Hockey Edmonton Magazine Winter Edition by Suggitt Publishers

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Pre-game ritual.

ÂŠ Tim Hortons, 2008

TABLE OF

CONTENTS MINOR H O

2•

D EDMON AR T C

Y WEEK KE C

N O

• J A N UA R

22 Y 13 -

QU IK

42 7.

President’s Message

Publisher’s Message

13.

Minor Hockey Week Facts & Figures

15.

Minor Hockey Week Schedules

30. It’s the Edmonton Way: S4 By Jon Hagan

16. Minor Hockey Week Rules & Regulations 19. “The Nuge” - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins By Bob Stauffer 23. There Must Be Something in the Water: Edmonton & Area at the WJCs By Jon Hagan 26. Off the Ice & In the Game: Hockey’s Backstage Enforcers By Lauren Gilley

35. 2011 Minor Hockey Week Gold Medal Winners 42. Kieran Block’s Career Making Injury By Maurice Tougas 44. Alberta Men’s Hockey League 47. NHL Players: They Come in All Shapes & Sizes 49. Spotlight on an Official: Darcy Readman By Rob Suggitt

Ethan Zmurchik is featured on our cover this issue. Ethan, who is 10 years-old, won a gold medal at last year’s Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. We posed a few questions to Ethan, and here are his answers: School: Florence Hallock Current Team: St. Albert Thunder Division: Atom A Position: Defenseman Favourite Player: Jordan Eberle Role Model: My Parents Best Memory from Winning Gold: How nervous I was because overtime went down to one vs. one in the final and the excitement of winning in overtime and jumping onto the ice when we scored. Cover Photo courtesy of Epic Photography - www.epicphotography.ca

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

MESSAGE FROM HOCKEY EDMONTON Happy New Year! Welcome to the 49th Annual Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week! Generations of participants, numbering in the thousands, look forward to sharing their treasured memories with today’s athletes. What an absolutely perfect event to follow immediately on the heels of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships where each of us, we’re sure has had at least one “I Was There” experience. On behalf of Hockey Edmonton we cannot express how grateful we are to each of the sponsors and the thousands of volunteers that step forward each year to keep alive the vision of the tournament’s founders and the opportunity for parents and grandparents to share their fondest sporting memories with today’s youth. Minor Hockey Week is a unique event where camaraderie, fellowship, and respect for the game are front and centre as skilled athletes battle for the right to play in the championship game and a chance to be a Minor Hockey Week Champion. It’s just another demonstration that hockey is more than just the on-ice experience for athletes. We all give and get so much more from the game – it pervades our lives, making our successes so much more special and our tragedies so much easier to deal with as we receive support from a community not just local or regional but national, even global in nature. Thank you to each and every one that has reached out to help various members of our Hockey Edmonton community that have suffered through trying experiences, tragedy and loss in 2011. After your memorable experience with Minor Hockey Week we head into round three of EFHC play, playoffs and season ending tournaments and provincial championships. Other events of significance this season include the annual Timbits Jamboree on March 17-18 and the final events in our S Four Development Program that is supported by the Stollery Family Day Classic. April 23 to 29 are dates that one and all should mark on their calendar as Leduc plays host to the Telus Cup, Hockey Canada’s National Midget Championship. Play hard, play fair and treasure your experiences. Use them to motivate you for the balance of the season and future seasons. For the 2012-13 hockey season, the Respect in Sport program will be a mandatory pre-requisite for all parents and coaches. During Quikcard Minor Hockey Week we’ll be unveiling initial campaign material to support the rollout of this initiative. These are on-line self-directed programs that we encourage each family and coach to pursue early in 2012. Best wishes and continued success.

2011-2012 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: 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

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

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE Welcome to our special Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week (QEMHW) edition of the Hockey Edmonton Magazine! In this issue, we have the rules and regulations for this tournament, along with the finals schedules. In addition, we also have some interesting facts about QEMHW, not the least of which is that this year marks the 49th anniversary of this huge event! We also have greetings from the Chairperson and Honorary Chairperson for QEMHW, and let me join in wishing these tireless volunteers a big thank you to ALL of the volunteers who make this very special tournament possible! This includes organizers, schedule-makers, scorekeepers, officials, coaches, team managers, etc. who donate their time and energy for the kids who participate! And to the players, we extend our best wishes! Memories of a lifetime will come to many who play hockey during QEMHW. As parents, family members, and friends cheer on the action, enjoy the experience, give it your best, and above all, have fun!

Sincerely, Rob Suggitt Publisher, HOCKEY EDMONTON MAGAZINE

Credits President and Publisher Rob Suggitt Vice President Stephen Kathnelson Art Director Christine Kucher Graphic Designers Terah Jans | Cole McKelvie Account Manager Vicki Davis Contributing Writers Lauren Gilley | Jon Hagan | Terry Martin | Maurice Tougas Steve Serdachny | Bob Stauffer | Rob Suggitt Cover Photo Provided by Epic Photography Copy Editing Shari Narine Photography Credits David Block Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club: Andy Devlin HHOF - IIHF Images | Amber Grmek Photography Steve Serdachny 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.

WHEREAS, Quikcard Minor Hockey Week has become an annual tradition in Edmonton for nearly 50 years; AND WHEREAS, young players from more than 500 teams will have the opportunity to enhance their skills, learn good sportsmanship and build self confidence; AND WHEREAS, parents, coaches and thousands of volunteers give their time and effort to ensuring the tournament’s success; AND WHEREAS, Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week is one of the most widely attended minor hockey tournaments in Canada and enhances Edmonton’s reputation as a centre for sporting excellence; THEREFORE, I MAYOR STEPHEN MANDEL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY 13- 22 “QUIKCARD MINOR HOCKEY WEEK” IN EDMONTON, ALBERTA’S CAPITAL CITY. Dated this 16th day of December, 2011

#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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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Three 1-week sessions in Edmonton starting in July One 1-week session in Fort McMurray in August Visit edmontonoilers.com for more information

Chairperson’s Honorary CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE MESSAGE As Edmonton hosts one of the largest tournaments in the world, I am very privileged to have been selected as the 2012 Honorary Chair for QuikCard Minor Hockey Week. The people that have preceded me are some of the best community leaders that Albertans could ever have and I am truly humbled. I get excited every year when Minor Hockey Week begins because it puts a positive spotlight on a sport we love very deeply in this country. The community embraces the competition and we celebrate the great sport of hockey. From the time I started as a coach and scheduler in the Northwest Zone, the other volunteers always made me feel welcome. Hockey administration has changed substantially over the years since I became involved; however the children and young adults are the one constant that always remains. They play this game because they can compete, have fun with their friends and feel like they are a part of something bigger. The benefit is the positive selfesteem, confidence and the life skills they acquire. Team sport helps people develop important life skills which will benefit society in countless ways. Many of the Minor Hockey Week participants will be the future leaders and role models in the community. While we give as volunteers, we also take a great deal away. I have learned a lot more from the people involved than I have ever given back and I see myself as fortunate. Edmontonians are so lucky to have people like President Betty Chmilar and the other Hockey Edmonton board members leading the organization. You could not entrust your children to better people. To all participants: play hard, have fun and savour the experience.

