LMHA’s female hockey looks to grow divisions

By Lethbridge Herald on September 12, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge  Minor Hockey Association’s female division is ramping up  for a new season and the hope is to see some change and more development at certain levels.

Through all Lethbridge female hockey there are teams in U11 level and up and players have the choice of the Cyclones or trying to make the elite Southern Express teams.

The hope is the U11 level can get tiered this season

“We’re hoping to add multiple teams at U11, so we can start tiering them there and preparing that  U13 (level), (where) they can choose whether they want to go into an elite model or stay in the recreational model,” said Chris Fantazir, LMHA  female director.

The hope is to have the U11 level form an ‘A’ and ‘B’ team.

LMHA  female division’s hope  with their U13AA Southern Express team is  that it becomes more stable and the interest grows in its second year.

“Just trying to get those numbers out, more people involved and get that team to be more competitive,” said Fantazir.

It was only three years ago that the U18AA Southern Express began playing and the growth is coming

“Their numbers steadily increased each year for try outs,” said Fantazir.

“I would hope and expect that we can build on that  and keep them going as the program gets a little bit more respected and well-known.”

Numbers will be a challenge for Lethbridge female hockey.

“I think we’d like to focus on some of our younger programs like our Future Olympian, (and) expanding that into more of a  learn to play hockey (and) an opportunity to get more females together to play hockey and enjoy the game,” said Fantazir

LMHA’s female division wants to implement more come-try-it event this season to try and get  female players involved at younger ages.

Registration numbers are the same as past seasons and some divisions will have multiple teams.

“We’d like to see a little bit (of an) increase but it’s holding steady,” said Fantazir.