKarlyHeffernanhadherfirstbigstarringmomentwhenshescoredthegoldmedal-winningovertimegoalforCanadaagainstTeamUSAinthefinaloftheWomen’sWorldU-18ChampionshipinFinland,thispastJanuary.

The17-year-oldforwardhadtwogoalsandfourpointsinfivetournamentgames.

Andthere’ssuretobeplentymorewherethatcamefrom.

HeffernanisplayingforKelowna,B.C.’sPursuitofExcellenceHockeyAcademy,thisseason.

TheGrade12studentwasanelitegoal-scorerintheJuniorWomen’sHockeyLeaguelastseason,scoring28goalsand44pointsin31gameswithCalgary’sEdgeMountaineers—sixofhergoalsweregame-winners.

HARVARD-BOUND

VerballycommittedtoHarvardforthe2014/15season,HeffernanhasalreadybecomequitefamiliarwiththeNCAADivisionIprogramandtheschool,itself.

“Harvardisobviouslyanamazingschool,butitwasn’tthelabelthatdrewmetowardsit,”shesaid.“It’stheacademics,coaching,team,andatmosphere.”

“I’vevisitedHarvard,everysummernow,andeverysummerIgoback,Ifeelcompletelyathome.It’salmostsurrealtobeinthisposition,soit’snicetotakeastepbackandlookateverythingandtakenothingforgranted.”

Atpresstime,Heffernanhadherfingerscrossed,waitingtohearofficialwordonheracceptancetotheschool,withthebignewsexpectedtocomeinNovember.

NATIONALSPOTLIGHT

HeffernanislookingaheadtosomemorebigdatesinNovember,withthe2013NationalWomen’sUnder-18Championship,Nov.6to10inCalgary.

HeffernanbelievesTeamAlbertacandefinitelybeacontenderforthegoldintheirhomeprovince.

“Iexpectalotfromthisyear’sTeamAlbertaexperience,”shesaid.“WinninggoldistheultimategoalandIseesomuchpotentialinourteam.Wearen’tallskill—wehavealotof

gritandpassionforthegame.”

“WedefinitelyhaveeverypiecetothepuzzlewhichwaswhatIfeltwewerelackingthepastfewyears.Ourcoachesareconfidentinusandourbiggestthing,asateam,rightnow,isbelievingwecandoit.BeingthehostsofNationalswillallowforanamazingatmosphereanditwillbesonicetoplayinfrontoffamilyandfriends.I’mjustreallyexcitedtobeapartofitwiththisgroupofstaffandgirls.”

BECOMINGACOMPLETEPLAYER

Heffernanislaudedforherspeedandgoal-scoringability,butshehasbeenparticularlyconscientiousinworking-onamorecompletegame.

“Afewyearsago,somemayhaveknownmeasatoedragqueenbutsincethenI’vebeengrowingtowardsanall-aroundplayer,”shesaid.“Don’tgetmewrong,IlovenothingmorethanscoringgoalsandwinningbutIhavelearnedtousemyskillsetinthedefensivezoneinordertobeabletobemoreoffensivelyeffective.”

“IlovemakingplaysandIfeelIseetheicewell;butagain,I’mlearningtogrowasanallaroundplayersoI’mtrustedinallaspectsoftheice.”

THEBIGGESTDREAMOFALL

Heffernanwillturn18-years-old,thedaybeforethe2014OlympicWinterGamesinSochi,Russia.Andnodoubt,asshewatchesCanada’snationalwomen’steamcompete,shewillhavevisionsofthe2018Olympicsrunningthroughhermind.

It’sarguablytheultimateforanyfemalehockeyplayer.

High hopes for ‘Heffs’SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR ALBERTA UNDER-18 STAR

KARLY HEFFERNAN KARLY HEFFERNAN

[THE OLYMPICS ARE] DEFINITELY MY ULTIMATE GOAL BUT FOR RIGHT NOW I’M FOCUSING ON GETTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND BEING THE BEST I CAN WITH THE U-18S.

AndasHeffernanhasshownprowessandabilityinplayingforTeamCanada’sUnder-18squad,sheisdefinitelyontheradarasafuturememberofthewomen’snationalteam.

IaskedherwheresheplanstobeinFebruary2018.Shehasanidea,butisn’tgettingtoocaught-upintheidea,justyet.

“Well,hopefullyKorea,”shesaid,laughing.“It’sdefinitelymyultimategoalbutforrightnowI’mfocusingongettingtothenextlevelandbeingthebestIcanwiththeU-18s,thenbuildingfromthere.“

“BeingwiththeHockeyCanadaprogramandTeamAlbertahastaughtmesomuchastowhoIamasapersonandwhatIneedtodoinordertoachieveanythinginlife.They’vegivenmeallthetoolsinordertosucceedandnowit’sallhardworkandmindsetfromhereandI’mlovingeverysecondofthejourney.”

BY | Andrew Chong

QUICK HITS: KARLY HEFFERNAN, TEAM CANADA U-18 WOMENHollywoodcrush:countrysinger,LukeBryan

FavouriteNHLplayer:PavelDatsyuk,DetroitRedWings

Favouriteproteam:EdmontonOilers

Favouritegoalyou’vescored:U-18goldmedalOT-winner

BiggestJWHLrival:OkanaganHockeyAcademy

Favouritefemaleplayer:MeghanAgosta

Startedhockeyatwhatage:3

Favouriteschoolsubject:Math

Non-hockeyhobby/interest:Joggingandspendingtimewithfamily

Nicknameteammatesgiveyou:Heffs



QUICKSHOTSFROMTHEBODYCHECKINGRULECHANGEINALBERTA

Point Blank:

STEP 1 STEP 2

STEP 5

STEP 3

STEP 4

SKATINGANDAGILITYTeachplayerstheimportanceofstriding,edgecontrol,stopping,pivots,stance,balanceandagility.

