Hockey Edmonton Magazine Spring 2012

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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At Tim Hortons, if we can’t serve our premium blend coffee within twenty minutes of brewing it, we won’t serve it at all. That’s why we write the time on the pot, whenever we brew a fresh one. It’s how you know that you’ll always get a great-tasting cup of coffee. Always.

© Tim Hortons, 2010

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 11

17

13 28

23

25

33 7.

President’s Message

9.

Publisher’s Message

11.

Remembering Vern Davis

13.

Scholarship and Education in the Western Hockey League

By Jon Hagan

17.

Dan O’Rourke - A Former Pugilist Becomes One of the Top Officials in the NHL

By Rob Suggitt

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25. Spotlight On Two Officials Trading Jerseys For Striped Shirts

By Maurice Tougas 28. A Quantum Leap for

Quantum Speed

By Kristen Lipscombe 33. Gold Medal Highlights 37. 2012 Minor Hockey Week

Gold Medal Winners

23. Can Biomechanics Improve My

Hockey Performance?

By Brian Shackel

Brett Rylance, Nicholas Magis and Graham Gamache, from the KC Cougars, celebrating their gold medal victory.

Cover Photo provided by Epic Photography.

Photos of the 2012 Quikcard Minor Hockey Week available at www.epicphotography.ca

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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MESSAGE FROM HOCKEY EDMONTON Congratulations to the 2012 Champions of Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week.

It’s an accomplishment and memory you’ll treasure for decades. We regret that Vern Davis, co-founder of the event in 1963, will not be present to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week in January 2013. Vern’s involvement with this event is well chronicled and his contributions to hockey were as numerous as the friendships he developed through sport.

On behalf of our coaches and the hockey players they work with, our thanks are extended to the Edmonton Oilers for their leadership and continued support of amateur hockey through the hosting of the Edmonton Oilers Coaches Clinic presented

by Cenovus Energy. Staff from the Oilers, Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada shared some great insights – both philosophical and practical.

The Second Annual Stollery Family Day Classic was outstanding. We appreciate the opportunity to partner in an event that is completely focused on children, families, active living and good health; to promote awareness and support for the Stollery Children’s hospital among our youth and community at large; and to continue to develop the unique and ever so successful S Four Individual Skills Development program with the small percentage of the proceeds directed our way. Thanks to Steve Serdachny, the SFDC committee and all the volunteers.

As we wrap-up our season with the traditional playoffs we’re also getting ready to host the annual Timbits Jamboree at Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre on March 17-18. Action continues the following week at TCRC when we host the Edmonton – Calgary Provincials (Peewee Tier 2, Bantam Tiers 1 & 2, and Midget Tiers 1 & 2) and the Hockey Alberta Midget A Female Provincial Championships. Please join us.

Hockey Edmonton is working with Hockey Alberta to launch (by April) a regional centre that will support player, coach, leadership development, as well as TEAM ALBERTA Development initiatives.

As we look forward to the 2012-13 hockey season, please remember that all coaches will be required to have Respect in Sport - Coach and every athlete will be required to have at least one parent complete the Respect in Sport – Parent program. Both are on-line learning programs that you can take at your leisure so please do so sooner rather than later.

Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) continues to be discussed by all sports in Canada as the basis for the optimal training and competition kids need to enjoy sport the most and perform their best. Hockey Canada’s Long Term Player Development draws upon Sport Canada’s LTAD resource paper “Canadian Sport for Life” and is a nine stage model based on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children and adolescents. Each stage reflects a different point in developing the player with the first four stages emphasizing physical literacy and a broad range of sport experiences. The next five stages focus on development and competitive excellence.

Hockey Edmonton will be active in this area; from facilitation of educational sessions, through program review and inclusion of LTAD principles in new standards of play.

We aim to create quality programs that teach the fundamentals and techniques of hockey, while promoting and upholding the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play. We do this with the selfless dedication of thousands of volunteers. Thank you to all coaches, managers, referees, volunteers and parents for another great year of hockey. Your contributions are invaluable.

Best wishes and continued success,

10618 - 124 St., Edmonton, AB T5N 1S3 Ph: (780) 413-3498 • Fax: (780) 440-6475

www.hockeyedmonton.ca To contact any of the Executive or Standing Committees please visit our website

President: Betty Chmilar Past President: Chris Hurley VP Admin: Darlene Hein VP Operations: Ray Vigneau VP Development: Chris Hurley Treasurer: Barry Bentz Junior Chairman: Fred Christiansen Federation Chairman: Kasey Kozicky AA Chairman: Jerry Rossiter General Manager: Dean Hengel Administrator: Loree Dawson Finance: Sharon Fleming

Standing Committees Hockey Alberta Director(s): Paul Schmidt | Lorne MacDonald Hockey Alberta Manager of Operations: Betty Chmilar Hockey Edmonton Alumni President: Orest Zaozirny Registrar: Nadine Shimizu Ice: Bernie Coderre Discipline Chair: Marg Brownoff Minor Hockey Week Chair: Rod McMahon Social: Vern Davis Canadian Oldtimers Rep: Orest Zaozirny Referee Representatives: Herman Costa (AA) | Duncan MacDougall (Federation)

League Directors

Federation Hockey Council League Directors Midget: Terry Fulmer Bantam: Art Wilson Pee Wee: Crystal Feader Atom: Judy/Kevin Nitz Novice: Kasey Kozicky Initiation: Steve Sweeney

Hockey Edmonton Recreational League Directors: Greg Goss | Brett Finch

AA Council League Directors Bantam AA: Russ Lukawesky Bantam AAA: Debbie Blais Midget AA: Earl Reid Major Midget AAA: Bob Olynyk Minor Midget AAA: Greg Blais Rem 15 Minor Midget AA: Brian Backstrom

Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week Committee

Respectfully, Betty Chmilar President, Hockey Edmonton

2011-2012 Executive and League Directors

Dean Hengel General Manager, Hockey Edmonton

Chairperson: Rod McMahon Past Chairpersons: Joan Kirillo and Terry Brown Vice Chairperson: Bill Renshaw Committee: Vern Davis Treasurer: Deb Bykowski Secretary: Ana Bennett Marketing: Dean Heuman Central: Bill Ross Schedules: Ron Sollanych Discipline: Marg Brownoff Sponsorship: Marvin Babiuk

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE This is our last edition of the magazine for the 2011-2012 season, and in wrapping up the season, we have included a special section on Quikcard Minor Hockey Week.

Thanks to Epic Photography (they are the official photographers for Quikcard Minor Hockey Week), we have a special four-page introduction which includes some of their best photos taken during this great event.

Credits President and Publisher Rob Suggitt Vice President Stephen Kathnelson

And we also have photos of each and every one of the gold medal winning teams – 72 in all!

Art Director Christine Kucher

Congratulations to all the winners, but also, congratulations to all the teams who participated in this Guiness World Record event!

Graphic Designers Terah Jans | Cole McKelvie

This year marked the 49th year anniversary of Minor Hockey Week (the last 13 years for which Quikcard has been the title sponsor), so next year will be a very special “golden” anniversary.

Contributing Writers Jon Hagan | Kristen Lipscombe Brian Shackel | Rob Suggitt | Maurice Tougas

At this time, we would like to pay our respects to a gentleman who was part of the past 49 years, and indeed, was one of the founders of Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. His name is Vern Davis, and sadly, Mr. Davis passed away on February 1, just 10 days after the final day of this year’s event.

I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Davis many times over the past 10 years, and he always had the best interests of the game in mind, and in particular, he liked “doing it” for the kids. “Doing it” meant his volunteer commitment, but he never considered it a commitment. He did it out of love for the game and for the people in the minor hockey community.

And he was always smiling and positive in every way. He’s going to be missed, and I’m sure next year’s Minor Hockey Week will carry a special commemoration, not only for its 50th anniversary, but also, for the gentleman who was instrumental in building this legacy, a minor hockey tournament which will be around for years to come!

Sincerely, Rob Suggitt Publisher, EDMONTON HOCKEY MAGAZINE

Cover Photo Provided by Epic Photography Copy Editing Shari Narine Photography Credits Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club Amber Grmek Photography | Hockey Edmonton Making Stridz Athlete Development & Greater St. Albert Sports Academy Administration Amber Grmek Playhouse Publications Ltd. also publishes the Citadel Theatre Playbill, Edmonton Opera Playbill, Arden Theatre Playbill, Fringe Theatre Adventures Arts at the Barns Magazine. #950, Bell Tower, 10104 - 103 Ave., Edmonton, AB T5J 0H8 Ph: 780-423-5834 • Fax: 780-413-6185 The Hockey Edmonton Magazine is a product of Playhouse Publications Ltd., an affiliate of Suggitt Group Ltd.

President & CEO Tom Suggitt President & CFO Rob Suggitt All rights reserved. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher or Hockey Edmonton. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. www.Suggitt.com Printed by: R.R. Donnelley

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Check out pages 33 -36 for more great shots from Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week

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It is with great sadness that our hockey family announces the loss of our very valued member of our family, our Grandfather of hockey, Mr. Vern Davis.

Vern Davis was co-founder of Edmonton Minor Hockey Week and volunteered in many aspects of hockey in Edmonton and the province for over 50 years. In his goal to help children learn the game of hockey, Vern was the founding father of the “Little Richard” League in NW Edmonton which eventually became Initiation hockey. As a proud member of the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association Alumni, he assisted with raising funds for children and was instrumental in ensuring that kids who were unable to play hockey for financial reasons had an opportunity.

Vern was named Hockey Volunteer of the Year by the Edmonton Oilers, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame by the City of Edmonton, as well Vern was recognized by Hockey Alberta as one of the 100 Centennial Award Recipients. These are just a few of his accomplishments over the years. Of all the numerous awards and recognitions bestowed upon him, we will remember him most as a kind and gentle man who left an indelible mark on our hearts and the hockey world in Edmonton.

‘Til we meet again our dear friend…

Top - Vern and wife Maria (They were married for 62 years.)

Bottom left - Dropping the puck at Quikcard Minor Hockey Week Opening Ceremonies.

Photos provided by Hockey Edmonton

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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By Jon Hagan

You wouldn’t be alone if you thought that by choosing to play in the Western Hockey League rather than college hockey in the NCAA, a player might be choosing sport over education. You would, however, be wrong.

It goes without saying that the WHL is hugely successful when it comes to producing top calibre players, but something not all fans know is that the WHL has a program in place, which offers a guaranteed post-secondary scholarship to all its players that puts a focus on helping them prepare for the future.

“For each season played in the WHL, a player receives one year of scholarship funding to a post-secondary institution of his choice,” said the league’s manager of recruitment, Tyler Boldt. “This scholarship includes tuition, compulsory fees, and textbooks. This program applies to every single player in the WHL. For a player who only plays one or two seasons, he is awarded the scholarship he earned while playing those seasons.”

But the teams don’t just provide money for education. They provide guidance in the form of advisors that each team has on staff.

