bill peters - Hockey Alberta

HOME
ICE
HOCKEYALBERTA.CA
ISSUE 1 2015
“HOCKEY
IS HAVING
FUN WITH
FRIENDS”
MALE, FEMALE SQUADS GO
FOR GOLD AT CANADA
WINTER GAMES
ALBERTA HOCKEY
SUMMIT’S OUTCOMES
IN ACTION
PROVINCIALS INSPIRE
PLAYERS FROM
FAR AND WIDE
BEHIND THE BENCH
WITH ’CANES COACH
BILL PETERS
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
1
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2
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
SCAN TO ENTER
We live for the
hockey moments.
The biggest wins, the toughest losses,
the goals that bring us to our feet and the
comebacks we dare not hope for. We live
for the team that gives us these moments.
Moments that ignite us. Moments that define us.
#IgnIted
CalgaryFlames.Com
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
3
FROM RINKSIDE
HOME
ICE
The third change is that the magazine has a new
WELCOME TO THE 2015 EDITION OF HOME ICE,
look. Thanks to a partnership with RedPoint Media &
the magazine of Hockey Alberta.
Marketing Solutions in Calgary, this year’s edition of
It has been a year of changes for this publication.
the magazine has a full-length feature on AlberThe first change is that the magazine now has a
ta-produced NHL coach Bill Peters (see page 16),
name – Home Ice.
along with several smaller features and infographics
Over the years, the publication has simply been
talking about topics of importance.
called the Hockey Alberta Magazine. After sifting
RedPoint provided professional writing, design
through dozens of possible names, doing online
and sales assistance that have resulted in a very
searches on those names and then evaluating for
high-quality publication.
potential positive or negative perception, I think I
Finally, I’m new at Hockey Alberta,
understand why the magazine did not have
having started in late August 2014. I am
a name — picking a name is tough.
proud to have been part of the very
But I believe Home Ice reptalented Hockey Alberta team that
resents both the spirit of hockey
“‘HOME ICE’
contributed to the production of
generally, and the good work
REPRESENTS BOTH
Home Ice.
done every day by the thouTHE SPIRIT OF HOCKEY
I hope you enjoy reading the
sands of volunteers and players
AND THE WORK DONE
magazine, and that it proves both
who make Hockey Alberta a
EVERY DAY BY
interesting and informative.
successful organization.
VOLUNTEERS.”
If you have a comment on this
The second change is that the
year’s magazine, or a story idea for
magazine is being published and
the 2016 edition, please feel free to
distributed later in the year.
contact me.
In previous years, the magazine would hit
the stands in September or October. With a later
publication date, we can include stories and photos
on events from this season. For example, you can
Thank you,
find a story and photos (see page 14) from World
Girls’ Hockey Weekend held on Thanksgiving weekBrad Lyon
end. Or check out page 22 for the story and photos
Senior Manager, Communications
from the announcement of the team rosters for the
blyon@hockeyalberta.ca
Canada Winter Games in early December.
4
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
Publisher:
Hockey Alberta, in partnership with RedPoint
Media & Marketing Solutions
Editor:
Brad Lyon
Associate Editors:
Jimmy Adams, Victoria Hofferd
Managing Editor:
Miles Durrie
Design Director:
Steve Collins
Art Director:
David Willicome
Account Manager:
Mark Hogan
Production Manager:
Mike Matovich
Audience Development/
Reader Services Manager:
Rob Kelly
Printing:
Transcontinental Inc.
Contributing writers:
Jimmy Adams, Brad Lyon, Rita Mingo,
Steven Sandor
Photographs courtesy Hockey Alberta
unless otherwise noted.
Hockey Alberta Board of Directors:
Terry Engen, Chairman – Eckville
Fran Zinger, Vice-Chair – Sherwood Park
Fran Horbay, Director at Large – Blairmore
Laury Schmidt, Director at Large – High River
Dave Sevalrud, Director at Large – Calgary
Rob Virgil, Past Chair – Edmonton
Len Samletzki, Director of Finance – St. Albert
President, RedPoint Media Group Inc:
Pete Graves
Statements, opinions and viewpoints
expressed herein do not necessarily represent
the views of the publishers.
Copyright 2015 by RedPoint Media Group Inc.
and Hockey Alberta. No part of this publication may
be reproduced without the express written consent
of the publishers.
100 College Blvd., Box 505, Room 2606,
Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5 • Ph: 403-342-6777
hockeyalberta.ca
Media & Marketing Solutions
100, 1900 11th St. S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 3G2
Ph: 403-240-9055 • redpointmedia.ca
CONTENTS
04
FROM RINKSIDE
08
WELCOME TO HOME ICE
07
EVOLVING WITH THE GAME
REGIONAL CENTRES ARE
COACHING THE COACHES
08
A NEW VISION
ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT’S
IDEAS GAINING TRACTION
14
COAST TO COAST ACTION
WORLD GIRLS’ HOCKEY
WEEKEND
20
MOTIVATED TO COMPETE
DETERMINATION DRIVES TEAMS
ON ROAD TO THE PROVINCIALS
22
GAMES ON!
ALBERTA’S TEAMS ARE RIDING HIGH
ON CANADA GAMES
28
HOCKEY FOR LIFE
LONG-TERM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
FOCUSES ON SKILLS, FUN
30
BEHIND THE
BENCH:
FOR BILL PETERS,
THE ROAD TO THE
NHL RAN THROUGH
ALBERTA.
16
10
30
COACHING
CONNECTIONS:
TEAM ALBERTA
PROGRAM A KEY
DEVELOPMENT
TOOL.
22
PASSION FOR THE GAME
HOCKEY ALBERTA
FOUNDATION CHAIR BELIEVES IN
HOCKEY’S BENEFITS
33
SUPPORT FOR YOUNG OFFICIALS
SHADOWING PROGRAM
AIMS TO MAKE
OFFICIATING FUN
WHAT I LOVE
ABOUT HOCKEY:
“SPENDING TIME WITH MY
FRIENDS AND PRACTISING WITH MY
BROTHER”– Ariel Bracko
“IT’S SO FUN TO PLAY, AND
I LOVE SKATING”– Nolan Rusynyk
“HOCKEY IS HAVING FUN
WITH FRIENDS”
– Ezekiel Hannay-Parreno
FOCUS
ON THE COVER
Blackfoot Atom 5 Chiefs
teammates, from left, Ariel
Bracko, 10, Nolan Rusynyk, 9,
and Ezekiel Hannay-Parreno,
9, photographed at the
East Calgary Twin Arenas
by Erin Brooke Burns.
12 32 34
SOME USEFUL
RESOURCES, AND
HARD-HITTING FACTS,
ABOUT CONCUSSION.
PLAN YOUR HOCKEY
CALENDAR WITH THIS
SCHEDULE OF 2015
EVENTS.
ALL YOU NEED
TO KNOW ABOUT
HOCKEY ALBERTA, BY
THE NUMBERS.
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
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ASSISTS
SPONSORS
LA MEDIA
PHOTOGRAPHY
Title Sponsor of the
ATB Team Alberta Program
Official apparel company of Hockey Alberta &
supporting sponsor of Hockey Alberta Provincials
Official equipment supplier to
Team Alberta
Official sports store of
Hockey Alberta
Official hotel chain of Hockey
Alberta & Team Alberta
Official fuel of the ATB Team
Alberta Program
Official Photographer of
Hockey Alberta
Provincial sponsor for Dodge
Caravan Kids Program
PARTNERS
READ AND WIN!
