Edmonton Winter 2014 by Suggitt Publishers

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 13

President’s Message

25. Arena Locator Map

Publisher’s Message

Premier & Mayor’s Message

11.

Chairperson & Honourary Chairperson Message

26. Andrew Ference: Embracing Homecoming By Kelsey Spohn 29. Local Sled(ge) Hockey Star By Jeremy Freeborn

13.

2014 Finals Schedule

14. 2014 Minor Hockey Week Rules & Regulations 19. Facts & Figures 22. Memories from 2013 Minor Hockey Week

32. Quantum Speed High Performance Skating Systems 34. Striving to Defend Olympic Gold By Jeremy Freeborn 39. HockeyShot.ca Tip of the Month 43. Spotlight on an Official: Matt Richard By Rob Suggitt

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

MESSAGE FROM HOCKEY EDMONTON On behalf of Hockey Edmonton, its Board of Directors, volunteers and staff we are excited to welcome you to the 51st Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. Hockey Edmonton’s vision aims to foster through the sport of hockey, the development of active, healthy lifestyles. This is what the Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week is all about. Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week is one of the largest and longest running tournaments in the country. Memories of minor hockey week are imprinted on the minds of many and bring generations of people out to watch minor hockey in January. They experience sport in its truest form, witness the excitement overtime (from four-on-four to one-on-one), the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and share their memories with today’s young people. Our organizing committee continues to work tirelessly to ensure the tradition of this tournament remains. This year for the first time in over 50 years the Minor Hockey Week schedule will not be done by hand. Schedules and scores will be going digital and can be found on line at www.quikcardminorhockey.com as well as the Hockey Edmonton website. There will be 539 teams participating in 771 games over 10 days. Games are being played in all City of Edmonton arenas as well as St. Albert and Sherwood Park. This tournament has been in the planning process for months and has taken countless hours involving numerous volunteers and great community support in order to bring it all together. Hockey Edmonton would like to thank the Minor Hockey Week host committee - Marvin Babiuk, Terry Brown, Rod McMahon, Joan Kirillo, Bill Renshaw, Ron Sollanych, Bill Ross, Anna Bennett, Debbie Bykowski, Dino Belland, Doug Kirillo, and Darryl Davis - and its numerous volunteers for the hard work they have put in. Congratulations to this years’ Honourary Chair Tom Bahniuk. An Alumni of the Maple Leaf Athletic Club, Tom has been an arena manger for Minor Hockey Week for many years. Great amateur sporting events require sponsors and Hockey Edmonton via Minor Hockey Week is blessed to have long term relationships with many. For the fourteenth consecutive year we are pleased to acknowledge and thank our title sponsor Quikcard. Their continued and unqualified support has allowed our committee to grow the event each season. Hockey Edmonton would also like to thank McDonalds Restaurants, Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Oil Kings, United Cycle, Elite Sportswear, Edmonton Sun, Impact Sports Photography, PDERAS, RICOH, The Hockey Program, Serdachny Power Skating & Hockey, and Hockey Alberta. We are also excited to announce a new sponsor to Hockey Edmonton - Enmax, welcome aboard! Finally, to the parents, coaches, team officials, referees and the numerous volunteers and team supporters for helping our young athletes achieve their goals and make lasting memories in this prestigious event. Without our volunteers, this event would not be here. THANK YOU! For 10 days in January we celebrate all that is good in the sport. We invite you to come out and support our youth as they live out their dreams. For $5 it is the best deal in town. As we look past Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week we are excited at the prospect of hosting three provincial championships in March - bantam AA, midget minor and female peewee A. The tier 1 and 2 champions in atom, peewee, bantam and midget will participate. Our executive committee and Board of Directors continue to work on growing the game, long term player development and have made significant strides over the past year on administrative tasks such as our strategic plan, governance, and standards of play. We are in need of volunteers – from standing committee roles or chairmanships through vice president of operations, development and discipline. So if you are interested in helping build minor hockey in Edmonton please contact our office. Good luck to all in the final stretch of the winter season - have fun, cheer loud and enjoy the excitement of minor hockey in Edmonton.

Respectfully, Betty Chmilar President, Hockey Edmonton

2013-2014 Executive and League Directors 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: Lorne MacDonald VP Admin: Mark Doram VP Operations: Vacant VP Development: Chris Hurley Treasurer: Barry Bentz Junior Chairman: George Metez Federation Chairman: Kasey Kozicky AA Chairman: Will Jang 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 & Sanctioning: Marg Brownoff Minor Hockey Week: Marvin Babiuk School Hockey: Jason Stewart Recreational Hockey League: Murray McKinnon Referee Representatives: Herman Costa (AA) | Duncan MacDougall (Federation)

League Directors

Federation Hockey Council Midget: Terry Fulmer Bantam: Art Wilson Pee Wee: Crystal Feader Atom: David Onyschuk Novice: Lil Kordic Initiation: TBA

AA Council Bantam AAA: Ed Croken Bantam AA: Russ Lukawesky Major Midget AAA: Bob Olynyk Minor Midget AAA: Mike Grekul Midget AA: Stephan Anderson Rem 15 Midget AA: Mike Hennessey

Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week Committee Chair: Marvin Babiuk Past Chairpersons: Joan Kirillo | Rod McMahon | Terry Brown Vice Chairperson: Bill Renshaw Treasurer: Deb Bykowski Secretary: Ana Bennett Website: Doug Kirillo Central: Bill Ross Schedules: Darrell Davis Sponsorship & Marketing: Marvin Babiuk

