Prospects – Calgary Fire

The top levels of female hockey in our province...

GHC's Calgary Fire AAA/AA Female Hockey is the largest AAA/AA female hockey program in Alberta. Our teams compete in the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL), which is home to 48 teams at the U18 AAA, U18 AA, U15 AA and U13 AA levels. GHC is one of 12 host associations around the province. We are deeply committed to the growth and development of AAA/AA female hockey.

Opportunities for elite female atheltes

The Calgary Fire has been developing and supporting outstanding female student-athletes since our official inception in 2015. They are typically high-achieving, successful and well-rounded, not only has elite athletes but as professionals, business and community leaders, coaches and reliable young adults.

Our Calgary Fire teams have produced over 125 NCAA, USport and ACAC Female Student-Athletes, with a number of those players becoming part of Hockey Alberta's High Performance Programs and the Hockey Canada Program.

Calgary Fire AAA/AA Female Hockey Key Highlights:

Full-Size Olympic Ice Surface *AAA
Dedicated Dressing Room *AAA
Skill, Tactical & System Development
Strength & Conditioning Programming
Mental Training & Support
Nutrition & Athletic Performance Education
Host of the Annual Calgary Firestarter Female AAA/AA Hockey Tournament
All Home Games Live-streamed

Frequently Asked Questions

To select our Fire teams, coaching staff use a combination of practices, fitness components, scrimmages, and exhibition games. Follow these links to read more or register for our Spring ID Camp or our Try-Out Camp. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found below.

Elite Hockey in Alberta

What is the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL)?

The Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) is home to 48 teams at the U18 AAA, U18 AA, U15 AA and U13 AA levels, providing a competitive platform for young aspiring female athletes to enhance their skills. A collection of 12 host associations around the province are committed to the growth and development of AAA and AA female hockey. The member associations include: Airdrie, Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Leduc, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Okotoks, Olds, and Red Deer. Through dedicated staff and volunteers, the AFHL offers opportunities for female athletes to receive mentorship, off-ice education sessions, female specific coaching, post-secondary exposure opportunities, academic & billet programs, and a competitive skill development atmosphere.

Since its inception in the 2016-17 season, the winner of the Esso Cup (Canada’s female U18 AAA national championship) has come out of the AFHL, as the St. Albert Slash have become champions over the first three seasons consecutively.

If you have questions about Alberta Female Hockey League operations, please check out their resources page.

What does the League Schedule look like?

The U18 AAA Division teams play a 30-game regular season schedule that consists of playing each opponent six times throughout the season; three home and three away.

The U18 and U15 AA Division teams play a 26-game regular season schedule. Each AA Division has been separated into two conferences based on geographical location: North and South. Each team will play their Conference opponents four times, two home and two away, resulting in 20 conference games. Additionally, the remaining six games will be out of conference play with each team playing each other once. Teams in the “AA” Division will participate in “Crossover Weekends” throughout the season to help ease travel for the out of conference games.

The U13 AA Division teams will play a 20-28 game regular season schedule. Each AA Division has been separated into two conferences based on geographical location: North and South. Each team will play their Conference opponents three to four times, as both home and two away.

How do I know what Draw Zone/Recruitment Area I am in?

While U18 AAA operates without boundaries or draw zones, players interested in playing U18 AA or U15 AA are expected to access their first tryout with their Recruitment Area Team. The Recruitment Area team that a player is eligible for depends on your Resident Minor Hockey Association (not the one the player was last registered with).

Please refer to this breakdown of Recruitment Area Teams.

I live in Zone 9. Do I have a choice of a second tryout with another team?

At the “AAA” level, yes.