CONTACTCONFIDENCEANDBODYCONTACTTeachplayershowtousethebodytoblocktheopponent’swayandthecorrectstanceandeffectiveuseoflegstrengthusedtoinitiatecontact.

POSITIONING&ANGLINGTeachplayershowtoposturethemselvesandwhatlinetotakewhenapproachinganopponent.

BODYCHECKINGThefinalstageofprogression.Teachplayersthetechniquestocheckandreceiveabodycheckaswellassafety,rulesandrespect.

STICKCHECKINGTeachplayershowtoeffectivelyustheirsticktopokecheck,sweepcheck,stickliftandlockinguptheopponentsstick.

Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors approved a motion from the Body Checking Review Committee in April 2013, to remove body checking at the peewee level

starting in the 2013-14 season.

prog

ress

ion

age & skill development

progression

BODY CHECKS

BODY CONTACT

STICK CHECKS

ANGLING & POSITIIONING

SKATING & AGILITY

Registered male and female players in Alberta playing minor hockey.

Registered coaches and team officials in Alberta.

There is a 4 fold

vs.

BodyChecking: An attempt by a player to gain an advantage on the opponent with the use of the body. Body checking results when two opposing players collide while skating in opposite direction or when positioning and angling allow the checker to use the force of the body to gain the advantage.

BodyContact:Incidental contact of two opposing players in pursuit of the puck or position on the ice in the same direction. Body contact occurs as a result of movement by the offensive player. There must be no action where the offensive player is pushed, checked or shoved into the boards.

70%of all minor hockey across Canada is being played without body checking, including male and females of all levels and abilities.

increased risk

Body Checking

Body Contact

of concussion in Peewee Hockey players in leagues where body checking is allowed compared to leagues where it is not allowed.

12, 000+66, 800

Recently,twoWesternHockeyLeaguegeneralmanagers–ScottBonneroftheVancouverGiantsandBrentSutter

oftheRedDeerRebels–haveairedtheiranxietyaboutthestateofhockeyandthecurrenteraofuber-specialization.

Theybelievetherelativelynewideaofaone-sportfocusisadetrimenttothegame.

“It’sgoodforguystogetawayfromthegame,”Bonnersaid.“Lastyear,someofourguyswereplayingbasketballanditwasshockinghowbadsomeofthemwere.We’reinanerainwhichhockeyplayersarebecomingone-dimensionalatayoungage.Ithinksocietyisatriskoflosingagenerationofqualityall-aroundathletesandit’sadangerousprecedent.”

InastorywrittenintheEdmontonJournalinearly2013,Suttermadehispositiononthematterclear.

“Youjustdon’thaveasmanyplayerstodaythatareasgoodathletesastheyusedtobe,”SuttertoldtheEdmontonJournal.“Toomuchtoday,especiallyinyoungplayers,isfocusedonhockey12monthsayear.Theydon’tplaysoccer,theydon’tplaybaseballortennisortheotherthingsthatpeopleusedtodo.”

“Itissonoticeableonahockeyteamthatthekidswhohaveplayedothersportsandexperienceddifferentthingsarealwaysthesmarterplayersonyourteam,andtheyareabletohandleadversitybetter.”

PROOFTHATMULTI-SPORTATHLETESCANTHRIVEINHOCKEY

TherearefewteamsintheWHLthatcanrivalthelineageoftalentedstarsproducedbyBonner’sGiants.

Forfiveyearsinparticular,from2005to2010,theGiantschurned-outthelikesofbuddingNHLstarsMilanLucicoftheBostonBruins,EvanderKaneoftheWinnipegJetsand,mostrecently,BrendanGallagheroftheMontrealCanadiens.

Notsurprisingly,allthreehaveonethingincommon:asportingpassionawayfromtherink.

Asteenagers,Lucicwasboxer,Kanewasasoccer-playingstrikerandGallagherwasa

Playing other sports helps hockey players improve

baseballplayer.

“Hockeydoesn’tbecomemundane,”Bonnersaid.“Youdon’tnecessarilyhavetoplay(theseothersports)atahighlevel.Iwouldjustsuggesttheyenjoyothersports,meetotherpeopleandworktobecomeamorewell-roundedperson.”

ATHLETICISMATTHECOREOFTHEELITEHOCKEYPLAYER

Ifthere’sonepersonwhoismostqualifiedtodiscussthehow-toofdevelopinghockeyplayers,it’sPeterTwist.

ThefounderandCEOofTwistConditioninghascoachedover700proathletesandmentoredthousandsofyoungplayers.

“Withoutquestion,thebestathletesrisetothetop,”Twistsaid.“Elitehockeyrequiresaplethoraofphysicalingredientsandmovementstrategiesthatarebestgrownandcompiledfromvariedsportparticipation.”

“Thebodyandmindwouldappreciatevarietyand,really,atanearlyage,youdon’tknowwhichsportachildevenhasthebestpotentialtoexcelin,orwhichonebestlightshisfire.”

THECORNERPIECE:MENTALVARIETY

Dr.DouglasSmith,workingwithProMindSportsPsychology,isaleadingpsychologist inOntariowhohas

workedwithprofessionalandelite-levelathletesforthelast20years.ForSmith,lifeisallaboutstrikingabalance.

“Sometimes,Ithinkwegettoonarrowwithonesportandseeitasdoordie,”Smithsaid.“Playingdifferentsportsallowstheplayertostayfreshandenjoylifeevenwhenthingsdon’tgosowellwithhockey.”

Recently,Smithhasbeenworkingwithafewelitelevelhockeyplayers.Thissummer,heisencouragingthemtogetawayfromtherinkandtrysomethingcompletelynew.Andforgetevenbaseballorsoccer.Howaboutwhitewaterraftingorcanoeingorkayaking?

