Optional Programs for Players
TWHA Skill Development Sessions
TWHA Coach Development provides members opportunities to experience third party hockey instruction throughout the season. Players must be registered with TWHA for the current hockey season to register for these sessions.
U7 to U11
Kevin Cameron
coachdevU7-U11@trailswesthockey.com
U13 to U18
Joel Domansky
coachdevU13-U18@trailswesthockey.com
Goaltending
Dustin Rodger
goaltending@trailswesthockey.com
Questions concerning the technical aspects of the sessions, should be directed to the applicable individual from Coach Development noted above.
Questions concerning registration, should be directed to the TWHA Administrator at admin@trailswesthockey.com.
Upcoming Sessions
Nothing planned yet....
Past Sessions
Power Hour with Svend - December 9, 2022
Power Hour with Svend will focus on Power Skating for players in U9-U15 age groups. There are two sessions, one for U9-U11 and one for U13-U15.
(UPDATE Dec 1/22: Registration for this session is no longer open to 2016 born U7 players)
Cost per session is $25 (non-refundable) and registration is first-come first-serve basis with a maximum number of 22 players per session.
Historically these sessions fill up rapidly so please don't delay registration if you feel this training is appropriate for your child.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT REGISTRATION: If the system does not allow you to select the session’s participant fee, then the session is FULL even if you think there is one more space available! If you see a “-1” that means registration is over capacity, not that one spot is available – look very carefully for that negative. Be sure pop-ups windows are allowed in your browser or you will not be able to complete registration. Please review the desktop/mobile requirements for TeamSnap to ensure you are using a supported web browser for registration.
Registration: CLOSED - all sessions FULL
Session Date: Friday, December 9, 2022
Arena: Frank McCool
Time: U9-U11 at 5:45-6:45 PM U13-U15 at 7:00-8:00 PM
Session run by: Svend Wiele
Svend grew up in Germany and represented his Country at U16's, U17's, U18's, and U20's. His career continued as a Pro player in Germany before moving to Canada in 2003. He has been passionately working on power skating and overall skill development for 16 years within Alberta and BC as well as Europe. Svend's specialty is specific skills coaching including power skating, shooting, body checking etc.
U9-U11 Session Description: On each player’s skate blade are two edges – an inside and outside edge. Using each edge is important in the development of a player and their ability to change directions whether it be via stops and starts or tight turns. Typically, a player becomes more comfortable with their inside edge because their center of gravity runs through their body and they feel more stable. Development of the outside edge can be more difficult for players as they must lean on the outside of their skate blade in order for it to carve into the ice surface. This means the player must lean into a turn, their center of gravity is not through their body and they must overcome the sensation of falling. Once a player has a feel for their outside edge, their skating development accelerates.
This session is tailored to players having difficulty:
- Stopping in both directions facing the same way
- Stopping with their toes pointing forward
- Turning in each direction
- Turning while using both their inside edge and outside edge (ie, does your child’s knees come together and almost touch when they are turning? If so, they’re using their inside edge on both blades to turn which we will work to fix)
- Conducting cross-overs
U13-U15 Session Description: In this session, players will be asked to generate power and explosiveness out of a stop and start, to generate speed and accelerate with half cross-overs, to be able to pivot from forward to backward and accelerate via cross-overs. Within the clinic, we will discuss weight transfer through the body and within the feet when skating forward and backward and when conducting cross-overs forward and backward.
TWHA Goaltending Development and TWHA Coach Development provided the following sessions in the 2021-2022 season.
Introduction to Goaltending Session for U9 and U7
Forward & Defense Skills
Player Skill Development
Power Skating
Third Party Programs
Hockey Calgary Programs
What It Takes is a series of virtual, moderated panel conversations with the coaches and leaders themselves. Coaches and leaders at various levels will provide insights for aspiring hockey players on the attributes, characteristics, and skills seen at their levels. Discussions will take a deep dive into preparation, success, and finding out, What It Takes.
