Hockey Alberta proposes removing all geographic boundaries for Minor Hockey
Over the past few years, the landscape of minor hockey has been significantly altered. The environment that Minor Hockey Associations (MHA’s) operate within has become an extremely competitive market and MHA’s are challenged with recruiting and retaining players that now have various options to consider – within hockey as well as within other winter sports. Minor Hockey boundaries have established requirements for residency-based registration for more than twenty-five years in Alberta. Each MHA currently has defined boundaries, and these boundaries restrict the ability of families (our customers) to choose the minor hockey program they wish to be a part of. If we continue to apply these same regulations, Hockey Alberta believes it will lead to more and more parents choosing other sport/hockey options.
Hockey Alberta believes that a change to the residency-based regulations is necessary to provide choice for our customers, and also to provide MHA’s with the ability to succeed in this competition environment. In alignment with Hockey Alberta’s Vision (Hockey for Life) and Mission (To create positive opportunities & experiences for all players through innovative leadership and exception service), our regulations need to provide more choice and flexibility to the customer and enable the MHA’s to provide positive opportunities and experiences for players. The regulation amendments being considered are as follows:
Regulation Amendments to Player Eligibility, Registration & Movement
3.1 (a) No Player shall be registered to a Hockey Team in any MHA unless that Player is a Resident of the Province of Alberta.
(b) When registering for hockey for the first time, a Player may register with the MHA of their choice.
4.1 Permission for Player Movement
(a) A Player must obtain permission, in writing, from their last registered MHA prior to being transferred, in the Registry, to a new MHA. The written permission must be uploaded to the transfer.
(b) If the last registered MHA does not provide permission, an application for Player Movement can be submitted to Hockey Alberta through completion of the online form.
(c) Failure to complete the required processes outlined herein will result in the Player’s registration not being completed and therefore being ineligible to play in any game.
(d) In cases where a Player is found to have played in a game(s) without first having completed the required processes outlined herein, the Team Officials and the MHA of the Hockey Team with which the Player has played may be subject to discipline.
(e) Permission for Player Movement can be denied if there are any outstanding fees, or other financial obligations, owing to the MHA the Player was last registered with.
4.2 Player movement does not require permission from the Player’s last registered MHA in the following situations:
(a) where a Player is trying out for their Recruitment Area AA team or Draw Zone AAA team;
(b) where the Player’s last registered MHA does not offer a Team at the player’s age division;
(c) where two MHAs, by mutual agreement, combine participants of the same age Division in order to be able to field team(s) at that age Division for the current Hockey Season;
(d) where the Player’s last registered MHA has no available player allotments in the Division and agrees to allow players to participate in another association;
(e) where an application for an exception, based on extenuating circumstances, is approved through the agreement of both MHA’s.
Read More: https://e1.envoke.com/m/eaa58ec595914df7af464ad829ea9b41/m/ee7627235b078bf78db6759d97c8e6eb/
2024-2025 Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada Regulation Changes
Each year Hockey Alberta reviews environmental changes and trends from the past season to identify potential regulation changes for the future. As part of this process, recommendations for changes to the Minor Hockey Regulations are also solicited from Member Minor Hockey Associations (MHA’s), sanctioned Leagues, and operational committees. Prior to any decisions being made by Hockey Alberta’s management, recommendations are evaluated against the Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Direction of the organization.
Team Registration: Hockey Teams may register at any one time a maximum of twenty (20) players but may only have a maximum of 18 skaters.
Hockey Canada has increased the maximum size of a roster, and the maximum number of players that can be dressed for a game to align all levels of hockey at 20.
Team Registration: Minor Hockey Teams can be registered in the Categories of AAA, AA, A, B, C, or D.
To create consistency across the country, Hockey Canada has mandated the use of letters for all categories of hockey within the Hockey Canada Registry (HCR). All Teams will include one of these letters when being created in the HCR. Tiers of hockey will still exist and will be determined by the League that each team plays within.
Discipline: All Participants (Players, Team Officials, and/ or Officials) that incur a suspension must serve that suspension in the same capacity that it was incurred. Suspended Participants can continue to participate in sanctioned game play in another capacity and are not eligible to serve suspended games in another capacity.
