COLD LAKE - The Aeros Hockey Academy Association, based in Cold Lake, is exploring the possibility of expanding into the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHL) to address a gap in opportunities for young adult female hockey players in the Lakeland region.
The initiative aims to create a junior-level program for players aged 18 to 22, allowing them to pursue higher level hockey while showcasing their talents for universities, colleges, or even professional opportunities.
“We've always kind of been involved in a higher level hockey and kind of noticed that there was a bit of a gap here with regards to the female hockey side of it,” said Axel Axmann, team owner of the Cold Lake Aeros
Axmann acknowledged the efforts of the Cold Lake Minor Hockey Jaguars’ program, which provides a strong foundation for younger players, but pointed out there is a lack of a junior level options for female hockey players.
“Cold Lake Minor Hockey has the Jags program here, which is a female hockey program, and they do a great job, but there isn't anything for a higher level as far as from a junior perspective is concerned.”
The academy explored options to address the gap by connecting with existing female hockey programs, seeing it as an opportunity to promote female hockey in Cold Lake and the greater Lakeland area.
Currently, junior female hockey options for athletes in Alberta are limited to cities like Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, and Lloydminster.
“There was nothing of a higher level for an older female hockey player who wanted to use their hockey to advance to college or university or even the professional ranks. There's nothing in the area,” Axmann said.
The proposed junior-level program will offer daily practices and weekend games, providing players with a structured and competitive environment.
“It gives the older female hockey player a chance to continue on their path using their hockey. It gives them an opportunity to showcase themselves to universities and colleges and potentially even professional ranks,” Axmann explained.
Community interest will play a key role in determining the viability of the program.
“We're just looking to gauge community interest and to see if there's a market for it,” Axmann said. The academy has published information and a survey on its website, inviting feedback from the public.
Axmann expressed optimism about the potential impact of the program, saying, “It shows that there is growth and expansion happening, and in chatting with various prominent people here in the Cold Lake community, there seems to be some real interest in it.”
He emphasized the importance of building a solid foundation for female hockey in the region. “It’s another thing that we add on. We currently have a minor program under the Aeros Hockey Academy, and this is just adding on and making it grow and, you know, as I always like to say, bigger, better, stronger, faster.”
The academy is also open to recruiting players beyond the Lakeland area to fill its roster.
“We have the ability to recruit pretty much worldwide for female hockey players that are interested in continuing on with their program,” Axmann noted.
The community feedback deadline is Jan. 21, with Axmann urging residents to visit the website and share their input to help finalize the proposal.