Each installment will be applicable to all ages and we recommend tuning into to each session as insights will vary and may be slightly targeted for the most applicable age groups based on the ages categories of the panellists. The Female Hockey Edition will feature a more broad conversation as the panellists are both coaches, players, leaders, and extend across multiple levels. The series is free of charge and will take place via zoom.
Stay tuned for new sessions!
Hockey Alberta Skills Camps
2023 Super Skills Summer Camp - Central Calgary (Flames Community Arenas)
The 2023 Hockey Alberta Super Skills Summer Camp - Central Calgary will take place from August 27th – 31st, 2023 and will be held at Flames Community Arenas.
The Super Skills Summer Camp is an Alberta Built Skills Camp that focuses on individual skill development on and off the ice. The camp is open to both male and female athletes entering into U7, U9, U11 age groups of minor hockey in the Fall of 2023.
The camp will focus on individual skill development on the ice, through on-ice drills focused on skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. Individual skill development off the ice will work on agility, balance, and coordination; and will also incorporate other dry land sports, to foster overall athleticism for the minor hockey player.
For the U9 and U11 age groups the camp includes:
- 4 consecutive weekdays of sports activities.
- 8 on-ice sessions (Two on-ice sessions daily).
- 16 off-ice sessions (Four off-ice sessions daily).
- 1 bonus on-ice session on Sunday, August 27th for camp registration day.
- Hockey Alberta branded practice jersey to keep.
Cost: All of the above for only $549.
This program will allow parents / guardians to drop off U9 and U11 participants at the arena at 8:30am in the morning, and pick them up at 4:00pm in the afternoon once each day concludes.
For the U7 age group the camp includes:
- 4 consecutive weekdays of sports activities.
- 4 on-ice sessions (One on-ice session daily).
- 8 off-ice sessions (Two off-ice sessions daily).
- 1 bonus on-ice session on Sunday, August 27th on camp registration day.
- Hockey Alberta branded practice jersey to keep.
Cost: All of the above for only $299.
This program will allow parents / guardians to arrive to the arena with your U7 participant at 7:15am, and depart the arena after their last activity by 10:30am each day.
Refund Policy:
Refunds requested up to 1 week prior to program - $30 admin fee withheld
Refunds requested 1 week to 72 hours prior to program - $60 admin fee withheld
Refunds requested 72 hours prior to program - No Refund
Registration Link:
Available on the Hockey Alberta website - under Players - Athlete Skills Camps
2023 Female Skills Development Camp
Hockey Alberta’s 2023 Female Skills Development Camp is an Alberta Built Skills program that features some of the top female hockey and skills coaches, leading your female player through sessions that teach fundamental skills in a safe, fun, and positive atmosphere.
The camp features a unique combination of on-ice skill development, off-ice development sessions, and a yoga session with a certified yoga instructor. All camp instructors are passionate about teaching and making sure the girls have lots of fun!
At this Alberta Built Skills camp, your female participant receives:
- 3 on-ice skill sessions
- 2 off-ice development sessions
- 1 yoga session
- Hockey Alberta branded practice jersey to keep
WHO: Any female 2009 to 2018 born player (U7, U9, U11, U13, or U15)
WHEN: August 11-13, 2023
WHERE: Calgary, Alberta - Cardel Rec South
COST: $299
NOTE: Meals / snacks are not provided to participants. Players are asked to bring their own meals / snacks.
Refund Policy:
Refunds requested up to 1 week prior to program - $30 admin fee withheld
Refunds requested 1 week to 72 hours prior to program - $60 admin fee withheld
Refunds requested 72 hours prior to program - No Refund
Registration Link:
Available on the Hockey Alberta website - under Players - Athlete Skills Camps
Hockey Tips
How to Dress Your Goalie.