“Letkidshavefun,”Smithsaid.“Whenyougettobeanadult,thenyoucanbeaprofessional.Buteventhen,when(adults)haven’tlearnedthatbalanceasakid,theyhavemajorproblems,whichI’mdealingwithalot.Andthen,whenthey’renotplayingwellortheirteamisn’tplayingwell,it’sliketheendoftheworld.”

BY | Mark Janzen

HOCKEY & OTHER SPORTS


“Whatittakestobecomeachampionisverydifferentthanwhatittakestobeachampion.”

ThisiswhatDr.StevenNorris,arenownedsportsscientist,firmlybelievesregardingtheprocessofdevelopingathletesinthe21stcentury.

“Oneofthethingsisthatwerushtomakehockeylookliketheadultgamebutwedon’tunderstandthatwehaven’tputthebuildingblocksinplacetobeabletoplaythegame,”Norrissaid.“Justbecausethat’sthewayit’salwaysbeendonedoesn’tmeanit’sthebestwayandthemostappropriate.”

BeforetakingthejobasvicepresidentofsportatWinSportCanadainCalgary,Norriswasacriticalbehind-the-scenesplayerinthepastthreeWinterOlympicsandhelpedplayakeyroleintheOwnthePodiumhighperformanceandtechnicalprogramfrom2005to2010.

“Manyofthedeficienciesintechnicalacumenarebecausewetendtorush–imposinganadultgameonyoungsters–atatimewhenyoualsohavetosuperimposegrossmaturationdifferences,andparticularlyatcriticalages.”

DR. STEVEN NORRIS: STUDENT OF

doingasmanythingsaspossibleinitiallyandgraduallyspecializing.’

“WhatItendtoseewithincreasingfrequencyiskidsthatcan’tthroworcatchorcan’trun.Theymightlookquitegoodasayoungskieroryounghockeyplayerbuttherearetoomanycracksordeficienciessowhatactuallyhappensisparentsactuallylimitwheretheirchildcanultimatelygetto.Wehavetoputalotmoretimeintoparenteducation,”Norrissaiddespitestatingthathethinkssomeorganizationsaregettingbetterinthisaspect.

Norriscontinuallymakesitclearthatparentsfartoooftenfocusonwhattheprofessionalgamelookslikeandtheytrytomirrorthatforthe10-yearoldsgoingoutonaSaturdaymorningatthecommunityrink.

“Whatdoeshockeylooklikeforavastmajorityofparticipants?Althoughwefocusontheprofessionalgame,that’snotnecessarilytherealgamethateveryoneplays.Canwemanagetobeallthingstoeveryonethatplaysthegameandunderstandwherecertaindecisionshavetobemade?It’snotsimplyone-sizefitsall.It’sablend.It’sslightalterationsthatreallyfitwhatthedifferentdemographicrequire.”

“Manyoftheveryimportantdiscussionsdegenerateintoemotionalargumentsratherthannecessarilylookingatthefacts.”

Furthermore,whenaskedtodiscussthenewbodycheckingrulesinPeeweehockey,Norrisisquicktosaythattheemotionaldiscussion

comesthroughthebrutallyhonesttruththatchildsporthasquicklybecomeadultentertainment.

“It’sbecauseofwhatpeoplewanttowatch.Werusheverythingandwedon’tteachanythingeffectively.Personally,I’mfedupasaprofessionaldealingwith23-year-olddefencemanatthehighestlevelofthegamethatcan’tevenskatebackwardsbecausepeoplehaven’tspentthetimeearlyontodothat.Wejustarenotstudentsoftheprocess.”

TheformerDirectorofPerformanceandStrategywiththeCanadianSportInstituteviewshockey,andallothersports,intherealmofperformanceartsandbelievesparenteducationisattheforefrontofchangingthewaychildathletesdevelop.

“Dr.CalBotterill,averyeminentsportpsychologist,isoftenquotedassaying:‘Sportallowsustocarepassionatelyaboutsomethingthatdoesn’treallymatter.’Ithinkhesaysthatkindoftongueandcheek,”Norrissaid,pointingoutthatsport,likeart,isaveryimportantaspectofpeople’slives.

“Theaspectofsportatthehighestendisaboutpushingthoseboundaries;howfarcanwego?Andthenasyoucomedownthroughthedevelopmentranksit’salmostamicrocosmoflife.Lifeitselfisthisathleticeventandeverychildisanathlete.Ifweareluckywehaveabout80yearsontheplanet.It’slargelyaerobicendurancetypeactivities,wanderingaround,jogginghereandthere.Sporadicallywehavesomeliftingandsomesprintsthrowninforfun.That’slife.”

TheBritishsportsscientistisadamanttopointoutthatsportshavesomeharshrealitiesforparentsandchildrenaliketolearnandit’saboutunderstandingthoserealitiesthatwillenabletheathletetosucceedinlife.

“Whattheparentshavetodoisinstillinchildrensomeofthevaluesthatsportcanteachthem.AndiftheyareluckyenoughtohaveboththeattitudeanddesiretobeoneofthosefewthatgototheOlympicsormakesaprofessionalcareeroutofit,thensobeit.”

Heconstantlypointstothemoreprevalentissuesinthisdayandagethatwespecializetooearlyinachild’slife,whereasweshouldbedoingtheexactopposite.

“We’vemovedveryrapidlyintothisageandparentsarecaughtupinthetrapofthinkingthatmoreisbetter.Theywanttoputalltheirresourcesintooneactivityatveryearlyagesandnotunderstandtheprocessof

THE GAME

WE RUSH TO MAKE HOCKEY LOOK LIKE THE ADULT GAME BUT WE DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVEN’T PUT THE BUILDING BLOCKS IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY THE GAME.