These advisors help players navigate their way through high school and into post-secondary, if desired. For the Edmonton Oil Kings, Roger Castle is that man.

Things don’t slow down when they graduate either. “After finishing grade 12, we encourage these boys to take some post-secondary classes,” said Castle. And while most will take one or two, a few exemplify serious motivation. “At the end of this season, Rhett Rachinski will be finished his first year over at the University of Alberta, minus one course.”

To better facilitate this opportunity, the league recently partnered with Athabasca University to offer fully accredited university courses, through online and other distance education vehicles, to any WHL player interested in further pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL. Having whet their appetites with some university level course work, these young men are ready for the next step in their lives--one that may not involve professional hockey, but one that can be equally as rewarding; and with the WHL scholarship program in place, that next step is supported.

“THE TEAM HAS EXPECTATIONS THAT THEIR PLAYERS ARE GOING TO PERFORM NOT ONLY ON THE ICE BUT IN THE CLASSROOM.”

Prior to coming on board as the education advisor for the Oil Kings, Castle, a retired school teacher, originally pitched the idea of a focus on education to the brass in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They must have liked the idea because they made him the league director of education, a position he held until 2003 when he resigned. When the Oil Kings came back into existence in 2007, Castle was onboard.

“The main role is to help players graduate high school in a timely fashion,” he said. “We connect with each boy one way or another, come up with a graduation plan and track what they’re taking.”

Even with the grind of junior hockey and its intensive schedule of games and practices, Castle doesn’t cut these guys any slack. The team has expectations that their players are going to perform not only on the ice but in the classroom. “Coming in we tell them they’ve got to get at least 40 credits in grade 10 and 40 credits in grade 11 and that they get the required courses out of the way,” he said. “It’s a real balancing act right from the word go.”

Former Spokane Chief and Edmonton Oil King, J.P. Szaszkiewicz, is one of these guys. After playing three seasons with the Chiefs, who drafted him as a 16-year-old, Szaszkiewicz made his way home for his final year of junior. Opting not to play as a 20-year-old, the Edmonton native decided to start university a year early. Now in his fourth year of business at the U of A, he is hitting the books hard, studying to become an accountant and playing for the Golden Bears.

“The education advisor that we had in Spokane, Brenda Nelson, was great and Jim Donlevy (Director of Education Services for the WHL) was always involved,” said Szaszkiewicz. “Jim sent out a form for us to fill in and send back once we’d registered for classes in university. It was as simple as that. I was in.”

The beauty of the program is that it’s not restricted only to university.

Players are able to attend any post-secondary institution anywhere in North America, and this includes any type of school which, Boldt describes is “career enhancing.”

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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“This could include a college or university, technical college, or any sort of job training (police, fire services or flight school, for example),” said Boldt. “And players are definitely taking advantage of this flexibility as WHL scholarship recipients are currently attending over 70 different schools.”

A recent WHL press release announced that 300 graduates of the league had been awarded scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year, with the cohort enrolled in 71 different post-secondary institutions across North America. Of this number, just over half are also playing university hockey. In our province, the University of Alberta leads the way with 28 graduates registered in full-time studies followed closely by the University of Calgary with 25 graduates enrolled.

commemorate that.” What that something is, Castle didn’t say, but you get the sense that there’s a genuine excitement in this regard.

The WHL scholarship program is administered by the league, but solely funded by each of the teams. If a player plays two years for one team and two years for another, both split the scholarship. According to league officials, this season WHL clubs will contribute $1.6 million to graduates utilizing the WHL scholarship.

Whether you’re a parent of a young man trying to determine which route to go as far as hockey development is concerned, or you’re a fan and you want to keep abreast of what’s going on in terms of junior development, keep in mind that by choosing the Western Hockey League a player is not sacrificing his education for hockey. He is supporting it.

Last year was a bit of a milestone for the Edmonton junior team as it marked the graduation of the first modern era Oil King from college as part of the scholarship program. “Last June, Matt Swaby graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a diploma in agricultural business,” said Castle. “I think as a team we’d like to do something to

“...BY CHOOSING THE WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE A PLAYER IS NOT SACRIFICING HIS EDUCATION FOR HOCKEY. HE IS SUPPORTING IT.”

J.P. Szaszkiewicz - Photo provided by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Photo provided by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club

We met up with Dan O’Rourke on a recent one-game assignment in Edmonton. He was in town for an Oilers-Devils game, and like most NHL officials, his daily regiment before the game included meeting or sharing meals with his game partners, working out, and getting ready for the game that night.

NHL officials typically work 73 regular season games in a season. Add the pre-season (they usually work five to seven exhibition games) and the playoffs, and it’s a long season, especially with the travel involved.

Dan O’Rourke first started officiating as a linesman in the NHL in 1999 after working in the East Coast Hockey League for three seasons.

After one year of “doing the lines,” O’Rourke decided he wanted to be a referee, so he honed his skills in the American Hockey League for three seasons. He made the big jump to the NHL in 2004, where he has remained since.

O’Rourke’s hockey beginnings are similar to the road taken by a lot of NHL officials. He played hockey at an early age (on skates at three or four years old), and he started officiating hockey games when he was a young minor hockey player. O’Rourke was born in Calgary, but he grew up in the Penticton/Summerland area, moving there when he was halfway through grade one.

When I asked O’Rourke about his playing career, I remarked that he spent a lot of time in the penalty box before becoming a hockey official.

“I was never a dirty player, but I was always a team player. I always took care of my teammates.”

“I practiced,” he laughingly commented, adding, “I was never a dirty player, but I was always a team player. I always took care of my teammates. I fought plenty enough, but it was rarely out of anger. It was mostly out of principle. If you picked on my teammates, you had to answer to someone.”

Well, he was definitely no stranger to the penalty box. In his first pro year (ECHL), O’Rourke tallied 296 minutes in the penalty box. He played four to five years in the minor pros, until good fortune arrived, but it wasn’t a call up to the NHL. It was a call from former NHL referee Andy Van Hellemond asking him if he wanted to be a hockey official.

“When I started in the East Coast League as a linesman, it had been a long time since I officiated. Andy Van Hellemond was the boss of the East Coast League at the time, and he worked me with just about everybody there. My comment to everyone at the time was ‘I’m new at this (level), so if I do something goofy or crappy out there, please tell me, and if you have any comments or tips, pass them along. I’m not going to be put off.’ So I took a lot of things in from everyone and tried to figure out what would work for me.”

When asked if his playing career helps him understand tempers in the game, O’Rourke was quick to respond. “You see it coming, you really do. You go, ‘If that happened to my teammate, here’s how I would have reacted.’ One of the things that helps me is that I can see it coming, and I can relate to the players because I’ve been there (before). I’ve been chopped, hacked, whacked, and I’ve possibly done it to someone else.”

I asked O’Rourke about fighting in the game, and he paused before answering. “That’s an interesting question. I did it. I don’t recall other than one time where I had to miss a game because of a fight.”

O’Rourke continues, “It did police the game. Do I want my son doing it? Probably not. But I also understand if he’s going to play this game, the way it’s set up now, he’s going to have to learn how to do it. I think one of the best byproducts of the game today is that we got rid of the guy that just sits at the end of the bench. We got rid of that

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guy because he can’t keep up anymore. And most of what happens now is pretty spontaneous. It’s not just for the show of it.”

“Those TV timeouts we get are invaluable, because you have the time to talk with the other officials about where the game is going. They all want to give you advice. And it’s up to you to take that in, decipher it, and see what works for you.”

Does this give the game’s agitators a bit of a free ride?

And O’Rourke acknowledges that you have to have thick skin.

“Yeah, a little bit. To a certain extent, I think those guys get a little bit of a free pass. But there are still plenty of guys who are big enough and tough enough to take care of those guys.”

“It’s a tough job (to do) if it isn’t part of your makeup.

One of the things I can remember, I was 12 or 13, and I was doing a mite or atom game in Summerland, and I had three dads who were able to get down to ice level. There was no glass separating them from the ice, and they were yelling and screaming at the kids. It had nothing to do with them yelling at the officials, but I finally heard enough of them yelling at the kids that I stopped the game, and kicked them out. They said, ‘You can’t kick us out,’ and I said, ‘Well, you tell everyone else why we’re not playing anymore, because we’re not starting until you guys leave.’ I think it’s that sort of make-up that you need to be able to survive officiating. As a 13, 14 or 15-year-old kid, I don’t know if there are a lot of people out there that would want to go referee a game, and get chased through the rink and out into the parking lot, and have to hustle out of there, for a couple of bucks. The atmosphere where guys have to learn to do this job is not a very friendly one. It’s not so much the coaches or the players, it’s the peripheral, it’s the fans, it’s the parents.”

O’Rourke has seen a lot of changes to the game in his 13-year officiating career, and one of those changes took place after the lock-out, when the NHL went from the one-man system to the two-man referee system.

“It’s an interesting change. We come up doing the one-man referee system, and we do the two-man system when we get here (in the NHL). You learn coming through it – if something went sideways in your game (in the one-man system), you’re the only one out there. So you better figure out how to pull it back or you just have to ride it out for the rest of the night. Whereas with two of you out there, if you let the rope out too far, it can be a very difficult thing to pull back because there’s two of you. You may have realized that you have to pull this thing back in, but your partner may not, or vice versa. There’s got to be a real trust in the guys you work with.”

“You try too hard to see everything, as if you’re by yourself, and you end up not seeing anything.”

Does it seem that hockey officials get it more than any other officials?

In past Hockey Magazine interviews with retired NHL referees Bill McCreary and Kerry Fraser, they noted that the two-man system allowed them to elongate their careers, taking them into their mid to late 50s. Does O’Rourke envision this for his career?

“Yeah, for sure. I think it will add years to guys’ careers. Also, no different than the players, there’s a real change to how we prepare ourselves in the offseason. It’s become more of a year-round thing. You don’t go to training camp to get in shape, like we used to – you arrive in shape, just like the players do. This, along with having two guys out there, is going to change how long you can stay in the game as a referee.”

*

“You watch the NFL. The officials can absolutely screw up the game, and it’s not the story. They (the media or commentators) don’t talk about it. They sell the game rather than knock the game down. It’s unfortunate because I think it hurts the casual fan more than anyone. If someone’s flipping through the channels, and all they hear about is how bad a job we’re doing, why would you ever watch the hockey if you’re a casual fan? People will think it’s like wrestling. That’s what we have to understand as people who make a living on this game, don’t screw it up.”

“You try too hard to see everything, as if you’re by yourself, and you end up not seeing anything.”

And there’s no substitute for experience. This is why the NHL asked McCreary to stay on an extra year after he originally provided his retirement notice.

“Experience is a big part, but a lot of it is the guys I worked with, especially the senior guys like Billy (McCreary), Don Koharski and Rob Schick (to name a few), I was lucky enough to have those guys around when I was starting out. *Photo provided by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club

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In making his comments, O’Rourke isn’t complaining. He is very matter of fact about things, and like most professionals in the game, he is thankful to be doing what he does for a living. “I always wanted to be part of hockey for as long as I can remember, and getting here as an official wasn’t my first choice. But now that I’m here, I can’t think of a better way to make a living in the game.”