Fresh from one of the most successful World Junior Hockey Championships ever held, we are set to change gears and focus on one of the world’s largest and longest running hockey tournaments: the 49th edition of Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. The tournament will see 518 teams battle it out over 739 games culminating in 72 final games to be played over 10 memorable days. On behalf of the QEMHW committee, I would like to welcome the players, coaches, families and friends to this exciting event. A tournament of this magnitude would not be possible without a dedicated organizing committee who continues to volunteer its time to make this tournament the success it is today. I would personally like to thank all committee members for your ongoing commitment in making the QEMHW tournament a highlight of the hockey season. Year after year, corporate sponsors step up and support this tournament. We would like to thank the following organizations for their continued support: Quikcard Solutions inc., Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club, Edmonton Oil Kings, McDonalds, United Cycle, Remax, The Hockey Program, Compass Group, Body By Bennett, Elite Sportswear, Pilot 49 and Impact Sports Photography. I would like to thank our wonderful team of arena managers. These volunteers put in countless hours prior to, and during the event working on tasks such as setting up the arenas, organizing dressing rooms, acting as score keepers, timekeepers, referees and more, all while dealing with the coaches, managers and fans. Please take time to thank the volunteers you see at the arenas this week. Finally, and perhaps the most important group of volunteers, I would like to thank the dedicated team of officials who have donated their time for the last 48 years. Thanks to their generosity we are able to keep costs to a minimum; their donated time saves the tournament over $35,000, a savings that is passed on to all teams participating in the tournament. Please join our committee in thanking a referee when you see one volunteering their time at a game you are watching. On behalf of the Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week committee, the volunteers and sponsors, I take great pleasure in inviting you to come out and enjoy some very exciting hockey. As a prelude to next year’s highly anticipated 50th anniversary, we look forward to an exciting tournament for 2012!

Yours in Hockey,

Sincerely,

Rob Virgil Honorary Chairperson,

Rod McMahon Chairperson,

QUIKCARD EDMONTON MINOR HOCKEY WEEK

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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 If, in the Arena Manager’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. 1.6 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. 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.

TEAM REGISTRATION

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. 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 will be subject to disciplinary action. 2.3 NO AFFILIATED PLAYERS ALLOWED, ONLY GOALIES, due to medical problems, which have been submitted to 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 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 a goal spread of five (5) goals or more in the last two (2) minutes of the third period, then the last two (2) minutes will be straight time. 3.2 FINALS – 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 are 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) 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. 3.5 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 determine the winner. 3.6 No timeouts may be called by a Coach or player during regulation time.

OVERTIME

4.1 Overtime is played to sudden victory. Teams may remove goalkeepers at any time. Teams may change â&#x20AC;&#x153;on the flyâ&#x20AC;? 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. 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.

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.

PENALTIES

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.

4.4 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

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

This year, over 550 referees donated their services to help make Minor Hockey Week a great success. Thank you from the Edmonton and area RE/max Offices, and our over 800 associates. Each office independently owned and operated

By Bob Stauffer Photos courtesy of Andy Devlin, EOHC

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

It took all of three NHL regular season games for Ryan NugentHopkins to endear himself to the Rexall Place faithful, in the process helping to legitimize the Edmonton Oilers decision to select him first overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. On Saturday, October 15, Nugent-Hopkins sniped a hat-trick against the team he grew up watching, the defending Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks. RNH’s tour de force performance that night has helped spawn cascading chants of “Nuge!”, something which has been heard early and often at Rexall Place as Nugent-Hopkins has been a big part of the Oilers getting off to a 7-2-2 start through the month of October, leading the team with 11 points in 11 games. Nugent-Hopkins’ terrific start to the year may have been a surprise to some so-called experts who thought he might need another season of junior with the Red Deer Rebels, but his own teammates could tell immediately he was here to stay. “From the first time he skated with us in early September you knew Ryan was special,” said Oilers defenceman Ryan Whitney. “You could tell that he is really smart, has tremendous vision and great skill as well.”

Nugent-Hopkins’ road roommate and namesake, Ryan Jones, reinforces Whitney’s opinion. “It is pretty obvious that RNH is a special player but it also amazing to be around such a mature 18-year-old. He is incredibly humble for such a gifted kid,” Jones said. Fellow first-overall pick, Taylor Hall, is probably the least surprised person with Nugent-Hopkins’ early season success. It was Hall, who went first overall in the 2010 draft , who said during the summer that he felt Nugent-Hopkins would likely have an easier transition to the NHL than he did because of the contrast in their styles. “Ryan is such a smart player, with great vision. He also kind of sits back and lets the play come to him and then passes or shoots accordingly. I rely on speed and attack more and there is a transition that comes with playing that way in the NHL,” said Hall, who spent the majority of the first month of the season playing on the Oilers “kid line” with NugentHopkins and 2008 first-round pick Jordan Eberle.

“In our mind Ryan had the biggest offensive upside to the draft. There is a degree of subtlety in his game. He has skill and poise and an understated competitiveness that makes him a real special player, and the right player for our organization.”

Whereas the TaylorTyler (Seguin) talk was the buzz of the 2010 NHL Draft, the 2011 NHL Draft seemingly did not have the same build-up. This was despite the fact that

“From the first time he skated with us in early September you knew Ryan was special.” - Ryan Whitney Nugent-Hopkins took his play to a different stratosphere down the stretch with the Rebels last season, scoring 18 goals and picking up 50 points in their final 26 games. Any one of four prospects: Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog, Jonathan Huberdeau and Adam Larsson were seen as being in the mix to be the potential first-overall pick. Though for Oilers Head Scout Stu MacGregor, the Oilers could not afford to leave RNH on the table. “In our mind Ryan had the biggest offensive upside of the draft. There is a degree of subtlety in his game. He has skill and poise and an understated competitiveness that makes him a real special player, and the right player for our organization,” MacGregor said. The only question heading into the season was whether RNH would be the right player, right now for the Oilers. There was little debate that Hall was NHL-ready coming out of the 2010 NHL Draft after he won back-to-back Memorial Cup titles and tournament MVP awards with the Windsor Spitfires. The dynamic and electrifying Hall was clearly physically ready to play in the NHL and had accomplished all he could in Junior. Nugent-Hopkins, however, sparked much debate in hockey circles. At 6’ 1” and 175 pounds, some pundits felt RNH would not be able to handle the day-to-day rigors of the NHL. From an Oilers organizational perspective, Nugent-Hopkins was going to get to decide things himself.

