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By Josh Hall

creating safer sport

Hockey Alberta joins ranks of Hockey Canada’s ‘The Shift Forward’

Apr 1, 2026 | 2:05 PM

Hockey Canada announced Tuesday it is expanding the group of those involved in its ongoing learning and development program, entitled ‘The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture.’

The program was piloted for the 2025-26 season with five members, including Atlantic Canada’s four provincial hockey bodies, and Hockey North.

Joining the process, effective April 1, are Hockey Alberta, BC Hockey, Hockey Saskatchewan, Hockey Northwestern Ontario, the Ontario Hockey Federation, Hockey Eastern Ontario, and Hockey Quebec.

“The expansion of The Shift Forward is an exciting milestone as part of our shared commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments through a national education and training program that is age appropriate, modernized, hockey-specific, and engaging as participants progress through their hockey journey,” said Denise Pattyn, senior vice-president of people, culture and inclusion for Hockey Canada.

“After piloting the program with our four Atlantic Members and Hockey North, we look forward to scaling our efforts with the additional seven Members to provide a broader impact and equip their participants to model the behaviours we want to see in the game on and off the ice.”

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In a statement to rdnewsNOW, Hockey Alberta noted its support of the program.

“Hockey Alberta believes the approach to sport and role-specific training and education will help achieve creating a safe and welcoming environment for those who participate in our game,” the organization says.

“As a Hockey Canada-led program, our ability to review and engage in future content allows us greater flexibility to meet the needs of our members and participants.  We want to thank the Respect Group (now Headversity) for a longstanding partnership that has seen the training of thousands of team officials & parents/guardians within Hockey Alberta, and we are excited to launch the next chapter of online education.”

Hockey Canada notes that as part of the initiative’s multi-year rollout, it and its members will continue to recognize existing training programs until the conclusion of the 2027-28 season. At that time, it is expected The Shift Forward will become mandatory for participants in Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.

More information about The Shift Forward is available here.

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