O’Rourke has moved up the ranks of officials, and the biggest feather in the cap worn by officials is to work the playoffs. It’s a merit-based system (and there are financial rewards which come with working each round of the playoffs), and O’Rourke reached this pinnacle of this success last season when he officiated the Stanley Cup Final between Boston and Vancouver.

“Last season was the first season I was selected for the finals. I worked the third round the year before.”

On getting selected: “One, I think it’s a trust factor from everybody that’s involved in the game. The players trust you, the coaches start to trust you. Your bosses start to trust you. Two years ago was (kinda) my audition (to do the finals). I did two game sixes – the first and second

“I always wanted to be part of hockey for as long as I can remember, and getting here as an official wasn’t my first choice.

But now that I’m here, I can’t think of a better way to make a living in the game.”

Photo provided by Amber Grmek Photography

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round in Montreal.” (Montreal vs. Washington in the first round and Montreal vs. Pittsburgh in the second round.)

miles amounted to 165,000, and this doesn’t include the final where the officials chartered back and forth between Vancouver and Boston.

“I don’t know if there’s going to be a louder building to work in than that game six at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The guys came down and said the decibel level in the building was 140 plus, and that was the year it was Philly and Chicago in the final, and they were talking about how loud it was in Chicago, where it was 115 (decibels there at its loudest).”

“And it’s all commercial travel. Whenever we’re traveling with somebody, we laugh and say, ‘Man, we spend a lot of time in lines.’

We’re in a line to check in, we’re in a line to go through customs and security. We wait in a line to get a taxi, and when we get to the hotel, you’re waiting in line to check in.

O’Rourke passed this test and went on to officiate in stages later in the playoffs.

“My timing as an official has been great. My timing as a hockey player, not so good.”

O’Rourke beams when talking about the best part of his job.

“The best part for me is the camaraderie of the guys. It’s a real team atmosphere for our group. And just being out there, being part of the game is great. I’ve been lucky enough where hockey’s been part of my life since I was three or four years old, and hopefully, it will be there for quite a bit longer.”

When asked about the toughest part of the job, O’Rourke didn’t hesitate. “The toughest part is the travel.” There are no homes games for officials.

O’Rourke was on the road for over 150 days last season. His airline

“That’s the toughest part of the job. The traveling part and being away from your family.”

In wrapping things up, I asked if he had some advice for young aspiring hockey officials.

“One of the things I’ve always said when I go to the camps or seminars – I always ask who plays hockey. One piece of advice I always offer is for officials to play hockey as long as you can, so that when you do officiate, you’re going to be one, a better skater, which is paramount to officiating, because if you can’t move and be in the right spots, you can’t make the appropriate call. “ “And two (by playing hockey), you have an appreciation for what the players are going through. Play the game, and it doesn’t mean you have to play it at a high level. It will give you a good foundation for how the game works. “ “And understand the rules. It gives you a lot of tools, a lot of options.”

“And just enjoy it. Don’t take yourself too seriously.”

Photo provided by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club

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ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT SELLING? Are you passionate about hockey?

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Our hockey magazines reach the minor hockey community in a unique and significant manner, and the advertisers within benefit with the tremendous exposure generated by being in our magazines.

As a senior sales rep for our two hockey magazines, you possess the following attributes: • excellent verbal and written communication skills • Self-starter, self-motivated • Resourcefulness and never-give-up attitude • Ability to travel (modest but essential requirement) • Vehicle required

We offer:

• Competitive compensation package • Bonus opportunities (above base) to reward

excellent efforts and results • Outstanding product • Positive workplace environment • Downtown office location (Bell Tower) • Established clientele • Great graphics team to complement our services • Great career opportunity If you’re interested in this position, please apply in the strictest confidence (with a cover letter and resume) as follows: Mail:

Publisher Hockey Edmonton Magazine Suite 950, Bell Tower 10104 - 103 Avenue Edmonton, Ab T5J 0H8

E-mail:

Publisher@hockeymagazine.net Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Deadline for responses: April 10th, 2012

www.hockeymagazine.net Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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By Brian Shackel

The answer to this question is yes! But what exactly is Biomechanics? When should I consult a biomechanist? How does this relate to the game of hockey? Is this service available in Edmonton? This article will provide more insight into the ever changing field of athlete development and explain the role which Biomechanics plays in the game of hockey!

Biomechanics is one of the fastest growing areas of sports science among elite level athletes. Biomechanics is the study of human movement and describes the forces which cause this movement.

More specifically, it helps to explain the what, why, when, where and how our body moves. By knowing how our body moves and through the use of video analysis, we are able to identify and modify an athlete’s technique therefore improving his performance and allowing him to reach his full potential. A recent study conducted following the Vancouver Olympic Games found that 62% of the medals won at the Olympics were won by athlete’s who worked with a biomechanist using Dartfish Video Analysis (www.dartfish.com).

If you are an athlete who is looking to gain a competitive edge it is important to gain a greater understanding of what your body’s strengths and weaknesses are. For a hockey player, this could be improving your forward skating stride, making your tight turns tighter, or working on improving your foot speed during a start, therefore making you a quicker, faster, and stronger hockey player.

During a session with a biomechanist, athletes are filmed performing a variety of hockey specific skills (skating, shooting, etc.) followed by a one-on-one consultation to review the video and identify strengths and weaknesses for each athlete. The athlete will then be provided with specific areas to focus on during skill development sessions and a follow-up session will be set up in order to monitor and track the athlete’s progress.

With the off-season just around the corner, this is an ideal time to begin thinking about ways to improve your game over the summer.

As a hockey player in the Edmonton area, you have the opportunity to access world class skill development and strength training from many of the great hockey specific companies which our city has to offer. With that being said, it is also a great time of year to allow your body to heal and rehabilitate from any injuries which you might have sustained during the hockey season. A biomechanist is a great resource for this as he will be able to provide the athlete with an off-ice functional movement assessment. This assessment helps to identify specific areas which you will need to target during your

off-season training in order to rehabilitate from past injuries or correct bad movement patterns to prevent injuries in the upcoming season. Rehabilitation is achieved through soft tissue work, strength and stability exercises as well as stretching to improve the athlete’s movement quality.

Biomechanics is an essential aspect of hockey skill development.

The game of hockey requires a wide variety of skills to be performed throughout a game and each of these skills has a specific “optimal technique” which can improve the athlete’s efficiency on the ice.

From skating, passing and shooting all the way to goalie-specific movements, using video as a means of providing instant feedback to an athlete can be beneficial in helping to retrain proper movement patterns. It is essential that players and goalies work on these skills during practice, the off-season or any other skill development sessions which they participate in. Most athletes learn a new skill and continue performing the skill the same way throughout their career. However this isn’t always the most efficient and effective way to reach their optimal performance. It is also extremely important for hockey players to learn how to properly “fire” or “contract” their muscles in the proper sequence to become more explosive and powerful on the ice. Correcting biomechanics and technique flaws and retraining your skills can significantly improve your overall athletic performance. Working alongside a biomechanist can help to teach body awareness, improved muscle activation and improved technique!

Brian Shackel is the owner of a Biomechanics Consulting company called Making Stridz Athlete Development which is located in Edmonton. Brian works with several hockey academies in the Edmonton-area as a Biomechanics Consultant/Video Coach and specializes in the use of video for both technical and tactical skill development. Biomechanics sessions are available on both a team and individual basis. For more information on Biomechanics please visit: www.makingstridz.com ; e-mail him at brian@makingstridz.com; call him at 780-932-2903; or follow him on Twitter @MakingStridz

Images Courtesy of Making Stridz Athlete Development and Greater St. Albert Sports Academy

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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By Maurice Tougas Photos provided by Amber Grmek Photography

For thousands of young hockey players, there comes a time when hockey becomes more effort than fun. At that point, many pull the plug on the game, while others find alternate ways to stay involved.

Officiating is one way to stay on the ice, and two Edmonton ex-players turned referees have found that trading in their hockey jerseys for striped shirts has taken their hockey careers a lot further than playing likely ever would.

Jonathan Spurgeon and Colin Watt have reached the pinnacle of amateur officiating in Canada – Level 6, as defined by Hockey Canada – which literally opens up the world to the officials. Level 6 means Spurgeon and Watt are now qualified to referee national and international hockey games, and moves them both a step closer to possible careers as professional referees.

Spurgeon, 29, quit hockey after a year of peewee at age 13, when the fun went out of the game. Still anxious to stay in hockey, he looked for another way to remain connected to the game, and thought he would give officiating a try.

He remembers his first game as an “extremely nervous” 13-year old at Callingwood Arena, anxiously waiting for his partner to get to the rink, praying that his partner had done more games than he had. He had – one.

It wasn’t long before he was hooked on officiating, although he soon realized that it takes a different attitude. You can still get pumped up before a big game, but you can’t let emotions overtake you.

“There are emotions in the game (as a referee), which is something I had to learn to keep in check sometimes,” he said. “You have to be an observer, and you can’t be biased in any way. You have to observe and react, and apply the rules.”

The highlight of his officiating career was being chosen to attend the Level 6 camp (along with Watt) for a week in Guelph, Ont., which involved on-ice and off-ice testing and written exams, as well as presentations from NHL level officials.

Eager to get to the pinnacle in officiating, Spurgeon says he had been working on getting recognized for the camp ever since reaching Level 5.

Level 6 designation gives the referee the right to officiate national tournaments and international competitions, like the recently completed World Juniors in Alberta. Both Spurgeon and Watt got their first taste of international hockey

“You have to be an observer, and you can’t be biased in any way. You have to observe and react, and apply the rules.” - Jonathan Spurgeon Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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He travels throughout Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Sometimes he gets to fly, but most of the time it’s driving long, long hours. For example, on a recent weekend he was in a college game in Edmonton on Friday, in Saskatoon on Saturday, and another game in Camrose on Sunday.

While it might seem like a lonely life away from team camaraderie, officials travel together for distant games. And at the WHL level, referees don’t go into games cold. Refs are given pertinent information on rivalries, what might have happened in their last game, player changes, etc., all important things for referees to know before going into a potential cauldron of a heated WHL game.

Spurgeon hopes to work his way up the Western Hockey League and work some national and international games, but he knows he’s in tough to get those coveted assignments. doing a pre-competition game between the United States and Slovakia in Three Hills, which Spurgeon describes as “probably the best hockey I have ever skated.”

Of course, international and national events don’t come along very often. But there is plenty of hockey to keep skilled, ambitious young referees busy all winter long. Spurgeon officiates the Western Hockey League, university games, college games and Alberta junior – officiating two or three games a week – while holding down a job at Finning.

“Now that you’ve reached Level 6, you’re in a giant pond with other Level 6 referees. When national or international assignments come up, you’re competing with those officials for assignments. So you have to be at the top of your game every night, never take a game off, learn from your mistakes and be the best you can be every night.”