BY | Derrick Newman

ATHLETE DEVELOPMENTATHLETE DEVELOPMENT



itwasanunprecedentedyearforAlbertahockeyonthenationalstagein2013.

ThreeoutoffournationalchampionshipswerewonbyAlbertateams:theBentleyGenerals,theRedDeerOptimistChiefsandtheBrooksBanditswerenamedthebestteamsinthecountryoverthecourseofAprilandMay.InthefourthNationalChampionship,theMidgetAAAFemaleEdmontonThunderalsowonthebronzemedal.

Andifthatwasn’tenough,theSSACSouthgateLionswontheWesternCanadianBantamchampionshipandtheOkotoksBisonsearnedbronzeatKeystoneCup,WesternCanada’sJuniorBchampionship.

Itwasaquiteaseason,tosaytheleast.

BENTLEYGENERALSCAPTUREALLANCUP

ItstartedwiththeSeniorAAABentleyGeneralsinmid-April.TheGenshostedtheAllanCupattheRedDeerArenaandwentintotheeventasoneofthefavourites.AftergettingthroughtheRosetownRedwingsandtheKenoraThistlesinthepreliminaryroundtheywereawardedabyeintothesemi-finals.TheGeneralswouldfacetheThistlesagaininthesemi-final,winningbyascoreof3-2toreachtheAllanCupfinalforthefourthtimesince2009,whentheylastwontheAllanCup,andfifthtimesince2008.ThechampionshipfinalwassetbetweenBentleyandtheClarenvilleCaribous,whowerelookingfortheirsecondtitleinjustthreeyears.

TheGenerals’ChrisNeisznerstartedthescoringinthefinal,14minutesintothesecondperiodwhichwasfollowedupfourminuteslateronagoalfromScottDoucettomakeit2-0.Inthethirdperiod,KeenanDesmetwouldgivetheGeneralsa3-0leadandDanBakalawouldhangontothe35saveshutout,makingtheGeneralsthefifthhostteaminthelastdecadetowintheAllanCup.

“WinningtheAllanCupinRedDeer;infrontofourfriendsandfamilywasaspecial

moment,andtowinitwiththegreatgroupofguysthatwehadmadeitextraspecial,”saidGeneralsHeadCoach,BrandinCote.“It’ssomethingthatwe’llallrememberfortherestofourlives.”

REDDEEROPTIMISTCHIEFSREPEATATTELUSCUP

Thefollowingweek,theMidgetAAARedDeerOptimistChiefsmadetheirwaytoSaultSte.Marie,Ontarioonaquesttodefendtheir2012TelusCupChampionship.In2012,theChiefswonindramaticfashion,comingbackfroma5-1deficittowin6-5indoubleovertime.

Aftera2-1-2preliminaryround,theChiefsfoundthemselvesfacingtheSaskatoonContactsinthesemi-final,oneoftheteamsthetiedwithintheprelims.Theymadeshortworkofthem,winning5-1andsettingupafinalagainsttheOttawaJr.67’s,theotherteamtheyhadtiedintheprelims.

RedDeer,muchliketheGenerals,wouldwinthechampionshiponashutoutperformancefromtheirgoalie.MattZentnerfaced27shotsandstoppedthemallwhilehisteamusedfivedifferentscorerstotakea5-0victory.

ChaseThudium,TreyDegraaf,RykerLeer,ChrisGerrieandIanMcLellanscoredthegoalsinthewin,makingRedDeerjustthefourthteamtoeverrepeatasTelusCupchampionsinhistory.

Thudiumopenedthescoringonalatepowerplaygoalinthefirstperiod.Earlyinthesecondperiod,DegraafandLeerwouldscorejustoveraminuteaparttomakeit3-0.GerriewouldputtheChiefsup4-0laterinthesecond,inaperiodwhichsawRedDeeroutshootthe67’s24-7.

TheChiefsthough,knewalltoowellthatafour-goalleadgoingintothethirdperiodmightnotbesafe.TheChiefswouldmakesurethatacomebackwouldn’thappen,whenMcLellanaddedthefifthgoalwith6:21leftinthethird.

“Itwasgreattowinandtoknowallthe

hardworkweputinasateamhadpaidoff.KnowingthatweaccomplishedourultimateteamgoalofwinningaNationalChampionship,thefeelingwasalmostsurreal,”saidLeer.“ScoringagoalinthechampionshipgamewasagreatfeelingandknowingthatpeopleallaroundthecountrysawitonTSNmadethemomentthatmuchmorespecial.”

BROOKSBANDITSWINPRESTIGIOUSRBCCUP

TheBrooksBandits,whotoreuptheAlbertaJuniorHockeyLeagueduringtheregularseason,finishingthecampaignwitha53-4-3record,settingleaguerecordsforwinsandpointsduringaseason.Theyspentthefinal22weeksoftheseasonasthetop-rankedCanadianJuniorHockeyLeagueteam,neverdroppingbelowthenumbertwospotatanypointintheseason.

AfterwinningtheAJHLleaguechampionship,BrooksfacedoffinthefirsteverWesternCanadaCup,bringingtogetherthewinnersoftheBCHL,AJHL,SJHL,MJHLaswellasthehostNanaimoClippers.TheBanditswouldclinchtopspotinthateventaswell,butstillhadtowinoneofitsfinaltwogamestoearnaberthattheRBCCup.Aftermissingontheirfirstchance,losingtotheSurreyEagles,theBanditswouldblankYorktontogettotheRBCCupforthefirsttimeintheteam’shistory.

Brooksprovedwhytheywereoneofthecountry’stopteamsquicklyinthepreliminaryround,winningitsfirsttwogamesbyacombinedscoreof13-4andfinishingtheroundwitha3-1record,theironlylosscomingtothehandsoftheSummersideWesternCapitals.