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE This year marks the 51st anniversary of Edmonton Minor Hockey Week, for which Quikcard has been the title sponsor for the last 15 years! This tournament has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest minor hockey tournament in the world. An event this large could not happen without the tireless work of volunteers, which is true of its very beginning, and just as true today. This includes the organizers, schedulemakers, scorekeepers, coaches, team managers, etc. who donate their time and effort for the benefit of the kids who participate in this tournament. Officials who participate in Minor Hockey Week, donate their time. The value of their donated time works out to over $40,000, which is a huge commitment, something we should remember when we see them on the ice. One of these officials is featured in this edition of the magazine – Matt Richard, who took up officiating four seasons ago. As Matt points out, “We play and officiate hockey for the fun of the sport and that in the end it is just a game.” This is an important reminder for all those who participate, whether you are a player, coach or a fan watching the game. To the players, we extend our best wishes! Memories of a lifetime will come to many who play hockey during Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. As parents, family members and friends cheer on the action, give it your best, and above all, have fun!

Credits President and Publisher Rob Suggitt Art Director Christine Kucher Graphic Designers Cailey Buxton Cole McKelvie Contributing Writers Jeremy Freeborn | Rob Suggitt | Kelsey Spohn Cover Photo Provided by Epic Photography Copy Editing Shari Narine Photography Credits SC Parker Photography Andy Devlin - Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club © Edmonton Sled Hockey Club Administration Suzanne Peacock Playhouse Publications Ltd. also publishes the Citadel Theatre Playbill, Edmonton Opera Playbill, Arden Theatre Playbill, Fringe Theatre Adventures Arts at the Barns Magazine and the Calgary Opera Program

Sincerely, Rob Suggitt Publisher, Hockey Edmonton 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

Aidan Baracos, who won gold at the 2013 Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week, is featured on our cover. Aidan is 9-years-old, and currently plays for the Confederation Jets (Atom). ~ Favourite hockey team? Vancouver Canucks ~ Favouritie NHL player? Daniel Sedin ~ Who’s your role model? My Parents ~ Favourite hockey memory? Scoring a shoot out goal in last year’s Christmas Tournament ~ Favourite memory from 2013 Minor Hockey Week? Winning the tournament ~ What do you like best about playing hockey? Seeing my friends, and the celebrating after a team goal.

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

Photo courtesy of Epic Photography (www.epicphotography.ca)

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

CHAIRPERSON’S

MESSAGE

Last year, Hockey Edmonton reached a milestone of 50 years of Minor Hockey Week in Edmonton. It was an incredible opportunity to reflect and recognize those that have built up the tournament to where it is today, and share the wonderful memories that have been created over the years. Now in its 51st year, Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week will certainly uphold the tradition, and begin to write a whole new chapter on new lifelong memories. Our sponsors, McDonalds Restaurants, Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Oil Kings, Elite Sportswear, United Cycle, Serdachny Power Skating & Hockey, STM Hockey Academy, The Hockey Program, and Bank of Montreal are integral to providing the necessary financial and in-kind support. I would like to especially acknowledge Quikcard Solutions for providing great corporate leadership since they first became involved back in 2000, and will remain as title sponsor up until at least 2018. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ron Sollonych, who recently retired from the committee. For several decades, Ron has been one of the most crucial members of the committee, including taking on the herculean role of scheduling that includes over 600 games at over 25 ice surfaces throughout the city every year. Ron’s common sense, perspective and warm personality will be greatly missed! Thank you to the 3,000 plus volunteers, who really are the people that run this tournament, including the referees that donate their time. Your consistent support truly makes this tournament an annual tradition that the hockey community looks forward to.

HONOURARY CHAIRPERSON’S

MESSAGE

It is an honour to have been chosen as the Honourary Chairperson for Minor Hockey Week 2014.

Approximately 35 years ago I became involved in the Northmount Community League sports program. At first it was mostly with baseball in the role of coaching, managing and organizing clinics for coaching and umping. Then, during the hockey seasons my volunteering role contined with our community league hockey, N.E. Zone hockey and finally with the Maple Leaf Athletic Club. Whatever the sport, the bottom line is: “It’s for the young participants.” For the past 25 years I have been involved with the operation/managing of arenas during Minor Hockey Week, starting at Londonderry arena for a few years and then Russ Barnes arena. I thank the resident arena supervisors/ managers for their excellent support and cooperation. Congratulations to the many players, referees, volunteers, parents, grandparents and the Minor Hockey Week committee members for their commitment and hard work to make the tournament a big success.

Sincerely, Tom Bahniuk Honourary Chairperson, QUIKCARD EDMONTON MINOR HOCKEY WEEK

On behalf of the Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week committee, I would like to wish all the participants the best of luck this year.

Sincerely, Marvin Babiuk Chairperson, QUIKCARD EDMONTON MINOR HOCKEY WEEK

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

2.2

If a team arrives at the arena without the ORIGINAL Team Registration, the Arena Manager must call Central for verification. The ORIGINAL Team Registration must be produced prior to the end of regulation time of said game or said team coach will be subject to disciplinary action.

2.3

NO AFFILIATED PLAYERS ALLOWED, exception being GOALIES, due to medical problems, which have been submitted and approved by the City Registrar.

2.4

Players names will be PRINTED ON THE GAME SHEET by the designated team official. Players are NOT required to sign the game sheet during Minor Hockey Week.

2.5

The Coach, Manager and/or Trainer will PRINT their names on the GAME SHEET.

