Alberta’s Minor Hockey Week tournaments include more than 24,000 athletes aged seven to 18 playing on more than 1,300 teams in almost 1,800 games in Edmonton and Calgary alone. These tournaments create opportunities for the next generation of hockey prodigies to showcase their skills while promoting healthy lifestyles for Alberta’s youth.
From Alberta kids discovering their passion for hockey to players having the unforgettable moment of winning their first championship, these tournaments are a testament to Albertans’ love of hockey and the dedication of coaches, parents and volunteers.
“Sport events like Esso Minor Hockey Week in Calgary and Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week enhance skill development while building positive memories that will stay with these young athletes for the rest of their lives. Congratulations to all the young hockey players who participated across Alberta. Thank you to all the organizers, coaches, managers and officials who made these events possible.”
Minor Hockey Week has a long history of success in Alberta with 60 years of tournaments. The tournaments have been a starting point for many professional hockey players who have played in professional leagues across North America and Europe.
“As we celebrate the 60th Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week, we honour the enduring legacy shaped by hundreds of thousands of players, coaches, parents, officials and volunteers. This cherished tradition stands as a pivotal and special chapter in the minor hockey experience for hockey families in our city, solidifying its place as one of the world's longest-running and largest tournaments."
“Esso Minor Hockey Week in Calgary is our flagship event of the season. This year, the weather has been a challenge to all who participated, but the enthusiasm in the arenas remained strong, and the competition was great. Our exciting ‘Championship Saturday’ was a great success and crowned 58 more EMHW champions.”
Alberta’s government is proud to support minor hockey in Alberta by providing $165,000 in annual funding to Hockey Alberta for athlete and sport development. Since 1970, these tournaments have bolstered both Edmonton and Calgary’s local economies while supporting the growth of local businesses.
“The great thing about events such as Minor Hockey Week is that the focus is on the players who enjoy our great sport, and the thousands of coaches, officials, trainers, parents and other volunteers who are integral in ensuring hockey games are played every day across this province. Thank you to the staff and volunteers from Hockey Calgary and Hockey Edmonton for the immense amount of work involved in organizing these events. Your efforts, on behalf of thousands of players in your associations, are truly appreciated."
Quick facts
- The 60th Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week ran from Jan. 12 to Jan. 21 with about 12,000 players aged nine and under to 18 playing on 696 teams in 32 arenas.
- The 44th Esso Minor Hockey Week in Calgary ran from Jan. 12 to Jan. 20 with about 12,000 players aged seven to 18 playing on 641 teams in 41 arenas.