- How to Dress a Youth Goaltender - by USA Hockey
- 10 Tips to Improve your Hockey Shot - by Tim Turk Hockey
- Shot Mechanics - by Mackenze Stewart with Allegiance Hockey
- Release time - The faster we can get the puck off of our stick without allowing the goalie to react the more likely you are of scoring. It isn't all about how hard you can shoot but more how fast and how accurate.
- Deception - Let's face it, goalies are getting extremely talented and with the added bulkiness of gear (as well as the average NHL goalie being above 6'2) scoring goals from shots directly on net is a challenge. The reason why players like Matthews are able to score is because has a unique release as well as plenty of deception in his shooting
Labour Day Jamboree
New for 2022!
Trails West is hosting their first Jamboree for U7 - U13. Registration is open to all Trails West players registered for the 2022-2023 season.
Registration Fee |
Individual registration - $150 / player
Team registration (6 players) - $135 / player *Jamboree team name required at time of registration [Team registration no longer accepted as of Aug 27]
Ice times at Flames Community Arenas |
Friday, September 2 - On-ice skills session instructed by P3
Saturday, September 3 - Two 3 v 3 games
Sunday, September 4 - Two 3 v 3 games [CANCELLED]
Format |
- Maximum of 4 teams per age division
- Teams consist of 6 players (no goaltenders)
- 2 games on the ice (half-ice)
- NOTE: age divisions may be combined depending upon registration numbers
Rules |
- No coaches (parent volunteer on bench for younger age divisions)
- Line changes every 90 seconds
- Referee is parent volunteer
- Teams keep their own score
- No scoring from the blue line
- If player scores, must retreat past half ice
- No goalie
- Music, fun and enthusiasm!
Registration Info & Link |
Registration is no longer open
IMPORTANT: Registration is on a first-registered basis and is non-transferrable. We can only accommodate a total of 24 players (4 teams of 6 players) per age division.
Individual player information required: name, birthdate, gender, email address, telephone number, previous team
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER SPOTS AVAILABLE (as of Aug 29 8:15PM):
U7 - 1 to 12 players
U9 - FULL *waitlist option available
U11 - FULL *waitlist option available
U13 - CANCELLED
Team name should be left blank as team registration is no longer available.
Refund Policy |
Refunds for the Jamboree will be charged a $25 non-refundable administrative fee and will only be considered if due to illness or injury.
Should TWHA be required to cancel the Jamboree due to changes in COVID-19 related rules, refunds will be issued to all registered Jamboree participants.
Contact |
Jamboree Contact: Kevin Cameron, TWHA Coach Development coachdevU7-U11@trailswesthockey.com
Registration Contact: Diane Moffatt, TWHA Administrator admin@trailswesthockey.com
Schedule | *updated*
Players will be invited to their team in TeamSnap no later than noon August 31.
Day of Jamboree |
Players will be provided a TW jersey to wear during the Jamboree. Kindly return them to your team jersey volunteer after the player's last game on Saturday (no need to wash them).
Change room assignments will be communicated on day of event.
The Oilympic Lounge will be open for select hours during the weekend.
Trails West Cup
The Trails West Cup is a tournament for Trails West Tier 1 teams in U13, U15 and U18 and Tier 2 in U18. It began many years ago with a generous donation from Canaccord and has continued on, re-branded the Trails West Cup in 2020. The tournament is hosted annually in mid-October.
Date: October 14-16, 2022
Location: WinSport Arenas 88 Canada Olympic Road SW Calgary
Teams Hosting: U13 Tier 1, U15 Body-Checking Tier 1, U18 Body-Checking Tier 1, U18 Body-Checking Tier 2
Tournament Schedule:
For more information, please contact the TWHA Tournament Coordinator at tournament@trailswesthockey.com
U15 Cup
With thanks and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the Locke and Longley Families for the first two years, we are carrying on the tradition of hosting the 8th Annual TWHA U15 Cup (formerly known as the Bantam Cup).
The tournament is planned for April 11-16, 2023 at Flames Community Arenas.