“Obviously, based upon Ryan’s performance to start the season, it goes without saying that our team is better with him than without him, which made for a pretty easy decision on our part,” Tambellini added. And the good news for Oilers fans is that according to NugentHopkins he is just starting to feel at home on his new squad. “I am starting to feel comfortable and our line is certainly developing some chemistry,” he said. “I have gotten lucky by playing with Taylor (Hall) and Jordan (Eberle). They are really skilled players; I think that we complement each other well. They also just made the transition to the NHL a year ago, so that has helped me as well.” Just what opponents wanted to hear – a rising star starting to feel more comfortable with playing in the NHL. It does not sound like the “Nuge!” chants will be going away any time soon.

Bob Stauffer is the Colour Analyst on the Oilers Radio Network and Host of “Oilers Now” on the Oilers Radio Rights Holder 630 CHED.

“We said when we drafted Ryan that there was no set timetable with him making the team, that we didn’t need to rush things,” Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini said late in October after the team informed Nugent-Hopkins he would staying in Edmonton.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

By Jon Hagan Photos by Andy Devlin / HHOF-IIHF Images

This past year marked the City of Edmonton’s first time as co-host of the World Junior Hockey Championships. However, amateur players from Edmonton and area have had a rich history of involvement, from Wayne Babych playing in the second ever IIHF sanctioned event in 1978 to Sherwood Park’s Mark Pysyk at this year’s championship. The first true Canadian national junior team was created in 1982 and featured former St. Albert Saints centreman Troy Murray. Drafted 57th overall in the third round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Murray finished fifth in team scoring helping Canada to its first ever gold medal. Up until 1982, the Memorial Cup champions represented Canada. There was one exception, though: in 1978 a team of all-stars was put together featuring future Oilers great Wayne Gretzky, future Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini, and Wayne Babych. In 1979, the New Westminster Bruins represented Canada and had three Edmontonians on the team’s roster. They were forwards Dave Orleski and Bill Hobbins, and defenceman Boris Fistric. The trio combined for four points in five games.

was ejected from the tournament in the infamous Punch-up in Piestany in the former Czechloslovakia. Arguably, it was after Piestany that the annual tournament became a much more highly anticipated event. Hawgood appeared again in 1988, and despite being a defenseman on a team featuring the likes of Joe Sakic, Mark Recchi, Rob Brown and Theoren Fleury, led the Canadians with nine points in seven games and made the tournament’s All-Star team. Edmonton Oilers alumni Geoff Smith patrolled the blue line for Team Canada in 1989. Smith, born in Edmonton, played parts of five seasons with the Oilers. A disappointing fourth place finish was all Team Canada could muster that year. However, the outcome for the next two years would be far better, as the team struck gold in ‘90 and ‘91.

Four years elapsed before the team featured another Edmonton-born player on the roster. This time it was Gerald Diduck in 1984. Drafted 16th overall by the New York Islanders the year before, Diduck played all seven games for the fourth place Canadian team.

Spruce Grove native Stu Barnes and Edmontonians Dave Chyzowski and Kent Manderville were on the 1990 team. (Manderville also played in the 1991 WJCs.) All three players were picked within the first two rounds of the preceding year’s NHL draft. Chyzowski, Canada’s captain in ’89, was selected second overall by the Islanders. Barnes went fourth to Winnipeg, and Manderville went 24th overall to Calgary.

In 1986 and 1987, the Canadian team included two native St. Albertans: Emmanuel Viveiros and Greg Hawgood, respectively. The ‘86 team won silver. The ‘87 team, while considered one of the favourites to win gold,

Even with Eric Lindros, Scott Neidermayer and Paul Kariya in the line up, ’92 was a tough one for the Canadians as the team plummeted to sixth overall. Of the three Edmontonians on the team–Andy Schneider, Richard

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

ever to play in the tournament. He was named to the All-Star team two years later in 2002. In 2001, Lundmark led all Canadians in scoring and was tied for fourth in tournament point production. Centreman Brian Sutherby played in 2002, and Fort Saskatchewan native Joffrey Lupul played in 2003. Both teams took home the silver. The 2004 and 2005 Canadian team rosters reads like an NHL All-Star team and among such players as Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, Brent Burns, Brent Seabrook and Mark Andre Fleury, were Edmonton’s own Dion Phaneuf and Shawn Belle. Interestingly, despite Canada’s impressive roster, they lost to the United States in the gold medal game in 2004, but were able to reclaim it in 2005. Phaneuf was named to the tournament’s All-Star team for both years. Matvichuk and Darryl Sydor–only Sydor managed to get any points (three goals and one assist). In 1993, Canada re-established its dominance by capturing the first of five consecutive gold medal performances. Ten Edmonton and area born players appeared on these five championship teams: Darcy Werenka in 1993, Rick Girard in 1994, Jason Botterill in 1994, 1995 and 1996, Lee Sorochan in 1995, Jason Holland, Hnat Domenichelli, Jarome Iginla and Daymond Langkow in 1996, and Brad Isbister and Shane Willis in 1997. Girard was third in tournament scoring in 1994. In 1996, Iginla was tied for first among all players in terms of point production, made the All-Star team and was named the tournament’s best forward. Isbister led the team in scoring in 1997. If Canada’s fourth place finish in 1989 was disappointing, and 1992 was a tough pill to swallow, 1998 was an absolute gong show. After winning five consecutive gold medals, the wheels fell out from underneath the juggernaut as they finished eighth overall in the tournament. The team featured Edmonton product Zenith Komarniski on defense. The following year, with current Oilers coach Tom Renney behind the bench, Canada managed to redeem itself by winning silver and featured former Oilers Jason Chimera, and fellow Edmonton products Blair Betts and Andrew Ference in the lineup.

Westlock’s Kyle Chipchura captained the team to gold in 2006, and Barrhead’s Leland Irving provided his services as backup goaltender to the gold medal winning 2007 team, which also featured Edmonton product Bryan Little in the lineup. The following year along with 2010 were hiccups for Edmonton and area players as not one was selected for the team. However, separating those two bookends was Tyler Ennis in 2009 putting up more than a point a game to help Canada win yet another gold. However, the contribution hasn’t only been on ice. In 2000, St. Albert native Dean Clark, then coach of the Calgary Hitmen, was Canada’s assistant coach, and in 1996, Edmonton’s Marcel Comeau led the team behind the bench. Interesting to note that of the over three dozen players mentioned, most have gone onto successful careers in the NHL. Equally interesting to note is that of these players born and raised in Edmonton and area, 11 have played with the Calgary Flames at one time or another. You can’t help but wonder if there’s something in the water up here that makes Edmonton and area products so sought after by our country and our provincial rivals.