2.6

In the event a team does not show for their game, the Coach and Manager will be subject to disciplinary action unless there are extenuating circumstances. The other team will be given the choice of a win or loss.

3.0

REGULATION TIME

All EMHA Rules and Regulations are in effect during Minor Hockey Week. They count as regular league games for the purpose of determining the number of games a player/coach/manager or trainer will sit out. Suspensions incurred in Minor Hockey Week will carry over into league play if not fully served in Minor Hockey Week.

3.1

Duration of games will be posted on draw sheets at each arena. The Arena Manager will be responsible to advise game officials of game duration. Games will be straight time. Stop time in the last two (2) minutes unless there is a goal spread of five (5) goals or more then it will be straight time.

Rule Example:

3.2

FINALS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; last five (5) minutes will be STOP TIME unless there is a five (5) goal spread or more, then it will be straight time.

3.3

The referees may assess a two (2) minute bench minor penalty for delay of game; if they feel the coaching staff is using up time by deliberately slowing down the line changes. This rule applies to both straight and stop time. The clock will not stop for any reason (injury or otherwise) once the opening faceoff has taken place (exception being rules 3.1 & 3.2).

1.0

GENERAL RULES

1.1

Every player dressed must play at least twice in every period during regulation play, with the exception of goalkeepers. If the team has two goalkeepers, each one must play at least one period in each game. No warm ups for incoming goalkeepers. Coaches and managers failing to comply with the above rule will be dealt with by the Discipline Chairperson.

1.2

The Tournament Arena Manager is in charge of the arena and his/ her decision is final.

1.3

Scrapes and floods shall be determined between Arena Manager and Caretakers.

1.4

Time clocks shall start at the listed game time. Any team not on the ice and ready to play within five (5) minutes of the listed time shall be disqualified. The Arena Manager shall be the judge of this action.

1.5

1.6

If, in the Arena Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion, a uniform change is required, the home team shall make the change. Note: It would be advisable that the Team Managers confer before the game to ensure that no game time will be lost during the necessary sweater change.

Rule 41-K, Page 74, Canadian Hockey Association Official Rule Book If for whatever reason, the ref or linesman appointed are prevented from appearing, the Managers or Coaches of the two (2) competing clubs shall agree on a referee and one (1) or two (2) linesmen. If you are unable to agree, they shall appoint a player from each team who shall act as officials.

1.7

In case of dispute, the decision of the Minor Hockey Week Chairperson or his/her designate is final. THERE ARE NO APPEALS DURING MINOR HOCKEY WEEK.

3.4

All minor penalties are two (2) minutes of straight time. Any portion of a penalty not served during straight time will be completed as a stop time penalty.

2.0

TEAM REGISTRATION

3.5

2.1

Coaches must present their team registration to the Arena Manager at all games and all players registered on the team registration and not dressed shall be noted on the game sheet, with an explanation of why they are not dressed.

In case of a tie at the end of regulation play, overtime will be played. Play will continue until the first goal is scored, which will terminate the game, and the team scoring the goal will be the winner.

3.6

No timeouts may be called by a Coach or player during regulation time.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

4.0

OVERTIME

5.0

PENALTIES

4.1

Overtime is played to sudden victory. Teams may remove goalkeepers at any time. Teams may change “on the fly” at any time. To commence overtime, each team will place six (6) players (one may be a goaltender) on the ice. The teams will not change ends for the overtime period and the time clock will be set for one (1) minute.

5.1

All minor penalties are two (2) minutes of straight time starting at the drop of the puck.

5.2

Penalties incurred in regulation time and not completely served in regulation time, shall carry over into the overtime period (as a stop time penalty) and will be completed in overtime unless the game is ended.

5.3

Time penalties incurred and unexpired which may leave a team short or shorthanded during the overtime when teams are reduced to two (2) players will result in a penalty shot(s) to the non-offending team for each unexpired time penalty. If due to penalties, a team is reduced to two (2) players and another time penalty is incurred, the offending team will serve the most recent penalty and a penalty shot(s) will be awarded the non-offending team for each unexpired time penalty. At no time will a team be required to have less than two (2) players on the ice. Should each team have an unexpired time penalty when teams are reduced to two (2) players, a penalty shot will be awarded each team. The team with the least time to serve will shoot first (if this cannot be determined, then the home team will shoot first). Each team must shoot. If the teams are still tied, overtime will continue. If multiple time penalties remain, a penalty shot will be awarded for each unexpired time penalty until all penalty shots have been taken. All time penalties incurred with two (2) players on the ice shall result in the awarding of penalty shots in lieu of penalty times.

4.2

OVERTIME SHALL BE STOP TIME.

4.3

Overtime will be played in one (1) minute increments. At the end of one (1) minute, the horn will sound and each team will remove one (1) player from the ice. Play will be resumed immediately at the nearest face-off spot to the place where play ended. The timekeeper will stop the clock and sound the horn after each minute until the teams are reduced to two (2) players (one may be a goaltender) on the ice.

4.4

Once each team has been reduced to two (2) players, the clock will be set to six (6) minutes. To commence play, the face-off will be held at the center ice spot. There will be no further reductions to the number of players and the ONE-MINUTE PERIODS WILL END. Time will continue until the six (6) minute period has expired. If still tied at the end of the six (6) minute period, ten (10) minute periods will be played with two (2) players (one may be a goaltender) until a winner is determined. To commence play in the ten (10) minute period, the face-off will be held at the center ice spot.

