In December 2008, the Alberta Cup Selection Committee reviewed numerous qualified applications before making their final decisions, naming a head coach and two assistant coaches for each of the eight zone teams that will participate in the 2009 Alberta Cup.
This program gives coaches the opportunity to experience a high intensity short-term competition setting while continuing with their own coaching development. The Alberta Cup process began for the coaching staff with the Hockey Alberta Short Term Competition Seminar held in Red Deer on Jan. 16–17, 2009. The seminar allowed the zone team staff members the opportunity for professional development and to start their planning process for the Alberta Cup Zone Camps and Tournament.
Hockey Alberta is now calling on all male players born in 1994 and registered with Hockey Alberta to attend the Alberta Cup zone camps March 27-29, 2009. Players who make their respective zone team will then continue on to compete in the Alberta Cup which showcases Alberta’s top 160 athletes.
This is the 20th anniversary of the Alberta Cup, which will be held for the second time in Calgary at the Don Hartman Recreation Sportsplex from April 23-26, 2009.
“This is a great opportunity for young developing athletes to get involved in the Team Alberta program,” said Alberta Cup Program Coordinator Darcy Prezanowski.
The Alberta Cup is the premier event in the province that helps identify the top male players in Alberta. It is well attended by scouts as they prepare for the Western Hockey League’s bantam draft. In addition to player evaluations, the competition is also an opportunity for administrators, coaches, trainers and referees to be evaluated for future positions with the World U17 Hockey Challenge and the Canada Winter Games.
“The Alberta Cup Zone Camp is for players of all levels. We want to give all participants who attend, an opportunity to learn, grow as a player and be a part of a truly fun event,” ?said Prezanowski.
The Alberta Cup is the first step in Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta Development Program. The zone camps bring in over 1,000 14-year-old boys, each player vying for one of twenty spots on their respective Zone Team. The eight Zone Teams then travel to the Alberta Cup Tournament and compete against each other in a short-term competition.
“For hockey fans, this is a very exciting competition and an opportunity to see the up and coming stars in the province,” ?said Prezanowski.
Howard Wurban, Hockey Alberta’s former General Manager, was the Director of Operations for the first Alberta Cup in 1986. He highlights one of the unique qualities of the program saying, “The Alberta Cup is an absolute grassroots program where every bantam age player has the opportunity to try out for the Zone team.” This means that players are eligible to try out whether they are on a bantam AAA or D level team.
Former Alberta Cup graduates include such players as Dany Heatley, Jay Bouwmeester, Scottie Upshall, Dan Blackburn, Brian Sutherby, Scott Hartnell, Jordin Tootoo, Tyler Bouck, Todd Fedoruk, Andrew Ferrence and Chris Phillips.
To register for your respective Alberta Cup Zone Camp, see a list or coaching staff or for more information please visit www.hockeyalberta.ca or contact Justin Fesyk, Coordinator Team Alberta Male Programs by email to [email protected].
Athletes must try out in the Zone by which their permanent address appears on a Hockey Alberta Provincial card or Team sheet. Players who live and play in different Zones during the season must try out where they reside.
Northwest and Central Zone Boundary
From the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 2 follow 19 West to Devon. Loop around Devon and follow Highway 60 South to Highway 39. Follow Highway 39 West to Drayton Valley; then continue to follow the direction of highway 620 to the Alberta / British Columbia border.
Drayton Valley and Lodgepole are part of the Northwest Zone. Warburg, Thorsby, Calmar and Devon are part of the Central Zone.
Northwest and Northeast Zone Boundary
From Wetaskiwin follow Highway 2 North to Athabasca; continue on Highway 813 to Wabasca; then further North to the Alberta/Northwest Territories border.
Millet, Beaumont, Bon Accord and Legal are part of Northeast zone. Wabasca and Athabasca are part of Northwest zone.
Northeast and Central Zone Boundaries
From Wetaskiwin on Highway 13 to Camrose then along Highway 26 to Kinsella and further along Highway 14 to Alberta-Saskatchewan border.
Wetaskiwin, Irma, Wainwright, Chauvin, are in Central Zone. Camrose and Viking are in the Northeast Zone.
Central and South Zone Boundary
From the Alberta/British Columbia border directly East to Highway 72; then East along Highway 72 to Drumheller; then East along Red Deer River to Highway 570; and finally along Highway 570 to the Alberta/Saskatchewan border.
Crossfield, Beiseker, Drumheller, and Oyen are in Central Zone. Airdrie is in South Zone.
Edmonton North and South Zones
The river divides the north and the south ?of Edmonton.
Edmonton North then extends East from the NE corner of the city to loop around Fort Saskatchewan and then joins back up with the Edmonton City limits.
Edmonton South extends South along Highway 2, loops around Leduc and runs back North along Highway 2 to the Edmonton City limits.
Calgary North and South Zones
The Hockey Calgary quadrants divide the north and the south of Calgary.
All players that fall in the NWAA and the NEAA reside in the Calgary North Stars area.
All players under the Calgary Buffaloes association and the SWAA fall into the Calgary South
Flames area.
All Community teams fall under the ‘AA’ boundaries as set by Hockey Calgary. |