To create consistency and clarity for serving suspensions, a suspended Player will now be permitted to continue participating as an Official or Team Official while serving the suspension incurred as a Player, and vice versa. The exception to this regulation is if a Participant is suspended for any 11.4 or 11.5 infraction, they will remain suspended from all types of participation until the suspension is completely served with the Team with which the suspension was incurred.
Minimum Suspensions: Any “Attempt to Injure” penalty where a Match Penalty is called will move from three (3) games to an Indefinite Suspension.
Moving to an indefinite provides the ability to investigate the incident and determine the appropriate suspension as opposed to assuming all infractions are of the same severity and issuing a minimum.
Affiliation: The purpose of affiliation is to provide an opportunity for higher Division or Category Teams to dress the maximum number of Players allowable for a game in accordance with the Playing Rules.
This is not new, just re-set and clarified to the original purpose that has been set by Hockey Canada. Any reference to sick, injured or otherwise unavailable players has been removed. Teams will be permitted to dress up the maximum number of players permitted in accordance with playing rules. Guidance for which teams players can be affiliated from remains within the “Affiliation Supplement”.
Overage Players: An Overage Player may be permitted to register with a lower age Division Minor Hockey Team if the Player is only one birth year older than the maximum age for the Division and has a date of birth between November 1 and December 31 of that year. AA and AAA Teams are not eligible to register Overage Players. Eighteen-year-old (18) Players are only eligible for Overage status if they are still enrolled in high school. Exceptions may be considered for entry level Players that have limited skills or if there is not a Team of the appropriate age Division for the Player to register with.
Creating consistency across all divisions and categories, and to eliminate unnecessary administrative work, the regulation has been amended to provide the ability for MHAs to register Overage Players that meet the stated criteria without an application process. Applications can still be submitted for exceptions. If a complaint claims that an Overage Player is strengthening a team, Leagues continue to have the ability to investigate the claims and deem the player ineligible, if necessary.
Tournaments: MHAs that have teams participate in tournaments without obtaining proper sanctioning may be subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
To provide transparency in the potential disciplinary action that could result from a violation of the regulations, the maximum consequence has been outlined within the regulation.
Ice Time Hard to Come By
Shawn Melnyk and his wife, Carmen Vaugeois, sit down every Sunday to plan their week around hockey practice for their two boys.
Demand for prime-time ice hours is high, so an early 4:45 p.m. practice across town can throw a major wrench in the family’s plans.
That’s when the calls to grandma and grandpa start, or team chat messages looking for carpool solutions roll in.
“If I’m working, say off-site or out of town, it’s extremely difficult to get to. And then if one parent is at home managing a whole household by themselves, it’s extremely, extremely difficult,” Melnyk said. “It definitely requires a village in that case.”
The early kids’ practices are a symptom of a larger problem in Edmonton.
There’s a shortage of available ice sheets, and it’s compounded by the reality that many aging arenas, first flagged for replacement more than 15 years ago, are still in use.
In July, city council got a memo on the arena facilities capital development plan from Jennifer Flaman, deputy city manager in charge of community services.
Flaman’s report said the city provides 31 ice sheets in 22 facilities — one sheet for every 39,000 residents. By comparison, the City of Calgary operates 54 ice sheets within 34 facilities, or one sheet for every 23,000 residents.
Administration recommends replacing aging single arenas with twin or multi-surface arenas. Options for consideration will go into the 2027-30 capital budget submission, the memo says.
“There definitely is a shortage,” said Jeremy Haluschak, executive director of Hockey Edmonton, the governing body for minor hockey in the city.
“It’s not just hockey — it’s ringette, it’s figure skating, speed skating.… We’re not getting the supply that we’re asking for.”
Between 1958 and 1975 the city built 15 single arenas. The average age of those arenas is now 57 years and some are nearing the end of their useful life.
In 2009, Edmonton city council approved a strategy to close six aging single arenas and replace them with three twin-arena facilities. Today, five out of six of those aging arenas are still in operation and have not been replaced.
But as the city population has grown significantly, so has demand. The report from Flaman says the city accommodated 82.5 per cent of requested demand during the winter 2023/24 season.
