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
2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE 5 4 2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE
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.?????
2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE 7 6 2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE
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.”
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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“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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
34 2013-2014 HOCKEY ALBERTA MAGAZINE
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
LAMedia
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