AAA Tryout Procedure

A player wishing to play Female AAA hockey with the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) may choose a maximum of two (2) U18 AAA teams to try out for. To access a U18 AAA training and/or tryout camps outside of your regional, players must submit a Letter of Permission Form. If a player does not make the first team they are trying out for, they have the following options:

If a player is released from the Calgary Fire AAA tryouts and they have requested a second AAA tryout, they must submit a Female Elite Waiver Form and may move on to their second AAA tryout.
If a player is released from their first AAA tryout and have requested their second AAA tryout with the Calgary Fire, they must submit a Female Elite Waiver Form and may move on to Calgary Fire AAA tryouts.
If a player has not requested a second AAA tryout, they may move on to their region's AA tryouts and/or access other minor hockey programs in their region.
If a player is released from two (2) AAA tryouts, they may move on to their region's AA tryouts and/or access other minor hockey programs in their region.

I live outside of Zone 9. Can I try-out for the Calgary Fire?

At the “AAA” level, yes. The U18 AAA operates without boundaries or draw zones.

AAA Tryout Procedure

If a player is released from the Calgary Fire AAA tryouts and they have requested a second AAA tryout, they must submit a Female Elite Waiver Form and may move on to their second AAA tryout.
If a player is released from their first AAA tryout and have requested their second AAA tryout with the Calgary Fire, they must submit a Female Elite Waiver Form and may move on to Calgary Fire AAA tryouts.
If a player has not requested a second AAA tryout, they may move on to their region's AA tryouts and/or access other minor hockey programs in their region.
If a player is released from two (2) AAA tryouts, they may move on to their region's AA tryouts and/or access other minor hockey programs in their region.

Trying Out for Fire AAA/AA

What is the try-out process like?

The GHC Calgary Fire AA/AAA selection process consist of four main phases:

Spring Camp *Optional
Prep Camp *Optional
Try-Out Camp
Main Camp

OPTIONAL: SPRING CAMPS

Players who wish to try-out for the Calgary Fire are not required to attend the Spring Camp. However, it is an important opportunity to meet our coaches and learn more about the Calgary Fire and AAA/AA female hockey stream in Alberta.

U18 AAA only: Between June 15 and August 15, U18 AAA teams have the ability to formally commit to a maximum of five (5) skaters and one (1) goaltender.

OPTIONAL: PREP CAMPS

Calgary Fire AAA/AA Prep Camps are optional and are not a tryout camp. Prep Camps primarily consist of skill and conditioning / compete sessions. Athletes will not be graded or judged on this Prep Camp.

FIRST STAGE: TRY-OUT CAMP

All players wishing to try-out for the Calgary Fire AAA/AA must attend a tryout camp. This first stage consists of several ice times run by Fire coaches, a fitness session and the main selection game. Each player will receive a minimum of two (2) ice times. Fire coaches will post releases online throughout this stage. After the selection game, Fire coaches will draft players to their teams. These rosters are oversized and cuts will continue in the Main Camp.

SECOND STAGE: MAIN CAMP

Once players are drafted to a team following the selection game, players will attend practices and participate in exhibition games. Fire coaches may release players throughout this stage. Fire coaches will communicate their final decisions to each player before releases.

FINAL STAGE: PLAYER AGREEMENTS

Once Fire coaches have made their releases, the remaining selected players must sign a “Player Agreement” form to officially become part of the team. Congratulations, you are now part of the Fire Family!

When do AAA/AA try-outs begin?

Calgary Fire

Calgary Fire U18 AAA/AA Camp Dates:

U18 AA/AAA Spring Camp: May 12-14, 2023 (Norma Bush)
U18 AA/AAA Prep Camp: August 12-17, 2023 (Great Plains Arena)
U18 AAA Try-Outs: August 19-September 25, 2023 (Great Plains Arena)
U18 AA Try-Outs: September 5-12, 2023 (Great Plains Arena)

Calgary Fire U15 AA Camp Dates:

U15 AA Spring Camp: June 17-19, 2022 (Great Plains Arena)
U15 AA Prep Camp: August 19-24, 2023(Great Plains Arena)
U15 AA Tryouts: August 25-September 2, 2023 (Great Plains Arena)

Calgary Fire U13 AA Camp Dates:

U13 AA Spring Camp: June 16-18, 2023 (Great Plains Arena)
U13 AA Prep Camp: August 19-24, 2023 (Great Plains Arena)
U13 AA Tryouts: August 25-September 2, 2023 (Great Plains Arena)

To learn more about our Spring Camp, please click here.