4.5

No timeouts may be called by a Coach or player in overtime.

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

or many children who have grown up on the rink, throwing your favourite jersey on to play pond hockey with friends becomes routine, normal even. Nothing can keep you away from the game that you love and it seems that everyone out there with you has the same thing on their minds: making it to the National Hockey League. While very few make the cut, an even more select group have the honour of donning their hometown team’s colours. Andrew Ference is one of these select few. Ference, in the midst of his 14th year in the NHL, has finally come home. Signing with the Oilers as a free agent this past July, Ference returns to his roots here in Edmonton having grown up in nearby rural Strathcona County. “Seeing that jersey for the first time in the stall was the biggest honour,” said Ference. “Being able to play for your hometown and playing for a storied franchise and growing up in this city, I know what this team means to the people that live here.” “That passion runs very deep for this hockey club and to wear the jersey, I know what it represents and I take a lot of pride in that.”

A product of the Strathcona Minor Hockey Association, the blueliner fine-tuned his craft early, playing on some of the best teams Strathcona has ever produced at the Tom Thumb to peewee level. After one final season of midget AAA at home in Sherwood Park, Ference crossed the border to join the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League where he spent four seasons, hoisting the Memorial Cup in 1998. The Pittsburgh Penguins snapped him up in the eighth round (208th overall) in the 1997 NHL draft and he played parts of four seasons in the Steel City before returning to Alberta after a trade sent him to the Calgary Flames. No stranger to the playoff grind, Ference helped the Flames reach the Stanley Cup final in 2004 before being traded to the Boston Bruins in 2007 where his childhood dreams began to shape into reality. His name is etched in history on the Stanley Cup, having hoisted arguably the greatest trophy in sports in 2011 as a Bruin. Now after signing a four-year deal with the Oilers, Ference is reveling in all that comes with being the hometown boy and readjusting to life back in Oil Country with his wife, Krista, and two young daughters, Ava and Stella. “I’ve been getting reacquainted with the city, with my family and it’s been awesome. It’s neat seeing parts of the city I never even knew existed,” said Ference. “We’ve enjoyed getting into a routine here and rediscovering what’s changed and what we remember from growing up here.” Whether in the dressing room, on the ice or out in the community, Ference, a proud Edmontonian, is a huge believer in tight-knit communities. For the veteran blueliner, what you do off-ice and away from the rink is just as important.

Ference alongside Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins and teammate Sam Gagner “Away from the rink, I like to live life, I like to get out and meet people and try new things. I have a real solid belief that you should respect where you live and that you should care about where you live,” Ference shares. “Strong communities care about their neighbours and so that’s always been a big thing to me. I’m going to live in this city, I’m going to take part in different community events and I’m going to care about this city.”

“We want to inspire our community and excite it. Andrew has come in here and done that right away,” said Eakins. “I want our players to be leaders in our community. I think this is a great thing for our team to be a part of, and a great thing for our city.” Ference’s high professionalism, on-ice performance, community leadership and being a strong voice in the locker room helped Coach Eakins make an easy decision when it came down to passing the captaincy torch.

“Strong communities care about their neighbours and so that’s always been a big thing to me. I’m going to live in this city, I’m going to take part in different community events and I’m going to care about this city.” Care he does as Ference, an active presence in Edmonton, has brought the grassroots fitness initiative, affectionately dubbed “November Project,” with him from Boston. Thanks to the power of social media and word-of-mouth, November Project is a free fitness program running three days a week with stair climbs, hill runs and circuit training on the menu. A co-leader of the November Project Canada Tribe, Ference tweets out the workout details and other community announcements via @Fernuckle to his over 87,000 Twitter followers alongside the November Project Canada’s own social media. In-season, he makes sporadic appearances based around the hectic schedule of his 82-game grind as an Oiler, but when there, he’s just like everyone else: a member of the community. “Andrew has given this city a place where anyone can be involved and be part of the community. It’s rare to see a professional athlete openly invite people to hang out with them, but he really wanted to make a difference in his hometown,” said Nadim Chin, co-leader, November Project Canada Tribe. “He has created a place where any stranger can show up and instantly be surrounded by a supportive group of people who care about their health, each other and our city.” These core values and this commitment to others is exactly what Oilers bench boss Dallas Eakins has come to notice about #21 as well.

“He’s everything you look for. You start rattling off words like compete and honest and commitment and a guy that can communicate. Everything that you associate with a leader, that’s what Andrew is,” said Eakins. “The biggest thing for me is his ability that I know he has, to unite an organization. He’s the most important person in this organization.” Ference has become the 14th captain in Oilers history and the first local product to wear the “C” for the Oil since Mark Messier. This massive honour is one that Ference does not take lightly. “I can say the right things and do the right things, but at the end of the day, the actions – the way I carry myself in the room, the way I practice, the way I play – those have to be the strongest statement coming from the captain.” While Ference settles back into his hometown and embraces the orange and blue threads he hasn’t worn since his childhood, Oil Country is relishing this special homecoming too.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Two weeks after the closing ceremonies of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, the best disabled athletes in the world will have their turn to capture the spotlight as the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi begin on March 7. The Canadian Paralympic Committee will be sending a men’s sledge hockey team to compete against the world’s best. Like the Canadian men’s and women’s Olympic hockey teams, there are high expectations. At the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, Team Canada will try to rebound after a disappointing fourth place finish at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. One of Canada’s top sledge hockey players is defenceman Steve Arsenault, from Spruce Grove. Arsenault was the only Albertan on the men’s sledge hockey squad that won a gold medal at the 2013 World Sledge Hockey Championship in Goyang, South Korea. As a teenager, Arsenault broke his hip after falling down a flight of stairs. Following reconstructive surgery, Arsenault was still in significant pain. After another trip to the doctor, he was diagnosed with avascular necrosis. Arsenault experienced a rapid growth spurt at age 10, which weakened his hip and pelvis. After complications in surgery, his femur lost its strength. Arsenault is able to walk, and does so with a limp because one leg is shorter than the other. Presently, he is waiting for a hip replacement. There is a common misconception that sledge hockey is only for disabled athletes who are confined to a wheelchair. But that isn’t the case.