In particular, the fast-growing Southwest and Ellerslie districts don’t have arena facilities. Facilities in Bonnie Doon/Dermott Park and Heritage Valley are proposed, but remain unfunded.
The fully funded Lewis Farms Recreation Centre will be the newest arena in the city. It is forecasted to open in September 2028.
“I think it will be a real uphill argument to get any kind of nice-to-haves funded in the next budget cycle,” Rutherford said in an interview.
She said fire halls, police stations and an aging transit fleet will likely be of higher importance to the next council.
“These are going to take real priority over a new recreation facility, if I’m being honest about where I would stand on that right now.”
In a council meeting this week, councillors discussed a $34-million budget deficit for this year.
In addition to having two boys in minor hockey, Melnyk is the president of the Hawks Athletic Club.
He says hockey is already expensive and time-consuming for parents, and that the team tries to stick to local arenas whenever possible. But every hour of practice counts.
“If you can just get that extra hour a week with these little kids, it’s exponential for their growth and development as hockey players and little teammates,” Melnyk said.
Haluschak, of Hockey Edmonton, said other local clubs are having to travel to surrounding communities to find ice — from Gibbons to Calmar and as far as Thorsby.
He said the need to travel, and clubs turning to more expensive private facilities, pose barriers to youth sport.
“When we talk about affordability, that is just adding on to a cost for any of the participants that want to book those facilities.… We want to make it as affordable as possible.”
Players of the Year 2023-2024
Congratulations to all of the Hawks Players of the Year for 2023-2024
HK301: Jack B
I have the privilege to speak about a player who truly embodies the spirit of our team and exemplifies what it means to be a Hawk. Jack B, our Player of the Year for HK301, stands out not just for his remarkable skills on the ice, but for his outstanding leadership and personality. Jack’s presence among us is like a guiding light. His ability to lead by example, to step up to any challenge, and to inspire those around him is truly commendable. Whether it’s during intense games where we need a goal or in moments of camaraderie during practice, Jack’s leadership shines through, setting the standard for us all. As our Player of the Year, let’s not just focus on Jack’s statistics or game-winning plays. Let’s also recognize the intangible qualities that make him an invaluable asset to our team – his passion, his dedication, and his unwavering commitment to our collective success. In Jack, we see the embodiment of what it truly means to be a Hawk. Let’s rally behind him, drawing inspiration from his leadership as we continue to strive for excellence together.
HK302: Cohen H
As we reflect on the achievements of our players this season, it gives me great pleasure to announce Cohen H as the recipient of our Player Recognition Award for his exceptional contributions to our team. Cohen’s journey this year has been nothing short of remarkable. He has exhibited remarkable growth in his skills and hockey knowledge, demonstrating significant improvements in skating, positioning, and overall game IQ. Cohen’s dedication to his craft is evident in his willingness to learn and adapt, always seeking guidance to enhance his performance on the ice.
One of Cohen’s standout qualities is his versatility and team-first mentality. He seamlessly transitioned between playing defense and forward, showcasing his adaptability and selflessness for the greater good of the team. His positive demeanor and infectious enthusiasm have made him a joy to be around, fostering a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for his teammates, coaches, and parents alike. Throughout the season, Cohen consistently displayed an unwavering commitment to giving his best effort on the ice. His resilience and sportsmanship were exemplary, never allowing frustration to cloud his positivity or deter his focus from the game at hand. Cohen’s leadership both on and off the ice, set a shining example for his peers, demonstrating responsibility, respect, and a competitive spirit tempered with humility.
On the ice, Cohen’s performance was nothing short of outstanding. He showcased exceptional defensive skills while also contributing effectively to our offensive plays. His coachability, coupled with his listening skills and respect for all stakeholders, reflects his maturity beyond his years. In summary, Cohen embodies the essence of our Player Recognition Award. His dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, and versatile skill set make him a truly deserving recipient. Please join me in congratulating Cohen for his outstanding achievements this season.
HK303: Lyric P
Throughout the course of the 2023-24 season, Lyric not only displayed, but embodied the qualities of respect, leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication, perseverance, fair play, and athleticism.
