Edmonton, AB - The Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL) is proud to announce the expansion of its program into Northern Alberta with the introduction of a new 14U team based in Fort McMurray. Competing under the Northstars Hockey Academy (HA) brand, this team will officially join the JPHL for the 2025-26 season.
Commissioner Richard Nault confirmed today that the team will be led by General Manager and Head Coach Tom Keca—a highly respected figure in the Fort McMurray hockey community. Tom and his leadership team bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to player development both on and off the ice.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Fort McMurray community and Northstars HA 14U team into the JPHL family,” said Commissioner Nault. “The addition of this 14U team reflects our continued investment in the growth of high-performance hockey across Western Canada. Northern Alberta, and specifically Fort McMurray, has demonstrated tremendous development at the grassroots level, thanks in large part to the momentum and talent emerging from the Hockey Super League (HSL). We’re excited to build upon that foundation and offer another pathway for elite athletes in the region.”
The JPHL’s expansion into Fort McMurray aligns with the league’s broader vision to provide structured, competitive opportunities for young athletes while maintaining a strong focus on academic support, personal development, and long-term success at a more attainable price than other existing models in the hockey landscape. The Northstars HA will be integrated into the JPHL’s high-performance model, offering players access to top-tier training, competition, and exposure.
“We are a vibrant, passionate hockey community and the opportunity to provide high-performance programming for local athletes and families is important to us. For a long time we envisioned providing a foundation for athletes to stay home in their community and still have access to elite level hockey,” General Manager and Head Coach Tom Keca added. “This is an important step forward as we continue to grow with the JPHL and provide meaningful opportunities across Northern Alberta and beyond.”
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