Arsenault realizes how fortunate he is to be able to walk. There are players on the team who are either in more pain than him or are confined to a wheelchair. “It’s not like it’s that bad of an injury in comparison to some,” he said. “I’m lucky I’ve been able to get through it in a lot of ways.” Arsenault first started the sport in 2004 playing with the Edmonton Sledge Dogs. A year later and since then, he’s been with the Edmonton Impact. Initially, Arsenault was not sure what he had gotten himself into. “At first, I thought it was one of the most frustrating sports I’ve ever played,” he said. “You know where to be and you know how to play the game, but my skills just weren’t there to play it. But I developed them pretty quick and it seemed like my career flourished from there.” This is Arsenault’s second stint with the national sledge hockey team. He played 23 games internationally for Canada from 2005-2008, and was also on the team that won a gold medal at the 2007 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Kelowna, BC. Arsenault took two years off from competition before rejoining Team Canada following the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. He returned to the game to honour his mother Jill and good friend Matt Cook. Arsenault’s mother passed away unexpectedly when he was 19. Cook, who also played for the Edmonton Impact and the Canadian national men’s sledge hockey team, died of bone cancer two weeks after the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Then, two years ago, Arsenault suffered a serious shoulder injury. He has since recovered and is ready for an important hockey season. Arsenault says there is a “high level of toughness” that exists in sledge hockey compared to the style of hockey played in the National Hockey League. “If anything it’s more physical,” he said. As a defenceman, Arsenault has to make adjustments to play the position, considered one of the most difficult in hockey. The most significant adjustment is that sledge hockey defencemen cannot skate backwards. It means having to find other ways to get back to the action when the opponent takes possession of the puck. “It can be very challenging,” said Arsenault. “You have to be very patient and make sure the guys are in the right position. At first PK (penalty killing) was also a little difficult because positioning is a

little different. The sticks aren’t also as long (as ice hockey), so puck protection is a little bit different and you don’t really have that reach.” Winning a World Sledge Hockey Championship in 2013 was special for Arsenault. “It was huge. For me, it was the biggest event I have ever participated in. It was unreal and showed that my hard work finally paid off. It was nice to have that. I celebrated. With Sochi coming up, this can be used as a stepping stone. It’s a huge accomplishment, but we have a bigger goal that we are working towards.” Heading into the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, Team Canada is a younger squad this time around. The previous team had an average age of over 30 years old. Among those trying to earn a spot in Sochi, the average age of players is 25.

“The team has really changed,” said Arsenault. “There were a lot of retirees and we brought in a younger team. The younger players coming in hone different skills the veteran players maybe didn’t have. It just changed the game a little bit. The team now is a lot faster and I think are better hockey players versus the Vancouver team.” One of Arsenault’s role models on the team is forward Dominic Larocque. Larocque is a corporal with the Canadian Armed Forces, who lost his leg during an explosion in Afghanistan. “When you meet guys like that, it puts things into perspective for you,” said Arsenault. “They may not be NHL players, but they have a lot you can learn from.” Arsenault is also close to his Edmonton Impact hockey coach, Dean Krawec, who plans to travel to Sochi to see Arsenault compete for Canada.

“Steve has grown a lot,” said Krawec. “I started coaching him when he was an early teenager. He has grown into a really great player and a great friend on and off the ice. It is great to see how much he has improved. He sees the game well and is very good in the defensive zone. He takes pride in shutting down the opposition.” As Hockey Canada grows as an organization, the Canadian men’s sledge hockey is starting to reap the rewards. “If you look at training methods, a lot of things have changed. There are a lot of different programs being put in place. Our coaching staff is unbelievable,” Arsenault said.

For those players interested in learning more about sledge hockey or about the Edmonton Impact Sled hockey club, they can contact Dean at (780) 991-5507, email him at dkrawec@shaw.ca or go to http://www.eshc.ca.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

“Skating with Quantum Speed doesn’t just make you a better skater. It strengthens your mind as well, and takes you to limits you didn’t think you could reach,”says Klarc Wilson, Edmonton native and forward for Prince George Cougars of the WHL (pictured here with Steffany Hanlen at a Quantum Speed™ Mental Training Seminar).