The turn of the century saw the team slip one rung to bronze and featured the fleet-footed Jay Bouwmeester making his first of three appearances. (He appeared in 2001 and 2002 as well). Kyle Rossiter joined him on defence, and forwards Jamie Lundmark (played in 2001 as well) and Edmonton born/Victoria raised Matt Pettinger joined the charge up front. By suiting up in 2000 at the age of 16 years, two months and 29 days, Jay Bouwmeester is regarded as the youngest Canadian

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

By Lauren Gilley Photo courtesy of Andy Devlin, EOHC.

There’s nothing quite like experiencing an Oilers game live at Rexall Place. The sound of the goal horn, the energy of nearly 17,000 fans and the infamous stick salute at the end of a successful game are what have created a legacy of hockey in Edmonton. The players, however, aren’t the only team hard at work. NHL off-ice officials carry a significant level of commitment to the game and have just as much passion for the sport as the athletes who play it. Though they may not have their own jerseys, these officials work tirelessly during every Oilers home game to ensure the integrity of the sport is held to the highest standard. Gene Eberley, not to be confused with the Oilers young gun who shares a similar last name, is the NHL off-ice official Crew Supervisor at Oilers home games. His team of dedicated NHL sanctioned officials has some of the most important roles at every game. Their jobs, however, can often be taken for granted or not fully understood by the average fan. Two hours prior to puck drop, 16 off-ice officials enter Rexall Place sporting their NHL crested blazers and trade in their fan personas for that of NHL employees. Seated high above the ice in the press box or down in the penalty box, the crew keeps track of all the game’s statistics, from the time on-ice to how many penalty minutes a player accumulates.

In an arena that can often cause sensory overload for the average fan, off-ice officials must be able to have incredible focus and be attentive to detail. For Michael Whidden, an off-ice official with the NHL since the 2003-2004 season, this is often the most challenging aspect of his job. “With so much going on at any given time it’s important to stay concentrated on what you are there to do and not get caught up in the play,” said Whidden. “It’s definitely fun to be able to watch the evolution of the team, especially with these young guys, but we stop worrying about the Oilers and start capturing the statistics.” Technological advancements have added a new dimension to off-ice officiating, helping keep real-time stats and giving the ability to replay specific on-ice situations. Sandy Miller has been an off-ice official since 1969 and has experienced the technological transition first-hand.

They all agree that there truly is no bad job when it comes to off-ice officiating.

The team is comprised of two time on-ice officials, one event analyst, two goal judges, one video goal judge, two penalty box attendants, one penalty time-keeper, one game time-keeper, two stats entry officials, one official scorer, one arena technical coordinator, one TV coordinator and one official on standby. Each off-ice official is capable of fulfilling every role. This ensures that the team will be adequately covered throughout the season and allows for a rotation of duties. Although some of the officials have a preferred station of work they all agree that there is no bad job when it comes to off-ice officiating. “We’ve become very accustomed to all of the jobs and enjoy them,” veteran off-ice official Stan Ravndahl said. “One isn’t more important than the other.”

“The most notable advancement has been the video replay system,” said Miller. “It allows us to look back on a play we might have otherwise been uncertain of.” The stat–tracking system has also evolved over the years and in 1997 the Hockey Information and Tracking System (HITS) was introduced. HITS is used league-wide, providing up-to-date stats in a user-friendly format and allowing off-ice officials to have access to a database of statistics in an instant. The fast-paced nature of a live game requires all of the off-ice officials to have a team-player mentality; working as a cohesive unit is one of the biggest factors to their success. “Teamwork is absolutely critical,” said Eberley. “We constantly need to be able to work together in order to make the most accurate call. We have headsets at ice-level that connect to the guys upstairs and if we are down on ice-level we can also talk verbally to each other.” Being a team-oriented individual is one of the most important personality traits the NHL looks for when hiring new off-ice officials. The crew’s friendship and respect for one another is incredibly apparent.

The fast-paced nature of a live game requires all of the off-ice officials to have a team-player mentality; working as a cohesive unit is one of the biggest “To work with these guys is a lot factors to their success. of fun; we have an outstanding team,” “We always look at how someone will fit within our group and see if they will be a good mix for our team,” said Eberley.

added Jerry Stevenson. A passion for the sport of hockey is a necessity for any off-ice official; officiating is a part-time job and most officials have day jobs as well. Al Robertson, a chartered accountant by trade, is one of the many off-ice officials who do it simply for the love of the game. Robertson noted that the most enjoyable aspect of his job is “just getting involved with the game” and Andre Hebert shared his sentiment. “I just love hockey in general. Just being here, getting involved – it’s great,” said Hebert, an off-ice official with the NHL since 1997. “You’re watching professional hockey at its highest level. We’ve seen some of the greatest players go through this city. I’m sure most of us would do it even on a volunteer basis.” Although they may not spend quite as much time at Rexall Place as the players and coaching staff, with 41 regular season home games, these NHL off-ice officials are certainly no strangers to the rink. Watching the game in a different way and pledging their allegiance to the league, not the team, NHL off-ice officials play an integral role in how the fans and players enjoy professional NHL hockey. Simply put, they score what they see and they love what they do.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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By Jon Hagan Photos courtesy of Steve Serdachny

In his 2008 book Outliers: The Story of Success, author Malcolm Gladwell devotes a chapter to discussing how a disproportionate number of elite hockey players seem to be have been born in the first few months of the calendar year. By describing how minor hockey associations determine eligibility based on the year in which a child is born--so those that have their birthdays in January will be playing with those who have their birthdays in December of that same year--he says that the kids born earlier will more often than not be bigger and more mature than their cohorts born later in the year. This, he argues, often leads to the older players being identified as the better players, which can then lead to better opportunities by way of access to better coaching, developmental opportunities, and a higher likelihood of being selected for elite teams. Leave it to a group of dedicated Edmontonians to level that playing field. Born out of last year’s Stollery Family Day Classic, the S4 Skill Development initiative is a collaborative effort between Steve Serdachny and Hockey Edmonton that provides all registered players within Edmonton minor hockey with a unique, cost free way of developing as players.

about an individual’s skill development.” And in keeping with the Stollery Family Day Classic’s mandate of healthy living through sport, the S4 is available at no cost to players thanks to a generous start-up donation from the 2011 Stollery event. “We want hockey to become more open and accessible not just in terms of playing it but from a developmental perspective,” adds Serdachny. “And it’s nice for parents to have the opportunity to register their kids for something that doesn’t cost them anything.” As described on their website, www.sfour.ca, the one-hour sessions that comprise the S4 focus on things like hockey specific skating techniques, stick handling to develop superior puck control, learning the proper techniques of how to score, passing and purposeful puck movement, proper team play and sharing the puck, effective hockey and skatingspecific training, and planning for success.

