On January 31, 2026, approximately 60–80 female hockey players from Lacombe, Alberta, travelled to Airdrie to participate in Hockey Alberta’s regional Female Hockey Day, part of a province-wide push to grow the female game. The event brought local athletes to a larger regional hub and gave them high‑quality instruction and the chance to connect with players from across Central Alberta.
The training day was held at Genesis Place in Airdrie and featured on‑ice skill sessions, off‑ice dryland training and leadership workshops for players, parents and coaches.
Most of the Lacombe participants were members of the Central Alberta Warriors program, which draws players from Lacombe, Ponoka and Blackfalds and is run out of Lacombe Minor Hockey.
Hockey Alberta has reported significant growth in the female game in recent years (its reporting notes a 15.5% increase in girls’ registrations over five years and a broader increase tied to the AFHL model), and the province has expanded elite pathways — adding three new Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) teams for the 2025–26 season to help meet demand. Local organizers also noted that the Lacombe Generals adjusted their weekend schedule (moving a usual Saturday game to Friday night, Jan. 30) so coaches and families could travel to Airdrie for the development day.
