Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the host sites for the 2019 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, presented by ATB Financial.
The month-long “March to a title” features provincial championship tournament action during four weekends in March and April, along with four champions crowned through league playoff series. Organizations interested in hosting a provincial championship tournament completed a detailed bid process, with a bid committee evaluating the submissions.
A total of 39 Provincial Championships will be hosted across the province, at locations ranging from Grande Prairie in the north and west, Fort Macleod in the south, and Cold Lake in the east.
In addition, Hockey Alberta is undertaking a trial Provincial Championship Model. The trial will see the Peewee A-D Provincial Championships transition to Peewee Tiers 1-4. The Peewee Tiers 1-4 Provincial Championship Tournaments will take place March 28-31, with eight teams – the host, a wild card, and the champions from Hockey Calgary, Hockey Edmonton, Central Alberta Hockey League, Northern Alberta Interlock, All Peace Hockey League, and North Eastern Alberta Hockey League
Week one (March 14-17) features 13 tournaments: Bantam A, Bantam B, Bantam C, Bantam D, Bantam Female A, Bantam Female B, Atom AA Major, Atom AA Minor, Atom A, Atom B, Atom C, Atom D, and Atom Female.
Another 12 tournaments are set for week two (March 21-24): Minor Midget AAA, Midget A, Midget B, Midget C, Midget D, Midget Female AAA, Midget Female A, Midget Female B, Bantam AA, Bantam Female Elite, Peewee Female A and Peewee Female B.
Week three (March 28-31) will see nine more tournaments: Senior AA, Junior C, Midget AA, Midget Female Elite, Peewee AA, and the Peewee Tiers 1-4 events.
The 2019 Provincials wrap up with Junior B, the lone tournament running April 4-7.
The following provincial champions will be decided via league playoffs: Senior AAA, Junior A, Midget AAA, and Bantam AAA.
ATB Financial will once again headline as the presenting sponsor of the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships, continuing a long-standing relationship with Hockey Alberta.
The majority of teams competing in minor Provincial Championship tournaments qualify by winning a zone playdown. Playdowns start in mid-January across the province, with up to 700 teams vying for the right to represent their zone at the provincial championships. Host teams receive an automatic berth in the championship they are hosting, although they do participate in zone playdowns, and have the opportunity to win their zone title.
Hosts for the following events are still being accepted and reviewed: Midget Female A, Bantam Female A, Bantam Female B and Atom AA Major. Interested applicants can contact Bryden Burrell, Coordinator, Hockey Programs.
Hockey Alberta would also like to congratulate the Blackfalds Wranglers, who will host the 2020 Junior B Provincial Championships.
-Submitted by Hockey Alberta