“This is a unique program that nobody in the world provides from an association level. It’s a self propelled initiative that puts the kids first, the players first, and hockey first.”

“Hockey is not very much fun to play if you don’t have a good skill set,” said Serdachny, current skating and skills coach for the Edmonton Oilers. “If you can’t skate, if you don’t have good puck handling skills, if you don’t have scoring skills, if you don’t have those individual skills, hockey can be a very cruel game and it’s a game you can watch just go by you.” Regardless of skill level, by giving all players registered within Hockey Edmonton access to a professionally developed training program, which focuses on the fundamentals of skating, shooting, scoring and stick handling, the S4 goes a long way in contributing to a solution to the problem of making additional training available to more than just advanced players. “The S4 provides an opportunity to help kids of all levels, ages and abilities to improve themselves,” said Serdachny. “The super skills are

The program was rolled out to the entire association in October of 2011, and, according to Serdachny, by early December, organizers had put roughly 600 kids through three programs. The plan is to run four more through to the end of February. “It’s really been a resounding success,” he said. “The program has been very well received and everyone that’s enrolled has been very happy with the outcome. I think it’s been a really super positive thing for Hockey Edmonton. This is a unique program that nobody in the world provides from an association level. It’s a self propelled initiative that puts the kids first, the players first, and hockey first.” The program is set up in two streams: grassroots, which covers novice through peewee and advanced, which is specifically for rep/tier 1 and 2 players. “They’re typically sessions that run throughout the entire day, so we’ll accommodate, say novice grassroots, novice advanced, and so

The S4 program is something that players and their parents can truly be proud of participating in. “It’s Hockey Edmonton’s way of giving back. There’s not another minor hockey association in the world that does something like this,” said Serdachny. “Guys like Chris Hurley and Dean Hengel from Hockey Edmonton, these guys were pivotal in getting this off the ground. It’s been an incredible initiative driven by everyone at Hockey Edmonton and the Stollery Family Day Classic.” So jump on board this innovative made-in-Edmonton program and take the opportunity to learn from some of the best. It’s the Edmonton Way! And don’t forget to watch your inbox.

on,” Serdachny said. “We try to group the kids according to their skill level. Kids then have the opportunity to register for the appropriate group that fits their age and ability.” By running the program in two streams up to eight times a day, the organizers of the S4 are taking care of every single facet, age, ability, male and female from the lowest to the highest levels. “We’re really trying to grow the game,” Serdachny said. “Best of all, the only thing it’s going to cost their parents is a bit of time to get them to the rink.” As far as coaching goes, coming from the pros at Hockey Edmonton and a man that travels the world teaching hockey skills when he’s not working with the Edmonton Oilers, parents and players can expect world-class training. “First and foremost the coaches in Edmonton minor are doing an incredible job,” said Serdachny. “But what we’re doing is trying to provide a supplement in terms of professional coaching. We’re trying to get the best of the best from Edmonton and area and throughout Canada. There are going to be many different coaches and many different people providing services.” All sessions are announced ahead of time, and players and their parents are encouraged to register for the session they want as quickly as possible. “We send out emails to each and every player telling them about the upcoming session,” said Serdachny. “It’s important to remember the program is set up on a first come first serve basis, and registration can only be done online.”

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

THE FORWARD STRIDE By Steve Serdachny

The forward stride is not only the most commonly used stride on the ice, it is an essential skill for high performance hockey. It is a skill that a player can improve regardless of age and ability. The forward stride is a complex motion that requires strength, balance, power, flexibility and most importantly effective technique. In watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, you can clearly see how skating and speed is the key to success in the new NHL. Teams that have speed and great skating ability are winning and dominating over opposition. Here are a few pointers to help you develop the skating skills to skate like the pros.

The Key Elements to the Forward Stride

The Forward stride has three phases: the stride, the glide and the recovery. All three phases must be utilized for effective striding technique. There is a coordinated balance and rhythm that takes place when a player strides. As we talked about before, the stance is crucial. Hip-width apart stance is key for maximum extension and stability. Head must be up, stick in front of you. You need a deep knee bend so that you can only see the top of your knees not your skates when you look down. The skates are in a slight v-position. Striding should occur from just across the mid-line of the body to 45-degree angles. When pushing, the skater must push from the hip through the knee and ankle to full extension. The entire blade should be involved in the motion from heel to mid-blade to toe. Full extension can only occur when the body is properly positioned. Thrust is created both by the blade and finally a toe snap. The recovery leg should draw back underneath the body in as straight a line a possible and planting directly in line (just across the mid-line of the body.) Recovery must try being low to the ice with great speed. The glide leg must be positioned well in front of the hips directly under the chin, chest and knee, as close to 90-degree angle as possible. Self-help tip: the skate should not be visible when striding. Deep knee bend and hip flexion is necessary.

Key Points Maintain a low powerful stance (Skates Hip width apart) Ensure the stride pushes out to 45 degrees to full extension. Glide leg as close to 90 degrees as possible Recovery should be low and direct just across the mid-line of the body. Ensure your momentum and energy is directed forward not side to side.

Incorporating the upper body.

Practice drill:

The upper body plays an important role in an effective forward stride. The torso or the core of the body must be a stabilizing force in order for the body to maintain good position. That is why strong abdominal muscles are key to great skating performance. Your upper body is a key factor in efficiency and technique. The stick must always be on the ice in scoring position (hockey ready), your arms should be driving forward with elbows bent to 90 degrees. The arm drive must be careful not to cross the mid-line of the body and cause any sort of upper body twist or side-to-side motion. This motion is inefficient and causes a loss of speed and momentum. As a skater, you want to direct all the energy possible in the direction of travel. For maximum speed and performance the body must make a coordinated motion forward. Remember, skating is a repetitive motion - if the first strides are smooth and effective, chances are the rest will be the same. Keep working one stride at a time.

The Serdachny Extension Drill: this drill is excellent for developing all three phases of the forward stride. The player starts off in a hip-width apart stance, skates in a slight “V” position. The thrust goes out to 45 degrees to full extension. It is important to push through the entire blade to full extension finishing with a strong toe snap. The recovery skate will drag the toe of the skate (inside edge, light contact with the ice) back to direct line, back to the recovery position. The upper body must be stable with great skating posture with your arms driving forward. This drill is meant to be done at low speed. The more you practice the better you will get.

Maximizing the energy produced and directing it towards the direction of travel is key to high performance skating. Generating efficient strides and upper body technique is key to high performance skating.

