RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the team staffs that will be behind the bench for the 2026 Alberta Challenge, which is running from April 29-May 3 at the Gary W. Harris Centre in Red Deer.
The staffing complement for each team includes a director of operations, head coach, mentor coach, two assistant coaches, apprentice coach and therapist. The Alberta Challenge is a core Hockey Alberta Female Development program that allows athletes, staff and on-ice officials an opportunity for growth for the next step in their hockey journey.
The province is divided into North and South regions, with three teams selected from each region. Female athletes born in 2011 and 2012, playing in a Hockey Canada-sanctioned program, are eligible to try out.
Regional Camp registration opens on January 13. Regional camps will take place April 3-5 in Cochrane and Beaumont.
Listing of the director of operations, coach mentors and therapists will be announced closer to the Alberta Challenge.
South Black
| Position |
Name |
Hometown |
| Head Coach |
Katresa Shwetz |
Waskatenau |
| Assistant Coach |
Kathy Koehli-Watters |
Camrose |
| Assistant Coach |
Keely Vachon |
Fort Saskatchewan |
| Apprentice Coach |
Anna Purschke |
Sherwood Park |
South Green
| Position |
Name |
Hometown |
| Head Coach |
Carly McNaughton |
Lethbridge |
| Assistant Coach |
Marissa Graham |
Wetaskiwin |
| Assistant Coach |
Mary Hirsch |
Calgary |
| Apprentice Coach |
Adia Durie |
Red Deer |
South Grey
| Position |
Name |
Hometown |
| Head Coach |
MacKenzie Ebel |
Airdrie |
| Assistant Coach |
Rick Deschamps |
Calgary |
| Assistant Coach |
Sydney Dutertre |
Edmonton |
| Apprentice Coach |
Chloe Shingoose |
Stettler |
North Blue
| Position |
Name |
Hometown |
| Head Coach |
Brett Campbell |
Edmonton |
| Assistant Coach |
Tori De Jong |
Lloydminster |
| Assistant Coach |
Taylor Kezama |
Edmonton |
| Apprentice Coach |
Rhyan Selte |
Vermillion |
North Red
| Position |
Name |
Hometown |
| Head Coach |
Shanya Shwetz |
Waskatenau |
| Assistant Coach |
Mike Masse |
Calgary |
| Assistant Coach |
Ryann Perrett |
Calgary |
| Apprentice Coach |
Hayley Magera |
St. Albert |
North Yellow
| Position |
Name |
Hometown |
| Head Coach |
Whitney Juszkiewicz |
Edmonton |
| Assistant Coach |
Shayla Katrick |
Calgary |
| Assistant Coach |
Avery Kendall |
Edmonton |
| Apprentice Coach |
Lindsey Johnson |
Edmonton |
Hockey Alberta Staff
| Position |
Name |
Hometown |
| Manager, Female Development |
Danielle Wheeler |
Sylvan Lake |
| Lead Therapist |
Dave Campbell |
Grande Prairie |
