Camrose Minor Hockey - Local U15 AA Female Announcement

U15AA EXPANSION TEAM TO PLAY IN AFHL FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON

Today, Hockey Alberta and the AFHL announced 3 new expansion teams for the 2025-
26 season, ahead of their scheduled review in the fall of 2025. Camrose Minor Hockey
Association is excited to announce that we have been awarded a U15AA (female) team
that will compete in AFHL next season.
Girls’ hockey has experienced remarkable growth over the past five seasons, and
Hockey Alberta’s Elite Female Committee recognized the need for additional teams
where growth is exceptional. These additions were made as part of a comprehensive
strategic review over the past three years that considered Association growth,
sustainability, the impact on grassroots initiatives, and elite committee task groups.
Hockey Alberta has measured the successes of the Elite Female Hockey Model to
determine when new Associations are eligible and ready to host Elite Teams. Staying
true to the model's core principles, the committee has evaluated the recent surge in
female hockey participation and the pathways available for players to advance within
Alberta's female hockey system.
The new Camrose U15AA Female team participating in the AFHL will introduce a
greatly enhanced level of competition option for our local female hockey players. As
well as providing a more accessible Elite option for our surrounding minor hockey
association’s female players. This addition will bring the U15AA team count to 15
teams in the province and continue building out a strong base of Elite Players that will
support competitive success in U18 Elite, Junior and Post-secondary Hockey in Alberta.
With the introduction of our new U15AA AFHL team, we are optimistic that it will
enhance the level of competition and provide even more opportunities for skill
development and advancement for our players.
The Elite Female Hockey Model was launched in the 2016-17 season following a three-
year independent review commissioned by Hockey Alberta in 2013. The Model set
provincial standards for the number of teams allowed at each level within the Elite
system. The U18 AAA division was streamlined to heighten competition at the top tier,
while the AA system was introduced to ensure players could develop their skills at an
appropriate level for their age and progress toward higher levels of play.
KEY INFORMATION - PLAYERS & FAMILIES
This framework enables Minor Hockey Associations (MHAs) to establish a robust player
development pathway, beginning with Grassroots programming in local communities
and connecting the entire Female Hockey model. It supports progression through the
U13, U15, and U18 AA programs, the U18 AAA program, the Team Alberta program,
Team Canada, and post-secondary opportunities.

 
Since 2016 and the implementation of the new model, registration numbers for female
players in Alberta have increased by 32 percent overall. This includes a 36 percent
increase in registration at the U15 level, 52 percent at U13, and 62 percent at U11.
We were informed of expansion plans on February 7, 2025. CMHA board approval was
obtained and acceptance communicated back to Hockey Alberta on February 12, 2025.
Since early in the season Camrose Minor Hockey Association has been working to
develop a game plan for the successful implementation of this new opportunity to
provide for development and opportunities for our area’s Elite players.
We know our membership and potential participants have numerous questions and we
encourage you to read below for answers we currently know:
Q: When will tryouts for this team take place?
A: We intend on hosting an open ID skate(s) starting mid to late April with the intention
of offering up to 15 roster spots for the 2025-26 team to qualified skaters by June 1.
Q: When will details about the process for tryouts, costs, coaches, structure be known?
A: We are aiming to have a coach in place by the April ID skates. We will be meeting
with Hockey Alberta and AFHL reps in the coming weeks and the rest will start to be
known after our next local Board meeting on March 17, 2025.
Q: Where will the ice for games and practices come from?
A: At our last board meeting we identified the need to expand the 30-30-30 practice
structure for the 2025-26 season to U11 and U13 teams. As well we will continue
utilizing or expanding the use of morning ice in Camrose and purchasing practice slots
in surrounding communities. For games Elite teams are expected to play in draw zone
rinks occasionally so this will reduce the requirement for Camrose ice a bit.
Q: What happens to the U15 Community/Grassroots/Tiered Female team in Camrose?
A: The board recognizes the same families from 2 years ago seem to be in a similar
situation again and committed to ensuring that the addition of a U15AA Female team
will not prevent a U15 Community/Grassroots/Tiered Female team in Camrose being
formed in the 2025-26 season. We will be giving the Female group targets and
milestones for recruitment so both teams will be formed on time and compete
successfully next season.
Q: I have a U15 aged female player for the 2025-26 season, what should we do?

A: If they are wanting to try out for the U15AA team they need to register for the spring
ID camps when registration goes up. If they are unsuccessful there or wanting to play
on the U15 Community/Grassroots/Tiered Female team in Camrose they need to
register as soon as 2025-26 season regular registrations open (anticipated June 1).
Q: When will U18AA AFHL team come to Camrose?
A: All we know at this point is it will be a Hockey Alberta decision based on the growth
and stability of both our AA and grassroots teams. Hockey Alberta will conduct a
scheduled review in the fall of 2025 looking at structure and opportunities to improve
things so the earliest would be for the 2026-27 season.
Q: What have the Female registration numbers in Camrose been since 2016?
A:

Q: I am a female player or family in Camrose, what can I do to ensure future success,
growth and stability of our all-female hockey teams?
A: The single best way to do this are to be open, welcoming and encouraging to any
female player that comes out to play in our association. By creating an inviting and
pleasant atmosphere for all types of players we will see good organic growth in addition
to a greater retention rate. Of course word of mouth and how you conduct yourself off
the ice can go a long way to enticing a friend, acquaintance or complete stranger to
come out and give it a try too.

If there are any additional questions at this time, please send them to our AA Director Dave
Sheets at dsheets@telusplanet.net, or our Female Lead Director Eldon Banack at
eldonbanack@gmail.com and we will incorporate them into a future FAQ document.
For more information on the Female Elite Model, please visit afhl.ca