I highly recommend you focus on your forward stride during the summer. May it be in a specialized skating camp or by picking up an excellent resource like “Explosive Speed For Hockey” volume 1 and 2. The DVDs clearly illustrate the ideal forward stride and breaks down the proper technique and its’ elements. Keep working on your skating and you will see dramatic results. Have a great playoff run!

Steve Serdachny is the skating coach for the Edmonton Oilers. He conducts power skating and hockey schools worldwide. His power skating and skill systems are highly effective in developing maximum performance on ice. You can catch Steve on the national television show ”Hockey Academy” on the NHL Network. For more information on camps, schools and DVDs visit www.elitepowerskating.com or call 1-877-30-SKATE

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

KNOW WHAT THE PROS KNOW

IT’S ALL IN THE FITTING. By Terry Martin

Are you serious about being a better hockey player or ringette player? How about improving your skating performance as a competitor in figure skating? If so, what would you do to improve your chances of succeeding in the sport you love? Well, you could ask Olympic and World Gold Medalists Sale and Pelletier, or NHL players sporting championship rings like Jay Bouwmeester, Todd Marchant, Doug Weight, or Ray Whitney and their answers would be the same: “work with the best.” That is, people and tools. And the most important tool-of-the-trade for any high-performance athlete is their “wheels,” the skates and blades which help leverage their physical power to generate speed, control and agility. Naturally the performance of their skates is also a function of their skates feeling perfectly comfortable – and when all is combined the results are more confidence and increased performance.

chain and becomes an extension of the foot to the blades edges, and ultimately the ice surface. When a skate fits correctly you gain the ultimate control and comfort of your boot and blade, and maximizes your ability and performance which holds true for any level of skater or player, age and ability doesn’t matter, because the physics are the same.”

The best skate fitting for performance experts who serve the needs of skaters such as Sale and Pelletier, Dubriel and Lauzon or players such as Marchant or local sensation Jay Bouwmeester of the Calgary Flames, is Pro-Skate, a company Jay’s been working with since playing in Edmonton’s Minor Hockey League.

What makes Pro-Skate so different then, and compelling, is that often when visiting teams are in town to play the Oilers players drop in to the store. “It’s the relationship they build with you over time, and they just do what’s right for you,” confirms Dan Bouwmeester, Jay’s Dad, “and it has nothing to do with being an NHL star or having nothing but money to spend. They fit kids properly and many times I’ve seen them talk parents out of buying the most expensive skates, in favour of buying the right skates – they’re about value not price.”

When a skate fits correctly you gain the ultimate control and comfort

At the heart of Pro-Skate, a company with over 25 years of hard-earned experience, is Kenny Slywka, a soft spoken former Sherwood Park Crusader who is absolutely committed to helping people achieve their aspirations and goals. “We fit skates for performance, and that means making the boot accommodate the foot, rather than the other way around, which is what you find with “off-the-rack” fittings found with most retail stores,” said Kenny. “Unfortunately many skaters (and parents) don’t really understand the positive and dramatic impact of improving performance and comfort a correctly fit pair of skates can have. It’s always surprising how often we hear from people who still believe that skates have to be uncomfortable before they ‘break in’ which is just not the case at all. This should make sense to people.”

“What the pros know about their skating performance is the skate boot and the blade are crucial part of the kinetic chain….beginning from the hips, through the legs and feet, the boot is a part of the

“All the stuff we do didn’t happen overnight. When we first started doing blade alignment for hockey 25 years ago, we borrowed from common knowledge in the figure skating world where blades were never pre-mounted onto the boot – you needed to shave the soles and adjust the blade to ensure it was straight underneath the foot so you’re right on the flat of the blade. We took that experience into hockey, adding things like making sure the stiffness of the boot fit how aggressive the skater was, and assessing how this boot would break down from the amount of skating someone did. Things just evolved, like training and nutrition and everything else in the game,” says Kenny. “Equally important is having knowledgeable and trained staff because your product is only as good as your service, and finding people who want more than a job, and who want to make a career out of helping people, is key to how we run our business – which is essentially a relationship building business, whether it is with professionals, or our core market, young, aspiring and serious athletes. In the end though, rather than patting ourselves on the back, we prefer having the results of our work speak on our behalf.”

Well good on ya’ Kenny and Pro-Skate, but the list of those who want to pat you on the back goes on… Jarome Iginla, Mike Comrie, Scottie Upshall, Vern Fiddler, and on… Patrick Lauzon, Marie-France Dubriel, Kurt Browning, Paul Coffey, Jaromir Jagr, and on… Any last words Jay B? “Yeah, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose – except maybe your poor fitting skates.”

When a skate fits correctly you gain the ultimate control and comfort of your boot and blade, and maximizes your ability and performance your saveoneverythingstore Proudly Canadian

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Folklore tells us that the curved hockey stick was accidentally “discovered” by two members of the Chicago Black Hawks in the early ‘60s’ Depending on who you believe, it was either Stan Makita or Bobby Hull who “invented” the curved hockey stick. One of these players caught his stick blade in one of the doors in the boards, and the stick was bent in the process. The two players took turns trying out the bent stick and realized that the puck’s flight was affected, resulting in a shot with greater velocity. Shortly thereafter, both players began using curved sticks and most players followed. Other players (and from earlier times) claim to have invented (or used) a curved stick. Andy Bathgate grew up in the 1940s and played for four different teams in the NHL. Here’s what he had to say about using a curved stick. “Back in Winnipeg, where I grew up, my brother Frank and I used to curve our sticks. We’d get them wet and give them a nice bend. It helped us raise the puck. I used them all the time, even when I got to junior in Guelph. When I got to the Rangers, my coach, Alf Pike, would go around stepping on the blades to break them. ‘You can’t use those in a game,’ he’d say. When he was gone and Phil Watson came in, I started curving them a little more.” Another player, Bert Olmstead, claims to have used curved sticks while playing hockey in his youth in Alberta in the 1930s. “Oh we used to curve them all the time. That’s how we lifted the puck. They were so whippy that when we got them wet, it was easy to curve the blade.” Olmstead says he and other NHL players put slight curves in their blades when the vigilant eyes of their bosses were trained elsewhere. So whether curved sticks were “discovered” in the ‘30s’ or ‘60s’ is a dispute, but there’s no dispute about the fact that every hockey player (from minor hockey to NHL) now plays with a curved stick.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

By Maurice Tougas Photos courtesy of David Block

Four years after a devastating accident left Kieran Block without the ability to play high-level hockey, he looked at his accident as resulting in a career-ending injury. But after discovering sledge hockey — and encountering other injured athletes who didn’t let their disabilities stop them from playing hockey — Block now sees what happened to him as a ”career-starting” injury. From lying at the bottom of a Jasper canyon with a horrifically shattered leg to playing for your country around the world four years later — if ever there was a silver-lining story, this is it. Block, 26, began playing hockey at age five in Whitemud West, starting as a goalie, then moving to defence before settling in over time as a forward. He played for CAC, then four seasons for the Medicine Hat Tigers, winning a Western Hockey League championship in his second year. Like most juniors, he had hopes of playing pro. But he opted to take advantage of scholarship opportunities offered by the WHL, and enrolled at the University of Alberta, eventually entering the faculty of education. While attending the U of A, he made the Golden Bears. Technically, he was a member of the team for four years, but only played one (missing out on their national championship season) before his life took an almost catastrophic turn.