Lyric is a kind and respectful young player. His teammates revel with enthusiasm when they are lined up with Lyric on the ice, knowing they will have fun, make creative plays and help one another succeed. They are also drawn to Lyric’s positive demeanor in the dressing room and away from the rink. Lyric is a leader who is always eager to engage with his teammates and include them in drills, conversations or activities.
Lyric’s commitment to improvement and development is exceptional. He is consistently the first one at the rink, whether for practice or a game, ensuring he is prepared and ready. During practice, he is attentive, open to feedback from coaches and hard working. His approach to practice helps set a high standard in terms of work ethic. His commitment to improving also extends away from our team’s organized practices and games, as he is regularly practicing on his own time, at home and at the outdoor rink.
His dedication and approach laid the foundation for his remarkable skill development. Indeed, Lyric has blossomed into a skilled hockey player. For example, despite this only being his second season of organized hockey, Lyric’s shot is among the most accurate in his tier. Similarly, his skating and hockey IQ have shown significant growth over the course of the year. His improved balance, cross-overs and acceleration now allow him to adeptly deke through defenders before firing a “bar-down” goal or setting up a teammate for a one-timer goal.
In short, Lyric was a pleasure to coach. He is a kind and well liked player with a strong work ethic. His progress this season is a model for his peers and underscores how dedication and hard work can lead to remarkable growth and improvement.
HK304: Rhys BT
In every game and practice, Rhys embodies the spirit of true sportsmanship and teamwork, distinguishing himself not just through athletic ability but through the qualities that make a player truly stand out.
Rhys approaches every game and practice with his hard work and leading by example. Even on days when he wasn’t feeling the greatest, Rhys’s determination remained unshaken, inspiring both teammates and coaches alike.
Fair play and respect are principles that Rhys has shown all year long in every game we played, both on and off the ice. He treats teammates, opponents and coaches with the utmost respect, and sportsmanship in every game he has played this year.
Rhys’s leadership and teamwork skills are evident. He constantly encourages his teammates, offering support during challenging times and celebrating their successes as if they were his own.
Rhys’s athleticism and commitment to the game are undeniable. His ability to motivate and uplift his teammates made him a valuable player on our team. Rhys demonstrates that the heart and soul of hockey lies not in individual accomplishments but in the thrill of playing the game with friends and even in his case his brother and the bonds it brings.
In conclusion, Rhys is a player who not only exhibits outstanding qualities such as fair play, dedication, teamwork, perseverance, respect, leadership, sportsmanship, and athleticism but also uplifts those around him to strive for the same excellence. It is for these reasons that I believe Rhys is the perfect recipient for the Player Recognition Award.
HK305: Kallen C
This young Hawk exemplifies the criteria of the award. He’s respectful to his coaches, teammates, opponents and officials and is undoubtably at the top of his class for his dedication, fair play, teamwork, respect, athleticism and sportsmanship.
This was Kallen’s first season of organized hockey, and in spite of that he always led by example this season. He committed himself to becoming a better player through hard work and dedication, this was especially clear in practice. He was relied upon by our coaches to demonstrate a skill or proper technique, which was key for our young group. In games he would strategize with his teammates and consult with coaches, always coming up with new ways to create scoring chances. He was as happy when a teammate scored, as he would be for his own goal. Kallen would always be the first to ask what made a teammate upset, not just because he was curious, but to find a way to help the situation. Incredible leadership for this age group.
His work away from our team propelled him to improve immensely through the season. For our Wednesday practices at the Garrison, he would come straight from his Power Skating lessons and would always give us everything he had left in the tank.
U11
HK401: Dierks S
The Hawks 401 Player Recognition Award goes to Dierks S. We were lucky to have many candidates for this award on our team this year, however Dierks stood out as the winner for many reasons. As a team, we talked throughout the year about being a good teammate and Dierks exemplified the characteristics of a good teammate.
Dierks was happy to be at the rink every day, whether it was a game or practice, he consistently worked hard and encouraged his teammates. Every season has its ups and downs and Dierks was a great example of how to persevere through the times when things aren’t going your way or the team’s way.
On the ice, an area of our focus for our team was passing the puck and Dierks consistently generated chances for our team through his ability to find the open man. Whatever the team needed, Dierks was willing to do as he played center, wing and defence at different times of the year. He was always respectful to his opponents and the referees. Dierks’ joy at being on the ice was evident on line changes when we had music in between whistles and he would dance to the bench for the change.
