RED DEER – The future of coaching in Alberta was on full display as Hockey Alberta welcomed participants to the 2026 Future Leaders Program on May 29-30 in Red Deer.
Designed for post-secondary students looking to begin their coaching journey, the program brought together aspiring leaders from across the province for a weekend focused on mentorship, leadership development, and hands-on learning. The initiative aligns with Hockey Alberta’s commitment to Hockey for Life and its mission to create positive opportunities and experiences for players.
The Future Leaders Program was created with a clear vision: to ignite a new generation of coaches who inspire, lead, and grow the game. Throughout the weekend, participants gained valuable insights into coaching, leadership, communication, and athlete development while building connections with mentors and fellow future coaches.
“This program is about more than coaching hockey,” said Danielle Wheeler, Manager Female Development, Hockey Alberta. “It’s about helping young leaders build confidence, develop their leadership skills, and understand the impact they can have on athletes both on and off the ice. We want participants to leave feeling empowered to make a difference in their communities.”
The weekend provided participants with a unique opportunity to learn directly from experienced leaders in the game while exploring what it means to create positive and meaningful experiences for players. Through interactive sessions, discussions, and practical learning opportunities, attendees were challenged to think about the type of coach and leader they aspire to become.
“Transformational coaching starts with understanding that the person is more important than the player. Great coaches build relationships, earn trust, and help athletes grow both in sport and in life. Through Future Leaders, we’re helping young coaches develop those skills and inspiring them to become the next generation of leaders in our game” Barry Medori, Manager Coach Mentorship, emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation of coaches.
Participants also learned about the opportunities available through Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta programs and coach development pathway, including scholarship opportunities tied to advancement within Team Alberta summer programs and the High Performance 1 – Player Development Program.
The program is made possible through the support of the Hockey Alberta Foundation, whose commitment to developing leaders continues to create opportunities for young Albertans to grow within the game.
“We are thrilled to support this amazing program which has been around since 1997. Alberta remains the preeminent province for Hockey development and organization in Canada and our Future Leaders program has been an integral part of this success,” Denis Zukiwsky, on behalf of the Hockey Alberta Foundation. “The Future Leaders program exemplifies everything that our Foundation is about. We honor the past and those who have contributed so much by supporting the Hockey Alberta Hall of Fame; we provide opportunities for those who need us through various financial support programs especially our Every Kid Every Community program; and we ensure that there is a strong future for our great game here in Alberta by supporting the brightest young people and challenging them to make the game better through the Future Leaders program”.
The Future Leaders after this weekend’s seminar will now work with mentors planning and delivering on ice sessions at the Team Alberta Development camps encouraging them to learn the skills of advanced Hockey Coaching and program organization. Twelve participants will receive scholarships, thanks to the Hockey Alberta Foundation, to further support their growth as hockey leaders in their communities.
Through programs like Future Leaders, Hockey Alberta continues to invest in the people who will shape the future of the game, ensuring that the next generation of coaches is ready to inspire, lead, and grow hockey across the province.