HOME
ICE
HOCKEYALBERTA.CA
ISSUE 1 2015
MALE, FEMALE SQUADS GO
FOR GOLD AT CANADA
WINTER GAMES
ALBERTA HOCKEY
SUMMIT’S OUTCOMES
IN ACTION
PROVINCIALS INSPIRE
PLAYERS FROM
FAR AND WIDE
“HOCKEY
IS HAVING
FUN WITH
FRIENDS”
You could score a Hockey Alberta prize
package valued at $500 just by reading this
premiere issue of HOME ICE magazine!
HOW TO ENTER:
Send an email to info@hockeyalberta.ca with the subject line:
HOME ICE CONTEST
INCLUDE YOUR ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
1. At what location and/or event did you pick up your copy of HOME ICE?
2. What was your favourite story in the magazine?
TAKE A SHOT AT IT!
BEHIND THE BENCH
WITH ’CANES COACH
BILL PETERS
HOME IC E - HOC KE YA LBE RTA . C A
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# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
1
The deadline for entries is midnight on June 15, 2015.
A random draw will be held to determine the winner.
For full contest rules and regulations, visit hockeyalberta.ca
REGIONAL CENTRE PLANS
EVOLVING
WITH THE
GAME
Regional Centre
consultants communicate directly
with the Coach
Directors to create
Coach Development
Plans and support
other initiatives,
using readily
available programs
and resources
such as:
HOCKEY ALBERTA’S REGIONAL CENTRES
ARE COACHING THE COACHES
BY JIMMY ADAMS
to support volunteer coaches within their local
WHEN HOCKEY ALBERTA’S Regional Centres
associations to maximize a coach’s potential.”
first opened their doors, the focus was simple:
Hale is one of six consultants operating
provide the best training and development opHockey Alberta Regional Centres, the first of
portunities for players across Alberta.
which opened in 2006 in Grande Prairie (now the
“The Regional Centres were initially set up
Northwest Centre). Since then, consultants have
with a service and delivery model, focusing on
been hired for offices in Lloydminster (Northindividual player development,” says Justin Fesyk,
east), Edmonton, Red Deer (Central), Calgary, and
Hockey Alberta’s senior manager of hockey
Lethbridge (South), where Hale is based.
development. “The regional consultants delivered
“Last winter, our association came up with
on-ice and off-ice skill camps, but it was very difa new development model plan, and number
ficult to develop one player at a time with more
one on that list was more support for
than 57,000 players registered in Alberta.”
our coaches,” says Wade KlippenAs a result, the Regional Centre
stein, director of development
strategy had to evolve, shifting
with Coaldale Minor Hockey.
focus to the training and devel“We worked with Jesse Hale
opment of Alberta’s coaches.
“NUMBER ONE ON
and the Regional Centre in
At the 2013 Alberta Hockey
THE LIST WAS MORE
Lethbridge to organize our
Summit, a key finding was that
SUPPORT FOR OUR
first annual Coaches’ ConferHockey Alberta needed to
COACHES.”
ence. We weren’t sure how it
identify potential coaches at
was going to be received, but
younger ages and foster their
almost every coach within our
growth. In response, Hockey
association attended.”
Alberta created the Alberta Coach
The consultants support associations
Development Plan to better educate and
in coach selection, evaluation and appreciation
support coaches at the minor hockey level. The
and in creating Coach Development Plans. In
Regional Centre Strategy was realigned to allow
turn, coaches are left to create a fun and safe
Hockey Alberta to deliver these initiatives.
environment that focuses on developing the skills
In 2014, Hockey Alberta began encouraging
of Alberta hockey players.
its Minor Hockey Associations to designate an
“The support we’ve received from the
individual on staff to deal directly with coaches.
Regional Centre has been awesome, and we’re
“We call that group of people the Coach
hoping we can do a lot more in the future,”
Director group,” says Jesse Hale, Hockey Alberta’s
Klippenstein adds. l
South Regional Centre consultant. “Their role is
National
Coaching
Certification
Program (NCCP)
Coach Education
Clinics
NCCP
Instructional
Stream Coach
Clinics
Coach Education
Seminars/
Symposiums
Game Day Coach
Clinics
Hockey Canada
Skill Manuals
Hockey Canada
Skill DVDs
Hockey Canada
Electronic
Practice Plans
Long-Term Player
Development
Framework/
Manual
Coach
Mentorship
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
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A NEW
VISION
8
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ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT’S
GROUNDBREAKING IDEAS BEGIN
TO GAIN TRACTION
I
BY RITA MINGO
setup are mass practices, focusing on station drills; the players are evaluated
t’s been a year and a half since the Alberta Hockey Summit
and those with similar abilities are stationed together. In this way, developtook place, shaking some of the well-established foundations
ment truly begins at an earlier age, as all the kids are given sufficient ice time.
of the game.
“At first we had a lot of opposition from parents. But we made a big
For Brent Talsma, it rocked things for the better.
decision, and we felt that if parents were in the know they would side with
“We changed immensely, beyond even what I wanted to
it,” Talsma says.
change,” says Talsma, president of Lacombe Minor Hockey. “All
“The hardest thing is it’s easy to fall back to the way things used to be.
for the good, I guess.”
And we had coaches, very qualified coaches who totally did not want to be
The Summit, held in August 2013 in Banff, was attended by
part of this. But once those coaches see the development of the kids, they
association presidents, executives, staffers, volunteers, coaches and anyone
come around.”
else with a tie to the game. But change is good and, in that vein, topics
Another association that sees the benefit of getting kids off
were discussed and suggestions made to improve on the shared
on the right foot at the ground level is Strathmore.
vision of the game in Alberta.
“I think as an organization we’re trying to get back to
Improvement, in the case of Lacombe, was to deal
the grassroots and make sure that all levels are developwith ice-time issues in tandem with player develop“CONCENTRATING
ing, instead of concentrating on your top 10 per cent,’’
ment. Through what he gleaned from the summit,
ON THE SKILLS KIDS
says Mike Langen, co-coach/director. For Langen, too,
Talsma found what he believes is the perfect solution.
USED TO PICK UP ON
the summit provided a real eye-opener as to how
“When I went to the summit I listened to (George)
player development can evolve.
THE POND-HOCKEY
Kingston and Dr. (Steve) Norris talking about half-ice
“It seems that it’s been lacking since the millenhockey and the benefits of development,” he says.
RINK … THAT’S A
nium,” he says. “Concentrating on the skills that kids
As Talsma looked into it further, that model apBIG PART OF IT.”
used to pick up on the pond-hockey rink, outside of
peared to be the answer to facilitating the large number
organized sport — that’s a big part of it. At Strathmore, we
of five- and six-year-olds entering organized hockey each
try to develop players with skills versus teams with skills. Try
season, providing ice time for the youngsters and easing the
not to focus so much on team systems and team tactics but more
need for their parents to drive them to other centres to play.
individual skills and individual tactics.’’
“If we go by that half-ice model we could make five teams of 12 and
Again, it was at the Initiation level that changes were most obvious, with
play an in-house four-on-four league on half-ice,” says Talsma, recalling the
coaches getting a standardized coaching manual that outlines stations and
discussion. “We talked about it as an association and talked to other assocismall area games, in this case cross-ice, three-on-three games.
ations that had already done it.”
“(The changes) make it more interesting for the kids, makes them feel
Some nearby associations raised the objection that this new format
more involved because they actually get to touch the puck quite a bit more
would mean fewer teams for them to play.
and they get on the ice quite a bit more,” Langen says.
“So we sat down and said, well, that’s not our problem. Our problem is
It’s the parents and coaches who will need to be convinced.
to keep kids in hockey, engaged, in Lacombe, and keep them playing.”
“A lot of people have a lot of connotations around ‘I wasn’t coached
After a year of formulating a structure, putting rules in place and — most
that way,’ but that doesn’t work anymore.” l
importantly — educating parents, the new model was born. Included in the
SEVEN THEMES WERE DISCUSSED AT THE 2013 ALBERTA HOCKEY SUMMIT.
