The Lakeland U13 AA Female Panthers season sadly came to an end this past weekend in Grande Prairie.

It was another long bus ride north for the team, heading out early Friday morning. Game one of the best-of-three series was played Friday night at 6 p.m., game two Saturday morning at 11 a.m., and a third game Sunday if necessary.

The odds of winning the series were admittedly a long shot.

The Panthers had already faced the Storm three times the previous weekend and were unable to pick up a win. But one thing that can be said about this group — they never threw in the towel.

In both playoff games this past weekend, the Panthers battled right to the bitter end.

Many times when a team falls behind by a few goals, frustration sets in. Players start taking penalties and things only get worse. But the Panthers showed the discipline they developed during the second half of the season under head coach Shaun Hebert.

That discipline was noticeable right through the final games of the year.

Coaching Staff and Volunteers Deserve Credit

A big thank you goes out to head coach Shaun Hebert and his assistants Mike Chappell, Cassidy Dion, Rolly Mahe and Matt Kelly.

Special recognition should also go to team manager Courtney Kelly, Matt’s wife, who did an outstanding job coordinating fundraising, ice times, scheduling, parents, players and officials throughout the season.

And of course, none of this happens without the parents who dedicate countless hours and dollars getting their daughters to games and practices all season long.

Sponsors also played a key role in helping offset many of the team’s expenses.

A Season of Real Progress

The Panthers finished the league with six wins and one tie. They also placed 3rd at Wickfest among the top tier U13 female teams and won several other games in tournament and exhibition play.

That might not seem like a lot on paper, but consider the progress of this program.

Last season the Panthers won just one game.
The year before — their first year in the league — they didn’t win a game.

That makes this season a clear step forward.

Many of the games the Panthers lost this year were by only one or two goals, often decided late in the third period.

That’s proof the program is moving in the right direction.

A Tough League to Compete In

It’s important to remember that this is a very tough league.

In Alberta, there is no AAA level for U13 female hockey. That means many of the province’s best female players — except for a few who play AAA male hockey — compete at this level.

Cities like Lloydminster, St. Albert and Sherwood Park have large player pools and shorter travel distances for practices.

The Panthers are competing against the best of the best.

The Big Question: What Happens Next?

Now comes the big question for many of these players.

Without a U15 AA Female Panthers team announced for next season, many of these athletes face uncertainty about where they will continue their hockey journey.

The closest elite draw zone is Lloydminster. However, with their rosters already filled primarily from their own draw zone, it can be difficult — though not impossible — for Lakeland players to break into that lineup.

This past season, several former Panthers tried out for Lloydminster, but none made the roster.

That left players looking elsewhere.

Some joined the U15 Jaguars, a house team competing in the ECFHL, which carried a full roster of 22 players. Two players went to St. Paul, and two moved into mainstream hockey – one quit hockey altogether.

The Challenge of Mixing Elite and Non-Elite Development

The structure of the ECFHL adds another layer of complexity.

Teams compete throughout the season, then are divided into A or B divisions for provincial playoffs.

For example, the St. Paul Canadiens won their first playoff round and were tiered into the A division for provincials, despite not playing A-tier teams throughout league play.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars lost in the opening round and were placed in the B provincial bracket.

The challenge arises when players with elite AA training are mixed with players who have not had the same development pathway.

Interestingly, nearly half of the U15 Jaguars roster consisted of players who previously came through the Panthers AA program — yet the team ended up competing on the B side.

That raises a legitimate question.

Why is there only one level of AA development available for female players in this region?

Expansion Questions Remain

Local associations have said they hope to expand the Panthers program in the future to include U15 and U18 teams.

But when you look around the province, other communities are moving forward more quickly.

Camrose added a U15 team last season and expanded again this year to include U18.

So the question becomes: what is preventing similar growth for the Panthers?

Is it Hockey Alberta or the Alberta Female Hockey League limiting expansion?

Or are there local factors holding the program back?

When the AFHL announced league expansions on March 5, 2026, there was no mention of the Panthers program.

That leaves many players uncertain about their hockey future.

The Rise of Alternative Leagues

Another factor entering the conversation is the rapid growth of the Female Super League.

It’s similar in structure to the league the Lakeland Lightning play in, but entirely female.

The closest team currently operates out of Lloydminster, and the league continues to expand quickly.

Across Alberta and Canada, unsanctioned or for-profit leagues are beginning to appear.

Some argue that these leagues water down existing programs. Others say they simply provide more opportunity.

There is certainly a debate worth having.

The Panthers Built Something Special

Regardless of what happens next, one thing is certain.

The success of this year’s Panthers team wasn’t measured strictly in wins and losses.

It came from the bonds the players formed, the chemistry they developed and the leadership provided by their coaching staff, led by Shaun Hebert.

These girls would love nothing more than to continue playing elite hockey close to home.

And there is good reason to believe the game’s future lies with women.

Male hockey participation has largely levelled off, while female hockey continues to grow rapidly across the province.

If that growth is going to continue in the Lakeland region, it will require a long-term plan and a commitment to building a lasting Panthers legacy.

For now, the players head into the offseason proud of how far they’ve come.

Have a great summer, everyone.

See you back at the rink next fall.