TheywouldfacetheMinnesotaWildernessinthesemi-final,ateamtheyhadbeatbyascoreof6-2ondaytwooftheevent.TheBanditswentintothethirdperioddowntwogoalsandeventuallywouldscorethetyinggoalwiththeirgoaliepulledand48secondsleftinthethird.They’dpulloutthewininovertimeonagoalbyMarkReners,settinguparematchagainstthehostSummersideWesternCapitals.

ALBERTA TEAMS STOCKPILE MEDALS IN 2012/13, HIGHLIGHTED BY THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

AnthonyPretuzzelliwouldscoretheopeninggoalforBrooksjustoversevenminutesin,andDakotaMasonwoulddoubletheleadjustoveraminutelater.TheWesternCapitalswouldcuttheleadhalfwaythroughtheperiod.The2-1scorewouldholduntillateinthethirdperioduntilBrooks’captainandnationalplayeroftheyearhonouree,CamMaclise,wouldaddanemptynettertogivetheBanditsa3-1victory.

TheBrooksBanditsaretheeighthteamfromtheAJHLtowintheCanada’sNationalJuniorAChampionship,thefirstteamtodoitsinceCamroselastwonin2001,andthereforecompletingtheNationalChampionshipHatTrickforAlberta.

EDMONTONTHUNDERWINBRONZEATESSOCUP

RepresentingthePacificregionattheMidgetfemalenationalchampionship,theEdmontonThundertookhomethebronzemedal.

TheThunderknocked-offtheReginaRebels(West),1–0inthebronzemedalgameatBillCopelandSportsCentreinBurnaby,B.C.

ElizabethSalyn(Edmonton,Alta.)scoredthelonegoalmidwaythroughthethirdperiod.

SSACSOUTHGATELIONSWINWESTERNCANADIANBANTAMS

TheSSACSouthgateLionswontheWesternCanadianBantamchampionshipsinKindersley,Sask.,withawinovercross-provincialrivals,theNorthShoreWinterClubWinterhawks(NorthVancouver,B.C.)

ItwasabitofredemptionforSSAC;inJanuary,theSouthgateLionsreachedthefinaloftheJohnReidMemorialTournament,onlytolosetoNorthShoreinovertime.

InthefinalgameofWesterns,theLionswonthechampionshipwitha5-3victory.

OKOTOKSBISONSEARNBRONZEATKEYSTONECUP

TheOkotoksBisonsfinishedtheirseasonwithan11–4winoverthePeguisJuniorstocaptureabronzemedalattheKeystoneCup,theWesternCanadianJuniorBchampionship.

TheBisonsreachedthebronzemedalgamewitha2-1-1record.

B.C.’sRichmondSockeyeswontheWesternCanadianJunior“B”Hockeytitlewitha5-2winovertheSaskatoonRoyalsinthegoldmedalfinal.

GOLDEN MOMENTSBY | Jimmy Adams & Andrew Chong

ALBERTA CHAMPIONSHIPSALBERTA CHAMPIONSHIPS


The2014AlbertaWinterGameswillbehostedinthebeautifulmountaintownsofBanffandCanmore,February6th

to9th,2014.TheGamesareheldeverytwoyears,oppositeoftheSummerGames,andthisyearwillinvolve19sports.

Hockeyisoneofthosesports,butthisyeartheeventwillbeslightlydifferentonthemaleside.Inpastyears,themaleeventwasapeeweeclubteamcompetition.MeaninglocalpeeweeteamsfromaroundtheprovincecompetedtorepresenttheirzoneattheAlbertaWinterGames.

Thisyear,HockeyAlbertaandtheTeamAlbertaProgramhasgotteninvolvedwiththeAlbertaWinterGames.Likethefemaleprogram,themaleprogramwillnowbeaselectteamevent.Allpeeweeplayersbornin2001willbeeligibletotry-outforthechancetobeoneof20athletestorepresenttheirzone.

“ThechangealignswiththeLearntoTrainstageoftheLongTermPlayerDevelopmentModel,allowingHockeyAlbertatoprovideguidancetoplayersandcoachesinapositivedevelopmentalenvironment,”saidHockeyAlberta’sManagerofHockeyDevelopment,JustinFesyk.

ThefemaleeventisheldinoppositeyearsoftheATBAlbertaChallengeandisthefirststageoftheTeamAlbertaFemaleProgram.Femaleplayersbornfrom1999-2002areeligibletotry-out.Aftertheevent,60athletesareinvitedtoattendtheTeamU16Femalesummerdevelopmentcamp.

TheAlbertaWinterGameswereestablishedin1974asmulti-sporteventtoprovidedevelopopportunitiesforamateurathletesandhelpthemadvancetheirskillsinacompetitiveyetfriendlyenvironment.TheAlbertaWinterGameswillhostover2800athletes,coachesandrefereesallparticipatingin24differentsportssuchas:badminton,wrestling,squashandmore.