HERE THEY ARE, IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE AS RATED BY THE PARTICIPANTS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
FOCUS ON THE PLAYER
DEVELOP A MODEL
FOR THE IDEAL
LOCAL MINOR
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
TRAIN OUR FUTURE
LEADERS
OPEN DOORS TO
NON-TRADITIONAL
PARTICIPANTS
SHARED LEADERSHIP
ACROSS SPORTS
REDUCE SYSTEM BIAS
STRENGTHEN BUSINESS
RELATIONSHIPS
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
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Edmonton-based coach
Serge Lajoie is shown
here at the 2013 Western
Canada U16 Challenge
Cup in Calgary. Lajoie
continued to hone his
skills behind the bench at
the 2014 World U17 Hockey
Challenge in Sarnia, Ont.
COACHING
CONNECTIONS
THE TEAM ALBERTA PROGRAM IS
A KEY DEVELOPMENT TOOL FOR COACHES
10
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
T
“THE
PROGRAM…
CHALLENGES
YOU TO LOOK AT
THINGS IN A
DIFFERENT
WAY.”
BY STEVEN SANDOR
his past November, Serge
Lajoie was in Sarnia, Ont.,
as an assistant coach with
one of the three Canadian teams competing
in the World Under-17
Hockey Challenge, working with some of the best
teenage prospects in Canada.
Lajoie was well-prepared for the job, thanks
to the years he spent working in the Team Alberta program. Lajoie coaches the men’s hockey
program at Edmonton’s Northern Alberta
Institute of Technology, but he has also been
involved with Team Alberta’s ATB Alberta Cup
program since 2008.
The program doesn’t just prepare players to
make their next bold strides toward elite junior
programs and possibly the pros. For coaches, it
offers the chance to connect with some of the
best hockey minds in Alberta and Canada.
“Hockey Alberta has done a good job in surrounding itself with great hockey people. They’ve
always tried to get the involvement and knowledge of great players and coaches: Bill Moores
(Oilers director of coaching development), Rick
Carriere (Oilers director of player development)
or even Mike Babcock (Stanley Cup and Olympic
gold-medal winning coach). They’ve strived to
have the right hockey people involved, with the
right intentions,” Lajoie says.
Since Lajoie began coaching in the ATB Alberta Cup seven years ago, he’s had the chance
to work with some of the province’s top young
players. In his first year, he had Eric Comrie —
now the property of the Winnipeg Jets — in
goal. Josh Morrissey was a first-round draft pick
of the Jets, Morgan Klimchuk a first-round pick
of the Calgary Flames, and Greg Chase was
drafted by the Edmonton Oilers.
“This is the best professional development
that I could have ever gotten,” Lajoie says.
“The program challenges
you. The players challenge
you. It all challenges you to
look at things in a different
way. It forces you to look
at how to build a team, how
to create cohesiveness within
your team, the whole culture of
the team. It’s allowed me, as a coach,
to rub shoulders with some high-level coaches, get their insights and challenge my hockey
knowledge.”
HOW DOES
IT WORK?
Players attend ATB Alberta Cup zone camps.
From those camps, 20 athletes are selected from
each zone (160 players in total) to compete at
the ATB Alberta Cup. Following the event, the
top 80 are identified and invited to participate in
the Team Alberta U16 Summer Camp. Following
the Summer Camp, 40 players are shortlisted
and scouted with their club team until 20 are
eventually named to represent Team Alberta at
the Western Canada Challenge Cup. Every fourth
year — including 2015 — the team represents the
province at the Canada Winter Games.
For the females, the best 15-year-olds participate in two selection camps — one in the north,
one in the south — held every two years for the
ATB Alberta Challenge. In the off years, six regional camps are held as the females work toward
the Alberta Winter Games.
Lajoie says the program pulls coaches out
of their comfort zones. Most of the time,
coaches look after their club teams with the
idea that the team will grow and learn throughout a season. But with Team Alberta, coaches
learn how to maximize
what they can get out
of their players over
the course of just a few
games and practices.
“How you approach a
short-term competition is a
different beast,” Lajoie says.
Even though the format forces
coaches to get the most out of their teams
in a short period of time, there’s still an ongoing
emphasis on helping players develop their individual skills.
“There’s a difference between player selection and player identification,” Lajoie says.
“A lot of times when you select a team, you
are simply looking at the players and where they
are at that particular point in time. There’s not
as much of a focus on seeing the skill that these
players are able to demonstrate, and maybe
predict if they are going to be able to develop
and enhance those skills.
“The regional camps bring the kids together
with coaches who can help them develop those
skills, identify the areas that the players can
continue to work on. They can leave camp with
different drills and know that these are the areas
they need to work on.”
The ATB Alberta Cup is designed to be an
equalizer. There are plenty of AAA bantams
involved in the program, but playing alongside
them are kids from other tiers.
“Quite a few times, we’ve seen players from
AA outplay and outhustle AAA players,” Lajoie
says — and his sentiments are echoed by Barry
Medori, Hockey Alberta’s High Performance
Coach Mentor.
“The ATB Alberta Cup is not just about
identification. It’s about development. But,
sometimes we do see players from northern or
southern communities, where they don’t have
AAA hockey, just pop up.” l
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
11
RESOURCES
ONLINE PROGRAMS
respectinsport.com
HARDHITTING
FACTS
Respect in Sport Activity
Leader and Parent online
programs. Concussion topics
covered include:
• What to look for?
• Healing process
• Limits of protective
equipment
• Respect for
opponents, playing
within the rules,
skill development
hockeycanada.ca
CONCUSSION IS
A SERIOUS INJURY
SPEED AND CONTACT are parts of
hockey, and the brain is vulnerable
to injury. Trauma can occur through
direct contact to the head or face
or indirectly through a whiplash
effect. Since concussions can’t be
detected on X-rays or CT scans,
they are difficult to fully investigate
and understand. All concussions
have the potential for serious and
HOCKEY
ALBERTA
CONCUSSION
POSITION
long-lasting symptoms. All must be
treated carefully and in consultation
with a physician.
Hockey Alberta and Hockey
Canada are determined to reduce
the incidence of concussion in
hockey. This is more than providing
rules for a player’s return after an
injury; it is also about providing
concussion-prevention information.
Hockey Canada Concussion App for
adults and kids (available for iOS,
Android and Blackberry). Topics include:
• Respect and rules
• Prevention
• Symptoms
• Return to play
CONCUSSION IS SUSPECTED = CONCUSSION HAS OCCURRED
! IF A MINOR HOCKEY PLAYER IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION: Player is removed from hockey activity
IMMEDIATELY. Team officials recommend parent or guardian take player to medical doctor IMMEDIATELY.
! IF A MEDICAL DOCTOR DIAGNOSES A CONCUSSION: Player may not return to any hockey activity without written
permission from medical doctor. Player/parent/guardian must submit written permission to the team’s Safety Person or Trainer.
RETURN TO PLAY
A PLAYER’S RETURN TO FULL PARTICIPATION WILL FOLLOW THE
HOCKEY CANADA SAFETY PROGRAM RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES:
1
2
3
4
5
6
COMPLETE
REST/NO
ACTIVITY
LIGHT AEROBIC
EXERCISE
(E.G. WALKING,
STATIONARY
BIKE)
SPORT-SPECIFIC
ACTIVITIES
(E.G. SKATING)
DRILLS
WITHOUT BODY
CONTACT
DRILLS WITH
BODY CONTACT
GAME PLAY
!
PROCEED TO STEP 2
ONLY WHEN SYMPTOMS
ARE GONE.
12
Hockey Canada
Concussion Card topics
include:
• What is a concussion?