And like anybody who plays or loves hockey, Spurgeon hopes to reach the Promised Land, the NHL. When he watches the NHL, he watches the game with a referee’s eye.

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Watt is 24 and started officiating when he was about 12 – which means he’s been officiating half his life.

He played hockey right through until the end of midget. When he quit hockey, he went into officiating as a good way to make money, and grew to love it.

“It’s just something I really love to do. It’s almost like an escape from real life – when you’re on the ice, there is only one thing you’re thinking of, and that’s the hockey game. It’s nice to be part of the intensity of the game.”

At 19, he was selected to officiate the Alberta Cup, where he did the gold medal game. After that, he attended a development camp and was chosen as the most promising official in Hockey Alberta. The following season he was refereeing Midget AAA.

Just like Spurgeon, he’s on the road a lot. He officiates in the same leagues, doing between 12 and 15 games a month. He works at a flooring accessories warehouse, where his employer generously gives him the flexibility to take time off for his multiple road trips.

Here’s an example of a recent schedule. On Friday, he was in Regina for a game. He flew home Saturday night for a game, took Sunday off, then on Monday night attended a meeting for the executives for the Edmonton zone. On Tuesday he was in Red Deer, Wednesday he officiated for Minor Hockey Week in Edmonton, on Friday it was a university game in Edmonton, Saturday he was in Saskatoon, and Sunday in Sherwood Park for an afternoon game.

He finds the Western Hockey League games the most challenging. In a Junior A or college game, “you can sense that something is going to happen before it happens. In the Western league, I don’t find you can quite as much. Things are a bit more spontaneous.”

“You need to have a lot of confidence in yourself to overcome some of the negative feedback you get from time to time.” - Colin Watt

What makes a good referee? In Watt’s view, self-confidence is an important piece of a referee’s personality.

“You need to have a lot of confidence in yourself to overcome some of the negative feedback you get from time to time.”

“You need an even keel, and an ability to remain calm and collected and not let your emotions get the best of you. That comes in handy in everyday life, too.”

“You’ve got to be that calming presence sometimes.”

Like Spurgeon, he would love to work in the NHL, but he’s realistic, knowing that “the stars have to align” to reach that level.

He’d be willing to work his way up through the East Coast League or the American League, where a number of former WHL refs are working.

“But even if I don’t make the NHL, I’m still pleased with my career.”

“Even if I don’t make the NHL, I’m still pleased with my career.” - Colin Watt Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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By Kristen Lipscombe

Steffany Hanlen and Vanessa Hettinger

Ten years ago, skating instructor Steffany Hanlen had an idea.

Today, she has a dedicated following of staff members and students who still believe in her idea for a very simple reason.

It works.

That idea is called Quantum Speed, and has blossomed into a skating development company that is different than everything else out there, and celebrates a decade of success this year.

“Quantum Speed began as an idea, and the idea was way out there,” said general manager Vanessa Hettinger, who now runs the company’s day-to-day operations and much like the company’s founder, is never far away from a fresh sheet of ice. “It’s a playercentric program based on process training, periodization, and longterm athlete development.”

“It’s a skating camp that includes mental training, off-ice training and runs for 12 sessions over three months,” Hettinger explained. “Some said it couldn’t be done.”

Neither Hanlen nor Hettinger have ever given those naysayers much thought, though, and credit the continued growth of Quantum Speed “to the support of our industry partners, amazing staff and our

Photos provided by Quantum Speed long-term clients, and their parents, who have believed in Quantum Speed since the beginning.”

As Quantum Speed continues to develop as a company, its skating clients continue to develop their skills on the ice, including throughout the professional hockey world. They also keep coming back, each and every season, to the Quantum Speed team of skating instructors they know, and trust to keep them at the top of their game.

“These hockey players are part of the reason that Quantum Speed’s Q3, Q3i and Net Results exist,” Hettinger said. “They have pushed us to create new programs, in order to continually challenge them.”

“We thank them, and their families, for playing a pivotal role in our growth over the last 10 years.”

To mark its tenth anniversary, Quantum Speed proudly presents its Top Ten Over Ten, who have all skated with Hanlen and Hettinger since the very start:

Mark McNeill – He was selected 18th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and is currently playing for the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders.

The Quantum Speed Team

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Troy Rutkowski – He was selected 137th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche and is currently playing for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks.

Colin Smith – He showed some “unbelievable skill and grit”

at the 2011 rookie camp for the Edmonton Oilers, was voted the WHL’s 2011 Scholastic Player of the Year and is currently playing for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.

Levko Koper – He was selected 185th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, scored his team’s first goal when it became the new Winnipeg Jets franchise and is currently playing for the University of Alberta Golden Bears of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).

Josh Koper – He had an “excellent career” in both the AJHL

and WHL, and is currently playing for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

Daniel Starosta – He is a former

Sherwood Park Crusader, is now playing for the ACAC’s Grant MacEwan Griffins and also happens to be both an instructor and “poster boy” for Quantum Speed.

Charles Wells – He was the fastest player

on the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds during the 200910 season and continues to be a very “competitive” centreman for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks.

Aaron Borejko – He has “used his skating and intensity to compete hard on the blue line” within the WHL, including for his current team, the Red Deer Rebels.

Zach Paterson – As the youngest player on

Quantum Speed’s tenth anniversary list, he was drafted 34th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft by the Portland Winterhawks, has been described as the draft’s “best skating defenceman,” and is currently playing for the South Side Athletic Club (SSAC) of the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League (AMHL).

Lindsay Neilsen – He and his family “were some of our original and strongest supporters,” he is currently playing for the CIS’s University of Alberta Golden Bears and “will be successful in anything he puts his mind to.”

As special mentions, Hanlen and Hettinger would also like to highlight the following Quantum Speed tenth anniversary all-stars:

Betty, Curtis and Mark Chmilar – Both Curtis

and Mark were in Hanlen’s very first power skating class, and have gone onto great successes in both their professional and personal lives, while Betty served as Quantum Speed’s first administrator and still contributes significantly to the hockey community, including as Hockey Edmonton’s current president.

Aaron Moser – Also one of Hanlen’s first-ever students,

he went on to play in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), but was hit from behind in 1998, leaving him quadriplegic – but as determined as ever. “While many would have let this injury define them and their life, Aaron has continued to become a successful

“I work with Steffany and Vanessa at Quantum Speed and I believe that it’s very important to continue to work on your skating because you know that all your competition is. The thing I love about Quantum Speed is how good of job they do breaking down my stride and finding the smallest thing to change that makes a big difference for me on the ice”- #11 Brendan Gallagher Captain, Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, World Junior Player, #quantumspeedrocks!!!!

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entrepreneur and is still involved with hockey in many ways,” Hettinger said. “We are very proud of Aaron and his achievements.”

Brendan Gallagher – He was

selected 147th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, won a bronze medal with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship in Calgary and Edmonton and is currently captain of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

Quantum Speed is a skating development company that provides process-oriented training for motivated players who are already good, but who want elite-level training to improve play at the next level and improve their confidence. Its team of professional instructors is committed to providing value to clients by consistently teaching principles that produce real, lasting results on the ice.

Quantum Speed relies on this proven formula for skating success: Technique + Power = Speed. Its programs are respected and recommended by the hockey elite, and the company has grown exclusively through word of mouth since it was founded in 2002.

Here’s to another 10 years of success, on and off the ice!

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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WENDY’S LOCATIONS Edmonton 1. 9598 - 170 St. 2. 14205 - 118 Ave. 3. 7410 Argyll Rd. 4. 6510 - 28 Ave. 5. 10141 - 34 Ave. 6. 17007 - 109 Ave. 7. 8427 - 112 St. 8. 10365 - 111 St. 9. 13138 - 50 St. 10. 9630 - 137 Ave. 11. 1850 - 102 St. NW

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ARENA LOCATOR 1. Knights of Columbus Arena 13160 - 137 Ave. 2. Bill Hunter Arena 9200 - 163 St. 3. Callingwood Rec. Centre 17740 - 69 Ave. 4. Castledowns Rec. Centre 11520 - 153 Ave. 5. Clareview Rec. Centre 3804 - 139 Ave. 6. Confederation Arena 11204 - 43 Ave. 7. Coronation Arena 13500 - 112 Ave. 8. Crestwood Arena 9940 - 147 St. 9. Donnan Arena 9105 - 80 Ave. 10. Glengarry Arena 13340 - 85 St. 11. Grand Trunk Arena 13025 - 112 St. 12. Kenilworth Arena 8313 - 68A St. 13. Kinsmen Arena 1979 - 111 St. 14. Londonderry Arena 14520 - 66 St.

15. Michael Cameron Arena 10404 - 56 St. 16. MillWoods Rec. Centre 7207 - 28 Ave. 17. Oliver Arena 10335 - 119 St. 18. Russ Barnes Arena 6725 - 121 Ave. 19. George S. Hughes South Side Arena 10525 - 72 Ave. 20. Tipton Arena 10828 - 80 Ave. 21. Westwood Arena 12040 - 97 St. 22. Canadian Athletic Hockey Arena 14640 - 142 St. 23. Terwillegar Community Rec. Centre 2051 Leger Rd.

EMHA / HOCKEY EDMONTON HEADQUARTERS 10618 - 124 Street 780-413-3498

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Led by Nicholas Magis, who had a four point night, the KC Cougars defeated SWAT to win gold in the Atom Canadians division.

The KC Cougars started off the tournament with a close win against their sister club (the KC Icemen), which set up a matchup with the Whitemud West Outlaws. The Cougars edged the Outlaws by a score of 3-2, and went on to defeat Sherwood Park by a score of 5-1, which set up the gold medal match with SWAT. It’s been a special year for the KC Cougars, and one of the things making it special is their team philosophy – P-A-W (Preparation – Attitude – Work), which they consider their “triangle of success.”

Early on, the Cougars made the decision to link themselves with an elite hockey team, which they did with the KC Pats Major Midget AAA team. They did this by incorporating the same underlying team principles, philosophies and team culture which Pats head coach (Rick Swan) has in place for his midget AAA team. (Albeit, customized to suit 9-10-year-old players on the Cougars team.)

The players embraced this beyond the coaches’ greatest expectations. As Cougars head coach Ken Rylance commented, “It is not just about playing hockey any more – they now have a purpose that is fun and structured. Without putting pressure on these young kids to win. We focused most of our teaching around player development, P-A-W & “controllables and uncontrollable” in a way that makes sense for these kids to understand.

It really has done a lot for how our players are progressing with their overall development.”