UPCOMING EVENTS

THE ALBERTA WINTER GAMES PROGRAM

FemaleProgramDates:Selection Camp:Nov.29–Dec.1,2013

Team Training: Jan.25or26,2014

MaleProgramDates:Selection Camps:Dec.6-8,2013

Date Event Category Location

OCT 31 - NOV 3, 2013Western Canada U16 Challenge

CupTeam Alberta Under-16 Male

Calgary, AB

NOV 4 - 10, 2013 World Junior A Challenge Junior A Yarmouth, NS

NOV 6 - 10, 2013National Women’s U18

ChampionshipTeam Alberta Under-18 Female Calgary, AB

DEC 26, 2013 - JAN 5, 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship Under-20 Male Malmo, Sweden

DEC 29, 2013 - JAN 4, 2014 World U17 Hockey Challenge Team Pacific Under-17 Male Cape Breton, NS

FEB 6 - 9, 2014 Alberta Winter GamesUnder-14 Male & Under-16

FemaleBanff/Canmore, AB

TBAWestern Canadian Sledge

Hockey TournamentSledge Hockey Leduc, AB

MAR 8 - APR 6, 2014Investors Group Hockey Alberta

ProvincialsAtom – Senior Male and Female VARIOUS

APR 10 - 13, 2014Western Canadian Shield (Regional Championship)

Senior A & B Female Calgary, AB

APR 14 - 19, 2014Allan Cup (National

Championship)Senior AAA Male Dundas, ON

APR 20 - 27, 2014 Esso Cup (National

Championship)Midget AAA Female Hamilton, ON

APR 21 - 27, 2014Telus Cup (National

Championship)Midget AAA Male Moose Jaw, SK

APR 24 - 27, 2014 ATB Alberta Cup Under-16 Male Strathmore, AB

MAY 10 - 18, 2014RBC Cup (National

Championship)Junior A Male Vernon, BC

HOCKEY ALBERTA EVENT SCHEDULE2013-14CHANGES TO


EveryMarch,withthehelpofmanyvolunteersandMinorHockeyAssociations,HockeyAlbertahoststhe

InvestorsGroupHockeyAlbertaProvincials.Intotal,45provincialchampionsarecrownedwithmorethan6,000playersand400teamsparticipating.Whatdoesn’thappeneveryMarchthough,aremassivesnowstormsthatshutdownhighwaysacrosstheprovince.

OnMarch21st,2013muchofnorthernandcentralAlbertawasstruckwithsuchastorm.Reportsindicateover25centimetersofsnowfall,resultinginslipperyroadconditionswithlowvisibility.TheworstcameontheQEIIHighway,whereapileupleftover100peopleinjured.AlbertaTransportationwasforcetoclosemanysectionsofhighwaysallthewayeasttotheSaskatchewanborder.

AboutonehournortheastofEdmonton,thesmallcommunityofRedwaterwasbusilygettingreadytohostthePeeweeCprovincials.TheywereexpectingteamsfromSundre,Athabasca,Bentley,ElkPoint,Valleyview,BowValleyandProvost.

InProvost,JackSchneiderwasgettingreadytogotoprovincials.Ithadalreadybeenalong,difficultroadtogettheopportunitytorepresenthiszoneatprovincials.GoingbacktoJanuaryandFebruaryof2012,Jack’steamhadbeatWainwrightandNewSareptatofaceCoronationintheZone7playdownfinals.Theseries,whichwastwo-gametotalscore,hadProvostdownbyagoalheadingintogametwo.Provostwouldpulloffthe5-3wininthesecondgame,andwintherighttogoRedwaterinMarch.

TherewasjustoneproblemforJack,theactualroadoutsidethefamilyfarm,located24kmoutsideofProvostand12kmawayfromasecondaryhighway,wassnowedover.

“Anyonethatlivedinthecountrywasblockedin,”saidJack’smom,Jennifer.“Wedidn’tgetplowedoutuntiltheSunday,andeventhenonlyonevehiclecouldgetthrough.”

Itwouldn’tbeenoughtostopJackfromgettingtoRedwaterthough.

Thefamilyputhisgoalieequipmentonasledanddraggeditaboutaquarter-milethroughthefield,upasnowbankandoverafencewheretheirneighbour,ErickLandmark,waswaitingwithasnowmobile.

“It’shardtoexplain,itwascrazy,”recallsJennifer.“JackmissedthefirstdayofprovincialsbutthesnowplowgottoErick’shousejustashewascomingouttogetJack.”

LandmarkloadedupJackanddraggedhisequipmentbehindthesnowmobileanddrovebacktohisvehicleandintotownwheresomeoftheotherparentswerewaitingsoJackcouldmakeittoRedwater.

“Ourneighbourhadkidsthathadplayedatprovincialsthemselves,sotheytookituponthemselvestomakeithappenforJack,”saidJennifer.“Itwasprettynice.”

TheProvostBladeswouldenduphavingasuccessfulweekendinRedwater,reachingthechampionshipgame,inwhichtheyfacedValleyviewandwouldtakehomethesilvermedal.

Onthebrightside,Jenniferdidn’tmisstoomuchoftheactionbecausetheRedwaterprovincialhostsbroadcastedProvost’sfinaltwogamesonline,sothatthosewouldwereunabletoattendcouldstillcheeronfromhome.

AttheinauguralGlencrossInvitationalCharityRoughstockEventin2012,$196,000wasraisedfortheRonald

McDonaldHouseinRedDeerandminorhockeyprogramminginAlbertathroughtheHockeyAlbertaFoundation.OnAugust23rd,2013the2ndAnnualGlencrossInvitationCharityRoughstockEvent,presentedbytheCalgaryFlamesandPennWestExploration,wasbackandonceagainalltheproceedswasdirectedtothetwocharities.

Theroughstockeventconsistedofbull,bronc,andbarebackridingwithsomeofthemostaccomplishedridersinNorthAmerica.Theeventitselfhasmoretoitthanjusttherodeo.TheThursdaynightfeaturedapokertournamentfortheeventsponsors,withthewinnertakinghome$2,500andaperformancebycountryartist,JasonGreeley.TheFridaynightalsoincludedperformancesbytheaward-winningartist,GordBamfordandTheBoomChuckaBoys.

“AllproceedsaredirectedtotheRonaldMcDonaldHouseinRedDeerandtheHockeyAlbertaFoundationinsupportofminorhockeyprogramsinAlberta.IgrewupplayingthegamethatIloveintheprovincethatIlove,”saidCalgaryFlamesforward,CurtisGlencross.“Therearemanyfamilieswhodonothavetheopportunitytoplayhockey.ThroughHockeyAlbertaandfundraisingeffortsliketonightandtomorrow,wecanhelptoeliminatebarriersthatrestrictyouthinplayingthegame.”

