Hockey Alberta issues warning to players in alternative leagues

Hockey players who join alternative minor hockey programs will be banned from regular leagues, the sport’s governing Alberta body has warned.

In an April 20 memo sent to its members, Hockey Alberta said those attending three elite development organizations after Sept. 30 will be excluded from playing in their leagues, arguing they can’t vouch for their safety, insurance coverage and quality of play.

“Hockey Alberta members are not to be supporting unregistered programs/non-sanctioned leagues in any capacity,” states the memo.

“Where such support occurs, Hockey Alberta will deem the member minor hockey association or club team to be a ‘member not in good standing’ revoking membership privileges and restricting them from operating and/or participating in any and all sanctioned events.”

It cites two Calgary-based leagues or development programs and one in Edmonton.

The move is unwarranted and arrogant, said Brad Layzell, president of Calgary’s PX3 AMP Youth Hockey League that aims to begin operating out of WinSport this fall.

“Any time you are restricting kids from being active or assuming that parents are not competent enough to know what is right for their own children’s development raises concern for us,” he said.

Layzell said he’s not sure how Hockey Alberta and its parent body, Hockey Canada, can realistically enforce its prohibition, “when there are a lot of camps or clinics not run by Hockey Canada ... are they going to restrict families from doing all unsanctioned camps now?”

He said the warning hasn’t affected the progress of his fledgling organization, which has “a couple of hundred” players enrolled.

“If anything, it’s probably bringing more people to us, it’s solidifying our partnerships,” said Layzell.

His league, he says, offers a more enriched program at an earlier age for players, employing former pro players with an eye to areas such as brain health. Hockey Alberta’s stance, he said, has led his league to expand its platform to bantam and midget leagues.

“We want to ensure people do have a place to play ... I don’t think it’s a bad thing for families and kids to have an option,” he said.

In its memo, Hockey Alberta says those who have been barred from its leagues can appeal for reinstatement.