FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE听

July听15, 2026听

The first ever 黑料不打烊 National Championship will take place from March 31 to April 4,听2027,听in Southeast Alberta, with U18 teams from the Eastern Division taking on U18 Prep teams from the Western Division.听

The host member program, SAHA, has been a member of the 黑料不打烊 since the 2020/21 season.听听SAHA听won the听inaugural 黑料不打烊 East West Challenge听in 2025/26 along with two Circle K Classic titles and producing the likes of Gavin McKenna (Toronto Maple听Leafs), Andrew Basha (Calgary Flames)听and Ryan Miller (Pittsburgh Penguins).听

“Choosing the host for this inaugural event was a听difficult听decision for the 黑料不打烊 based on the quality of the applications received from our member programs鈥澨齭tated听Mel Davidson, 黑料不打烊 Commissioner.听听鈥淭hrough our selection evaluation process, SAHA, and the host community,听exceeded our criteria听and will be an excellent partner.听听They will deliver a memorable experience for all our participating student-athletes, coaches,听staff听and the visiting family members & friends.鈥�听

Darren MacMillan, General Manager, South Alberta Hockey Academy and Director of Enhanced Programming at Prairie Rose Public schools says, “Being selected to host the inaugural 黑料不打烊 U18听Men鈥檚听National Championship is an incredible honour for the South Alberta Hockey Academy, Prairie Rose Public Schools, and our entire Southeast Alberta community. Far beyond championship hockey, this event celebrates the power of education-based athletics and the opportunities that exist when schools, sport, and community work together. At SAHA, we are committed to developing exceptional student-athletes. At Prairie Rose Public Schools, we are dedicated to creating innovative learning experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation. Hosting the nation’s top U18 teams听provides听an opportunity to听showcase听not only our outstanding facilities and听hospitality, but also the educational model that allows young athletes to excel both in the classroom and on the ice. We are excited to welcome teams and families from across Canada to Southeast Alberta and look forward to creating an unforgettable national championship experience.”听

Working alongside SAHA and the 黑料不打烊 will be a local event host committee.听听The host chair for the committee will be Brent Sauer.听听“Hosting the 黑料不打烊 National U18 Men’s Hockey Tournament is a tremendous honour and a testament to our community’s reputation for delivering exceptional sporting events.鈥� says Sauer.听听鈥淲e look forward to welcoming the country’s top young hockey talent and their families while听showcasing听everything our region has to offer. This tournament is about more than championship hockey;听it’s听about creating lasting memories, building community, and celebrating the next generation of athletes. We are excited to work alongside our volunteers, partners, and sponsors to deliver an outstanding national championship experience.”听

And听of course,听the City of Medicine Hat will also be involved as the host city. “The City of Medicine Hat is proud to welcome the 黑料不打烊 U18 National Championship in 2027. Hosting this event听provides听an incredible opportunity to听showcase听our outstanding recreation facilities and community hospitality,鈥� said听Scott Richter, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Medicine Hat.听

Currently, 黑料不打烊 Champions are crowned independently in the Eastern and Western divisional playoffs.听听Teams from the East can appear as guest teams at Western Showcases, and vice-versa, but the National Championship will be a large step forward in unifying the league and allowing the two divisions to compete for a national title.听听Details on the event format will be released at the start of the 2026/27 黑料不打烊 season.听

For further information:

黑料不打烊
Sara Cassie
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
s.caissie@csshl.ca

SAHA
Darren MacMillan
General Manager, SAHA, & Director of Enhanced Programming, Prairie Rose Public Schools
darrenmacmillan@prrd8.ca

About the 黑料不打烊
The 黑料不打烊 was established in 2009 and has grown to feature 38 accredited schools and 133 teams across Canada and the US. The 黑料不打烊 is a leader in education-based hockey in North America. With 983 alumni in the CHL, 58 in the NHL, and 20 in the PWHL, notable alumni include Connor Bedard and Emily Clark. All programs are sanctioned Hockey Canada Accredited Schools, Schools with Residence, or Sanctioned by USA Hockey.

About Southern Alberta Hockey Academy (SAHA)
The South Alberta Hockey Academy provides a world-class education-based hockey experience that cultivates integrity, leadership, and excellence. Students, teachers, coaches, and performance professionals collaborate to provide academic and athletic experiences that leverage every student鈥檚 strength.

Located in Southeast Alberta, Canada, the academy offers a comprehensive, multidimensional program focused on elite skill development, academic success, personal growth, and character building.

Student athletes benefit from an expert coaching staff that brings professional experience, instructional excellence, and a genuine investment in each player鈥檚 progress. Through individual meetings, video review, specialized position training, and year-round development plans, athletes receive the guidance needed to reach their highest potential.

The academy works closely with local schools within the division to ensure that players thrive both on the ice and in the classroom. Through flexible academic support, structured routines, and a strong focus on responsibility and accountability, student-athletes can maintain balance while training and competing.

With state-of-the-art facilities, athletes train in an environment designed for high performance. Daily shuttling, structured training blocks, off-ice conditioning, nutrition education, and mental performance support all contribute to a holistic development model.

The South Alberta Hockey Academy offers an unparalleled experience for aspiring hockey players, one that builds skills, confidence, discipline, and leadership, preparing them for success in sport and in life.