2026-27 USPHL Premier Season Preview: Alberta Conference
The 2026-27 USPHL Premier Season Preview Series continues with a look at the Alberta Conference.
Eight teams make up the conference this season, including the expansion Hinton Timberwolves and organizations beginning new chapters in Bassano, Chestermere and Claresholm. The OLCN Scouts enter as the defending Alberta Division Champions after defeating the Calgary Bandits in last season’s championship series.
With returning veterans, new talent and organizations looking to establish themselves in their communities, player development and advancement will remain central throughout the conference.
Here is a team-by-team look at the Alberta Conference entering 2026-27.
Bassano Beavers
Head Coach: Knut Hornkvist
The Bassano Beavers prepare for their first Premier campaign with a roster built around skill, depth and veteran leadership.
“Our biggest strength is our top-end skill mixed with real depth and veteran leadership,” Hornkvist said. “We’ve got game-breakers who can take over a shift, and also veterans who will guide our younger guys when adversity comes.”
The Beavers expect several newcomers to make immediate contributions, including Austin Stewardson, who recorded 74 points in 33 games with the Chestermere (Southern Alberta) Mustangs last season. Riley Watson-Croteau also arrives from the Mustangs after a 32-point campaign, while defenseman Owen Robertson brings previous Premier experience.
Bassano spent the offseason assembling its roster and establishing relationships with local businesses, billet families and the surrounding community.
The organization’s identity will center on development and helping players understand the game rather than simply memorize systems.
“Player-first and development-driven,” Hornkvist said. “We want a team that’s hard to play against, understands why it does what it does, and gets every player better than they came in, on and off the ice.”
Chemistry and commitment will be essential as the Beavers establish their identity within the conference.
Bassano’s development model includes individual and small-group skill sessions, off-ice training and a focus on preparing players for advancement.
For Hornkvist, success means building a sustainable program while setting high expectations on the ice.
“Wins matter, but for a first-year program, success is players developing, families trusting us with their kids, and laying a foundation this community is proud of,” Hornkvist said.
The Beavers will also pursue an Alberta Conference championship in their first season.
Calgary Bandits
Head Coach: Dean Fedorchuk
2025-26 Record: 25-7-1-2, 53 points — First in Alberta Regular-Season Standings
The Calgary Bandits return after finishing atop the Alberta regular-season standings with 25 wins and 53 points in 2025-26.
Under Head Coach Dean Fedorchuk, the Bandits reached the inaugural Alberta Division championship series before falling to the OLCN Scouts. Fedorchuk was also recognized as the division’s Coach of the Year following Calgary’s regular-season campaign.
The Bandits enter the new season looking to build on that foundation against an expanded eight-team conference.
Player development and advancement will remain important as Calgary looks to carry last season’s success into another competitive Alberta schedule.
Chestermere Mustangs
Head Coach: Adam Redmond
Owner: Lisa May
2025-26 Record: 17-14-3-2, 39 points — Competed as the Southern Alberta Mustangs
The Chestermere Mustangs begin a new chapter in 2026-27 following the organization’s relocation from Southern Alberta.
Ten returning players provide an experienced foundation as the Mustangs look to establish themselves in their new community.
“One of our biggest strengths heading into this season is the leadership and experience we have returning,” May said. “We have 10 returning Mustangs, giving us a strong foundation to build around.”
Colby McLellan, Parker Ma, William Thomlison, Taydon Perkins and Corwin Waithe return on defense, while forwards Teigen Liebelt, Quintin Rose, Reece Orser, Sawyer Smith and Austin Joudrie are also expected to provide leadership.
The Mustangs focused on strengthening their operations throughout the offseason, including player support, business relationships, marketing, sponsorships and community involvement.
On the ice, Chestermere expects to play an aggressive, disciplined style built around speed and accountability.
“We want to be relentless on the forecheck, compete for every puck, and make teams earn every inch of ice,” May said. “Most importantly, we want to be a team that shows up every night and plays for each other.”
Consistency will be essential as the Mustangs look to build on last season’s 17-win campaign.
Player development also remains a major organizational priority, with an emphasis on individual improvement, strength and conditioning, hockey IQ and advancement.
The relocation represents an opportunity to establish a lasting presence in Chestermere.
“We see this move as an incredible opportunity to bring junior hockey into a community that has been looking for this type of organization,” May said.
Claresholm Cowboys
Head Coach: Riley Smith
2025-26 Record: 16-12-2-0, 34 points — Competed as the Diamond Valley Rockies
The Claresholm Cowboys enter 2026-27 with a new identity and a roster built around motivated players looking to continue developing both on and off the ice.
“One of our biggest strengths entering the 2026-27 season is the talented and motivated group we have coming into camp,” Smith said. “We believe strongly in our culture, work ethic, and creating an environment where players push each other to improve every day.”