Steffany Hanlen, founder of Quantum Speed™ High Performance Skating Systems, had a vision for a program that would not only apply the biomechanics of skating to teach ringette and hockey players the technique for becoming ‘good’ skaters but one that would harness the key challenges players face throughout their careers – a program that would allow them to become ‘great’ skaters – stronger, better, faster than the competition. She and business partner, Vanessa Hettinger, General Manager and Master Instructor for Quantum Speed™, have made that vision a reality. Quantum Speed™’s renowned Q3 Program, a process-oriented, player-centred holistic skating development program, starts with the skating basics. A developmental specialist trained in a myriad of modalities including physiology, psychology and biomechanics, Steffany took her experience as skating coach to the ‘pros’ and her

Vanessa Hettinger provides instruction to a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings

training and designed the Q3 Technique + Power = Speed formula. (Q is for “quantum” – a term meaning the smallest possible change can have the biggest result - and 3 is for the three pillars of the formula.) Each of these three pillars is critical to the progressive skating development process. Players spend one week on each over the course of two to three months allowing skills and drills to incrementally build on each other. “Our instructors are trained to look at every aspect of the player – speed, agility, transitions, body size, body type, position played – in each phase to discover where improvement is necessary and help players make even the smallest possible change in skating technique or power transfer that will result in the greatest amount of speed increase,” says Steffany. As a holistic skating development program, Quantum Speed™ doesn’t stop there. The Technique + Power = Speed formula serves as the platform for yet another one-of-a-kind aspect of their programming. “Becoming a ‘great’ skater and developing more speed is not just about physical ability,” Steffany explains. As an inspirational speaker with years of experience working with elite athletes, Steffany knows confidence plays a significant role in performance and teaches that confidence comes from successfully overcoming and using adversity to seek solutions. “This is a valuable

concept for our players to understand,” she says. “They can have the best technique and skills in the world but without confidence, without being physically and mentally strong enough to believe in themselves and their abilities, they can’t realize the speed they’re capable of.” Specially designed off-ice skating-specific power and resistance training in each phase of the programming supports the on-ice sessions and helps players break down physical barriers to building speed. The real appeal, though, is the powerful mental training seminars Quantum Speed™ weaves into each phase. Steffany explains, “In terms of skating, confident players ‘feel connected’ to their skates. Confidence gives them mental and emotional freedom to skate with more effectiveness and efficiency and to be more ‘present’ in their game.” Steffany delivers these seminars herself but also seeks out experts in various fields who can provide insight into the human psyche to give players practical advice on how to become a balanced player – manage distractions, harness adversity and be organized in their own way - to help them improve mental performance and understand the connection between high achievement and confidence. Steffany and Vanessa are proud to acknowledge that their oneof-a-kind programming attracts not only players from amateur to elite levels as participants but also attracts talented athletes to their stellar instructional team. Olympic gold medalist David Pelletier has apprenticed with Quantum Speed™ and was awarded his Head Instructor jacket this year. Long-term NHL defenseman Nathan Dempsey was also on board this season sharing his expertise. Both have been working with Quantum Speed™’s cutting-edge Program Development Team to continue to update the foundational skills of edge control and puck control in the Advanced Q3i programming, customized Position-Specific skating sessions, and the Quantum Speed™ Edge Mastery Program to be launched in 2014.

Steffany Hanlen, puck in hand, provides inspiration to a full house Steffany wraps up, “We’re more than technical power skating instruction or a five-day summer camp. We’ve looked holistically at the player to break the mold and reinvent how players train. We give our players what they need to be stronger, better, faster skaters with greater confidence in themselves and their abilities. People say, to be successful, you have to think outside the box. We at Quantum Speed™ say WHAT BOX?!?!?”

For more information on Quantum Speed™ High Performance Skating Systems, visit www.quantumspeed.ca, email info@quantumspeed.ca or call 780-489-4159 or toll free 1-866-321-FAST(3278).

Steffany Hanlen has worked as skating coach to NHL players and teams and as mental performance coach to several world class and Olympic athletes. She is an accomplished inspirational speaker and on-camera expert for various television series. Vanessa Hettinger, former member of the University of Alberta Panda’s Hockey team and captain for the Canadian Athletic Club Junior Hockey Team, has learned about the business of the hockey industry through stints at hockey schools all over North America and is now skating coach to the Edmonton Oil Kings and Tri-City Americans of the WHL. Together, Steffany and Vanessa were named Hockey Canada’s Master Skating Coaches in 2012.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

By Jeremy Freeborn Photos courtesy of HockeyCanada.ca

At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Edmonton’s Meaghan Mikkelson and Shannon Szabados were integral members of Canada’s national women’s hockey team that won a gold medal. The pressure is on every year for the Canadians to succeed because the women’s programs in Canada and the United States are the most elite in the world. The pressure is magnified in an Olympic season. And Mikkelson and Szabados are as determined as ever to help Team Canada win its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Szabados is currently considered by many as the best women’s goaltender in the world. Her statement game was the gold medal final at the 2010 Olympics where she made 28 saves for the shutout in a 2-0 win over the US. Szabados also shutout Finland in the semifinal, and only gave up one goal in 180 minutes of action throughout the Olympic tournament. Her amazing play earned her the title of top Olympic goaltender in 2010. The path to Olympic glory has been different for Szabados compared to most of her teammates on the national women’s team. Over the last decade, Szabados has played in the Western Hockey League, the

Alberta Junior Hockey League and the Alberta Collegiate Athletic Conference, with and against men. This past season with the NAIT Ooks, Szabados set ACAC records with most shutouts (five) and lowest goals against average (1.58) in a season, as NAIT won the ACAC championship. Szabados has never felt intimidated by playing with the opposite gender. “No, I think it is just normal for me,” she said. “I started when I was five years old playing with guys, and kept going with it. It was never out of the ordinary for me.” Szabados has also experienced personal heartbreak in recent years. In April of 2010, Matt Cook, one of Szabados’ former teammates with the Bonnyville Pontiacs, passed away with bone cancer. During the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Szabados had the message “FLM” on her mask, which stood for “Fight Like Matt.” Sadly, Cook, who lost his leg to cancer, was unable to represent Canada in sledge hockey at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. When Cook was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, Szabados found companies in Alberta to sponsor her one dollar for every save she made throughout the season. In this way, she has helped raise $6,750

for the Alberta Cancer Foundation to date. Now, four years after her Olympic triumph, Szabados is a national team veteran. “It’s a little different,” she said. “I think it’s an honour. It’s nice to be a little older and a little more experienced, and help out the younger players and the team in any way I can.”

