Hockey Alberta’s provincial championships return, along with new 50/50 fundraiser
It’s been three long years since Alberta’s best minor hockey teams were able to strut their stuff on the provincial stage.
The wait is finally over. The provincials are back, with around 200 teams competing in 29 tournaments, and three more titles being decided by league playoffs.
Hockey Alberta manager of member services Michelle Skilnick says the excitement can be felt throughout the province.
“We’re just excited to work with our host committees and we’re thankful that they have stepped up and want to host,” Skilnick says. “Especially knowing about everything that happened and all of the unknowns over the past couple of years, just being able to get to some kind of normal, we’re excited and thankful for that.”
ATB has returned as the presenting sponsor, and will provide some welcomed manpower to the venues.
“The local branches will be working with the host committees, providing support, volunteering, sponsorship opportunities,” Skilnick says. “It’s nice when you see ATB helping out. We’ve seen them working in the penalty box, selling raffle tickets, so it’s pretty cool that they pitch in like that.”
There’s also a new addition to the 2022 provincial tournaments. Hockey Alberta will be running a provincewide progressive online 50/50 draw in conjunction with the provincial events.
Hockey Alberta director of business operations Mike Klass says there will be three early-bird prizes available leading up to the big finale.
“There will be one big prize that will be drawn on the final weekend (April 10),” Klass says. “And there are three other prizes that will go on each of the previous weekends.”
The first package up for grabs, on March 20, was four tickets to the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canmore. On March 27, four tickets to an April 9 NHL game between the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche will be given away. Then, on April 3, the final early-bird prize will feature a weekend getaway to Canmore that includes a two-night stay at Solara Resort, the rental of a Ford Mustang and gift certificates to local restaurants and attractions.
Then there’s the big one — the 50/50. The way Albertans have jumped on board to support online 50/50 draws in the past, who knows how much it could be worth, but the minimum will be $10,000 and the maximum close to $50,000.
“We know Albertans have been pretty supportive of the 50/50 concept in all facets,” Klass says.
“We like to be ambitious and optimistic that we’re going to get closer to a $50,000 mark.”
The money raised will be injected back into the grassroots level of the game, with the goal of driving diversity and inclusivity at all levels.
“Our goal is to get more young boys and young girls into the game, and provide some opportunities for some kids who might not otherwise have that,” Klass says. “This is specifically meant to grow the game.”
To purchase 50/50 tickets, visit Hockeyalberta.ca/5050 or use the QR code in the ad below, on draw boards at each provincial championship tournament site or on Hockey Alberta’s social media channels.