To learn more about Prep/Try-Outs, please click here.

Am I required to attend the Spring ID Camp?

No, players who wish to try-out for a Calgary Fire team are not required to attend the Spring Camp. However, they are a great opportunity to meet our coaches and learn more about the Fire and the Elite Female hockey stream in Alberta.

Between June 15 and August 15, the Calgary Fire U18 AAA team has the ability to formally commit to a maximum of five (5) skaters and one (1) goaltender. All commitments are made formally by using the “Player Agreement” form. Please note that underage players are not eligible to sign a “Player Agreement” prior to try outs as their participation must be approved in accordance with the Player Acceleration process.

The purpose of our Spring ID camps is to provide an opportunity for athletes and parents to:

Experience the competition level of Elite female hockey.
Learn more about the Calgary Fire program.
Meet Calgary Fire Elite coaching staff and receive feedback.

Am I required to attend the Prep Camp?

No, players who wish to try-out for a Calgary Fire team are not required to attend the Prep Camp. Prep Camps are intended as a conditioning opportunity for athletes, run by third-party instructors, and have no bearing on final selection.

Any player who is registering for Calgary Fire Try-Outs may also choose to attend the Calgary Fire Prep Camp. Players who are not trying out for Fire are not permitted to attend the Prep Camp.

To register, select "Prep Camp Package" at the time of registration.

How are players selected for the Calgary Fire?

The Calgary Fire U18 AAA team is selected and formed exclusively by the Calgary Fire MAAA coaching staff. The Calgary Fire AA teams are selected on a draft basis by the coaching staffs. There is no protection of players from the previous year for any team.

Coaching staffs select teams based on many different athlete attributes including on ice play, effort, on and off ice conduct, team play, leadership qualities, character, etc.

Undoubtedly there will be very disappointed athletes and parents through this selection process and team formation. Please note that the selection process and coaching decisions are final. Athletes do not have the opportunity to appeal the coaching staff’s selections and the GHC Board of Directors will support our coaching staff decisions.

What are my next steps if I am released during the AAA/AA try-outs?

AAA Tryout Procedure

If a player is released from the Calgary Fire AAA tryouts and they have requested a second AAA tryout, they must submit a Female Elite Waiver Form and may move on to their second AAA tryout.
If a player is released from their first AAA tryout and have requested their second AAA tryout with the Calgary Fire, they must submit a Female Elite Waiver Form and may move on to Calgary Fire AAA tryouts.
If a player has not requested a second AAA tryout, they may move on to their region's AA tryouts and/or access other minor hockey programs in their region.
If a player is released from two (2) AAA tryouts, they may move on to their region's AA tryouts and/or access other minor hockey programs in their region.

AA Tryout Procedure

A player wishing to play Female AA hockey with the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) must try out for the team in the Recruitment Area where the player resides. The Resident Recruitment Area franchise for players in the Calgary region is the Calgary Fire. If a player does not make the Calgary Fire AA, they have the following options:

They will move on to the Girls Hockey Calgary Community Evaluations or Community Evaluations process for their designated Community Association.

Are there opportunities to affiliate to a Fire team after being released?

Yes!

Can I try out for both Female Elite and Male Elite streams in the same season?

No. Try-outs for Calgary Fire (female) and Quadrant (male) streams take place at the same time and require registration in order to participate.

Registration options for female players interested in trying out for Calgary Fire are as follows:

Register with GHC for 2023-24 season and include Calgary Fire try-out package. If player is released from Calgary Fire try-outs, player will continue with Jr Inferno Community Evaluations.
Register with local Community Association and request to share card with GHC for Calgary Fire try-outs. If player is released from Calgary Fire try-outs, player will return to local Community Association for Community Evaluations.

What is the refund policy on Try-Out Camps?

Players who withdraw more than 7 days before the camp start date are subject to a $50 administration fee. Players who withdrawn less than 7 days before the camp start date are not eligible for a refund.