Well – one can’t argue with the success of the KC Cougars season, one which is measured not only on the win column, but one which is also measured by the growth and maturation of young hockey players, and young people.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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BAHNSEN

(KC064 KC ST. THOMAS MORE WARRIORS) Sterling Aubee, Maya Bezubiak, Lukas Bonkowski, Cassidy Brand, Haley Brand, Memfis Burgeson, Matthew Caron, Matthew Chaba, Aiden Clarke, Benjamin Cote, Carson Fidyk, Miguel Gil, Adrian Hassink, Vincent Paonessa, Myles Sadler, Mccallum Strong, Marcus Wong Coaching Staff: Scott Bezubiak, Ralf Bonkowski, John Hassink, Constantine (Dean) Papachristopoulos, Dan Cote, Luc Cote

BOUCHARD

(NW320 WHITEMUD WEST WOLFPACK) Parker Berge, Ryan Duguay, Keegan Elchuk, James Gibson, Lochlan Gordon, Brett Hyland, Thomas Kaufield, Gannon Laroque, Nathan Man, Hudson Norris, Braden O’Grady, Nolan Palmer, Dylan Patel Guenther, Greysen Poirier, Reagan Sweeney Coaching Staff: Mark Duguay, David Gibson, Russell Guenther, Miles Hyland, Steve Sweeney

DAMER

(SW566 CONFEDERATION ANGRY BIRDS) Samantha Beckingham, Tessa Cahoon, Elijah Close, Jordan Deslongchamps, Calle Erickson, Benjamin Evans, Arnav Gupta, Matthew Kubiski, Brett Leew, Tyler Lux, Ethan Mcphail, Jack Pass, Drew Pedde, Kayden Rawji Coaching Staff: David Close, Glen Erickson, Peter Evans, Darren Leew, Sean Pass, Paul McPhail, Michael Pedde

Name: Brett Leew Current team: SW566 Angry Birds Age: 8 School grade: 3 Number of years played: 2 Usual position: Centre Favourite hockey team: Chicago Blackhawks Favourite Hockey Player: Patrick Kane Role Model: My Dad because he taught me how to play hockey!

Other Sports/Interests: golf, ball hockey, lacrosse, soccer Favourite Hockey Memory: In semi-finals of Minor Hockey Week, I went one-on-one in overtime to score the winning goal!

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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ELIASON

(KC048 KC ST. CHARLES) Aiden Allan, Ethan Bacchus, Jean Alexandre Bujold, Trystan Ginther, Nathaniel Howat, Ryan Jossy, Nicholas Laureano, Thomas Letourneau, Justin Lloyd, Marco Portela, Jack Rhebergen, Brennan Robitaille, Evan Sundar, Austin Thew-Penman, Spencer Walsh Coaching Staff: Todd Letourneau, Dennis Sundar, Curtis Lloyd, Kevin Jossy, Leonard Walsh

Name: Justin Lloyd Current team: KC St Charles Vipers Age: 8 School grade: 3 Number of years played: 3 Usual position: Forward Favourite hockey team: Edmonton Oilers Favourite Hockey Player: Mark Messier Role Model: My parents Other Sports/Interests: golf, ball hockey, lacrosse, soccer Favourite Hockey Memory: Winning our league playoffs last year and winning a gold medal in Minor Hockey Week this year.

Current team: KC Vipers Age: 7 School grade: 2 Number of years played: 3 Usual position: Right wing Favourite hockey team: Edmonton Oilers Favourite Hockey Player: Taylor Hall Role Model: My Dad Favourite Hockey Memory: Winning my first gold medal at Minor Hockey Week

Name: Ryan Jossy

GRETZKY

(SW573 CONFEDERATION SHARKS) Yosan Abreha, Nicholas Bunney, William (Billy) Cameron, Isaac Cook, Daniel Lopez Peterson, Kyden Ma, Xavian Mcgowan-Sapong, Reiken Posch, Connor Richelhoff, James Rolfe, Cameron Salyers, Jayden Teel, Eric Waldemaras, Eric Wasylyshyn Coaching Staff: Brendon Cameron, Warren Posch, Rodney Wasylyshyn, Jason Rolfe

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FERGUSON

(ST ALBERT NOVICE SA726) Nathan Airey, Bryce Davey, Luke Feraco, Evan Fradette, Owen Fradette, Mateo Gallo, Bryce Getty, Kayden Jethon, Jack Kalanchey, Hayden Paradis, Ethan Redmond, Carson Scheidl, Everet Stewart, Benjamin Thomson, Kaydon Wagner Coaching Staff: Doug Fradette, Dom Gallo, Jonathon Jethon, Troy Mackinnon, Brian Paradis, Jerry Scheidl, Nathan Thomson, Kyle Wagner

Name: Luke Feraco Current team: St. Albert Novice Rage Age: 8 School grade: 3 Number of years played: 4 Usual position: Forward Favourite hockey team: Edmonton Oilers Favourite Hockey Player: Nugent-Hopkins Role Model: Terry Fox Favourite Hockey Memory: Being chosen to be my team Captain in the final game of Minor Hockey Week 2012.

HEIN

(NW331 WHITEMUD WEST EDMONTON CAPITALS) Emma Bitar, Luis Burke, Sid Chadi, Merrick Gladue, Temrey Gladue, Jaxon Gosche, Michael Graham, Aidan Gregson, Nathan Lister, Marcus Morriseau, Tyler Pike, Gerrit Prinsen, Sydney Rusel, Addison Ward Coaching Staff: Jon Gosche, Edward Gregson, Colin Lister, Alex Rusel

KIRILLO

(NE201 - EAGLES) Jesse Bennett, Ethan Brown, Logan Cramer, Nathan Degraves, Enrique Fontes, Tyson Greenway, Josh Hoekstra, Brendan Hossinger, Ryan Kaleniuk, Brendan Lee, Matthew Morgan, Ethan Richard, Matt Smith, Marco Vercillo Coaching Staff: Myron Bennett, Neil Brown, Davie Greenway, Robert Dellaire, Brent Morgensen, Scott Smith

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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KORBUTT

(SPRUCE GROVE NOVICE) Matthew Babyak, Jacob Cornelsen, Justin Davidchuk, William Genge, Bailey Hoffman, Jackson Maidens, Zachary Martin, Seth Mottershead-Yee, Talon Pilla, William Scherle, Austin Shepel, Zachary Strei, Ethan Tweten, Kowen Woo Coaching Staff: Mike Maidens, Robert Shepel, Bernie Strei, Dan Woo

Name: Jackson Maidens Current team: Spruce Grove Devils Age: 7 School grade: 2 Number of years played: 3 Usual position: Defence Favourite hockey team: Edmonton Oilers Favourite Hockey Player: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Role Model: My Dad Favourite Hockey Memory: Winning Minor Hockey Week for the first time.

MCDOUGALL

(NE126 BRAVE RAIDERS) Elijah Blackburn, Travis Cheetham, Destyn Clarke, Dominic Ducharme, Dylan Jones, Kaden Martin, Ryan Mcnee, Cooper Polowek, Dustan Sand, Austin Starchuk, Jordan Stolte, Tyrell Sylvester, Grant Vandermeer Coaching Staff: Allan Cheetham, Michael, Ducharme, Reg Mcnee, Randy Polowek, Chris Stolte, Scott Sylvester

LIBER

(SW632 SWAT RENEGADES) Joshua Allan, Thomas Armitage, Cody Fraser, Ethan Gin, Evan Holt, Sean Jacobs, Kyle Kobi, Jack Kuehn, Ethan Neitsch, Connor Nicolay, Mitchell Pearson, Jack Royer, Dylan Ruptash, Tristan Zarsky Coaching Staff: Jason Allan, Richard Coyle, Daryl Fraser, Terry Royer, Kevin Zarsky

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MANDEVILLE

(NW329 WHITEMUD WEST HURRICANES) Aliyan Afsar, Alexander Airth-Robb, Jackson Allard, Daniel Gosse, Peyton Kallay, Ashton Karaim, Jacob Kinney, James Mcdade, Desmand Moyah, Dominic Olivari, Chase Parker, Ethan Robinson, Makalo Walker, Charles (Qian Hao) Yu Coaching Staff: Nathan Kinney, Travis Kinney, Colin Parker, Davie Kallay, Scott Karaim

MCLEAN

(KC049 KC ST. CHARLES) Fraser Berrett, Kole Campbell, Nicholas Hakes, Tanner Hillaby, Emily Hinch, Emilio Ilustre, Ernesto Jr. Ilustre, Anthony Nguyen, Timothy Nguyen, Kaylem Nice, Oleg Penner, Sergii Penner, Ryan Ungstad Coaching Staff: Tim Berrett, Roger (Kim) Campbell, Sean Hinch, Kerry Nice, Jonathan Penner, Doug Ungstad

Name: Emily Hinch Current team: KC 049 St. Charles Hornets Age: 8 School grade: 2 Number of years played: 2 Usual position: Left Defence Favourite hockey team: Edmonton Oilers Favourite Hockey Player: Taylor Hall Role Model: My Mom Favourite Hockey Memory: When the Hornets won Gold in the Confederation Tournament and Gold in 2012 Minor Hockey!

Name: Ryan Ungstad Current team: KC St. Charles Hornets Age: 7 School grade: 2 Number of years played: 4 Usual position: Centre Favourite hockey team: Oilers Favourite Hockey Player: Wayne Gretzky Role Model: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Favourite Hockey Memory: Winning Gold In Minor Hockey Week.

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PHILLIPS

(NW323 WHITEMUD WEST HAWKS) Cale Ambrozic, Darren Beaver, Matt Clark, Christian Harrison, Jason (Jd) Hemming, Elijah Jomha, Carys Mitchell, Liam Moore, Billal Noori, Tyler Norris, Logan Parrill, Jisaiah Pulongbarit, Nikhil Reynolds, Jack Robinson, Devan Rose, Shea Sokalski Coaching Staff: Michael Beaver, Paul Harrison, Daniel Hemming, Don Norris, J.R. Pulongbarit, Lon Sokalski

VIRGIL

(SHERWOOD PARK NOVICE SP793) Kye Belcourt, Cole Cleary, Caelum Dick, Aiden Duncan, Grayden Krislock, Kai Lee, Jonas Mcneil, Connor Mcneill, Sebastian Mitzel, Zachary Parker, Alexis Richard, Will Stewart, Matthew Sulit, Aidan Wellner-Bate, Rex Wolney Coaching Staff: Todd Bate, Gary Dick, Andrew Lee, Jason Mitzel, Brian Parker, Daniel Sulit

WILLIAMS

(SPRUCE GROVE NOVICE) Aidan Campbell, Keaton Chadwick, Matt Friesen, Logan Korpach, Dominic Lafreniere, Ty Lang, Jordan Macqueen, Dylan Mccolman, Marcus Nanfara, Jacob Nardelli, Ashton Pochynok, Avery Rudelich, Coleton Welch, Oliver Young Coaching Staff: Lonnie Chadwick, Troy Macqueen, Trevor Mccolman, Wade Welch