Dierks, our entire coaching staff would like to thank you for your hard work, positivity, coachability and focus on being a good teammate. As you continue on your hockey journey we want you to know how valuable those characteristics are both in and outside of hockey. They rub off on your teammates and the people around you in small ways that make a big difference over time. Good luck in the coming years!
HK402: Caleb R
Goalie Caleb R was a cornerstone of this year’s HK402 squad. An outstanding last line of defense and a leader both on and off the ice, Caleb quite often faced more shots than his coaches could count and he never missed a practice or a game. On top of that, he always showed up with a great attitude and infectious smile on his face.
The dedication shown by Caleb and his family was also remarkable. Sometimes, Caleb didn’t even have the chance to fully change out of his goalie gear before going to play another game for HK401!
Caleb: Your love for hockey is why coaches coach, and your winning attitude–both before and after games–can’t be taught. We all look forward to watching you grow as a hockey player, and as a person, in the future. Thanks for a great year!
HK403: Andrew P
Our nominee for the 2023-24 Player Recognition Award from HK403 is Andrew P. Andrew was a fierce competitor for our team this year and played as both a goalie and a skater. Whether he was in net, staring down the opposition on a breakaway, or battling in the corner as one of our most effective forwards, Andrew never backed down and refused to be intimidated by a big moment (or a bigger player!). His game, which was already quite strong coming into the year, improved over the course of the season – a testament to his dedication and hard work. Andrew is a “team first” player, and an intelligent and perceptive young man, and the HK403 coaches noticed and appreciated how communicative he was on the ice and on the bench, pointing out adjustments to help our team play better together, while also encouraging his teammates and celebrating their successes.
Andrew’s windmill glove saves reminded us of his hockey hero, Marc-Andre Fleury, and that resemblance carried through to how Andrew conducted himself off the ice as well. Like Fleury, Andrew has a great sense of humor and could usually be found after practice engaged in all manner of shenanigans with his teammates. We admired his loyalty as well. Towards the end of the season, Andrew was called up to play for a higher-tiered Hawks team, yet he insisted on continuing to practice and play with HK403 whenever possible for the remainder of the year. Perhaps the clearest demonstration of Andrew’s character, though, was to be found in the relationship he cultivated with his goaltending partner, Lieven. The way that these two supported and encouraged each other throughout the year was wonderful to see, and a true representation of what Hawks hockey is all about. Congratulations to Andrew on an outstanding season and all the best next year in U13.
HK404: Ajay G
Ajay’s remarkable journey this season has been amazing. From the first moment he stepped onto the ice, it was evident that he had a combination of talent, determination, and commitment. His dedication to the sport and the team has not gone unnoticed, and it is with great pleasure that we honour him for his outstanding achievements.
Ajay demonstrated maturity, work ethic, and coachability throughout the season. His willingness to learn, try new things, and push himself speaks volumes about his character and potential for greatness. This is why, halfway through the season, we asked him to change positions – we knew he had the talent and temperament to make the change.
Every day, he arrived at the rink with a smile and determination. Ajay’s resilience in the face of challenges, his ability to stay focused and composed, and his unwavering support for his teammates have inspired us all.
It is remarkable to think that this was Ajay’s first year playing hockey. Despite being new to the game, he approached each practice and game with poise and confidence. His dedication to honing his skills, his willingness to learn from coaches and teammates, and his relentless pursuit of improvement earned this award and the respect of all who have watched him play.
HK405: Mason L
Hawks HK405 had quite a year. We finished first in our tier, but had struggles during tournaments and playoffs. Mason was one of our stronger players due in part to his athleticism, but also his demeanor. He exemplified the characteristics of what the Player Recognition Award stands for.
Being one of the quietest players on the team didn’t hold him back from providing good leadership. He epitomized the team player as he was usually the first one to help an injured teammate, look for a pass on the rush, be ready to start the next drill, or even just to pick up the pucks. He helped the team all year by volunteering to switch positions whenever needed and without reluctance. Not only would he jump between positions, but he would excel at them. I don’t recall once where we had to ask Mason to do anything, he would just jump in and do it.
Now as a team, we had some very tough games this year and had to fight through some low morale. But once again Mason could be counted on to provide a good example. Didn’t matter if we were winning or getting crushed, Mason’s character was undeterred. No matter what the outcome was, Mason would have a smile on his face after and be excited to get on the ice again next time. We’re very proud and thankful to have had Mason on our team this year and are glad we had the opportunity to nominate him for this award. He is without a question, truly deserving.
U13
HK501: Logan C
Logan is the definition of an unsung hero! He is the first kid to help out in any fashion, whether its playing defense or forward or making sure the last bottle gets collected at a bottle drive. He is one of the quieter kids but he leads through his passion on the ice, during practice and games. It isn’t uncommon to see Logan come off after a shift enraged with what just happened but he shakes it off and brings that intensity to his next shift. He isn’t our flashiest player but arguably our smartest player. He makes the right decisions all the time, whether that’s chipping the puck out or doing a little shake and bake. From a coach’s perspective, he actually listens, lots of kids at this age are head nodders, Logan will take what you tell him in practice or during a game and actually apply it. Because of this his skill set has diversified and grown ten-fold this year. He never officially got recognized as a C or an A but his peers and coaches lean on him in all situations – he is a leader.
Off the ice, he is affectionally known as Logi Bear, he’s truly friends with ALL of his team mates and incredibly respectful to the parents and the coaches. There isn’t many 12-year-olds that are as easy to talk to as Logan, he can hold a conversation with anyone of any age.
Lastly, he is a lifelong Hawk. He’s proudly donned the same logo since Timbits. He’s bounced through almost every tier and I am proud of him that he could finish his “career” as a Tier 1 Hawk. I expect a kid like this will be the first parent volunteering to help out the Hawks in 20 years – it will truly be full circle.
HK502: Ilya E
Ilya is a very enthusiastic player willing to play his hardest both at games and practices. His hard work has helped him develop his technical skills (skating, stick handling, passing, and shooting) as well as his confidence to make hockey plays in games. He was a strong player all season, never giving up on plays, backchecking as hard as he could, all while providing an offensive flair with fast rushes, smart passes, and the ability to crash the net. Ilya even developed an uncanny ability to poke the goalie, grind in the corners, and aggravate the defensemen without drawing penalties.
In the dressing room, Ilya displayed clear leadership. His positive attitude both after wins and defeats shows true maturity. He built a strong bond with his teammates and developed invaluable friendships.
Some of the most important characteristics of a good hockey player are coachability and respectfulness. Ilya is very polite and positive. He is open to feedback and instruction from all the coaches. This makes him a joy to have on the team and a pleasure to coach on the ice.
We’d like to thank Ilya for the amazing season and congratulate you on your well-deserved award. Good luck next season!
HK503: Neilan Y
Neilan was the unanimous choice for our team MVP. A very mature young man playing his second and final year in U13, he was the outstanding example of consistency, hard work and respect. The hardest skating defender all year, on every shift in every game and every practice, He led his teammates by example – a coach’s dream. From the last tryout to the final whistle of our silver medal final, Neilan impressed me with his attention to every little detail, positive unselfish attitude, disciplined play and excellent sportsmanship both on and off the ice. At the beginning of every game if Neilan was there we knew our team would be competitive and made every player better when he was on the ice. His character as teammate and athlete is an example of excellence as he represented the Hawks organization, his family, his indigenous community and himself with class and pride. I hope he continues to follow his passion for hockey and sport for many years, I will always remember the fire that burns within this quiet and humble young man’s spirit. Thank you for the great memories, Neilan.
HK504: Elliot P
Elliot had an outstanding year. He came and worked hard at every practice and every game, no matter the score. When we would be down 8-0, Elliot would still be forechecking and backchecking just as hard as on his first shift. He wasn’t loud in the dressing room, but led by example. On a team not known for its passing, Elliot started looking for his teammates early and often, and kept up his selfless play all year. We never heard him complain, or say anything negative about a teammate or opponent. He improved astronomically over the course of the year – his very first year of hockey – by putting in a ton of work with the team and outside of team ice times as well.
It was truly a pleasure to have Elliot as a member of our team this year.