MinorhockeysupportwillbedirectedthroughtheEveryKidEveryCommunityprogramthroughtheHockeyAlbertaFoundation.Theprogram,createdasafundingbasedprogram,offersanopportunityforgroupstocreateinnovativewaystogetmorekidsinvolved.

FundsforHockeyAlberta’sEveryKidEveryCommunityProjectaremadeavailablethroughGovernmentofAlberta’sCommunitySpiritProgramGrant,generouscontributionsfromATBInvestorServicesandtheGlencrossRoughstockEventandHockeyAlbertaFoundation’sfundraisingefforts,liketheHockeyAlbertaFoundationGolfClassic.

The2013GolfClassicwasheldattheStewartCreekGolfandCountryClubinCanmore,Alberta.Thetournamentraisedover$65,000throughsponsorships,aliveauctionandasilentauction.

“We’realwaystryingtofindwaystomaketheGolfClassicmoreandmoresuccessful,”saidtheHockeyAlbertaFoundation’sExecutiveDirector,ScottRobinson.“Everyyearwe’reamazedatthefundsraisedatthisevent,anditgoestoshowhowimportanthockeyistoeveryoneandreinforcesourbeliefintheEveryKidEveryCommunityprogram.”

The2013HockeyAlbertaFoundationGolfClassicfeaturedcelebritieslikeJayOnraitandDanO’Toole,theformerTSNanchorsandNHLersJordanEberle(EdmontonOilers),ZachBoychuk(CarolinaHurricanes),ThomasHickey(NewYorkIslanders),AdamCracknell(St.LouisBlues),TysonStratchan(WashingtonCapitals),oneofCalgary’s20131stroundpicks,MorganKlimchukandmore.

Nextyear’sHockeyAlbertaFoundationGolfClassicwillreturntotheStewartCreekGolfClubinCanmoreforthefourthyearinarow.

FollowtheGlencrossInvitationalCharityRoughstockEventonTwitter|www.twitter.com/cgandfriendsinc/andFacebook|www.facebook.com/encrossInvitationalCharityRoughstockEvent

BY | Jimmy Adams

BY | Jimmy Adams

HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION

MAKING IT HAPPEN:

THE ROAD TO PROVINCIALSEVERY KID EVERY COMMUNITYRAISING FUNDS FOR THE

PROGRAM

HOCKEY ALBERTA PROVINCIALS


Therewasalittlebumpintheroad–thatwholeNHLlockoutthing–butLloydminster,Alta.willfinallyget

itsmuch-deservedchancetohosttheScotiabankHockeyDayinCanadafestivities,Jan.14to18,2014.

TheeventwassupposedtohappeninJanuary2013,butthelockoutmeantLloydminsterhadtodosomewaiting.

ButthatjustmeantmoreplanningtimeforthecitythathastheuniquedistinctionofstraddlingAlbertaandSaskatchewan.

AndLloydminsteralreadyhasabitofareputationfora“gobigorgohome”philosophywhenitcomestohostingbighockeyevents.

Backin2011,whenthecityhostedtheAllanCup(Canada’sseniormen’samateurchampionship),therewasaspecialappearancebyBrettHull.Andinrecentyearsofhostingminorhockeyprovincials,Lloydminsterhasbecomeknownforsomeprettyintensesmokeandlightshowsduringtheiropeningceremonies.

Andthefive-dayHockeyDayinCanadaeventwill,nodoubt,meanthecitywillbepullingoutallthestops.It’sacommunitythattakesprideincomingtogethertohostthesetypesofevents.

“It’sgoingtobeaonce-in-a-lifetimeeventandwewanttoshowcasewhatLloydminsterhastooffertotherestofCanada,”saidCindyRekimowich,projectmanagerfor

thefestivities,inaninterviewwiththeLloydminsterSource.“Peopleinourcommunityjuststep-upandgetitdone.”

Therearenolessthan40committeesplanningthearrayofeventsthatwillhappenbetweenTuesdayandSaturday.Andtheongoingcallforvolunteershasbeensuccessful,withpeoplerallyingbehindHockeyDay.

“Therearealotofpeoplethataresigningup,that’sforsure,”saidRekimowich.“We’llbeflexibleandworkaroundpeople’sscheduleandthesoonertheysignup,thebetterchancethey’llgetthejobthattheywanted.”

“It’sgoingtobeanamazingeventforthe

1.NHLALUMNIGAME

ThegamegoesSaturday,1:00p.m.andwilleitherbeattheCivicCentreortheoutdoorrink.

2.HOCKEYHALLOFFAMEHISTORYMUSEUM

TheHockeyHallofFameisbringingaminiversionoftheirmuseumofhockeynostalgia.

3.PLAYERCLINICS

Fiveplayerclinics,encompassingalllevelsofminorhockey,willfeaturecelebrityplayers.

4.INTERACTIVESKILLSCOMPETITION

Eventscouldincludehardestshot,shootingaccuracy,fastestskater,leadingtoaneliteshowdown.

5.WINTERCLASSIC:BATTLEOFTHEBORDER

Twogames,oneFridayandoneSaturday,featuringtwolocalteamsandtwonon-localteams.

6.COACHESCLINIC

ScotiabankandCBCareplanninganopportunityforlocalcoachestoworkwithpros.

7.BALLHOCKEYTOURNAMENT

TakesplaceSaturdayduringWinterFest,featuringfouroutdoorrinkswithbalesandsnowfences.