He was in hospital for a month, and bedridden at home for another two. It was six months before he could even put pressure on the leg. Hockey, of course, was out of the question for that year, but he expected to be able to play for the Bears again. He had no way of knowing that his competitive hockey career was over. A year after the accident, Block put on skates for the first time. He soon realized that his mobility was gone, and that he couldn’t come close to the speed required for competitive hockey. Another year later, after intensive therapy from the U of A athletic staff, he went to Bears training camp with full intentions of making the team. Again, he couldn’t keep up. The coaching staff let him stay on the team and practice, but ultimately he came to the grim realization that he would never play hockey at a high level again. It was crushing.

“When I hit the rocks, I thought I was probably going to die.”

Four years ago, Block went cliff diving with friends at Horseshoe Lake in Jasper. They found a spot from about 30 feet up, and successfully completed an exhilarating dive. He clambered up the cliff for his second jump, thinking he was in the same place as before. He thought wrong. Block took a running start for his dive, and only realized when it was too late that he was not over water after all. “I started running … and I pushed off. All I saw was rocks,” he recalls. “It was maybe a two or three second fall to the ground, but it felt like two or three hours. I knew I was falling into rocks, and there was no way around it. “When I hit the rocks, I thought I was probably going to die.”

When his three-second fall was over, he found himself with a grotesquely broken right leg (people nearby heard the pop of the breaking bone), and a broken left foot and heel. Luckily, he hit his head on a log instead of rock, sparing him a concussion, or worse. It took three hours for Block to be rescued by helicopter, which gave him plenty of time to wonder if he would ever play hockey again, or even walk. Within hours, he was back in Edmonton undergoing the first of four surgeries he would have over the next four years.

“I love being on the ice. I love hockey. It was so hard when it was all taken away.” But then Matt Cook re-entered his life. Cook was a promising minor hockey player from Edmonton who, in 2006, contracted a rare form of cancer (the same cancer that afflicted Terry Fox) that resulted in leg amputation. Cook turned his energies towards sledge hockey, which is played by disabled athletes on sled-like devices. The players sit in the sledge, and propel themselves with mini-hockey sticks.

“There were able-bodied people, and disabled people, people with mental disabilities — everything. At first I was caught off guard, thinking, whoa, this is a crazy universe. “But after a while I realized that in every way I was just like those guys. For me, it was a support group. “They started making my life a lot easier. I realized that, yeah, my life has changed, but life goes on and I can still enjoy my life. I might not be able to play stand-up hockey at the level that I could, but I could be competitive with sledge hockey. “Once I started playing the game, I fell in love with it. In every aspect of the game, it is hockey — just sitting down.” Block knew Cook in their younger years, and reconnected at the urging of friends. It was a big step towards helping Block come to a realization that he was trying to avoid — that he was now a disabled athlete. “After hanging around Matt and talking to him about his disability and what it was like, it started to make me feel a little more normal, to be around somebody who had gone through such adversity and had such a life-changing circumstance.” Cook was an inspiration. He had survived amputation and heart surgery, and was still playing sledge hockey. Block realized that he was feeling sorry for himself. “All that happened to me was that I broke my leg. I thought, here’s a guy that you would never know was a disabled person. To me, he was a regular, ordinary guy. I followed his lead and his leadership. He was a role model for me, and inspiration. “He was always smiling, always happy. He took the positives out of everything. I thought if he could turn that around, I had better be able to turn my life around. I was choosing to be miserable about my life. I was so down, but I realized that I wanted to be like him.” Cook introduced Block to sledge hockey, a sport Block was almost entirely clueless about. It wasn’t love at first sight; Block was still telling himself that he could get back to playing elite level hockey.

Sledge hockey gave him an outlet for his competitive energies. He caught the attention of the national team, and was sent to Moncton for training camp last July. He was invited to the national team tryout camp, making the team and getting the honour of pulling on the maple leaf. In November, Team Canada defeated the U.S. at a major tournament in Calgary, a thrill that Block says was on par with winning the WHL championship. But that was just “the start of something great;” the team is going to Japan in January, Buffalo N.Y. in February, and the world championships in March in Norway. It’s no exaggeration to say that sledge hockey changed — and maybe even saved — Kieran Block’s life. After the accident, he was angry and depressed that he would have to live the rest of his life with a disability. “I hated it. I was depressed. “I look back on it now, and I can’t believe I ever thought like that. I look at the opportunities I have to get to wear a Canadian jersey, to travel all over the world, to go back to school … “I look at it now not as a career-ending injury, but a career-starting injury. It changed my life, but it changed it in a positive way.”

It wasn’t until after Cook passed away that Block started to look seriously at sledge hockey. He was approached by the national sledge hockey team, and tried out the game with the Edmonton Impact team. It was a revelation.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Hockey, Canada’s national winter sport, is in the bloodstream of Canadians. Many young hockey players dream of playing in the NHL and although those dreams may fade, the desire to lace up skates, grab a stick and enjoy a good, competitive game burns on. While shinny hockey is an enjoyable way to spend time with friends, many adult recreational players prefer to play in an organized hockey league. The Alberta Men’s Hockey League has been operating as a structured environment for hockey players in Edmonton since 1983. Games are played in quality facilities located across the city, including Argyll arena, Knights of Columbus Twin arenas, University of Alberta, Canadian Athletic Club, and various facilities operated by the City of Edmonton. As one of the longest running leagues in Edmonton, the AMHL offers some of the best ice times available for adult recreational hockey. The league currently has 84 teams playing in the winter season, which runs from September to April, and 40 teams in the summer season, which runs from May to August. Teams are placed in divisions based on calibre to promote fair, competitive play. The AMHL is a non-contact league, although there is non-deliberate contact and full slapshots are allowed. In addition to applying the Hockey Canada Rules, the Alberta Men’s Hockey League maintains a set of rules specific to the league. Two qualified referees and one timekeeper are present to facilitate each game. Safety of the players and officials is a high priority for the league and players who do not play within the league rules may be subject to suspensions, fines or even expulsion. Statistics are updated daily on the Alberta Men’s Hockey League website to allow players to monitor their standings throughout the season. Players and teams with the highest achievement during the regular season and playoffs receive awards and trophies.