AVALANCHE

(ST ALBERT ATOM FEMALE SA733) Laura Anderson, Brett Biegler, Natasha Borrett, Abbey Borschneck, Sydney Borschneck, Taylor Borschneck, Chloe Church, Kristyn Davey, Alyssa Henkel, Kendra Johnston, Elleson Rezewski, Lexie Sanders, Hannah Will Coaching Staff: Sean Anderson, Susan Anderson, Linda Borschneck, Valerie Davey, Brenda Johnston, Jeff Johnston, David Will, Clay Henkel

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BLACKHAWKS

(NE211 - EAGLES) Mateus Alves, Jaidan Ammar, Christopher Bergersen, Evan Blackmore, Dagen Deschene, Noah Jiwa, Lucas Koop, Tylor LindsayWheeler, Ryan Luz, Daenen Mastronardi, Rasheed Othman, Jade Scherger, David Stogrin, Shane Stolte, Kai Watrin Coaching Staff: Rui Alves, Dag Bergersen, Daryl Blackmore, Shane Scherger, Jeffrey Stolte, Lee Watrin

BLUES

(NE129 BRAVE RAIDERS) Jacy Courtorielle, Zachary Dyment, Jackson Field, Grant Fox, Kaelan Jensen, Brandon Mccabe, Aramus Mcconnell, Justin Mochoruk, Alexander Neumann, Jacob Rochette, Jared Rochette, Anthony Roppo, Ethan Truscott Coaching Staff: Rick Field, Richard Neumann, Richard Rochette, Art Truscott

CANADIANS

(KC066 KC COUGARS) Graeme Bryks, Maxim Currie, Zeka Demelo, Landon Flesjer, Graham Flokstra, Graham Gamache, Nicholas Magis, Tyler Mueller, Kyle Pawluk, Liam Robb, Brett Rylance, Neithan Salame, Grayson Watmough, Dylan Williams Coaching Staff: Alex Bryks, Jordan Busch, Daniel Greig, Ken Rylance, Chase Rylance, Mason Salame, Mike Watmough

CANUCKS

(SW657 SWAT MAD DOGS) Theron Boyer, Griffin Butler, Matthew Fetter, Tariq Jomha, Nicholas Libicz, Noah Liogier, Sean Menon, Jack Mockford, Nathan Pederson, Grayson Pollok, Tyson Pond, Aaron Romney, Stephen Shen, Alessandro Simmen, Caden Van Bavel Coaching Staff: Bill Butler, Nick Libicz, Trevor Pond, Al Menon, Dwayne Van Bavel

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CAPITALS

(SE476 NORTH SEERA ICE WOLVES) Jeric Amyotte, Nicole (Niki) Andrychuk, Tyrese Cardinal, Connor Carroll, Felix Dufour, Evan Fox, Kai Franchuk, Kaitlin Gavrelets, William Gray, Nicholas Mccullough, Austin Mcginitie, Jerome Pittard, Sam Slauenwhite, Myah Verghese, Austin Wilson Coaching Staff: Dale Mcginitie, Dave Slauenwhite, Jason Wilson

COYOTES

(SHERWOOD PARK ATOM SP797 TIER 4) Logan Cyca, Riley Frank, Gregory Gurba, Kieran Harmatys, Ethan Lockwood, Mackenzie Moore, Keenan Moore-Payot, Warner Moscrip, Connor Murie, Jensen Murray, Nicholas Publow, Joseph Quinlan, Carson Rishaug, Samuel Schweitzer, Jace Spinney, Ty Wieschorster, Gregory Zimmel Coaching Staff: Bradley Cyca, Curtis Moore, Alan Payot, Rick Rishaug

DEVILS

(KC067 KC ANNUNCIATION - ICEHAWKS) Cruz Evan Cardinal, Jacob Evans, Evan Hall, Samuel Katallah, Tristen Kiely, Justin Maheden, Jayvee Mandanas, Braidon Morin, Ashton O’Connor, Ethan Ritchie, Ryan Spence, Owen Thrasher, Silas Younghans Coaching Staff: Steven Kiely, James Leniham, Cory Spence

DUCKS

(ST ALBERT ATOM FEMALE SA734) Jenna Black, Elle Boyko, Brooke Doyle, Chloe Gagne, Caitlyn Girard, Mackenzie Jean, Kylee Knowlton, Jessica Kormysh, Alexa Marshall, Ella Morgan, Annika Neset, Sophee Rosen Coaching Staff: Kevin Black, Fraser Doyle, Nicole Doyle, Jeanine Kormysh, Mikael Neset, Gilbert Girard

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FLAMES

(KC069 KC GOOD SHEPHERD ICE BREAKERS) Tomasz Ayobahan, Jacob Cowles, Brandon Lakusta, Tyler J Mah, Sarah Mcgee, Grandin Morrison, Nicholas Murphy, Zachary Nolin, Cedar Osmond, Sean Pavzner, Frankie Rickert, Ryley Sarris, Koby Stumpfegger, Carson Zubot Coaching Staff: Steven Cowles, Jeffery Mah, Brian Mcgee, George Morrison, Ed Nolin, Chad Osmond, Dennis Zubot

FLYERS

(SHERWOOD PARK ATOM SP797 TIER 4) Jack Anderson, Marley Cheema, Zoraver Cheema, Matthew Conan, William Hicks, Justin Keough, Christian Kirkpatrick, Ethan Labonte, Cole Lamontagne, Drew Marshall, Colin Norrish, Jack Reimer, Ben Smith, Donovan Wourms, Connor Zilinski Coaching Staff: Darren Anderson, Jason Labonte, Dustin Lamontagne, Adam Marshall, Daryl Zilinski

JETS

(KC073 KC ST. CHARLES) Mathew Amorim, Miles Banek, Nicolas Bonaca, Gage Campbell, Blake Cherpin, Corbiere Dante, Ryan Funk, Nathan Hansuk, Mya Irvine, Ty Kutcher, Matthew Mcmurdo, Noah Naboulsi, Koltyn Ouellette, Ethan Sadownik, Thomas Slocombe, Emma Sundar, Tyreece Van Horne Coaching Staff: Dale Cherpin, Robert Kutcher, Blaine Mcmurdo, Neil Sadownik, Michael Slocombe, Dennis Sundar

Name: Matthew McMurdo Current team: KC St. Charles Ice Devils Age: 9 School grade: 4 Number of years played: 5 Usual position: Right Wing Favourite hockey team: Pittsburgh Penguins Favourite Hockey Player: Sidney Crosby Role Model: My parents Favourite Hockey Memory: Winning gold in Minor Hockey Week and holding the big trophy over my head like the Stanley Cup!!

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MAPLE LEAFS

(SW575 CONFEDERATION SNIPERS) Andrew Bartko, Noah Brisebois, Nolan Cox, Ty Ducharme, Ross Encarnacao, Kahlo Goodhope, Kaleb Harder, Dylan Hawryshko, Nolan Laing, Tyler Lamont, Mason Mathew, Jonathan Milligan, Zafir Rawji, Ryan Walker Coaching Staff: Brent Cox, John Hawryshko, Dwayne Laing, Patrick Lamont, Sunil Mathew, Mark Bartko

Name: Ryan Walker Current team: Confederation Snipers Age: 11 School grade: 5 Number of years played: 7 Usual position: Right wing Favourite hockey team: Pittsburgh Penguins Favourite Hockey Player: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Role Model: My Dad Favourite Hockey Memory: Scoring the game winner!

OILERS

(ST ALBERT ATOM SA735) Tristan Aasen, Carter Albrecht, Thomas Anderson, Ryan Dawson, Stuart Dovey, Samuel Epp, Harrison Fedoriw, Jackson Ganton, Connor Kroetsch, Dawson Laycock, Blake Lyda, Maddux Nollski, Craig Petter, Jesse Range, Mason Runco Coaching Staff: Barry Dawson, Doug Kroetsch, Barry Petter, Scott Dawson

SENATORS

(SW655 SWAT BLACKHAWKS) Liam Brown Intwert, R.J. Forgie, Declan Haggerty, David Kraus, Noah Lechelt, Aidan Macarthur, Eric Maik, Anthony Matthews, Caz Mudryk, Evan O’Neill, Dylan Pannu, Devin Papirny, Cade Sangra, Parker Tonn, Aidan Zenari Coaching Staff: Dean Intwert, Darrell Maik, Mat Matthews, Glenn Mudryk, Jason Papirny

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BIDEWELL

(NW366 WHITEMUD WEST) Nicholas Brown, Carter Genge, Keenan Goodine, Connor Greig, Rowan Grondin, Matthew Johnson, Shakeel Lakhani, Jodi MorinPoitras, Brennan Myran, Tyler Pace, Braydon Paul, Conner Peacock, Dawson Schmidt, Spencer Von Der Ohe, Gates Wong, Curtis Zanello Coaching Staff: Michael Johnson, Jackson Von Der Ohe, Bill Walker, Mike Goodine, Jim Zanello

Name: Carter Genge Current team: NW366 Warriors Age: 11 School grade: 6 Number of years played: 6 Usual position: Goalie Favourite hockey team: Pittsburgh Penguins Favourite Hockey Player: Sidney Crosby Role Model: My Goal Academy coach, Brent Bradford Other Sports/Interests: Basketball, Swimming and Inline Hockey Favourite Hockey Memory: Winning gold in Minor Hockey Week.

CAMERON

(SW591 CONFEDERATION JETS) Daniel Eli Aguilar, Scott Alton, Parker Baich, Morgan Belter, Jared Chomin, Tyler Cole, Scott Hornbeck, Jordan Kemp, Tristin Mallon, Darren Mann, Jonathan Martin, Brenden Oleschko, Jyotir Mahesh Sathya Sai, Andrew Weinkauf, Luke Woodrow, Michael Yakimchuk Coaching Staff: Bruce Alton, Timothy Belter, Glenn Chomin, Rob Cole, David Hornbeck, Andy Mallon, Justin Weinkauf

Name: Parker Baich Current team: Confederation Jets Age: 11 School grade: 6 Number of years played: 5 Usual position: Defence Favourite hockey team: New Jersey Devils Favourite Hockey Player: Zach Parise Role Model: My Dad Other Sports/Interests: Golf, ball hockey, baseball, my ipod and eating.