The tournament is a fun, non-body contact tournament that allows friends within Trails West to play against each other on balanced teams made up from players from all U15 divisions. Players have the chance to meet new friends, play with new teammates, play against former teammates, and celebrate the game of hockey in this terrific multi-day event that includes a tournament banquet.
The tournament banquet is tentatively on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The FCA Lounge will be open to the public during this time, however access to banquet food and beverage is limited to the player plus one guest.
TEAM ROSTERS will be provided via TeamSnap - all players will be invited to their team by April 4.
Registration Open - March 3, 2023 at 9:00 AM
6 balanced teams will be formed with up to 15 players and 2 goalies per team. Registration will be limited to 90 players and 12 goalies. Register early as spots may fill quickly!
Fees - $125/player $100/goaltender
Waitlist - If there are no spots available for registration, please select the waitlist option when at participant fees. Selecting this option does NOT register your player/goalie however it places them on a waitlist in a first-come first-register basis. The TWHA Administrator will be in touch should a spot open and you will be required to pay the registration fee at that time. Email requests to be placed on the waitlist will not be accepted.
Refund Policy - Refunds will only be considered due to injury or illness, if occurred prior to the start of the tournament. No refunds will be provided due to injury or illness if player/goaltender participated in a tournament game. There will be a $25.00 non-refundable administrative fee deducted from any refund.
**THIS IS FOR U15 - 2008 and 2009 BORN PLAYERS ONLY**
Player - 6 spots available Goaltender - 6 spots available
Updated: 14Mar23 @ 11:00AM
In 2017, the Trails West Bantam Cup Fund was created using surplus funds from previous Bantam Cup tournaments. The Bantam Cup Fund is used to benefit TWHA families in need with player registration costs. Net proceeds from this year's tournament will go to the Trails West Bantam Cup Fund.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the U15 Cup Coordinator, Gigi Douglas at tournament@trailswesthockey.com
2023 U15 Cup Schedule
| DATE | ARENA | START TIME | END TIME | HOME | VISITOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUES APR 11 | FCA - RED | 5:45pm | 6:45pm | BLUE | RED |
| TUES APR 11 | FCA - BLUE | 6:15pm | 7:15pm | ORANGE | GREEN |
| WED APR 12 | FCA - GOLD | 5:30pm | 6:30pm | GREEN | GREY |
| WED APR 12 | FCA - BLUE | 6:30pm | 7:30pm | WHITE | BLUE |
| THUR APR 13 | FCA - GOLD | 5:15pm | 6:15pm | ORANGE | WHITE |
| THUR APR 13 | FCA - GOLD | 6:30pm | 7:30pm | RED | GREY |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - GOLD | 10:30am | 11:30am | GREY | BLUE |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - BLUE | 11:30am | 12:30pm | WHITE | GREEN |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - GOLD | 11:45am | 12:45pm | RED | ORANGE |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - GOLD | 5:15pm | 6:15pm | GREY | WHITE |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - BLUE | 6:15pm | 7:15pm | BLUE | ORANGE |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - GOLD | 6:30pm | 7:30pm | GREEN | RED |
| SAT APR 15 | BANQUET IN FCA OILYMPICS LOUNGE | TBC | TBC | ||
| SUN APR 16 | FCA - BLUE | 9:00am | 10:00am | C FINAL | |
| SUN APR 16 | FCA - GOLD | 9:15am | 10:15am | B FINAL | |
| SUN APR 16 | FCA - BLUE | 10:15am | 11:15am | A FINAL |
U18 Couture Cup
Building off of the Bantam Cup tournament started by the Locke family in 2014, we will be running our 4th annual U18 Cup this year (formerly known as the Midget Cup). This tournament was renamed the U18 Couture Cup in honour of Kyle Couture, a dedicated U18 TWHA coach who passed away in 2020.
The tournament is planned for April 11-16, 2023 at Flames Community Arenas.
