Hockey Alberta has named the 120 athletes who will compete at the 2025 Alberta Challenge.
Six teams (three from each of the north and south regions) will compete in a modified round-robin tournament taking place at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer from May 1-4. These teams will be comprised of the top female hockey players born in 2010 and 2011 from across the province, with each of the six teams roster including two goaltenders, six defencemen, and 12 forwards.
Regional Camps were held April 4-6 in Cochrane and Beaumont. Players who were registered with a Hockey Alberta or Hockey Canada sanctioned program this season were eligible to try out.
“This year’s crop of athletes was very talented, and that was on full display at the Regional Camps,” said Danielle Wheeler, Hockey Alberta’s manager of female development.
“The Alberta Challenge is a showcase of best-on-best competition that allows top athletes and staff to take the next step in their hockey journey.”
There will be several Central Alberta athletes competing in the event.
Defender Kenzie Sharpe, of Lacombe, will suit up for Team North Red; forward Sawyer Milani, of Lacombe, and goaltender Gracie Hughes, of Blackfalds, will play for Team North Yellow; forward Reece Lacina, of Sylvan Lake, and defender Kendall Hammer, of Olds, are on Team South Black; forwards Sara Murdoch and Hannah Yeast, both of Red Deer, are part of Team South Green; and forward Lucia Luptakova, of Red Deer, forward Sierra Sandilands, of Carstairs, defender Ella Latimer, of Olds, and defender Alena Mcevoy, of Carstairs, will be members of the Team South Grey.
The Alberta Challenge is the sole female-only event in Hockey Alberta’s three-part Spring Showcase. Hockey Alberta describes the event as the first opportunity for athletes, coaches, therapists, equipment managers and administrators to experience short-term competition and an introduction to the Team Alberta Program.
"In addition to player development, the Alberta Challenge also features opportunities for administrators, referees, coaches, therapists and equipment managers to be identified for potential positions at higher-level events such as the National Women’s U18 Team," states a Hockey Alberta media release.
A full schedule can be found online at www.abchallenge.ca.