• Symptoms and signs
• Initial response
• Return to play
!
STEPS 2-6: EACH STEP SHOULD TAKE AT LEAST ONE DAY. IF SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS RETURN, PLAYER
SHOULD RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS STEP, AND BE RE-EVALUATED BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR.
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
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individuals with experience in industrial construction.
Try out for our team.
Send your resume to energyjobs@Kiewit.com
or call 1-877-4-KIEWIT for more details.
Play safe. Work Safe.
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
13
WORLD GIRLS’ HOCKEY WEEKEND
COAST TO COAST
ACTION
LONG GAME A HIGHLIGHT
OF GIRLS’ HOCKEY CELEBRATION
A CANADIAN INTERUNIVERSITY
SPORT (CIS) women’s hockey game
in Airdrie between the University of
Calgary and University of Lethbridge
capped off a successful 2014 Long
Game Initiative during IIHF World
Girls’ Hockey Weekend last October.
The Dinos and Pronghorns
participated in the Senior Division
of the fourth annual Long Game,
which features day-long games
1
14
2
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starting in Newfoundland and
Labrador, and finishing in the west.
In 2014, Whitehorse, Yukon, was the
western host. Scores are accumulated in one-hour game slots in each
province between Red and White
teams in the Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget and Senior divisions.
Alberta’s segment of the Long
Game was played at the Ron
Ebbesen and Genesis Place arenas
3
in Airdrie, in conjunction with the
annual tiering tournament for the
Rocky Mountain Female Hockey
League. In addition to the CIS game,
teams from Airdrie, Innisfail, Olds,
Calgary, West Central, Okotoks and
Red Deer participated.
More information on IIHF World
Girls Hockey Weekend and the
Long Game Initiative can be found
at hockeycanada.ca/WGHW. l
1) Atom
White: Airdrie Minor
Hockey Association.
Black: Innisfail Minor
Hockey Association.
2) Peewee
White: Olds Grizzlys.
Red: Girls’ Hockey
Calgary P2C.
3) Bantam
White: West Central
Lakers. Green:
Okotoks Oilers.
4) Midget
White: Red Deer
Chiefs. Black: Girls
Hockey Calgary M1A.
5) Senior
Blue: University
of Lethbridge
Pronghorns. White:
University of Calgary
Dinos.
4
5
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
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16
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
BEHIND
THE BENCH
BY STEVEN SANDOR
FOR CAROLINA HEAD
COACH BILL PETERS,
THE ROUTE TO THE NHL
STARTED IN SMALLTOWN ALBERTA
THE UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE is a
long way from the big leagues. But for
Bill Peters, his time coaching the university’s hockey team was crucial preparation for
the stress he faces today behind the bench of
a rebuilding National Hockey League franchise.
Peters was named head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes
before the 2014-15 season. It’s a team that hasn’t been to the
NHL playoffs in five years, and the new season got off to
a rough start. The injury-riddled Hurricanes lost eight
in a row before Peters got his first NHL coaching
wins, back to back against Arizona and Los
Angeles in early November.
It was a scenario similar to one
Peters had confronted and
dealt with more than a
Photo courtesy Carolina Hurricanes
decade earlier in Lethbridge with the
U of L Pronghorns, a team expected
to finish near the bottom of the Canada
West Universities Athletic Association.
Over Peters’ three seasons as coach, the
Pronghorns won just 17 of 84 games.
But he doesn’t look at his time in Lethbridge with
negativity — in fact, he says, facing adversity was a
learning experience. It’s a good thing Peters is willing to
meet a challenge, because he’s dealt with more than
his fair share. Born in Three Hills, Peters grew up
in Killam, where the local rink had plenty of
ice time for him and his friends. But a
severe ankle injury off the ice put
the brakes on his hopes for a
career as a player.
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HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
17
1988
1999
2002
2002
2005
2005
2008
2009
2010
BILL PETERS PLAYS FOR
THE RED DEER COLLEGE
KINGS UNDER MIKE
BABCOCK
MIKE BABCOCK HIRES
PETERS AS ASSISTANT
COACH WITH THE
SPOKANE CHIEFS
PASSED OVER FOR A WHL
HEAD COACH POSITION,
PETERS RETURNS TO
ALBERTA
PETERS COACHES
THE UNIVERSITY
OF LETHBRIDGE
PRONGHORNS
RETURNING AS HEAD
COACH, PETERS TAKES
SPOKANE TO A MEMORIAL
CUP WIN
MOVING INTO THE PRO
RANKS, PETERS COACHES
THE AHL’S ROCKFORD
ICEHOGS
1990s
WHILE LIVING IN SAN
ANTONIO, TEXAS, PETERS
STAYS INVOLVED IN
HOCKEY, MANAGING A RINK,
SCOUTING AND RUNNING
HOCKEY SCHOOLS.
He did recover sufficiently to earn a spot on
new wife, a nurse, got an offer to work in Texas,
the Red Deer College team — also a long way
not exactly a hockey hotbed in the early 1990s.
from the professional game. It was there, in central
Peters gave up a job coaching Junior B hockey
Alberta, where he met Mike Babcock and his path
in Killam, and his wife accepted what was
to the NHL began.
supposed to be a 13-week contract. The couple
Babcock is today one of the world’s bestended up staying for eight years.
known hockey coaches. He led the Anaheim (thenBut Peters found a way to stay close to
Mighty) Ducks to the Stanley Cup final in 2003 and
the ice — literally. He helped manage a rink in
won it all in 2008 with the Detroit Red
San Antonio, ran hockey schools and
Wings. Then he coached Canada’s
did some scouting.
national men’s team to Olympic
It wasn’t until 1999 that
gold in 2010 and 2014.
he would get a chance to
But well before these
coach again. His old friend
“IT WORKED OUT
heady times, back in
Babcock was coaching
PRETTY WELL …
1988, Babcock was
the Spokane Chiefs, and
THE CHIEFS REACHED
tasked — at the absurdasked Peters to be his
ly young age of 25 —
assistant. It was a major
THE WHL FINAL
with the job of coaching
leap of faith for Babcock,
THAT SEASON.”
the Red Deer College
considering Peters’ thin
Kings hockey team.
coaching resume at the time.
Clearly already a coaching
It worked out pretty well,
prodigy, Babcock led the Kings to
though. The Chiefs reached the
victory in the 1988-89 Alberta Colleges
Western Hockey League final that season,
Athletic Conference championship. Many of the
and Babcock left the team to begin his ascent up
players on his roster were close to him in age, inthe pro coaching ranks.
cluding Peters; the two quickly became friends.
Peters remained an assistant with the Chiefs
“I’ve known Mike for a long time, since Red
for three seasons. But ultimately, he had to
Deer College, back in 1988,” Peters says. “I was 23,
make the tough choice to leave Spokane. In
he was 25. We’ve known each other’s families for
2002, the Chiefs had a head-coaching vacancy,
a long time — there’s a friendship there as well as
but Peters was passed over.
a professional relationship.”
“I didn’t get the job, and one of the reasons
Shortly after finishing his time at RDC,
was that I didn’t have any head coaching experiPeters’ hockey career was sidetracked again. His ence,” he says.
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# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
So, he decided to retrace Babcock’s path; Babcock had spent a year coaching at the University
of Lethbridge, leading the school to a Canadian
Interuniversity Sport title. The Pronghorns’ head
coaching job was open, and Peters made the
move back to Alberta.
He spent three years in Lethbridge — and,
in 2005, the Chiefs were satisfied that Peters
had accrued enough experience to become the
team’s head coach, despite the Pronghorns’ poor
record over those three seasons.
It was the right call. In 2008, Peters coached
the Chiefs to a Memorial Cup title, a championship that had eluded Babcock.
