South Alberta Hockey Academy players sign junior deals, and several receive awards

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Winning the top defenseman for the Female U18 Prep division was SAHA’s Sophie Erlam. The 18-year-old from Edmonton is committed to Mercyhurst University to play NCAA Division I Women’s hockey for the Lakers. Erlam was fifth in points among defensemen with 24. She played three seasons with SAHA. She also earned First Team All-Star honours.

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SAHA has three more players who have signed to play Junior A hockey during the 2026-27 season.

Dunmore’s Ty Hynes will play for the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Hynes, 18, played with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen and Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Lloydminster Bobcats in 2025-26 before returning to SAHA to complete the season.

He had nine points in nine games with three goals and six assists in CSSHL regular season games, and a pair of assists in a playoff contest. With the Hitmen, he had a goal in four games, and the Bobcats, a goal in 13 games.

Hynes could suit up with former SAHA teammates Cash Olson of Redcliff next season.

Olson, 18, was named to the SJHL’s All-Rookie team after putting up 49 points in 56 games with 15 goals with the Bruins. He had a goal and an assist in four playoff games.

Former SAHA defenseman Owen Brees also played with the Bruins last season. The 19-year-old had four assists and 79 penalty minutes in 34 regular-season games, and two penalty minutes in four playoff games.

SAHA forward Damen Vanderberg of Lethbridge will play for the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Bonnyville Pontiacs next season. The 17-year-old is coming off a 39-point regular season campaign with SAHA, with 15 goals and 24 assists in 30 games. He added a goal and three assists in three playoff games. Vanderberg also played in one regular-season game with the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons. He was also named a Second Team All-Star forward for the U18 Prep division.

Lethbridge’s Kutcher Aquila has signed with the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons for next season. The SAHA forward led the U18 Prep team in goals, assists, and points during the 2025-26 season. The 16-year-old had 47 points with 21 goals and 26 assists in 30 games. He also played a pair of games with the Dragons, where he had two penalty minutes. He was also named a Second Team All-Star forward for the U18 Prep division.

SAHA Alumnus Shane Smith was named the Western Hockey League’s Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy winner. The Kelowna Rockets forward took home the Humanitarian of the Year Award. A full article can be found on the WHL website.