Female Hockey Committee Update

In December of 2022 Hockey Edmonton created the Female Hockey Committee (FHC) in response to the demand for better support, structure, and alignment of female hockey programming in Edmonton, at all levels of play. The female game is growing rapidly, and they are committed to delivering an excellent female hockey program that rivals what is available to female players in Calgary and other parts of the province and country.

For the upcoming 2023-2024 season, the FHC will register, operate, and manage all-female hockey in the U13 division for the entire city. This includes two new U13AA teams in Edmonton, one U9 tier 1 team and 1 - U11 HADP team. All other all female teams will stay with their EMHA (Whitemud West) for this upcoming season. The plan is to then shift the remaining teams over to this new alliance in the 2024-2025 season.

Over the course of the year, a new female hockey association will be created with board positions and bylaws and teams will be branded as:

• Edmonton Ice – Elite
• Edmonton Storm- Community
• Edmonton Flurries- Discovery

How will this affect your player’s 2023/24 registration?

• All U13 players, including those who wish to tryout for the U13AA teams, will register with the FHC
• U9 players can register to tryout with FHC for the U9 Tier 1; all other U9 players will register with Whitemud West for the season.
• U11 players can register to tryout with FHC for the U11 HADP; all other U11 players will register with Whitemud West for the season.

This change and new association does not affect female players who want to play or continue playing co-ed hockey with Whitemud West, you will register with us as normal. This change is strictly for females wanting to play on an all-female team.

Unfortunately, these decisions were made without consultation with our organization, so we understand that many of you will be frustrated or surprised by this news.  We understand this frustration but encourage all families to evaluate their options as this provides more options for female hockey in Edmonton overall and continues to grow the sport.   The FHC along with Hockey Edmonton will release more information over the next week, regarding initial skates with the Female Hockey Alliance initiative as well as a google forms survey that can be completed by players and parents.

 

Please view the FHC presentation that was shared March 16th with us.

 

FAQ | Quick Facts About the Edmonton Female Hockey Alliance

Here are a few quick facts about the Female Hockey Alliance.

>> Watch the Virtual Town Hall Zoom recording here (May 3)