“I put two and two together and knew I needed to get head-coaching experience,” Peters says.
“I did that at the U of L. I worked for a lot of
great people there. I was able to do Team Canada,
actually the U-17s were in Lethbridge. I continued
to improve as a coach from there.
“I got to Spokane in 1999 — Mike’s last year
there as a coach — and I ended up leaving Spokane in 2008 after winning the Memorial Cup
there, so things came full circle.”
Peters then helped a number of players make
the jump to the NHL as coach of the Rockford
Icehogs, the Chicago Blackhawks’ American
Hockey League affiliate. And, before taking
the Hurricanes’ job, he spent three years as an
assistant coach in Detroit, working with — you
guessed it — Babcock.
Then, this season, Peters got his chance to
become an NHL head coach.
2011
2014
2014
2015
PETERS MAKES THE JUMP TO THE NATIONAL
HOCKEY LEAGUE AS AN ASSISTANT COACH TO
BABCOCK WITH THE DETROIT RED WINGS
AS THE NEW HEAD COACH OF THE CAROLINA HURRICANES,
PETERS STEPS BEHIND THE BENCH OF A REBUILDING TEAM
THAT IS SOON DECIMATED BY INJURIES. HIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE
TOWARD ADVERSITY SERVES HIM WELL.
BEING
A
BETTER
COACH
BILL PETERS HAS
MADE IT TO THE NHL,
AND THAT’S BECAUSE
HE TAKES HIS DEVELOPMENT AS A COACH
SERIOUSLY. HERE ARE
HIS TOP TIPS FOR
BETTER COACHING:
1
To say the first few months behind the bench
lone Stanley Cup win in 2006, but he’s now part of
were rough would be an understatement. Before
a franchise that is the pick of many pundits to be
the puck dropped on the regular season, he lost
near the Eastern Conference basement in 2014-15.
two key players — brothers Jordan and Eric Staal
Ward says the players feel that Peters has given
— to serious injuries.
them a new outlook for the future.
“If you’re going to say it’s been difficult, it’s
“You have to accept that the past is over. A
because of the injuries that we’ve had,” he says.
fresh start is something that every player should
“We felt we had strength down the middle.
embrace and, so far, it’s gone pretty well. He’s defiAnd we will be strong down the middle
nitely a hard-working guy,” Ward says.
when we get Jordan and Eric back
“He’s one of the first guys to get
and get guys slotted where
to the rink and one of the last
they are supposed to be. But
ones to leave. He studies the
“HE STUDIES
right now we have guys
game very well, and he’s
THE GAME VERY
playing too high up the
very good at getting the
WELL, AND HE’S
ladder and playing too
message across. We’ve
VERY GOOD
many minutes.”
been trying to find some
Eric Staal returned
structure in our game,
AT GETTING THE
to the lineup on Oct. 29,
we’ve had some injuries
MESSAGE
while Jordan didn’t play
that have made it difficult
ACROSS.”
until the end of December.
so far, but the coach has been
Despite the challenges, Peters
nothing but great.”
prefers to see his young team try
Calgary Flames centre Brandon
its best and take its lumps rather than have
Bollig played for Peters in Rockford in 2010general manager Ron Francis try to remake the
11. He says the coach isn’t afraid to dispense tough
club via trades.
love, but also will ramp up a young player’s respon“Ronnie and the whole management group
sibilities once he shows the lessons are sinking in.
have been very good about seeing if they can
“It was my first year of pro, so I was just getting
make a deal that could make us better. But if the
my feet wet,” Bollig says. “He was the kind of
deal isn’t good for us in the long term — if it’s a
coach who made you earn your spot, but once
temporary solution — we shouldn’t do it.”
you were doing the right things, he rewarded you
Goaltender Cam Ward, who grew up in Sherfor it. He’s an entertaining coach. His hockey mind
wood Park, has gone through the franchise’s up
is up there with the best. It’s not surprising that
and downs. He backstopped the ’Canes to their
he’s had the success that’s he’s had.” l
Photos from left: Aaron Bell courtesy Spokane Chiefs; by Associated Press; courtesy Carolina Hurricanes
COACHES
NEED
PRACTICE
TOO
Coaches need practice,
too. If you want to
get more out of your
players, you need
to get more out of
yourself. Take the time
to attend professionaldevelopment sessions.
2
WHAT ARE
OTHER
COACHES
DOING?
DON’T
TAKE THE
SUMMER
OFF
Find out what other
coaches are doing —
especially the successful ones — and seek
out new challenges.
3
If you’re a coach, don’t
take the summer off.
“We ask our players in
the off-season to get
better, to be stronger
and faster. As coaches,
we’ve got to find ways
to get better, too. Attend seminars, talk to
other coaches — and
work at it.”
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19
PROVINCIALS
MOTIVATED
TO COMPETE
DETERMINATION KEEPS TEAMS FOCUSED
ON THE ROAD TO PROVINCIALS
BY RITA MINGO
T
hrough rain, snow, sleet
or hail, players will do
just about anything to
take part in the Hockey
Alberta Provincial
Championships. That determination
is a testament to how seriously
hockey teams — particularly in the
rural areas — take Provincials.
Jamie Salm, the Zone 1 minor
regulation coordinator, recalls the
Peewee ‘C’ tournament two years
ago in Redwater. Just before the
tournament started, a wicked snowstorm hit the area.
Salm drove to Redwater through
a blinding blizzard that dumped
deep snow on the town and surrounding farms.
“There were players from the
Provost area who live on farms, and
their roads were so drifted in they
couldn’t even get out of their own
yards. In a couple of cases, parents
had to snowmobile their kids to the
road to be picked up by other families, just to get them there. That’s a
pretty good instance of how much
it means to so many of the kids,’’
Salm says.
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# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
“TO WIN A
PROVINCIAL
CHAMPIONSHIP IS
LIKE A STANLEY CUP
FOR A LOT OF
THESE KIDS.”
The Provincial
Championships
are, indeed, one of
the biggest hockey
tournaments in which
Alberta hockey players can
take part. Champions are crowned
in Minor and Female streams and
divisions including AAA, AA, A, B,
C and D in Atom, Peewee, Bantam,
Midget, Junior and Senior.
Keeping track of it all seems
nearly impossible. Each of Hockey
Alberta’s nine zones hosts its own
playdowns to determine which
teams qualify for the final tournament. Depending on the area, it
could be a short process, or it could
also be long and tiring.
“In some of the smaller zones,
you don’t always have a full schedule,’’ Salm says. “If there was only
one team in Zone 1, Bantam A, they
may not have any competition, so
they would have free entry into
provincial championships. Peace
River Minor Hockey, for example,
might not have a team for each of
those levels. Or sometimes there
are so many teams that there are
five rounds of
playdowns before
you find out who
the champion is.’’
The playdown marathon, to qualify for the final
tournament in mid-March, begins in
January and continues on through
to late February, or early March.
Qualifying for a Provincial Championship is especially important to
Alberta’s smaller hockey centres,
which may not have the range and
numbers of players and teams at
all levels that the Edmonton and
Calgary zones do.
“Provincials is more of a rural Alberta type of affair. It means more
to them in those areas,’’ Salm says.
Regardless of where they hail
from, taking part in the Provincial
Championships is great motivation
for young hockey players.
“To win a provincial championship is a Stanley Cup for a lot of
these kids,’’ Salm says. “If a team
goes one year, doesn’t do so well,
happens to go the next year and do
a little better, well, I think all kids
strive to improve.’’ l
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21
GAMES
ON!