Dustyn Stoesz is among the returning players expected to take on a larger role.
Smith believes Stoesz’s experience, continued development and work ethic will help him become an important leader for the Cowboys.
Claresholm used the offseason to strengthen several areas of the organization, including recruiting, player development, team culture and operations.
The Cowboys expect to play a fast, connected style built around transition and puck movement.
“Our identity will be built around pace, structure, communication, and players working together rather than as individuals,” Smith said.
Consistency will be particularly important as Claresholm looks to establish itself in its new home.
The organization also places an emphasis on individual development, video analysis and helping players find opportunities in the NCDC, ACHA, NCAA and beyond.
For Smith, the move to Claresholm represents an opportunity to establish lasting relationships within a hockey community.
“We’re extremely excited to begin this new chapter in Claresholm,” Smith said. “The move gives our organization an opportunity to establish roots in a great hockey community and continue building a strong, sustainable program.”
Hanna Havoc
Head Coach/General Manager: Kevin Henry
2025-26 Record: 8-18-2-1, 19 points
The Hanna Havoc enter 2026-27 with increased roster depth and a group Henry believes can play a more aggressive style than last season.
“I feel our team will have a strong overall balance with depth in scoring, speed and puck movement,” Henry said.
After competing with a limited bench in 2025-26, Hanna expects its expanded roster to provide greater flexibility throughout games.
Austin Galway, Carter Andrews, Hayden Kalichuk and Ryder Greenslade are among the returning players expected to take another step, while veteran Zack Davies will provide experience on defense.
Newcomers Xavier Ward, Thomas Meena, Kane Crowchild, Ciaran Henry, Benjamin Shoeman and Daxton Lee are among the additions expected to contribute.
Defensemen Liam Rosin and Dayne Henry also join the group, while Kaleb Miller, Jayden Montanez and Colby Plewes provide options in goal.
Hanna emphasized adding experienced players and improving its depth throughout the offseason.
The Havoc expect those additions to support a faster playing style.
“Our identity will be a team that plays a fast-paced, high-speed transition game,” Henry said. “Relentless forechecking and a tough team to play against on any night.”
Maintaining discipline will be essential as Hanna looks to improve on last season’s results.
The organization has also established player-advancement goals, targeting three to five players moving to the NCDC, ACHA or NCAA Division III each year.
With increased depth and a more experienced group, the Havoc will look to compete for the Alberta Conference title and pursue an opportunity at Nationals.
Hinton Timberwolves
Head Coach: Barry Wolff
President: Jason Stajkowski
2025-26 Record: First Premier Season
The Hinton Timberwolves begin their inaugural USPHL Premier season in 2026-27, bringing another junior hockey opportunity to Western Canada.
The organization enters the Alberta Conference with a focus on character, accountability and community involvement while establishing a development pathway for its players.
Hinton’s existing hockey community provides a foundation for the new program.
The Timberwolves plan to emphasize individual development and advancement, including opportunities to move to the NCDC and college hockey. The organization has also established relationships with collegiate programs to help promote players pursuing their next opportunity.
Building a team that represents Hinton both on and off the ice will be an important part of the inaugural season as the Timberwolves establish their identity within the conference.
OLCN Scouts
Head Coach: Kelly Zacharias
General Manager: Grant Whitstone
2025-26 Record: 8-13-1-1, 18 points — Alberta Division Champions
The OLCN Scouts enter the new season as the defending Alberta Division Champions following their championship-series victory over the Calgary Bandits.
OLCN secured the inaugural title with a 6-3 victory in the deciding game on March 31, completing a postseason run after recording eight wins during the regular season.
As the Scouts prepare to defend their championship, speed will once again be a major part of their identity.
The organization focused on improving its goaltending during the offseason while continuing to build its roster.
Whitstone expects a physical, competitive playing style built around speed and hard contact.
Returning experience will be important as OLCN looks to carry last season’s postseason success into a larger conference.
The organization will also continue recruiting and maintaining communication with other leagues to help create opportunities for player advancement.
Three Hills Titans
Head Coach: Shane Lynch
2025-26 Record: 18-11-2-0, 38 points
The Three Hills Titans enter 2026-27 looking to build on an 18-win campaign that saw them collect 38 points during the Alberta Conference’s inaugural season.
Three Hills featured several individual standouts last year, including Michael Metcher, who led the division with 44 points in 29 games, and goaltender Ryan Roberts, who earned the division’s Goaltender of the Year award after recording a .921 save percentage in 19 appearances.
As the conference expands to eight teams, the Titans will look to build on their first season while continuing to provide development opportunities for players pursuing advancement in junior and college hockey.
With an experienced organizational foundation in place, Three Hills will look to remain competitive throughout the Alberta schedule.