Great vibes in the dressing room as RDC Queens Hockey squad gears up for new season

From RDC Athletics

Tight-knit Hockey Queens ready to hit the ice in 2019-20

Queens Hockey Head Coach Kelly Coulter is thrilled about the 12 returning student-athletes and 11 new additions he has assembled for the 2019-20 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women’s Hockey season.

“The vibe in the dressing room is fantastic. The girls seem to really get along and care about each other,” he says. “They seem to be really connected so I think that bodes well on the ice for us as well.”

Goaltender Karlee Fetch is back to play her fifth-year after an outstanding bronze medal performance in last year’s playoffs. Bachelor of Science Nursing student Madison Fox will share the duties in net, after joining the Queens from the Pacific Steelers of the Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL).

“Karlee is really mature in her game and as a person, so I think she will be a very good role model for Madison in terms of prepping for games and being a student-athlete,” says Coulter. “Madison is a very good young goaltender who likes to compete, so it’s a very good tandem.”

Despite the absence of 2018-19 Second Team All-Conference defenceman Catherine Longchamps, the Queens have a solid returning group on the blue line. Victoria Johnston, Kirsten Baumgardt, Sydnee Decorby, Ashley Sutherland and Mariah McKersie are back at RDC. Bachelor of Science Nursing student Shelby Ballan is recovering from a lengthy injury, but will help the team. Joining the defensive corps are Wetaskiwin’s Abby Fonteyne, Glendon’s Brooke Skrypichayko and Spirit River’s Tessa Ross.

Jenessa Fournier, Camryn Wallan, Neisha Germann, Jessi-Lynn Sumaling, Mary Hirsch and Hannah Petrie return up front. Sydney Rowley, Brooklyn Rowley, Madison Sansom, Carissa Hogan, Tyra Anderson, Braxton Shawara and Red Deer’s Avery Lajeunesse join the forwards.

“Some of the student-athletes have been more dominant goal scorers on their teams, so we’re hoping that will parlay into this season,” says Coulter. “Character and compete level are common traits that we see with all of our players, which makes us extremely happy.”

Madison Sansom is one of those added offensive weapons. The first-year Open Studies student from Saskatoon recorded 12 goals and 20 assists in 25 games with the Battlefords Sharks of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League (SFMAAAHL) a season ago. Another talented first-year forward, Carissa Hogan had 12 goals and 13 assists in 28 games with the Swift Current Wildcats, and Coulter views Hogan’s impact extending beyond the ice.

“We are finalizing our leadership group and we have seven girls – Camryn Wallan, Kirsten Baumgardt, Neisha Germann, Victoria Johnston, Sydnee Decorby, Ashley Sutherland and Carissa Hogan, a rookie on our team this year,” says Coulter. “That’s the group that we’re going to be working with, but we are open to adding more as we feel we have a lot of character in our room this year.”

The RDC Queens competed in six exhibition games, picking up three victories and some valuable playing time. The Queens defeated the SAIT Trojans 4-0, the Central Alberta Amazons 2-1 and the Olds College Broncos 3-1.

“Our girls have come in very good shape. The games that we’ve had in the exhibition season, we’ve been very happy with the compete level,” says Coulter. “They are an intelligent young group and are very willing to learn. We are trying to figure out some chemistry and how people play together.”

The Queens dropped a 3-1 decision to the Broncos, 5-2 game to the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns of U Sports, and a very close 1-0 contest to the defending champion MacEwan University Griffins, but they gained important preseason experience.

“The game that we played against MacEwan was a very good game. It had a lot of pace to it back and forth and I was happy that our girls were able to compete at that level,” says Coulter. “I think it helped our girls, especially the rookies, to see the pace and compete levels. MacEwan has been the champions for three years, so they’ve set the bar.”

The RDC Queens will open the season on Thursday, October 10 at 7:00 p.m. against the Broncos in Olds. Then 24 hours later, the Queens will host the Broncos at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

“That should be a good series right off the bat,” says Camryn Wallan, a third-year forward from Beaverlodge. “We’re going to have to make sure that we use our speed, get pucks to the net and make sure we capitalize on our opportunities.”

After many practices, hours of training and six exhibition games, the RDC Queens are ready to begin the season.

“I’m excited to get started. We had our team builder on August 25 and 26, and we’ve been together for a while,” says Coulter. “All the girls are ready to compete.”

For more information on RDC Queens Hockey, the student-athletes, scores, and game recaps of conference games, please visit: rdcathletics.ca

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SPARC Kindness Tree: A Growing Tradition in Capstone

Published on November 19, 2025

SPARC Red Deer

Since 2021, thousands of wooden ornaments painted with messages of kindness and hope by local youth have adorned multiple trees in Capstone during the holiday season.

One of SPARC Red Deer’s Paint the Town Positive initiative, these kindness ornaments are created by youth from various schools, clubs and community groups.

