The Lethbridge Val Matteotti Golden Hawks are the provincial champions after a 5-4 overtime victory against the Red Deer Rebels in Sherwood Park, Alberta, on March 22, 2026. The winning goal was scored nearly three minutes into the first overtime period to break a tie in the final game of the season.
This victory concluded a four-day provincial tournament organized by Hockey Alberta that featured top youth teams from across the province. The Golden Hawks entered the tournament after finishing their regular season in sixth place with a record of 20-13-1.
The team plays in the Alberta Elite Hockey League and is part of the Lethbridge Minor Hockey program. Head coach Charlie Mattersdorfer and assistant coach Sean Gillam led the roster of 22 players to the title, including three goaltenders and 13 forwards with an average age of 14 years old.
The championship win is a major turnaround for the local team, which did not make the playoffs during the previous season. The squad was one of the highest scoring teams in their division this year, finishing the 2025-2026 regular season with 171 goals scored over 34 games.
