New female U13 AA hockey team granted to Bonnyville

The Alberta Female Hockey League is bringing in a U13 AA program, and the Town of Bonnyville is just one of the places that will be a host for a U13 AA team. 

The team will be based out of Bonnyville 

“What this AA league girls program does is it widens the horizon for our drawing area,” said Terry Rupp, president of Bonnyville Minor Hockey.

The drawing area right now for this new team is Fort McMurray, Bonnyville, St. Paul Mallaig, Elk Point, and Two Hills.

“It’s going to take away your stronger kids for sure, we don’t believe it’s going to hurt anyone but bring more female players to the game and bring more participation.” 

The new team would face teams from Edmonton, Camrose, Sherwood Park, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Grande Prairie. 

“We’re gonna have meets to introduce the program and eligible players to come and skate, we will have announcements and bring in skilled female coaches.” 

Rumble in the Jungle 

The Lakeland Jaguars Female U11 and U13 teams hosted their first-ever female hockey tournament “Rumble in the Jungle” on February 3-5, 2023 at the Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre. 

There were eight U11 teams and five U13 teams who participated in the tournament. Teams came from as far as Fort McMurray, Olds and Beaverlodge for the event. 

The U11 team split their weekend, with a 2-2 record and earned a silver medal. St. Paul’s team won the U11 division. 

The U13 Jags won all of their games and earned the coveted Diamond Championship. 

Plans underway for a Female Hockey Camp 

With interest in female hockey growing there are preliminary plans in the works to host an all-female hockey week-long camp this summer in Bonnyville. 

Interested players are encouraged to fill out this online survey so the organizers can best design the program and gage how much interest there is in the camp. 

You can find the survey here