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# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
ALBERTA’S MALE AND FEMALE TEAMS
RIDING HIGH ON WINTER GAMES CHALLENGE
T
BY RITA MINGO
“And when I say compete, I mean they’re going to be ready to
he 2015 Canada Winter Games are the culmination
challenge the opposition physically — in a good way, of course,” he
of a long and intense process for Alberta’s male and
says. “When you get to the next level, it’s quite a physical game and
female hockey teams.
the intensity needs to be very high in order to be successful. So we’ve
“I think there’s a lot of excitement,” says Mike
challenged this group to do that, and it’s been remarkable the
Dyck, head coach of the Team Alberta Male
kind of competition we’ve seen.’’
squad. “We’re pretty excited about the
Draper’s roster bonded during a final camp in Deprospects of Team Alberta. We like
cember in Canmore, which included a game against a
the group of kids that we have.
Bantam male AAA team, while Dyck’s squad did its
And when we see where we’re staying in Prince George
“WE’RE PRETTY
preparation in Red Deer.
and we get a better understanding of the schedule, it
EXCITED ABOUT THE
Setting the tone for this tournament is critical,
becomes real, it becomes tangible.”
because the Canada Winter Games is a marquee
The highly anticipated Winter Games — held
PROSPECTS OF TEAM
event on the Hockey Alberta calendar.
every four years — take place in northern B.C. from
ALBERTA. WE LIKE THE
“We work on a four-year cycle when it comes
Feb. 13 to March 1, 2015. The Alberta hockey squads
GROUP OF KIDS
to coach and player development, although there’s
began preparation in the fall. Rosters were trimmed
WE HAVE.”
a competition every year at the under-16 level,”
down to 30 by late October, with the final rosters
Leer says. “The Canada Games is the highlight of that
announced in early December.
four-year cycle for sure. Once this one’s over, we’ll start a
Team Alberta senior manager Tim Leer says the profour-year plan for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.”
cess of building the male and female teams is a very exciting
That planning will include looking at players to try to identify
time for players. “An exciting time for them, probably a little bit
those who will be ready in four years, along with coach development.
nerve-racking as well, but a great opportunity for the players on the list to
“Let’s get our coaching pool ready to go and make sure the coaches have
be a part of something pretty special.”
all their experience, tools, certification — get them ready to go so we’re
Howie Draper, head coach of the Team Alberta Female squad, says his
off and running,” Leer says. l
players have risen to the challenge of competing at a higher level.
EYES ON
THE FUTURE
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY to prepare for an important tournament, and so it will be with Hockey Alberta and the 2019 Canada
Winter Games. And given that
the event is here in the province
— Red Deer is the host — there
is extra focus on the games and
everything around them.
It has, in fact, been called a
potentially defining moment for
Red Deer and its residents.
“The 2015 games will be over
in February and already that first
year of the next four-year cycle
is in the planning books,” says
Tim Leer, senior manager of Team
Alberta. “Certainly our focus is
2015, but there is that excitement
of the next one being in Alberta,
even being in Red Deer where our
office is. We’re paying attention to
it already.’’
You might say the city has
been preparing for this event for
20-plus years, after it lost out to
Grande Prairie for the 1995 games.
Roughly 3,600 athletes, between
4,000 and 5,000 volunteers and
about 25,000 visitors are expect-
ed to descend on central Alberta.
The city has approved $26
million to improving existing
facilities and to build a shorttrack speed-skating oval, as well
as a long-track speed-skating
venue. There are also plans to add
Olympic and NHL ice surfaces and
squash courts to the proposed
Red Deer College multiplex.
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23
TEAM ALBERTA,
2015 CANADA
WINTER GAMES
HERE ARE THE ROSTERS for the ATB
Team Alberta Female (Under-18) and
Team Alberta Male (Under-16) squads
that will represent the province in the
Canada Winter Games, announced
Dec. 3 at the Scotiabank Saddledome
in Calgary.
Hockey Alberta’s senior manager for
Team Alberta, Tim Leer, says selecting
the squads involved tough decisions.
“Alberta is fortunate to have so many
leagues, teams and dedicated coaches
who have worked with these players to
help prepare them. We anticipate strong
performances from both squads.”
The Canada Winter Games begin Feb.
13 in Prince George, B.C.
TEAM ALBERTA U16 MALE
# PLAYER
S/C
BIRTHDATE
HOMETOWN
L
R
R
L
L
L
06/29/1999
02/11/1999
01/18/1999
04/27/1999
04/22/1999
03/24/2000
CALGARY
LLOYDMINSTER
CALAHOO
SHERWOOD PARK
JAMES RIVER BRIDGE
LLOYDMINSTER
L
L
R
L
R
R
R
L
L
R
R
L
07/13/1999
12/09/1999
01/05/1999
04/27/1999
01/15/1999
04/30/1999
05/19/1999
07/22/1999
05/30/1999
03/22/1999
01/21/1999
03/04/1999
EDMONTON
CALGARY
MARWAYNE
EDMONTON
RED DEER COUNTY
CALGARY
GRANDE PRAIRIE
CAMROSE
LLOYDMINSTER
CALGARY
EDMONTON
STONY PLAIN
L
L
01/04/1999
01/11/1999
RIVERCOURSE
CALGARY
S/C
BIRTHDATE
HOMETOWN
L
L
L
R
L
L
L
02/11/1997
07/13/1997
07/30/1997
02/10/1997
03/27/1997
11/26/1997
02/22/1998
CALGARY
EDMONTON
COCHRANE
ST. ALBERT
COCHRANE
CALGARY
AIRDRIE
L
L
L
R
R
R
L
R
R
R
L
09/26/1997
06/15/1997
10/11/1998
12/23/1997
02/26/1999
01/06/1997
05/20/1997
03/11/1998
05/16/1997
10/03/1998
02/12/1998
EDMONTON
CALGARY
OKOTOKS
PROVOST
COCHRANE
CALGARY
VERMILION
STRATHMORE
EDMONTON
MILLARVILLE
CALGARY
L
L
06/18/1997
11/18/1997
GRANDE PRAIRIE
CALGARY
DEFENCE
2
3
4
5
6
7
JARROD GOURLEY JANTZEN LESLIE IAN MITCHELL DYLAN PLOUFFE DOMINIC SCHIEMANN TY SMITH FORWARD
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
RYAN ANDERSON JARET ANDERSON-DOLAN ZANE FRANKLIN JAMES HAMBLIN JEREMY KLESSENS BRETT LEASON LOGAN MAZEROLLE ETHAN McINDOE KOBE MOHR KYLE OLSON JOSH PATERSON RYAN PECKFORD GOALTENDER
1 DANE DOW 31 IAN SCOTT TEAM ALBERTA U18 FEMALE
# PLAYER
DEFENCE
2
5
8
9
17
21
22
CHANNIA ALEXANDER CAYLE DILLON ABBIGAIL NIEWCHAS ABIGAIL BENNING DARIA O’NEILL EMMA KEENAN CODIE CROSS FORWARD
3
4
6
7
10
12
14
15
16
18
19
ELIZABETH SALYN REGAN WRIGHT AMANDA McLEOD KENNEDY GANSER TAYLOR SAWKA SHAE LABBE ERIN BADDOCK SARAH LECAVALIER ALEXANDRA POZNIKOFF MALIA SCHNEIDER LAUREN BOWMAN GOALTENDER
30 JOLENE DEBRUYN 31 DAYNA OWEN 24
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2015
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# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
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27
LONG-TERM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
HOCKEY
FOR LIFE
LONG-TERM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FOCUSES ON SKILLS AND FUN
BY BRAD LYON
IMAGINE AN ALBERTA where young players love
areas. These include recognizing new local minor
coming to the rink so much that they choose
hockey association executive members such as
hockey as their “sport for life.” That’s the ideal
Coach Director and Player Development-focused
outcome of Hockey Alberta’s long-term player
positions and promoting a seasonal structure
development (LTPD) plan.
specific to player age and ability. There are also
LTPD, also known as long-term athlete develop- coach and player development initiatives, parent
ment or LTAD, is a made-for-Canada framework to
education and other resources.
maximize a player’s potential and lifelong involve“In an effort to educate, we have created a
ment in sport by focusing on physical
Regional LTPD Messenger Group whose
literacy and athletic development in
members can make in-person prea safe and fun environment.
sentations to local associations,
“HOCKEY
Hockey Alberta’s LTPD
coaches and parent groups.
plan introduces skills in a
ALBERTA’S GOAL IS
And we’ve added a parent
systematic and timely way,
presentation on LTPD to all
TO PROVIDE COACHES,
recommends other sports and
player development programs
PLAYERS AND PARENTS
cross-training, and removes
offered through our Regional
WITH A POSITIVE
the focus on winning at certain
Centres,” Fesyk says.
