Team Staffs announced for 2023 Alberta Challenge

RED DEER  –  Twenty-nine volunteers have been selected to lead the six teams competing at the 2023 Alberta Challenge.

The staffing complement for each team includes a director of operations, coach mentor, head coach, two assistant coaches, trainer and apprentice coach. The Alberta Challenge is a core Hockey Alberta Female Development program that provides athletes, staff and on-ice officials an opportunity to grow for the next step in their hockey journey.

Red Deer will host the Alberta Challenge at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, May 3-7. The province is divided into North and South regions, with three teams selected from each region. Female athletes born in 2008 and 2009, playing in a Hockey Canada sanctioned program, are eligible to try out.

The Alberta Challenge process will begin in March, with players trying out at their respective regional camps. Regional camps will take place April 7-9 in Cochrane and Beaumont. Details regarding the regional camps will be released in the new year.

Listing of team staff below, director of operations and coach mentors will be announced closer to the Alberta Challenge.


South Black

Position Name Hometown
Director of Operations Teri Baumgardt Innisfail
Head Coach Erin O’Toole Lethbridge
Assistant Coach Jane Kish Medicine Hat
Assistant Coach Taryn Ashdown Calgary
Apprentice Coach Tamryn Ward Lethbridge
Therapist Kayla Cordingley Calgary

South Green

Position Name Hometown
Director of Operations Neal Tetreault Red Deer
Head Coach Matt McKnight Olds
Assistant Coach Christine O’Shaughnessy Calgary
Assistant Coach Stephanie Fischer Wainwright
Apprentice Coach Kaylin Schellenberg Calgary
Therapist Lynsie Fleming Red Deer

South White

Position Name Hometown
Director of Operations Mary Grant Airdrie
Head Coach Roberta Stinn Calgary
Assistant Coach Taryn Baumgardt Innisfail
Assistant Coach Jocelyn Davidson Red Deer County
Apprentice Coach Kaylee Vader Sherwood Park
Therapist Stephen Payne Calgary

North Blue

Position Name Hometown
Director of Operations Dana Henfrey Red Deer
Head Coach Steve Mancini Sherwood Park
Assistant Coach Ariana Kresic Edmonton
Assistant Coach Brett Campbell Edmonton
Apprentice Coach Jadynn Morden Lethbridge
Therapist Vacant N/A

North Grey

Position Name Hometown
Director of Operations Bev Szott Daysland
Head Coach Tara Swanson Edmonton
Assistant Coach Katresa Shwetz Waskatenau
Assistant Coach Brent Gosselin Cochrane
Apprentice Coach Lyndsey Janes Fort McMurray
Therapist Quinn Tilling Edmonton

North Yellow

Position Name Hometown
Director of Operations Deborah Rhodes Ardrossan
Head Coach Mandy Layden Drayton Valley
Assistant Coach Julia Zygun Edmonton
Assistant Coach Sage Sansregret Red Deer
Apprentice Coach Brooke Babyck Sherwood Park
Therapist Victoria McCray Edmonton

Staff

Position Name Hometown
Manager, Female Hockey Kendall Newell Red Deer
Coordinator, Female Hockey Morgen Kidney Red Deer
Mentor, Female Hockey Danielle Wheeler Sylvan Lake
Lead Therapist Dave Campbell Grande Prairie