Mikkelson says her parents are a major reason she has had so much success in the game.

The rivalry between Canada and the US has been fierce leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. On Oct. 12 in Burlington, VT, Canada and the US had a scrum in the third period after American Jocelyne Lamoureux bumped Szabados after she made a save. Szabados’ teammates came to her defense.

“My dad has such an amazing hockey mind and is a mentor. I consider him as one of my best friends and (he) is the smartest man I know. I’m very lucky to have him. At the same time, my mom is a huge role model for me. She lost her father and mother when she was 24 years old. She taught me to never give up.”

“It was fun,” said Szabados. “Anytime we play them, they’re intense battles. The women’s game is a physical game. It was fun to be a part of and kind of brought us together. The girls are great and I think they showed how much they care about our team and how close our team is. Something like that happens and it brings our team closer together.”

Mikkelson played with boys in the Regina and St. Albert minor hockey associations before playing a season with a women’s team in St. Albert, and then with the Calgary Oval Extreme in the National Women’s Hockey League in 2002-03.

Mikkelson comes from a hockey family with deep roots in the game. Her great uncle, Jim McFadden, won the Calder Trophy in 1948 and then the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1950. Her father Bill played four NHL seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals from 1972-1977. Her brother Brendan currently plays in the American Hockey League after spending the last five seasons in the NHL and her husband Scott also spent time in the American Hockey League as a goaltender.

“Playing boys hockey wasn’t always easy,” she said. “Boys would give you a bad time and even some parents said, ‘You don’t belong in the game of hockey.’ It was a challenge I think, but at the same time it served as motivation. My parents said to me, ‘Those people are going to say those things, so go prove them wrong.’ That’s what I tried to do.” Even through those hardships, Mikkelson realizes how fortunate she is to be Canadian. There are more opportunities for North Americans to play women’s hockey than Europeans.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

“Canada is such an amazing place for a female hockey player to grow up,” she said. “Especially recently, it has grown significantly and I think we’re very fortunate to have the support system that we do. Hockey Canada has some amazing programs in place.” After graduating from high school, Mikkelson went to the University of Wisconsin, where she was coached by Mark Johnson, son of former Calgary Flames head coach Bob Johnson. Under Mark’s tutelage, Mikkelson moved from wing to defence, the position she has had on the Canadian national team since 2007. Mikkelson also won back-to-back NCAA national women’s hockey championships (Women’s Frozen Four) in 2006 and 2007. Following the success of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Mikkelson and Szabados helped Canada win the 2012 Women’s World Hockey Championship in Burlington. The gold medal victory had significant meaning for Team Canada because the US pounded Canada 9-2 in round robin action. Canada rebounded with a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory over the Americans in the championship game. The US however is the reigning World Champion, having defeated Canada 3-2 on April 9, 2013, in Ottawa. For those Canadian women hockey players who dream of playing on an Olympic team someday, Szabados said, “Have fun and work hard. You can accomplish anything you want as long as you’re working hard.” Team Canada will play its first game at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi against Switzerland on Feb. 8.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

By Rob Suggitt Photos provided by SC Parker Photography

For this issue of the Hockey Edmonton Magazine, we met up with Matt Richard at Kennilworth Arena, as he was getting ready to go on the ice for a peewee game that night.

Do you still play hockey, and if so, for what team?

Matt is 16 years old, and is currently in grade 11 at Strathcona High School. Matt is in his fourth year as a hockey official, and still plays hockey at the midget level. Matt took a few minutes before his game to answer a few questions about his interests, and most particularly, what it’s like to be a minor hockey official.

I started officiating as early as I could (at 13 years of age), which was in September 2010.

How long have you resided in Edmonton?

I’m not 100 per cent sure how many games I officiated last season but it was probably close to about 40 games.

I was born in Edmonton and I’ve lived here all my life.

What other sports or activities do you participate in?

I play hockey in the winter and lacrosse in the spring. I used to play lots of sports in school like volleyball and basketball but stopped when I got into high school. In the winter I like to snowboard and in the summer longboarding. I also like spending time with my friends and family.

I play for the Seera midget team SE 508, tier 2.

When did you start officiating hockey?

What made you want to become a hockey official?

I wanted to become an official because I love hockey and I wanted to make some money, so doing both together is just a bonus of reffing.

How many games did you officiate last season?

Approximately how many games do you plan on officiating this season? This season I hope to get in about 50 games…the more the better.

What level of hockey are you currently officiating?

I do all levels and ages from novice to midget and from teir one to tier seven.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

What kind of training were/are you provided?

My first year reffing, I attended a two-day clinic with an on ice session. And every year since then I have attended a one-day clinic to refresh my skills.

Do you have a role model or mentor who has helped you along the way?

My mentor is John Tran who I believe is a very goof ref. I have learned a lot from him by reffing with him and taking his advice. I find that most referees that I do games with are all very helpful which makes it a great experience while always improving my skills.