Favourite Hockey Memory: Having my name announced over the loudspeaker as the 1st star in an Atom game at Rexall Place.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

47

CLAGGET

(NE151 - MLAC CHILL) Dylan Bourlai, Tristen Brown, Jordan Diewert, Kyle Dronyk, Ethan Eang, Brayden Gorda, Brennan Kimball, Dante Naccarato, Landon Overton, Brett Pekar, Joshua Poon, Carter Sieben, Evan Smith, Benjamin Stollery, Brady Weiss, Ethan Wong, Tanner Zamzow Coaching Staff: Dustin Bodnaruk, Tyler Brown, Jeremy Haluschak, Tony Naccarato, Randy Sieben, Scott Smith, Byron Swabb, Tristan Sieben

DALY

(SW681 SWAT JETS) Hunter Boyer, Bennett Calverley, Destin Chan, Giorgio Dimas, Kaden Duguid, Tyler Duguid, Michael Ferguson, Joshua Gonzales, Blair Hecht, Ryan Ho, Kyle Knull, Maggie Peterson, Don Saintil-Laguerre, Jared Scharff, Christopher Shelley, Michael Urbiztondo, Henry Wang Coaching Staff: Doug Boyer, Michael Calverley, Scott Duguid, Philip Ho, Brad Ferguson

DUNNIGAN

(NW360 WHITEMUD WEST WARRIORS) Dante Bavato, Jacob Brown, Royce Bryant, James Bryce, Walter Friesen, Karter Godin, Sam Goldsand, Cole Jankovic, Michael Kovtunenko, Tyler Lambert, Trevor Macinnis, Liam Pask, Trevor Pols, Conor Rusel, Jeremy Smith, Matthew Underwood Coaching Staff: Bill Godin, Mark Jankovic, Curtis Lambert, Keith Pask, Roger Smith, Alex Rusel

DUTCHAK

(ST ALBERT PEEWEE A BLADES SA744) Cole Anstruther, Jake Aston, Dallas Branch, Peter Corrigan, Zachary Giacobbo, Cole Gupta, Joey Ivicak, Matthew Kachmar, Michael Knoblauch, Scott Lancaster, Jack Lastwika, Connor Lotoski, Rhys Mazur, Tanner Morris, Mason Rezewski, Justin Roy, Adam Wilkins Coaching Staff: Glenn Aston, Geoff Giacobbo, Gregg Lancaster, Joshua Maeda, Darren Mazur, Trevor Rezewski, Ashley Roy, Paul Reid

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HAMILTON

(NW356 WHITEMUD WEST WOLVERINES) Connor Appelt, Haydon Brown, Alec Bruineman, Thomas Ganley, Darian Hewson, Riley Holterhus, Bennett Ingram, Tristan Jones, Connor Klak, Kaiden Nicholson, Braxton Oliver, Matthew Reuer, Zachary Salyn, Tiylor Schols, Billal Tarrabain, Zachary Zimmerman Coaching Staff: Rod Appelt, David Brown, Brent Jones, Russ Hewson, Jim Reuer

JEX

(NW361 WHITEMUD WEST) Eric Benkendorf, Parker Folk, Julien Gauvin, Tristan Goodwin-Jones, William Hardy, Nathan Idler, Nicholas Judge, Thomas Kraus, Kevin Leblanc, Noah Lepine, Matthew Sandler, Matthew Sasakamoose, Connor Smart, Jacob Voigt, David Leblanc, Mitchell Smart Coaching Staff: David Hardy, Paul Kraus, Liam Wheadon, Joshua Wutzke, Barry Benkendorf, Jason Idler

MCKINLEY

(SW596 CONFEDERATION TERMINATORS) Levi Avery, Benjamin Burgess, Hao (Jack) Chen, Brayden Ginther, Quaid Halliday, Thomas Hammond, Dean Holberton, Joshua Lidstone, Shaniv Malhotra, Brett Nichols, Connor Nichols, Connor Olsen, David Onyschuk, Robert Pelland, Nicholas Reimer, John Reimer Coaching Staff: R. Michael Timms, Willem Van Oosterom, Scott Ginther, Dion Holberton, Chris Lidstone, Cam Nichols

RAINS

(SE415 MILLWOODS RAIDERS) Tyler Aberle, Antonio Bexiga, Derek Bremner, Mackenzie Carlyle, Jordan Chivers, David Grossman, Trevor Grossman, Dayton Hendrickson, Roy Hendrickson, Nicholas Heyland, Rhyse Hoover, Trace Macdonald, Mackenzie Morrow, Kimo Perry, Joseph Tancsics Coaching Staff: Daylen Thompson, Eric Zeller, Pat Aberle, Luis Bexiga, Keith Farmer

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

49

SANREGRET

(ST. ALBERT PEEWEE SA758) Jarred Baker, Kyle Blanchett, Matthew Bonko, Kraig Duperron, Daemen Ewanchuk, Joshua Henkel, Colin Hinecker, Kaige Krueger, Maxime Larouche, Iain Leitch, David Mcdougall, Kurtis Neumann, Michael Nightingale, Ed Nightingale, Kurt Sherbeth Coaching Staff: Nicholas Pedersen, Zachary Sherbeth, Kirk Bonko, Ken Duperron, Clay Henkel, Eric Larouche

SHAVE

(ST ALBERT PEEWEE SA749) Joe Bosch, Darby Burns, Patrick Charrois, Garrett Clegg, Benjamin Doig, Keegan Doll, Justin Enright, Dylan Ganske, Ethan Kreiser, Sophie Lalor, Chase Mccolman, Devin Shepherdson, Ethan Simmons, Jayden Strauss, Parker Waseylenko Coaching Staff: Dean Bosch, Andrew Burns, Mark Enright, Darcy Lalor, Louise Lalor, Paul Waseylenko, Dallas Shepherdson

SOLLANYCH

(ST ALBERT PEEWEE SA756) Justin Akkerman, Nolan Bangs, Ross Bishop, Logan Blumhagen, Marin Boucher, Cameron Dechamplain, Conner Friesen, Jaydon Hubbard, Aidan Krips, Jackson Marshall, Amit Minhas, Alexander Thievin, Kaden Tigner-Caouette, Jacob Turpin, Darrien Wesley, Cole Zmurchik Coaching Staff: Cameron Friesen, Spencer Morison, Shaune Turpin, Glen Wesley, Brent Zmurchik

VIGNEAU

(NW357 WHITEMUD WEST JETS) Tanner Cooney, Ryan Geissler, Jordan Greening, Michelle Greening, Braden Hill, Brian Janzen, Mohammed Jomha, Nadr Jomha, Rethwan Jomha, Elizabeth Lang, Keenan Magee, Rob Magee, Matthew Mcewen, Marek Morin, Chris Ohlendorff, Michael Nohr, Gehren Ohlendorff Coaching Staff: Alexander Rubens, Winston Voogd, Ahmed Jomha, Marwan Jomha

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ZAOZIRNY

(SW595 CONFEDERATION ICE HAWKS) Nicholas Campion, Andrew Chen, Corey Christenson, Stephen Christenson, Michael Debinski, Patrick Debinski, Shikhar Gupta, Dominic Lavergne, Quinn Moskalyk, Mark Nie, Logan RennieKrasowski, Michael Spaulding, Mark Woltersdorf Coaching Staff: Riley Szafranski, David Woltersdorf, Darryl Szafranski, Trevor Spaulding

GIRLS PEE WEE A

(SHERWOOD PARK FEMALE PEE WEE A SP829) Megan Arthur, Femke Bakker, Mackenzie Butz, Shelby Ferleyko, Sarah Flint, Amy Galenza, Madison Godfrey, Shyla Kirwer, Sarah Mittelsteadt, Caitlin A. Pejkovic, Presley Reid, Kaylee Vader, Jazmyne Ward, Kaitlyn Williams, Chloe Wood Coaching Staff: Barry Flint, Shannon Flint, Glenn Godfrey, Michelle Pejkovic, Steve Pejkovic, Janet Vader, Shane Vader, Jason Ward

GIRLS PEE WEE B

(ONOWAY PEE WEE FEMALE B) Paulina Alexis, Kassandra Boorse, Jessica Callihoo, Journey Grierson, Hailey Hickie, Haley Hill, Ashlyn Kruggel, Tiara Meier, Kaitlyn Pelley, Jaycee Plotts, Kassy Strome, Faith Wildman, Gabriel Yellowbird Coaching Staff: Kelsey Grierson, Dean Hickie, Gary Pelley, Ian Boorse, Stacy Boorse

Name: Kassandra Boorse Current team: Onoway Peewee Busters Age: 13 School grade: 8 Number of years played: 4 Usual position: Goalie Favourite hockey team: Edmonton Oilers Favourite Hockey Player: Nikolai Khabibulin Role Model: Kelsey Grierson (coach) Favourite Hockey Memory: Winning Edmonton Minor Hockey week 2 times in a row!!

Small town, Big winners!!!!

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

51

ATKINSON

(NW279 HAWKS) Christopher Barton, Reilley Elder-Cherry, Kaleb Haw, Kaden Lalonde, Zachary Latka, Phil Lefebvre, Frankie Maguda, Mikael Mctiernan, Matthew Miles, Bryce Papuga, Joshua Sadoway, Norman Skjersven, Tobias Sowan, Skyler Toronchuk, Colin Willier, Jake Woods Coaching Staff: Ian Barton, Geoff Haw, Owen Miles, Bob Toronchuk

BUTLER

(NW260 NWZ OUTLAWS) Eric Ambrozic, Curtis Babiuk, Damon Chauvette, Jonathan Englert, Brett Epp, Matthew Larmour, Thomas Lorincz, Brett Mccalla, Logan Melnyk, Darian Omeasoo, Logan Petryshyn, Jonathan Pigeon, Kurt Ruecker, Michael Schroeder, Hayden Struik, Justin Sywolos, Connor Tronchin, Robert Yamada, Jackson Yorke Coaching Staff: Chris Ambrozic, Kirill Chikin, Brett Derudder, Zac Naughton, Will Sanderson, Mike Williams

DERMOTT

(SW538 SWZ OIL KINGS) Connor Antoniuk, Nathan Fournier, Cameron Fox, Dean Hammond, Hunter Horn, Scott Kramers, Jonathan Mcleod, Jesse Mercier, Parker Miller, Isaac Petruch, Lucas Robbins, Kevin Sim, Kenta Tellambura, Dorian Watson, Brandon Webb, Derek Webster Coaching Staff: Robert Antoniuk, Don Miller, Travis More, Shawn Robbins, Stewart Sim, Peter Webster

FREDERICK

(NW370 WHITEMUD WEST TROPICS) James Bly, Robert Bruha, Justice Callander, Braedon Clark, Court Davis, Pierce Diamond, Emanuel (Manny) Fuller, Patrick Leason, Ian Pawluk, Alexandra Poznikoff, Robert Rowe, Jaret Semeniuk, Ali Tarrabain, Derek Vriens, Tyler Walsh, Reid Woodman Coaching Staff: Jamie Bruha, David Callander, Brad Clark, Angela Poznikoff, Gord Poznikoff

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FYSH

(ST ALBERT BANTAM SA771) Levi-Starr Brandon, Patrick Couillard, Andrew Cummings, Nick Gallicano, Brennon Grohn, Anthony Hambly, Tristan Hayes, Joshua Kelada, Raymond Kieser, Matthew Kinsella, Jarrett Landry, Logan Lindstrom, Matheson Meger, Shonenn Pomerleau-Piquette, Luke Robert Coaching Staff: Steve Cummings, Darrell Kieser, Simon Lamontagne, Johnson Wong