The AMHL has alliances with various businesses in the Edmonton area including Hudsons Taphouse, Molson Coors Canada, United Cycle, Elite Sportswear and Athletes Nation. Registered players in the league are offered great deals, including discounts and certificates at Hudsons Taphouse, discounts on purchases at United Cycle, and merchandise from Molson Coors Canada - such as hockey bags or hockey sticks for the entire team. Bill Matthews, team representative for the Bearcats, recently described his team’s experience in the Alberta Men’s Hockey League: “The AMHL proved to exceed our team’s expectations on how an organized recreation hockey league operates. Quality on and off ice officials, great schedule and ice times at great facilities, and timely updated stats on the web! This league is the best at what it does in Edmonton. Our entire roster is coming back for another year! Hopefully win the championship this time!” The Alberta Men’s Hockey League strives to provide a safe environment for good, competitive hockey.

Are you ready to play? The Alberta Men’s Hockey League is currently accepting team applications for the 2012 Summer Season. Players must be 18 years of age by the first day of the summer season to be eligible to participate. For more information, visit the Alberta Men’s Hockey League website at www.albertamenshockeyleague.com or send an email to amhl@shaw.ca.

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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The NHL features players as tall is 6’9” and as short as 5’5”, a difference of almost a foot and a half. There is also a similar wide range in the weight of players on the ice. Blackhawks defenseman John Scott (at 6’8” and 270 lbs.) weighs almost twice as much as Flames centreman Paul Byron, who barely tips the scales at 153 lbs. The Buffalo Sabres have players from different spectrums in size. Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers is towering at 6’8” (just one inch shorter than the tallest player in the NHL – Zdeno Chara), while Nathan Gerbe is the league’s shortest player at 5’5”. Sabres centreman Tyler Ennis is listed as 157 lbs., and like Byron, he measures 5’9’ in height. Byron, Ennis and Gerbe are all forwards, and one might say that size is less important at this position. Size doesn’t seem to make a difference to a few diminutive defensemen. Francis Boullion is the shortest defenseman in the NHL (at 5’8”), but he weighs 198 lbs. Marc-Andre Bergeron also weighs 198 lbs., but he is an inch taller at 5’9”. The smallest defensemen in the NHL (from the standpoint of weight) is Kris Russell from the St. Louis Blues. He stands 5’10’, but he weighs only 172 lbs., which is not a lot for a defenseman. NHL goalies average 6’2”, but Jhonas Enroth (another Sabre) stands 5’10”, and weighs only 166 lbs.

At the other end of the spectrum is Phoenix goalie Jason Labarbera, who stands 6’5” and weighs 234 lbs. Would Milan Lucic or Jordan Tootoo run this goalie? Labarbera is not quite the tallest netminder though. Three Swedish goalies have that honour: Henrick Karlsson (Calgary), Jacob Markstrom (Florida), and Anders Lindback (Nashville). Each goalie stands 6’6” tall. And who is the tallest player in the NHL? That would be Zdeno Chara, who stands on top of the heap at 6’9” (7 feet in skates.) So no matter what your shape and size, you can make it as an NHL player. There are definitely jockeys taller than a few of the NHL’s shorter players, and there are a number of NHL players who look more like basketball players.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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By Rob Suggitt Photos provided by Amber Grmek Photography

When did you start officiating hockey?

I started when I was 13. This is my fourth year.

What made you want to become a hockey official?

The money of course (just like any kid), but also, it’s great to get out on the ice and help the little kids. It’s a great “front row seat” for any game.

How many games did you officiate last season, and how many games do you plan on officiating this season?

(I officiated) approximately 70-75 games last season. With a busy schedule it’s tough but most likely I would like to get around 80-85 games (this season).

What level of hockey are you currently officiating?

I do lines for peewee, bantam and midget. I also do two-man peewee, and the odd time, atom.

Have you ever officiated during Minor Hockey Week? For this edition of the magazine, we are featuring 16-year-old Darcy Readman, who is currently in grade 11 at McNally High School. Darcy is a born and raised Edmontonian, and aside from being a hockey official (he plays too), his other interests include volleyball, football, and playing xbox. (And getting his license recently, he also likes driving.) We met up with Darcy at the Millwoods Arena in November, where he was officiating a peewee game that day. Darcy shared what it’s like to be a minor hockey official, and what got him started. Do you still play hockey, and if so, for what team? I do play. I played MLAC all the way up to this year, (and) now I play for SEERA Tier 1.

Yes I have, all my years of officiating.

And if so, what makes you volunteer your time?

It’s good to do as many games as you can because it means your dedicated and it will get your name out there to do more games.

Do you have any highlights from past Minor Hockey Week tournaments to pass along?

As a player I’ve won Minor Hockey Week once and got Silver once. As a ref there hasn’t been many highlights except that I’ve done a few final games. I’ve got a Minor Hockey Week mug one year as an appreciation for my volunteering.

What do you enjoy most about officiating hockey games?

I like helping out the little kids, but also as higher hockey comes your way, it’s a great way to stay in shape and watch and be a part of a great game.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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What kind of training are/were you provided?

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

The reffing course every year helps you train. They have on-ice sessions to help you with positioning and procedures, and they also have in-class sessions to catch up on any rule changes and to review all the other rules.

I’ve never suffered any injuries. Some games I will forget my shin pads and get a few slashes across my shins. A close call would probably have to be when a stick came up inside my visor and just missed my teeth and my nose. No serious damage was done that time.

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

How do you handle criticism on the ice?

How have you improved your skills as an official?

Do you have comments you wish to share with parents, coaches or anyone watching minor hockey? The only thing I would like to

As any other kid I would probably say my parents, but starting this year, it’s been a bit different. Steve Cousens has been a big help. He has come out to a few of my games this year to watch me ref. He has given me criticism that has helped me tweak my habits and to become a better official all around. Thanks, Steve! As you ref more and more years, your skills usually improve because you know the job a lot better. But I have to mention supervisions, when a supervisor comes out and watches you ref. They give you both positive feedback and constructive criticism. You have to listen to this if you want to become a better official.

What is the toughest part about being a referee?

By a coach? I’ll see what he has to say. If he just wants to yell at me I will usually just tell him to talk to me when he’s calmed down, but if it is just to discuss a call I have no problem with it. If parents or coaches are yelling it’s best to just ignore it, don’t let them get under your skin. Just do your job.

say would be reinforcing the point of yelling at the refs. Parents, coaches, don’t yell, the call is not going to change!

In the first year it was probably listening to the coaches hoot and holler. That doesn’t bother me now. Now it would probably have to be that as the levels increase, the speed of the game, you have to be more involved and pay attention. You have to be aware and not take it as a joke.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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 five-minute 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 5-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.

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 (2 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