DAY 1: TUESDAY•OpeningReception•LloydminsterHockeyHistoryMuseum•InteractiveHockeySkillsChallenges

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY•StanleyCupRelayBegins•HockeyAcademywithCassieCampbell•CBCShinnyGame

FINALLY, HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA COMES TO LLOYDMINSTER

Better late than nevercityandIknowalotofpeoplewanttogetinvolvedandbeapartofit.”

Theplanningteamislookingatcompilingarosterof350volunteerstoworkin12differentareas,fromsecurity,toparking,tomerchandise,toworkinginthewinterfestival.

Sponsorshipdollarsarebeingraisedtoputonthelocalevents,withanyextrafundssettogotowardstherenovationsatRussRobertsonArena.Sponsorsgettickets,recognition,andsignage.

Asfortheeventsthemselves,therewillbeamixoffreeandticketedevents.

Freeeventsincludeawinterfestival,askatewiththeStanleyCup,andapancake

breakfast.Ticketedeventsincludeabanquet,pubnight,concert,andcelebritybreakfast.

Thenationally-televisedevent,producedbytheCBC,willsurelybeahotticket;andstartingNov.1,peopleinLloydminsterwillhavethechancetogettheirhandsonticketstothevariousevents—andtheywillprobablybescooped-up,quickly.

“OurticketsaregoingonsaleonNov.1,I’mthinkingthelast-minuteLloydminsterpeoplewillnotgetticketsunlesstheymoveonitquickly,”saidRekimowich.

Tobecomeasponsor,contactLarrySauer:[email protected].

Tovolunteer,fill-outanapplicationatLloydminster.ca/shdic

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADAHOCKEY DAY IN CANADA

BY | Andrew Chong

BIG EVENTS AT HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA IN LLOYDMINSTER7

DAY 3: THURSDAY•CelebrityBreakfastw/CassieCampbell

&KellyHrudey•StanleyCuparrivesinLloydminster•RefereeLuncheonwithRonMacLean

DAY 4: FRIDAY•SkatewiththeCup•MilitaryBattleontheBorderWinter

Classic•BanquetwithRonMacLeanandDon

Cherry

DAY 5: SATURDAY•LivenationalbroadcastonCBC•WinterFestCelebration•LloydminsterBobcatsJuniorAgame

DAY-BY-DAY: HOCKEY DAY HIGHLIGHTS

IT’S GOING TO BE A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EVENT AND WE WANT TO SHOWCASE WHAT LLOYDMINSTER HAS TO OFFER TO THE REST OF CANADA.


OURVISION:TobecomethemostprogressiveandinnovativesportorganizationinCanada.

OURMISSION:TocreateopportunitiesandvaluablelifeexperiencesinhockeyforAlbertansbyprovidingexceptionalleadershipandservice.

OURHISTORY:HockeyAlbertawasfoundedin1907andhasactedasthegoverningbodyforthesportofhockeyinthisprovinceeversince.Sincethen,HockeyAlbertahasbeendesigningandimplementingnewwaystoorganizeanddevelopplayers,coaches,officialsandadministratorsthroughouttheprovincetocreatepositiveexperiencesforeveryoneinvolvedinthegame.

OURMEMBERS:HockeyAlbertaisthethirdlargestprovincialbranchofHockeyCanada,whichisthenationalgoverningbodyforamateurhockeyinCanada.HockeyAlbertaistheactinggoverningbodyforamateurhockeyintheprovinceofAlbertarangingfromthelevelsofminorhockeytoseniorhockeyincludingtheAlbertaJuniorHockeyLeague.HockeyAlbertahasapproximately450memberorganizationsrepresentingover90,000participants.Allplayersarecoached,officiatedanddevelopedthroughtheteachingsandeducationthatHockeyAlbertaprovidesatalllevelsofthegame.

OURVOLUNTEERS:HockeyAlbertaisavolunteerdrivenorganizationwithover500volunteersinvolvedindifferentrolesthroughourcommitteesandprograms.Thedirection

ofHockeyAlbertaisguidedthroughaboardofdirectors,councils,andmanycommitteesimplementedthroughninezoneteams.Withoutthedevotionofthesepeople,HockeyAlbertawouldnotbeoneofCanada’sleadersinhockeydevelopment.

OURSTAFF:HockeyAlbertaconsistsof27staffmembersthatfacilitatetheOperations,DevelopmentandMarketing/Communications/FoundationdepartmentsoftheorganizationlocatedinRedDeer.HockeyAlbertahasfivestaffmemberswhoworkremotelyatHockeyAlbertaRegionalCentres-inGrandePrairie,Lethbridge,Calgary,LloydminsterandRedDeer.ThestaffoverseesalloftheprogramsandservicesthatHockeyAlbertaprovidesitsmembersthroughimplementation,discussionanddevelopmentonaday-to-daybasis.

PROVINCIAL SPONSORS

PROVINCIAL SUPPLIERS

PARTNERS IN HOCKEY

WHO IS HOCKEY ALBERTA?

OfficialSportsStoreofHockeyAlberta

OfficialequipmentsuppliertoTeam

Alberta

OfficialapparelcompanyofHockeyAlberta.AsupportingsponsoroftheInvestorsGroup

HockeyAlbertaProvincials

OfficialfueloftheATBTeamAlberta

Program

OfficialPhotographerforHockeyAlberta

OfficialapparelcompanyofTeam

Alberta.

TitlesponsorofHockeyAlberta’sprovincialchampionships

OfficialhotelchainofHockeyAlbertaandTeamAlberta

TitleSponsoroftheATBTeamAlbertaProgram

PresentingsponsoroftheHockeyAlbertaFoundationGolfClassic

ProvincialsponsorfortheDodgeCaravanKidsProgram

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2013-14 magazine - hockey alberta · 7. ultimate fighting 8. the rocket e very june at the hockey...

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