HARKIN

(NE222 - EAGLES) Dominic Ammar, Nickolas Cordeiro, Jacob Cutting, Kyle Dallow, Luka Dragicevic, Brady Gaudet, Ryan Kresic, Brandon Lindsay-Wheeler, Thomas Mcgeough, Tyson Morgan, Daniel Oshann, Mikal Poseluzny, Taylor Smith, Dustin Sroka, Ivan Yung Coaching Staff: Stephen Cutting, Albert Gaudet, Ivan Kresic, Jason Oshann, Charles Smith, David Strickland, Mark Strickland, Michael Strickland

HENNESSEY

(SW543 SWZ OIL KINGS) Samir Ahmed, Sawyer Boehm, Dante Chan, Raymond Feng, Thomas Gold, Eric Hatcher, Maxwell Hauser, Andrew Ho, Brandon Keddy, David Loughman, Eric Micko, Graham Mizzi, Liam Parrent, Benjamin Riechers, Yusen (Dennis) Situ, Evan Stoddart, Matthew Weir Coaching Staff: Ron Boehm, David Hauser, Timothy Keddy, Paul Mizzi, Jeff Parrent, Dave Stoddart

LEE

(SPRUCE GROVE BANTAM) Garrett Baron, Darcey Brett, Logan Crowder, Isaac Friesen, Christopher Heacock, Brendan Kuechler, Kyler Nielsen, Jared Opryshko, Thomas Pelletier, Cole Peterson, Brayden Phillips, Cole Pulkrabek, Cole Skea, Lucas Steeves, Brendan Tarapaski, Bailey Thys, Brandon Walsh, Zachary Walsh Coaching Staff:Glenn Baron, Kevin Makarowski, Darrell Opryshko, John Pulkrabek, Greg Tarapaski, Helene Thys

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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PRUDEN

(KC104 KC SABRES) Erik Ambrock, Andrew Beier, Brendan Bennett, Vanessa Bobinski, Lyndon Davidson, Sundance Demas, Ethan Farrell, Mark Hagerman, Addison Huculak, Tanner Krupa, Jonathan Lam, Daniel Langlois, Liam Mitchell, Joel Nelson, Kyle Nelson, Joseph Wilson, Jacob Yaremchuk Coaching Staff: David Dumas, Terry Huculak, Rob Nelson

ROSS

(ST ALBERT BANTAM SA772) Benjamin Anderson, Adam Baird, Kole Bishop, Rosario Cammarata, Christian Cenek, Hunter Duncan, Reegan Dyrland, Neil Hewitt, Kayden Lafleur, Lukas Mcmillin, Kyle Nicholson, Max Shore, Mason Smith, Nicholas Stuhec, Kyle Viczko, Samuel Warawa, William Whitehouse Coaching Staff: Al (Alvin) Baird, Thorin Cenek, Corey Hewitt, Bob Lafleur

WELLS

(NE220 - EAGLES) Alexander Anderson, Nicholas Burant, Brooklyn Charette, Kurtis Fricker, William Goodall, Chaten Grewal, Ryan Gurba, Ariana Kresic, Evan Krochak, Jacob Monkman, Michael Moreira, Nolan Overton, Chase Petkov, Nicholas Roppo, Milan Tesanovic, Dylan Vieira, Brett Zwing Coaching Staff: Troy Burant, Robert Burant, Erik Krochak, Mark Krochak, Carlos Vieira, Randy Zwing

GIRLS BANTAM A

(EG708 EGHA BANTAM A CHAOS) Alison Barnett, Kennedy Becks, Kaitlyn Graham, Shyla Jans, Jaime Jelinski, Ashlynn Kinzel, Rianon Kootenay, Sydney Mcavoy, Renee Paradis, Devyn Reid, Julie Richards, Sophie Robertson, Sara Sopkow, Breanna Stewart, Trista Taylor, Megan Watson Coaching Staff: Julie Barnett, Brenna Louey, Todd Reid, Grant Stewart, Darren Richards, Jared Spak

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GIRLS BANTAM B

(FORT SASK FEMALE BANTAM B) Frances Cardinal, Raychelle Cardinal, Alana Dunphy, Trista Ferbey, Brandee Fitzsimmons, Naomi Ghostkeeper, Cynthia Griffith, Jesi Hedstrom, Daralan Hubbard, Chelsey Jensen, Jade Kugler, Michaela Lathlin, Breanna Lively, Robyn Mcpherson, Jade Thornton Coaching Staff: Mark Lively, Ardelle Mcpherson, Rick Thornton, Alfred Todd

BONNER

(NW231 NWZ THUNDER) Tanner Cimino, Jordan Cook, Devon Herbert, Ben Hobden, Brendan Kalin, Kevin Kalin, Carter Kutzner, Jackson Kutzner, Dylan Lutz, Skylar Martin, Jacob Mcarthur, Daniel Mcgillis, Marcus Morin, Anton Shepelevich, Damon Standing, Graham Todd, Alex Weslosky, Kieran Wong, Graydon Woodman, Jeremy Cox Coaching Staff: Chris Gilmer, Luc Paradis, Guy Paradis, Gary Zeitner, Reed Van Halst

DAVIS

(SE508 SEERA) Tyler Avoledo, Leighton Carmichael-Powell, Killian Drysdale, Joseph Fowler, Steven Fuller, Bradley Hamaluk, Myles Klingbeil, Alex Law, Tyler Lees, Ethan Maertens-Poole, Christopher McleodBorg, Akash Mehta, Zachary Napora, Tyler Rhyno, Alexander Richardson, Joseph Tatton, Jordan Turba, Brett Van Mechelen, Benjamin Finn Wolff Von Selzam Coaching Staff: Anthony D’Amore, Jordan D’Amore, Jesse Magas, Jared Spak, Ken Turba, Tyson Waldbauer

ELLIOTT

(KC117 KC SABRES) Kolton Batdorf, Ivan Belzevick, Brennen Colucci, Tyler Doyle, Brent Filipowski, Aidan Sean Foley, Benjamin Gibson, Brendon Gore, Jordan Lemoine, Matthew Nesselbeck, Brendyn Pelletier, Isaac Popma, Samuel Slocombe, Justin Swedish, Erik Umbach, Travis Walline, Talon Wardman Coaching Staff: David Belzevick, Francis Colucci, Tim Foley, Jeff Gore, Darrell Pelletier, Michael Slocombe

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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FEADER

(SE514 SEERA MARSHALL) Tyler Allaer, Nicholas Battistella, Daniel Hoffman, Connor Hood, Daniel Houncaren, Timothy Kasper, Andriy Kruhlak, Arlen Macklem, Zachary Molund, Tyler Mulek, Kai Pettitt, Justin Player, Eric Potter, Alex Ronaldson, James St Dennis, Dustin Stockdale, Chad Wilson, Haraindra Witharana Coaching Staff: Tony Battistella, Gerald Kruhlak, Gordon Potter

HERR

(SW527 - OIL KINGS) Matthew Ackerman, Mauricio Adolphson, Sebastian Bernier, Jacob Berrns, Johnathan Bland, Geoffrey Brooks, Timothy Dalmer, Christian Gregorio, Daniel Guild, Simon Hansen, Alexander Hanson, Brady Hanson, Graham Hornig, Todd Kavanagh, Riley Novlan, Jared Robbins, Kyle Robbins, Graeme Splinter, Austin Walters Coaching Staff: Tom Ackerman, Kelly Brooks, Brian Guild, Rocky Hanson, Jerry Kavanagh, Shawn Robbins

HOLT

(SW529 - OIL KINGS) Jake Allin, Jordan Brown, Matthew Chipman, Matthew Greve, Brandon Hartigan, Benjamin Hoffman, Carsen Knott, Grayson Lee, Benjamin Lucky, Aidan Monaghan, Michael Owttrim, Graeme Purdy, Logan Purdy, Ryan Reinders, Zachary Rodrigo, Adam Sangster, Jessie Schulte, Leo Wagg Coaching Staff: Garth Knott, Donald Lucky, Brett Purdy, Mark Rockley, Brian Wagg

KOZICKY

(SE516 SEERA HITMAN) Kurtis Arbeau, Ankur Babbar, Jason Balsa, Sunny Basi, Harkit Bhangoo, Connor Bray, Laine Ewaschuk, Liam George, Kamal Gill, Kulshaan Kahlon, Kurran Kaura, Kirill Kazakov, Waleed Khawaja, Amarpal Randhawa, Eric Landon Reinprecht, Jachak Sandhu, Kanwarjit Sandhu, Sukhmanraj Sandhu, Kyle Spellman Coaching Staff: Brett Arbeau, Mark Arbeau, Bob Bray, Bob Gallant, Kyle Gallant, Sergey Kazakov

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RUPTASH

(NW233 NWZ AVALANCHE) Todd Beleznay, Nicholas Cavanagh, Jonathan Eisenzimmer, Robert Fedorak, Corey Goeson, Brandon Hughes, Alexander Kelly, Mason Kenny, Jonathan Kikuchi, Tyler Large, Colten Lee, Jack Lozeron, Colton Palumbo, Grayson Parkes, Goran Rudelich, Chase Saint, Wyatt Sulz, Juggy Sutherland, Kendal Sutherland Coaching Staff: Jeff Dee, Tyler Holick, Andrew Platten, Tanner Platten

TURNER

(NW237 NWZ HURRICANES) Brendan Callander, Elliot Chokka, Daniel Deck, Cameron Dembinsky, Evan Den Otter, Daniel Erker, Kamren Gee, Solomon Hussein, Braedon Ikert, Clark Jeske, Ryan Kachur, Mitchell Kennedy, Jaron Kother, Dylan Macgillivray, Devin Pratt, Hal Smith, Dustin Travers, Matthew Watts Coaching Staff: Lonny Callander, Jason Ikert, Rick Kother, Jeff Watts

GIRLS MIDGET A

(LEDUC FEMALE MIDGET) Molly Ballhorn, Mikhala Delorme, Alyssa Goodwin, Kelly Harke, Krista Kulyk, Carlee Laczo, Salena Mcleod, Heather Mcmullen, Kaylyn Powlik, Courtney Risser, Haylee Schlachter, Ashley Schneider, Briana Spiker, Kristen Swampy, Laurie Taskinen, Kristie Ward, Keely Wombold Coaching Staff: Linda Harke, Scott Mcleod, Jim Mcmullen, Tom Murphy, Darcy Powlik, Rod Schlachter, Darla Schneider

GIRLS MIDGET B

(EG717 EGHA MIDGET B EAGLES) Emily Auch, Jordyn Belland, Brayann Bradshaw, Shaylyn Coleman, Kaitlin Downey, Alyssa Ernst, Shayla Heise, Shelby Mullane, Meaghan Music, Julie Poole, Heather Stinson, Talon Ward-Morin, Carmen Watson, Jessica Wickware, Cassidy Wright Coaching Staff: Adina Belland, Mark Belland, Kerry Heise, Marvin Heise, Kevin Mullane

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Three 1 –week sessions in St. Albert from July 22 - August 10, 2012 60

One 1-week session in Fort McMurray from August 12-17, 2012

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