EXPERIENCE.”
age and skill levels.
Other steps include the
“Hockey Alberta’s goal is to
formalization of a local minor
adhere to the principles of LTPD, eshockey association Coach Director
tablish a standard of excellence for all hockey
Group, communicating directly with Hockey
programming, and provide coaches, players and
Alberta, which offers resources and information
parents with a positive experience,” says Justin
to support coach development. A Skill InstrucFesyk, senior manager of hockey development at
tors Group, consisting of trained on-ice skill
Hockey Alberta. To achieve these goals, Hockey
instructors, also supports player and coach develAlberta is looking at changes in a number of key
opment at the local level. l
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# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
The organization’s LTPD
program is based on
guidelines established
by Hockey Canada and
Sport Canada. The program takes into account
the following principles:
Doing the right thing
for the player at the
right stage in his or her
development.
Adopting a player-centred approach and not
treating the development
of all players the same.
Broadening the
foundation of players to
increase the success of
hockey in Alberta.
Viewing player development as a long-term
process.
Aligning player development resources with the
right age and ability level.
Utilizing education
resources, such as skills
manuals and DVDs, so
that coaches are doing
the right things at the
right time.
Educating parents on the
growth and development
of their child so they
know how to best support them in achieving
their hockey goals.
#WINFROMWITHIN
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29
PASSION FOR
THE GAME
HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION CHAIR BELIEVES IN
THE BENEFITS OF HOCKEY FOR ALL ALBERTANS
BY RITA MINGO
N
o one had
to twist John
Windwick’s arm
to convince him
to get more
involved with the
Hockey Alberta
Foundation. He
knows first-hand how beneficial the sport can be.
“To be candid, I’ve seen what hockey did for
me growing up,’’ says Windwick, now in his first
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# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
year as chair of the Foundation.
home and thawing your toes, crying
“It put me in a team environa little bit and going back at it
ment and I’ve learned a lot
the next day.’’
of life lessons from it. I’ve
A large part of the
“ONCE YOU’VE
seen what it’s done for
Foundation’s work is
my nephews and how
raising money for various
PLAYED ON A TEAM,
they hold themselves acinitiatives, and distributYOU KNOW THAT OTHERS
countable to their peers.
ing those funds to approDEPEND ON YOU. I THINK
Once you’ve played on a
priate teams, programs
THAT’S A GREAT LIFE
team, you know that othand events — all with the
ers depend on you. I think
goal of building the sport
LESSON.”
that’s a great life lesson.’’
of hockey.
By day, Windwick is
“It’s enabling kids and
vice-president of community infamilies to get access to hockey
vestment at ATB Financial in Edmonton
that they may not otherwise have,
and is working toward a master’s degree in business
everything from helping to build rinks, to supadministration. But he does whatever it takes to
port ice time, clinics … all the above,’’ Windwick
find enough time for his Hockey Alberta Foundasays. “Hockey Alberta obviously can do many
tion duties, which he took over from Red Deer’s
things to support the growth of the sport in
Gary Seher. A former board member, he tries to
the province. Our charitable status allows us
attend as many meetings as possible as ex-officio
to take dollars from events, programming and
on all committees. He works regularly with Scott
individuals and create legacy programs that can
Robinson, executive director of the Foundation,
keep the sport of hockey growing in Alberta.’’
and averages 10-20 hours a month on chair duties.
Competing for charitable dollars is one of
For Windwick, it is truly a labour of love.
the challenges the Foundation faces.
“Hockey has always been front and centre in
But being associated with a sport that is an
my life,” he says. “I know the benefits it brings to
integral part of the Canadian fabric makes things
boys and girls across the province and in Canada.
just a tad easier.
I have the luxury of getting to meet many hockey
A 2014 study by Scotiabank showed that 89
players, from Jordan Eberle and Mark Giordano
per cent of Canadians have some involvement
to WHL players and all the way down to the
with hockey, from players and their families
grassroots kids playing pond hockey.
to spectators of live and broadcast games and
“There’s nothing better than seeing bright,
supporters of local hockey programs.
rosy cheeks on a child coming off the ice after
“That’s a large percentage,” Windwick says.
they’ve had a skate. That’s the passion for me.
“Competing with other charities is difficult, but
Going back to those memories: skating on an
we do have a sport that Canadians and Alberoutdoor rink, freezing your toes and going
tans love.’’ l
Every Kid Every Community (EKEC) is a key undertaking by the Hockey Alberta Foundation to
support hockey in Alberta. The Rinks to Links event, hosted in partnership with the Boys and Girls
Club of Calgary in Canmore last July, was a big success. Then, in November, a partnership with
Sport Central, Maskwacis Health Services and United Cycle helped to donate more than $150,000
worth of sporting equipment to the Maskwacis Community.
Clockwise from top left:
• Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano at the Rinks to Links event • Flames prospect Morgan
Klimchuk at Rinks to Links • Hockey Alberta instructors work with kids at EKEC Rinks to Links
• The sporting equipment donated to the Maskwacis Community.
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31
UPCOMING EVENTS
2015 HOCKEY
ALBERTA EVENT
SCHEDULE
TOURNAMENTS BRING OUT THE BEST IN
HOCKEY PLAYERS OF ALL AGES
DATE
32
EVENT
CATEGORYLOCATION
FEB 11 – MAR 1, 2015
CANADA WINTER GAMES
TEAM ALBERTA
UNDER-16 MALE
UNDER-18 FEMALE
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C.
HOCKEY ALBERTA PROVINCIALS
MARCH – APRIL 2015
ATOM – SENIOR
MALE & FEMALE
VARIOUS
MAR 27-29, 2015
WESTERN CANADA
SLEDGE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
SLEDGE HOCKEY
LEDUC
APR 2-5, 2015
WESTERN CANADIAN
BANTAM CHAMPIONSHIP
(REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
BANTAM AAA MALE
WINNIPEG
APR 9-12, 2015
WESTERN CANADIAN SHIELD
(REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
SENIOR A & B FEMALE
MANITOBA
APR 13-18, 2015
ALLAN CUP
(NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
SENIOR AAA MALE
CLARENVILLE, N.L.
APR 16-19, 2015
KEYSTONE CUP
(REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
JUNIOR B MALE
COLD LAKE
APR 19-25, 2015
ESSO CUP
(NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
MIDGET AAA FEMALE
RED DEER
APR 20-26, 2015
TELUS CUP
(NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
MIDGET AAA MALE
RIVIERE-DU-LOUP, QUE.
APR 27 – MAY 3, 2015
WESTERN CANADA CUP
(REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
JUNIOR A MALE
FORT McMURRAY
APR 29 – MAY 3, 2015
ATB ALBERTA CUP
U-16 MALE
CANMORE
APR 29 – MAY 3, 2015
ATB ALBERTA CHALLENGE
U-16 FEMALE
MEDICINE HAT
MAY 7-10, 2015
ATB ALBERTA PEEWEE
PROSPECTS CAMP
U-14 MALE
OLDS
MAY 9-17, 2015
RBC CUP
(NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
JUNIOR A
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN.
