Calgary to Host 2009 Alberta Cup
CALGARY, AB – Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce Calgary as the host site for the 2009 Alberta Cup which takes place April 23 – 36, 2009.
The Alberta Cup is the premier event in the province that helps identify the top male players in Alberta. It is well attended by scouts as they prepare for the Western Hockey League’s bantam draft. In addition to player evaluations, the competition is also an opportunity for administrators, coaches, trainers and referees to be evaluated for future positions with the World U17 Hockey Challenge.
“For hockey fans, this is a very exciting competition and an opportunity to see the up and coming stars in the province,” said Alberta Cup Program Coordinator Darcy Prezanowski.
Hockey Calgary and the host committee will be hosting the Alberta Cup on it’s 20th anniversary. This is the second time Calgary has hosted the Cup with the previous time back in 1993.
The Alberta Cup is the first step in Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta Development Program. Beginning in March, over 1,000 14-year-old boys try out for their designated Zone Camps, each player vying for one of twenty spots on their respective Zone Team. The eight Zone Teams then travel to the Alberta Cup Tournament and compete against each other in a short-term competition.
“With 2009 being the twentieth year for the Alberta Cup we are proud to look back and see how far this program has grown and how it has become more and more important to these athletes,” said Prezanowski.
Former Alberta Cup graduates include such players as Jay Bouwmeester, Scottie Upshall, Scott Hartnell, Jordin Tootoo, Tyler Bouck, Todd Fedoruk, Jeff Woywitka, Andrew Ference, Chris Phillips and Kyle Chipchura, along with World Junior Players Zack Boychuk, Jordan Eberle, Thomas Hickey, Dana Tyrell, Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis.
The Alberta Cup is sponsored in part by, CCM/ Reebok, United Cycle, RAMP Interactive, SportQuest and the Western Hockey League. For more information on the event please go to www.hockeyalberta.ca.