Beginning on November 27^th, area residents are encouraged to visit Canada 150 Square in Capstone to select an ornament to take home – and gift another to someone in their community. This year, SPARC is continuing its partnership with the City, and is thrilled to expand its presence in Red Deer by sharing Kindness Ornaments in recreation facilities across the community.

Sharing kindness plays a meaningful role in supporting our mental well-being. It gives us hope, warms the heart, and fosters a sense of purpose. Acts of kindness can also inspire others to pay it forward – creating a ripple effect of positivity.

SPARC Red Deer is a local non-profit coalition dedicated to strengthening positive assets and resilience in communities. Paint the Town Positive – the youth-driven chapter – collaborated with Capstone to launch the Kindness Tree with the goal of giving back and spreading kindness throughout the community.

To learn more about SPARC, visit sparcreddeer.ca.

Alberta

Edmonton and Red Deer to Host 2027 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship

Published on November 18, 2025

Todayville

News release from the Red Deer Rebels and Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has announced that the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship will be played in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, from Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2027.

The successful bid represents a partnership between OEG Sports & Entertainment, the Red Deer Rebels, Hockey Alberta, the Cities of Edmonton and Red Deer, and the Province of Alberta, which made an $11 million commitment in February 2024 to host events in communities throughout the province.

“We are excited to bring the IIHF World Junior Championship back to Edmonton and Red Deer, and to give hockey fans in Alberta and across the country the opportunity to watch the top under-20 players compete for a gold medal right here in Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact with Hockey Canada. “Both cities have been successful hosts of IIHF and other high-profile international events, and we know our partners in Edmonton and Red Deer will host a world-class event for players, teams, fans and volunteers alike.”

The 18,500-seat Rogers Place, home of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers and Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings, will serve as the primary competition venue and host 17 games, including both semifinals and the medal games. The additional 14 games are set for the 7,050-seat Marchant Crane Centrium, home of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels.

“Alberta is ready to welcome visitors from around the world for the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship,” said Andrew Boitchenko, minister of tourism and sport for Alberta. “This event celebrates the spirit of international competition and our province’s passion for hockey, while showcasing Alberta as a world-class destination for sporting events.”

“Edmonton is thrilled to co-host the IIHF World Junior Championship. This tournament is a fantastic opportunity to watch the world’s best junior hockey players right here in our community, showcasing emerging talent and inspiring a new generation of athletes,” said Andrew Knack, mayor of Edmonton. “Hosting world-calibre events like this also injects vital tourism dollars into our local economy, boosts our city’s vibrancy, and solidifies Edmonton’s reputation as a premiere sports tourism destination.”

Edmonton last hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship in August 2022, which was rescheduled from its traditional winter slot due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gold medal game at the 2022 event was an instant classic, with Mason McTavish making a game-saving play in overtime and Kent Johnson netting the game-winner just over a minute later to give Canada its 19th World Juniors gold medal. The city also hosted in 2021 without fans, and was a co-host with Calgary for the 2012 edition of the event. Red Deer was a co-host for the cancelled 2022 World Juniors, and first hosted the annual under-20 tournament in 1995.

“We are proud to welcome the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship back to our region,” said Jesse Smith, chief executive officer of Tourism Red Deer. “Red Deer’s love for the game and our hospitality will ensure an unforgettable experience for every athlete and fan.”

“The World Juniors give Edmonton an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our city on the world stage,” said Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development and venues management with Explore Edmonton. “This event strengthens our global reputation as a premier international sport destination while delivering more than $90 million in total economic impact to our community and inspiring the next generation of hockey players and fans. Edmonton loves hockey and we cannot wait to welcome global athletes and fans.”

Pre-tournament games for the 2027 World Juniors are expected to take place throughout Alberta, allowing fans across the province to watch the best junior hockey players from 10 countries before the puck officially drops in Edmonton and Red Deer on Boxing Day.

With demand for tickets expected to exceed availability, more information about a priority ticket draw and tournament ticket packages will be announced in the coming months. Fans looking to receive updates about the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship as soon as they become available can sign up to become a Hockey Canada Insider today.

“On behalf of all of us at OEG Sports & Entertainment, we are proud to once again be hosting the IIHF World Junior Championship and the best young stars on the planet,” said Stu Ballantyne, president and chief operating officer of Rogers Place and ICE District. “The World Juniors is one of the most celebrated tournaments in hockey, and bringing it back to Edmonton is an honour for our city, our fans and our entire organization. ICE District and Rogers Place were built to facilitate and showcase the very best in sport and entertainment, and we look forward to working closely with Hockey Canada and other partners to deliver an unforgettable experience for the athletes, fans and the global hockey community.”

“We are beyond excited for our fans, partners and community to once again welcome the hockey world to Red Deer,” said Merrick Sutter, senior vice-president of the Red Deer Rebels. “This is a community that loves events, and we know their passion will be on full display once again next December.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.