NOV 4-8, 2015
NATIONAL WOMEN’S U18
CHAMPIONSHIP
TEAM ALBERTA
UNDER-18 FEMALE
HUNTSVILLE, ONT.
DEC 13-19, 2015
WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE
JUNIOR A
WHITBY/COBOURG, ONT.
DEC 2015 – JAN 2016
WORLD U17
HOCKEY CHALLENGE
UNDER-17 MALE
TBA
DEC 2015 – JAN 2016
IIHF WORLD JUNIOR
CHAMPIONSHIP
UNDER-20 MALE
HELSINKI, FINLAND
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
OFFICIALS
SUPPORT FOR
YOUNG OFFICIALS
‘SHADOWING’ PROGRAM AIMS TO MAKE OFFICIATING
AS FUN AND PRESSURE-FREE AS POSSIBLE
BY JIMMY ADAMS
F
or 20 years, Denis Poitras has worn the black-and-white stripes in
rinks across Alberta. It all started at a minor hockey association
board meeting where he was asked by Beaumont’s referee-in-chief to consider becoming an official.
“The referee-in-chief at the time, Fred Crawford, said they were
really scrambling for adult officials,” Poitras says, adding that it wasn’t easy in the
beginning. “There was a lot more to the rules than I had originally perceived.”
Starting as an adult, he experienced first-hand the challenges facing new officials of any age. He officiated all levels
of hockey in his career, from Novice up to Junior and Senior,
before eventually becoming a referee-in-chief himself.
“I found there was too much emphasis on things like being
right all the time at a first-year level,” he says. “We were losing
a bunch of guys, so I wanted to do it differently.”
As a referee-in-chief, Poitras introduced a “shadowing”
program, where senior officials come to the rink and mentor
younger officials. He feels the program has helped to support
new referees and develop their skills, and has improved
retention and recruitment results.
“I’d tell people who were interested to go talk to last
year’s first-year officials about their experience. We had instilled in those guys that yes, they’d make some mistakes, but
they would have fun doing it and they’d have support.”
The goal of the shadowing program is to make officiating
as enjoyable as possible while reducing pressure on young officials. “It’s like in
Novice with players and coaches — it’s not about making the NHL,” he says.
Poitras has even recruited three of his sons. His youngest still officiates,
and has recently started shadowing young officials himself.
“He came home the other day so happy to have shadowed a Novice
game, saying he had forgotten what hockey is all about, and how much fun
everyone was truly having.” l
THE HOCKEY CANADA OFFICIATING PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO GIVE EVERYONE OPPORTUNITIES
FROM INITIATION AT LEVEL I, THROUGH TO THE PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE LEVELS V AND VI:
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
To prepare a young or To further enhance the To prepare officials
To prepare officials
To prepare competent To prepare competent
new official to officiate training and skills of capable of refereeing capable of refereeing
officials to referee
officials capable of
minor hockey.
minor hockey officials. minor hockey playoffs, Senior, Junior A, B,
Major Junior (WHL), refereeing at national
minor hockey
C, D, minor hockey
Junior A, Senior, CIS,
championships
regional provincials
regional and national
and inter-branch
and designated
and female national championships, female
playoffs.
IIHF competition
championships,
hockey national
(Memorial Cup, RBC
or being linesmen
championships
Cup, Allan Cup, Hardy
in Junior B, C, D,
and designated
Cup, University Cup,
Senior and Bantam
minor hockey IIHF
CCAA finals, world
or Midget regional
competition, or being
championships,
championships.
a linesman in Major
Olympics, FISU
Junior (WHL), Junior
Games).
A, Senior, CIS, CCAA,
inter-branch and IIHF
competition.
!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL OR THE HOCKEY CANADA OFFICIATING PROGRAM, VISIT:
www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/Hockey-Programs/Officiating/ or contact your local minor hockey association’s referee-in-chief.
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
33
staff members oversee all the
29
programs and services that Hockey
Alberta provides its members:
JUST THE FACTS
Operations, Development, Communications
and Hockey Alberta Foundation staff is
located in Red Deer;
HOCKEY
ALBERTA
Regional Centre consultants are located
in Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Edmonton,
Calgary, Lloydminster and Red Deer.
9
8
3
4
EDMONTON
ta is a volunteer-driven organization
committed to designing and implementing new ways to organize and
develop players, coaches, officials
and administrators to create positive
experiences for everyone involved
in the game.
9
7
CALGARY
6
ZONES
VOLUNTEERS DRIVE THE SUCCESS
OF 108-YEAR-OLD ORGANIZATION
HOCKEY ALBERTA was founded in
1907, and for 108 years has been the
province’s governing body for amateur hockey from minor to senior,
including the Alberta Junior Hockey
League and the Alberta Colleges
Athletic Conference. Hockey Alber-
2
1
5
Hockey Alberta’s strategic direction is guided
by the Board of Directors, while day-to-day
operations are overseen by the staff and
volunteer councils and committees that
operate within nine zone teams.
HOCKEY ALBERTA REGULATES ALL AREAS OF THE SPORT, INCLUDING:
ACTING AS A
LIAISON WITH
HOCKEY CANADA
EDUCATING AND
TRAINING COACHES
AND OFFICIALS
SANCTIONING
ALL COMPETITION
PROVIDING INSURANCE
COVERAGE/PROTECTION
TO PARTICIPANTS AND
ADMINISTRATORS
FACILITATING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF
HIGH-PERFORMANCE
ATHLETES
1.5 MILLION $270,000
PROVIDING FOR
ALL PROVINCIAL
COMPETITION
HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION
PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
AND OTHER SUPPORT TO THE GAME
VIEWS OF HOCKEYALBERTA.CA
95,000
4,000
PARTICIPANTS
TEAMS
INCLUDING:
18,000 COACHES
6,000
ADULT PLAYERS
3,500 TO 4,000 COACHES TRAINED ANNUALLY
IN MORE THAN 100 CLINICS
3,000
POND HOCKEY
PLAYERS
58,000
MINOR HOCKEY
PLAYERS
4,000
JUNIOR/SENIOR
LEVEL PLAYERS
34
5,000
OFFICIALS
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5
726
TEAMS IN
PROVINCIAL PLAYDOWNS
TOURNAMENTS
SANCTIONED ANNUALLY
700
LEADING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF,
AND PROGRAM
DELIVERY BY,
LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
3,175
1,850
MALE ATHLETES
775
FEMALE ATHLETES
550
VOLUNTEERS
IN TEAM ALBERTA
PROGRAMS
(Alberta Winter
Games, ATB Alberta
Cup, ATB Alberta
Challenge, ATB
prospects cup, Arctic
Games, U18, U16,
Zone Identification
Camps)
HOME IC E - HOC K EYALBERTA . C A
35
CCM® is a registered trademark of CCM Holdings (1983) Inc. and is used under licence by Sport Maska Inc. and under sublicence by Reebok-CCM Hockey, U.S., Inc.
Since you were little, you dreamed
of having your own hockey card.
Now you can.
Yo u r N a m e H e r e
You can personalize your ATB MasterCard® by choosing one of over 50 images
from our MyPic gallery, including two depicting Canada’s game. Visit atb.com/mypic.
Who has a card to match your personality? We do.
36
®MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Inc. ATB Financial is a licensed user. ®ATB Financial is a trade name/registered trademark of Alberta Treasury Branches.
# 1 H O M E I C E - HO CKEY A LB ERTA 2 0 1 5