How have you improved your skills as an official?

I have improved my skills by just taking in all the advice that other referees have given me and by getting supervised along the way.

What is the toughest part about being a referee? Have you ever officiated during Minor Hockey Week, and if so (which I believe to be the case), what makes you volunteer your time?

If you want to move up in officiating, people really notice your hard work and dedication. Plus it’s good for your experience and its usually good hockey. It’s just exciting to be apart of such an exciting week, especially to see the little kids get so excited.

I heard you had a very interesting finish to a game which took place two years ago. Can you tell us about it?

A minor hockey week final game ended in a penalty shot and apparently the losing team did not like the call. The team starting yelling and screaming at us as we left the ice. The rink attendant saw what was happening and thought that he should escort us out of the arena.

What do you enjoy most about officiating hockey games?

I really enjoy the game of hockey and it is an enjoyable way to earn some money.

I think the toughest part is probably dealing with the coaches, but you learn to deal with them.

Ever suffer any injuries as an official? Any close calls?

I have been pretty lucky, the only thing that has happened to me is being hit by a puck.

How do you handle criticism on the ice?

I handle criticism by reminding myself that it’s not personal and letting the teams know that it is just a game. That usually quiets the coaches down.

Do you have comments you wish to share with parents, coaches or anyone watching minor hockey?

The only comment I would have is to remind everyone that we play and officiate hockey for the fun of the sport and that in the end it is just a game.

CHECKING FROM BEHIND

If a player pushes, body-checks or cross-checks an opponent from behind, a checking from behind penalty may be called. It’s a game misconduct (ejection), coupled with a two-minute or fiveminute penalty, depending on the severity of the offense. The referee’s signal is a forward motion of both arms, with the palms of the hands opened and facing away from the body, fully extending from the chest at shoulder level.

BOARDING If a player is checked into the boards in a violent manner, then the ref may call a boarding penalty. A two-minute penalty will be assessed for boarding, and in situations where the offense is more serious (when a player is vulnerable, etc.), a five-minute major penalty and game ejection may be called.

BODY-CHECKING Body-checking is not allowed until the peewee level in Hockey Edmonton. Delivering a body-check in the lower divisions will result in a two-minute penalty being assessed.

BUTT-ENDING If a player jabs (or attempts to jab) another player with the shaft of the stick above the upper hand, a butt-ending penalty may be called. The referee holds one forearm over the other; the lower is moved back and forth, across the body.

CHARGING If a player takes more than two steps or strides, or jumps into an opponent when body-checking, a charging infraction may be called. The referee signals by rotating clenched fists around each other in front of the chest. Since body-checking isn’t allowed until the pee wee level, you will rarely see this called in the first few years.

CHECKING TO THE HEAD

A minor and misconduct penalty, or a major and game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee, based on the degree of violence of impact, shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent to the head area in any manner. A match penalty could also be assessed under this rule. If a player is injured, a major and game misconduct penalty, or a match penalty must be assessed.

CROSS-CHECKING When a player uses the shaft of his stick, held between the hands, to check an opponent at any height. The referee signals with a forward and backward motion of the arms with both fists clenched and about a foot apart. (This signal imitates the action of a crosscheck.)

ELBOWING This is when a player is checking an opponent with his elbow. The referee signals by tapping either elbow with the opposite hand.

HIGH-STICKING This occurs when checking an opponent with the stick above the normal height of the shoulders, either purposely or accidentally. A more severe penalty may be called for flagrant high-sticking fouls, including ejection from the game. The referee signals this call by clenching both fists and mimicking a player holding a stick above their shoulders.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

HOLDING This is called when a player grabs an opponent’s body or stick with the hands. The referee motions this call by grabbing either wrist with the opposite hand in front of his body.

HOOKING This is called when a player slows down an opponent by hooking his stick on any part of the opponent’s body or stick. The referee signals this call with a tugging motion with both arms.

INTERFERENCE This penalty is called when a player impedes the progress of an opponent who doesn’t have the puck. The referee signals this call by crossing his arms in front of the chest.

KNEEING If a player uses his knee (or sticks his knee out) to take down or check an opponent, the referee may call a kneeing penalty. If the infraction is of a more serious nature, the referee may consider this a major penalty (and a game misconduct) instead of a minor penalty (two minutes).

MISCONDUCT

This penalty may be called when a player exhibits extreme and inappropriate behaviour toward another player or a game official. Depending on the severity of the offense, the player may be given a 10-minute misconduct or game misconduct penalty. It is also a game misconduct when a player checks another player from behind. With the exception of checking from behind, the penalized team does not play shorthanded.

ROUGHING This penalty may be called when a player uses his arms or fists to hit or punch another player. The signal for this call is a clenched fist and arm extended out to the front or side of the body.

SLASHING This penalty is called when a player deliberately hits an opponent with his stick. The signal for this call is a chopping motion with the edge of one hand across the opposite forearm.

SPEARING Spearing occurs when a player thrusts or jabs the blade of his stick at an opponent. Players are usually ejected from the game for spearing. The signal for this call is a jabbing motion with both hands thrusting out in front of the body.

TRIPPING This penalty may be called when a player uses his stick or any body part to trip the puck carrier. If the player touches the puck prior to contact with the player, there is usually no penalty called. The referee signals this call by striking their leg with either hand below the knee (usually bending down to do so), keeping both skates on the ice.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT This penalty may be called when a player exhibits poor sportsmanship or inappropriate behaviour on the ice.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine