Cowtown may quickly become known as “women’s hockey town.”

This season Calgary is becoming a hub for women’s hockey, leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and fans have the chance to see not only the best players from across the country, but Canada’s future stars of the game as well.

How is that, you ask?

Well, a special five-game ticket package is now on sale featuring many of the top female players Canada has to offer. This great deal includes tickets to both the bronze and gold medal games of the 2013 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, both scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, a game between the biggest rivals in the game, Canada and the United States, on Thursday, Dec. 12 and the two final games of the exciting and entertaining National Women’s Team Midget Series, set for Friday, Jan. 17 against the Strathmore Bisons and Sunday, Jan. 19 against the Calgary Buffaloes. These two match-up against AAA teams from the Alberta Midget Hockey League will also be the final games Team Canada will play before departing for Sochi 2014. All of the above games take place at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Canada Olympic Park, home arena for Hockey Canada.

How much for all this incredible women’s hockey action, you ask?

Well, it’s available now for just $40, offering $10 in savings over single-game tickets. Get yours now by clicking HERE, email [email protected] for more information, and reserve your spots in women’s hockey town!

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the dates and host communities for six events taking place during the 2022-23 season, including the return of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup and World Junior A Challenge for the first time since 2019.

The communities of Langley and Delta, B.C., will host the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from Nov. 5-12, bringing some of the top young players in the world to Metro Vancouver.

The 2022 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup will run from Nov. 27-Dec. 3 in Bridgewater, N.S., marking the first time that the event has been held in the Maritimes since 2016.

A showcase of Canadian and international Junior A talent, the 2022 World Junior A Challenge will take place in Cornwall, Ont., from Dec. 11-18.

Two of Hockey Canada’s national championships will return to their typical April schedule in 2023, with the puck dropping at the Esso Cup in Prince Albert, Sask., on April 23 and the TELUS Cup beginning April 24 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.

The Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be hosted in Portage la Prairie, Man., in May 2023, bringing Canada’s National Junior A Championship to Manitoba for a fourth time.

“We are excited to announce the host communities for six events taking place in 2022-23, and we cannot wait to bring some of the top hockey events in the world to fans across Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “Hosting events of this magnitude would not be possible without our incredible local partners, and we are very grateful for their support as we count down to puck drop.”

Tickets are available now for the 2022 World Junior A Challenge in Cornwall, Ont., at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, while on-sale dates for the remaining events will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, become a Hockey Canada Insider, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alta. – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the 2021 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, 2021 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup and 2021 World Junior A Challenge. The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer:

“Despite a strong desire to work with three great communities to host the top players at various levels across the country this season, the health and safety of all participants and the communities at large continues to be of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada. The ongoing pandemic, in addition to the vaccination status of some international teams, has left us with no other option. We believe the decision to cancel these fall events is the safest decision given the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic at a local level, as well as the uncertainty around countries and regions being able to safely compete.

Hockey Canada is grateful for the continued support of local host committees and event partners, including B.C. Hockey, Hockey Eastern Ontario, Hockey Nova Scotia and the Canadian Junior Hockey League, as well as the communities of Bridgewater, N.S., Cornwall, Ont., and Dawson Creek, B.C., and all local and provincial funding partners. Our organization is appreciative of the commitment and support of all stakeholders to host these events and we look forward to showcasing our national events and all participants to fans next year.”

Hockey Canada will continue to work with event stakeholders to host the spring 2022 national championships and to continue to investigate opportunities to prepare Canadian athletes to represent Canada at the Olympic Winter Games, Paralympic Winter Games, IIHF world championships and other international events.

CALGARY, Alta. – Following the cancellation of the 2019-20 hockey season and all national championships in March, Hockey Canada has worked tirelessly with its host organizing committees for 2020 and beyond.

While a tremendous amount of work has gone into planning the fall 2020 events, the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a position where there is no further option other than to cancel three events, instead planning for their return in 2021 to the following communities:

• 2020 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Nov. 2-8 in Dawson Creek, B.C.
• 2020 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 6-12 in Bridgewater, N.S.
• 2020 World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 13-20 in Cornwall, Ont.

The following statement is on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer:

“At various rates, provinces from coast-to-coast-to-coast have started moving ahead with their phased re-opening, but as it has been since the season was cancelled, Hockey Canada’s priority remains the health and safety of all participants and the general public. We believe the decision to cancel these three events is the safest decision given the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic at the local level, as well as the international implications associated with these events.

Hockey Canada is grateful for the continued support of our local host committees and event partners, including BC Hockey, Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey Eastern Ontario, NHL Central Scouting, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). We appreciate the commitment and support of everyone involved and we look forward to showcasing some incredible hockey to fans next year.”

WINKLER, Man. – Ontario Red has continued its dynasty at the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, taking home its fifth-consecutive gold medal by defeating Saskatchewan 3-1 at Winkler Arena on Saturday.

It is the 12th time Ontario Red has stood atop the podium in 13 national championships, while Saskatchewan made history of its own by reaching the gold medal game for the first time ever.

After a scoreless first period, Grace Nelles (St. Ann’s, Ont.) struck for Ontario Red just before the five-minute mark of the second and Olivia Wallin (Oakville, Ont.) tipped in the game-winning goal late in the middle frame. Neena Brick (Regina, Sask.) made things interesting when she got Saskatchewan on the board just 29 seconds into the third period, but Sarah Campbell (Oakville, Ont.) added insurance into an empty net in the dying seconds to clinch gold.

“Our girls were really eager to be here. With this group that we had here, the girls wanted to get better every time we were together, whether that was a meeting, an off-ice activity, practice or a game, that was something we stuck to for the whole week,” said Ontario Red head coach Kori Cheverie. “They stuck to the game plan, and they bought in to what we were selling them. Our group has been resilient all week; we’ve had to overcome a few things, so it was a great way to finish the week.”

Arden Kliewer (Saskatoon, Sask.) made 32 saves in a terrific performance in the Saskatchewan net, while Kayle Osborne (Rideau Lakes, Ont.) stopped 17 of 18 to record the win for Ontario Red.

Quebec edges Ontario Blue in OT to win bronze

Emilie Lussier (Ste-Martine, Que.) provided the heroics in the bronze medal game, scoring in overtime to lift Quebec past Ontario Blue and onto the podium with a 2-1 win.

Quebec trailed by a goal heading to the third period, but drew even off stick of the Ann-Frédérik Naud (St-Félix-de-Valois, Que.) with just 3:41 to go.

“I knew they would come out and fight hard no matter what, and they came out every period determined,” Quebec head coach Pascal Dufresne said of his team. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but every one of them gave it their all, and I could not be more proud of the way they were able to come back today and finish out the tournament with a win.”

It is the ninth medal and second bronze for Quebec at the national championship.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

When Ève Gascon first arrived at training camp to audition for the Phénix du Collège Esther-Blondin in the fall of 2018, the then-15-year-old was not expected to make any noise.

“She wasn’t in our plans,” admits Paulin Bordeleau, head coach of the Ligue de hockey midget AAA du Québec (LHMAAAQ) team. “We had a goaltender coming back from the year before, and I would say we had two other prospects that were ahead of her at the time.”

History was also working against the native of Terrebonne, Que. – no woman had ever served as a full-time goaltender in the Midget league.  

Gascon, who starred in net for the Basses-Laurentides Conquérants Bantam AAA squad from 2016-18, decided to make her historic bid for a spot in the Midget AAA ranks out of a desire to continue playing with her Conquérants teammates. She was attracted to the Phénix because her older brother Félix played for the organization during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. 

Ultimately, by exhibiting the same tenaciousness throughout camp as she does when she makes a seemingly impossible save – a signature aspect of her game – Gascon forced herself into the history books.

“I was proud of myself, but afterwards I realized I could not complete this accomplishment without my parents and brothers,” says Gascon. “I was proud of myself and thankful for them.”

She performed admirably in her rookie season with Esther-Blondin, posting a goals-against average of 4.14 and an .866 save percentage. Her sophomore campaign has thus far been more remarkable; she has cut the former figure down to 3.01 and elevated the latter to .905 as of the end of October. 

Bordeleau cites her great lateral movement, never-give-up approach and desire to be a good teammate as chief reasons for her success.  

By securing herself a place in history, Gascon has gained more than 2,000 followers on Instagram and numerous autograph requests. The 16-year-old treasures that she can count Charline Labonté as one of her biggest fans and as a mentor. 

“I am very happy to have her in my entourage,” says Gascon. “She is very helpful to me, whether it be advice on hockey or life. She has taught me how to always be in the present moment, and I am grateful for that.”

Thanks to mutual family friends, the three-time Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion has been in Gascon’s life for nearly five years. Their bond has steadily developed through consistent communication via phone calls and text messages, attending each other’s games and a few on-ice sessions together.

Labonté views Gascon as a kindred spirit; the long-time member of Canada’s National Women’s Team broke the mould herself by becoming just the second woman to tend goal in the QMJHL. Labonté appeared in 28 games for the Titan de Acadie-Bathurst eight years after Manon Rhéaume played a single game for the Draveurs de Trois-Rivières.

“She reminds me of myself at that age,” remarks Labonté. “I know exactly what she is going through. She is a quiet yet confident person. She doesn’t want the spotlight. She wants to play hockey and wants to go as far as she can, but the fact that she’s that good and is making history brings her all the media attention, and she has done very well with that. 

“Sometimes I can’t believe I am talking to a [16-year-old] kid. She is much more mature than that.”

Labonté says she and fellow Team Canada alumnus Kim St-Pierre – also a three-time Olympic gold medallist – have excitedly discussed Gascon’s potential with the Canada’s National Women’s Team.

“I don’t want to be biased, but I feel she is the next one,” declares Labonté. “She is taking it step by step, but everywhere she has been she has been successful.”

Gascon has already proven her mettle in elite tournaments; she backstopped Quebec to a silver medal at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta., with a tournament-leading .962 save percentage and 1.03 GAA, 20 years after Labonté won silver at the 1999 Games in Corner Brook, N.L. 

She followed up those heroics during the summer by leading Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team to a win in its series against the United States by making 26 saves for a 2-0 shutout win in the decisive third game. 

Gascon says strong self-belief has been instrumental in achieving success both on and off the ice. She advises younger players to do the same. 

“Don’t listen to the people who tell you [that] you can’t achieve your goals. Work hard and never give up.”

Would Gascon like to continue following Labonté’s trajectory by playing in the QMJHL? The youth says she would certainly be keen to attend a training camp if the opportunity is presented.

Abiding by the advice of her mentor, Gascon is keeping her focus on thriving in the present moment, which means trying to capture a gold medal with Quebec at the 2019 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

Jordyn Bear says she and her sister Kyla can produce some twin telepathy magic whenever they share the ice.

“We have great chemistry,” says Jordyn. “I always know where she is going to be on the ice. We are the exact same person in a different body.”

With that in mind, it isn’t surprising the two 16-year-olds share an aspiration to pursue a future with Canada’s National Women’s Team while serving as role models for Indigenous youth from coast to coast to coast.

Jordyn and Kyla, members of the Ochapowace Cree First Nation, are consistently sought out for advice about chasing after dreams by others on the reserve. The duo are already leaders in the community because their hockey skills have taken them to Penticton, B.C., to play for the Okanagan Hockey Academy.

“I want to make a path for them,” says Jordyn, a forward. “I want to show that even if you are an Indigenous kid that you can do everything, and nothing will stop you from doing it.”

Jordyn’s inclusion on the Saskatchewan roster for the 2019 National Women’s Under-18 Championship drives home that message even more. 

“[She] is such a strong forward,” beams Kyla, a defenceman. “She has a bright future ahead of her.”

Jordyn credits Kyla for playing an instrumental role in helping her get to this point.

“My sister pushes me to be a better person on and off the ice. She has made a huge impact in helping me become the person I am now.”

The on-ice feats accomplished by two sisters and their older brother Kirk, a 24-year-old who has spent time in the Western Hockey League with the Red Deer Rebels and Prince George Cougars, has generated buzz throughout Ochapowace. Kyla says the community sends energy towards the Bear family, too.

“The community on the reserve is so strong and supportive,” remarks Kyla. “I have never seen a stronger support group than the one we have with Ochapowace.”

In the past couple of years, Jordyn and Kyla have also connected with Ochapowace youth through visiting Kakisiwew School and coaching on-ice skills sessions. Some of the sessions allowed the sisters to work alongside their idol Brigette Lacquette, the first woman of Indigenous heritage to play for Canada’s National Women’s Team at the Olympic Winter Games.

Lacquette, who turns 27 on Sunday, has taken advantage of the increased exposure afforded to her after winning a silver medal at the 2018 Games by engaging with First Nations youth across Canada. She finds sharing her life story is the most powerful way she can inspire young girls and boys.

“I came from a small Métis community in Mallard, Manitoba. There were about 120 people there when I was growing up. There is nothing there. But I had a goal and a dream that I wanted to play on the team one day, and that is what I set out to do.”

Lacquette, who marvels at the speed with which the Bear sisters play the game, is proud that the two of them are devoted to becoming great role models.

“I love it, and I support them 100 per cent with that.”

Jordyn and Kyla are grateful Lacquette is only a phone call or text message away to support them with their desire to become better role models and hockey players.

The two are also thankful to have each other in Penticton as they continue their push to follow in Lacquette’s footsteps.

But Jordyn has business to take care of in Morden and Winkler first.

If Abby Newhook lights the lamp for Team Atlantic at the 2019 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, she won’t have to work hard to locate her grandmother Ann Newhook in the crowd.

“I always like to be in the corner of the [attacking] end so I can have a good view of her scoring goals,” says Ann. “I move to the other end of the ice at the end of each period so I can always be in a good spot to see her score.”

Abby appreciates her grandmother’s ritual and seeks Ann out when she does bury the biscuit.

“I definitely look her way, especially if it is in that corner because she is always celebrating,” says the 16-year-old forward, a product of St. John’s N.L. “I appreciate her support. It’s excellent.”

Other than experiencing pulsating excitement when her granddaughter gets a puck across the goal line, Ann says every moment she watches her granddaughter is a thrill.

“I love watching her ponytail fly when she skates,” remarks Ann. “She is such a wonderful skater, and I love watching her carry the puck.”

When Ann is informed by her son Shawn and daughter-in-law Paula that they are taking a trip to watch Abby or her grandson Alex – who was drafted 16th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft – play, she jumps at the chance to come along.

In February, Ann watched Abby shine at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta., with four goals and two assists in five games for Newfoundland and Labrador. In September, she made a trip down to Massachusetts to watch the Bay State Breakers under-19 team compete in the New England Girls Hockey League.

Between the trips was the first round of the NHL draft on June 21 in Vancouver. In the hours after Alex got drafted, Ann generated a bit of social media buzz when Shawn shared a tweet of her leading a cabal of Newfoundlanders in a celebratory hymn.

As a member of two choirs, singing is a focal point of Ann’s life. She has passed on her love for music and theatre to both grandchildren. Abby was her piano student for several years.

“I competed in some different festivals, and it was definitely fun,” says Abby. “There would be times when I would come to practice having not touched a piece since the lesson from the week before due to my busy hockey schedule and she would joke around with me for that.”

Abby also participated in musicals up until she was about 11 years old. She portrayed a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz and performed in the chorus for a production of Scrooge.

Her love for music, which was instilled in her by Ann, is still there; the Grade 11 student signed up for the choir at Tabor Academy, the prep school she attends in Marion, Mass., but hockey took precedence.

Coming back to Newfoundland and Labrador to visit Ann provides Abby with an excellent opportunity to stoke her musical passion, as the two of them love attending concerts and musical shows together.

Ann’s favourite show, though, is any time she gets to watch her grandchildren play Canada’s game. Watching the brother-sister duo shine together on the ice when they were younger remains a special memory.

“There was an Atom tournament where Alex and Abby were playing together, and my son Shawn was coaching them,” says Ann.  “They won one of the games 7-6. Alex scored six of the goals and Abby scored the other goal. I remember Alex lifting Abby in celebration on the ice.”

Three weeks after U18 nationals, Ann will be making another trek down to Massachusetts to see Abby play for the Breakers and Alex compete for Boston College, an institution Abby is committed to playing for starting in the fall of 2021.

Beyond being their No. 1 fan, Ann aims to aid their journey with some grandmotherly advice.

“I encourage them to avoid being pretentious and instead practice humility both on and off the ice and to be grateful for all the opportunities that come their way,” says Ann.

Abby keeps her grandma on her mind when she is not around by following that advice. For the next few days though in Winkler and Morden, Man., all she needs to do is look in the corner of the attacking zone.  

Amid the hustle and bustle of organizing community events, Clare Agnew always feels more assured when her younger brother Bob is at her side.

“I always feel comfortable and confident whenever he is in the room,” says Clare, the director of community services in Morden, Man. “He always has my back, and he’s calming and supportive.”

If you take a straw poll of the individuals who know Bob Agnew well – friends, family, players he’s coached and employees – you are bound to hear praise for the 53-year-old's ability of being a calming presence in any situation.

Bob says the trait serves him well in his day job as manager of the Manitoba Public Insurance branch in Winkler – a post he has held for 16 years – and has helped him build rapport with different generations of hockey players.

He believes establishing a person-to-person connection is a substantial component of effective coaching.

“So much of it is being a people person,” says Bob, who started his coaching career with the Peewee team in Morden in 1988.  “Once [the player] trusts you and is comfortable with you, the hockey part of it is so much easier to share and for them to pick up.”

Mark Thiessen, Bob’s friend of 45 years, says players always “migrate towards Bob.”

“He listens to what players say and want to say and gives his advice from that,” says Thiessen, a coaching colleague of Bob’s with the 2009-10 Winkler Flyers and 2013-14 Morden Senior A Redskins. “He is such an easy guy to talk to all the time. Some kids like to be talked to sternly, and he can do that if he has to, but he is more of a listening, calm guy.”

An assistant coach with the Pembina Valley Bantam AAA Hawks this season, Bob has no issue investing time into supporting his players in whatever way they need. Spending time with youth energizes him.

His career highlights are not any particular game or tournament. He is most proud of the relationships he has cultivated.

“I still see kids I coached in minor hockey several years ago, and to have that continued interaction is special.  Some of the kids I coached when I was younger are now coaches, which I think is awesome. It has even gotten to the point that one of the kids I coached with the Peewee team has his son trying out for the team I’m coaching this year.”

Morden, Pembina Valley, Thompson and Winkler are just some of the communities Bob has imprinted during his long hockey career. In addition to serving as a coach, Bob has assisted teams with tryouts, player evaluations and developing practice plans.

He took a classic path into being a hockey lifer: His passion for the game was sparked by playing on outdoor ponds and in the family driveway in his early years. There were quite a few participants available for the family scrimmages – Clare and Bob are the two youngest of six children born to Bill and Barb Agnew.

One of Clare’s fond childhood memories was challenging Bob to a race at an outdoor rink with her skating forwards and him skating backwards – Bob got the better of his big sister that day.

Years after those friendly on-ice battles, Clare and Bob continue to volunteer together. They avidly support the MS Walk in Morden and have worked hockey events such as the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, 2017 Esso Cup and upcoming 2019 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

Bob, who also gives his time to supporting female softball, curling and golf events, says volunteering has become instinctual to him.

“I don’t even think you realize you’re doing it – you just do it. If there is an event coming to town, it's a given you’re going to sign up and help. To me, that’s small-town living.”

Thiessen and Clare both are pleased that Bob always steps up to help out as he is a respected ambassador for Morden hockey and the community as a whole.