The tournament is a fun, non-body contact tournament that allows friends within Trails West to play against each other on balanced teams made up from players from all U18 divisions (and this year, with former U18 players from the last 2 seasons). Players have the chance to meet new friends, play with new teammates, play against former teammates, and celebrate the game of hockey in this terrific multi-day event that includes a tournament banquet.
The tournament banquet is tentatively on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The FCA Lounge will be open to the public during this time, however access to banquet food and beverage is limited to the player plus one guest.
TEAM ROSTERS will be provided via TeamSnap - all players will be invited to their team by April 4.
Registration Open - March 3, 2023 9:00 AM
6 balanced teams will be formed with up to 15 players and 2 goalies per team. Registration will be limited to 90 players and 12 goalies. Register early as spots may fill quickly!
Due to overwhelming interest and excitement last year, we are once again extending registration to Trails West Wolves Alumni. Participating Alumni must have been registered with Trails West for the 2020/21 or 2021/22 seasons (birth years 2003 and 2004).
Fees - $125/player $100/goaltender
Waitlist - If there are no spots available for registration, please select the waitlist option when at participant fees. Selecting this option does NOT register your player/goalie however it places them on a waitlist in a first-come first-register basis. The TWHA Administrator will be in touch should a spot open and you will be required to pay the registration fee at that time. Email requests to be placed on the waitlist will not be accepted.
Refund Policy - Refunds will only be considered due to injury or illness, if occurred prior to the start of the tournament. No refunds will be provided due to injury or illness if player/goaltender participated in a tournament game. There will be a $25.00 non-refundable administrative fee deducted from any refund.
** THIS IS FOR U18/U18 ALUMNI ONLY - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 BORN PLAYERS ONLY **
Player - Waitlist Only Goaltender - 2 spots available
Updated 13Mar23 @ 8:10PM
In 2017, the Trails West Bantam Cup Fund was created using surplus funds from previous Bantam Cup tournaments. The Bantam Cup Fund is used to benefit TWHA families in need with player registration costs. Net proceeds from this year's U18 Couture Cup tournament will go to the Trails West Bantam Cup Fund.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the U18 Couture Cup Coordinator, Gigi Douglas at tournament@trailswesthockey.com
2023 U18 Couture Cup Schedule
| DATE | ARENA | START TIME | END TIME | HOME | VISITOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUES APR 11 | FCA - RED | 7:00pm | 8:00pm | BLUE | RED |
| TUES APR 11 | FCA - RED | 8:15pm | 9:15pm | GREY | GREEN |
| WED APR 12 | FCA - GOLD | 6:45pm | 7:45pm | BLACK | WHITE |
| WED APR 12 | FCA - GOLD | 8:00pm | 9:00pm | BLUE | GREY |
| FRI APR 14 | FCA - GOLD | 5:45pm | 6:45pm | RED | WHITE |
| FRI APR 14 | FCA - GOLD | 7:00pm | 8:00pm | GREEN | BLACK |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - BLUE | 9:00am | 10:00am | RED | BLACK |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - GOLD | 9:15am | 10:15am | WHITE | GREY |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - BLUE | 10:15am | 11:15am | GREEN | BLUE |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - BLUE | 12:45pm | 1:45pm | WHITE | GREEN |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - GOLD | 1:00pm | 2:00pm | GREY | RED |
| SAT APR 15 | FCA - BLUE | 5:00pm | 6:00pm | BLACK | BLUE |
| SUN APR 16 | FCA - GOLD | 10:30am | 11:30am | C FINAL | |
| SUN APR 16 | FCA - BLUE | 11:30am | 12:30pm | B FINAL | |
| SUN APR 17 | FCA - GOLD | 11:45am | 12:45pm | A FINAL | |
| SUN APR 17 | BANQUET IN FCA OILYMPICS LOUNGE | TBC | TBC |
Trails West Hockey Association
c/o Flames Community Arenas
2390 47 Avenue SW
Calgary AB T2T 5W5