New junior Oilers teams to give youth more chances to develop their hockey skills
The Edmonton Oilers and Hockey Edmonton are partnering to offer a new elite hockey player development program to give local youth more opportunities to make it to the big leagues.
Starting in the 2022-23 season, Hockey Edmonton's two male U18 AAA teams will be named the Edmonton Junior Oilers and work as a pinnacle talent stream program to prepare players for potential play in the NHL, AHL, WHL, AJHL, or post-secondary teams.
Forty players will be selected to join the program administered by Hockey Edmonton's development committee. The Oilers will provide access to resources like equipment, apparel, player and coach development, and facility support.
According to Hockey Edmonton, the organization will ensure academics remain at the "forefront" for the young talent and that any player fees/budgets are "affordable and effective for all families involved."
"This is a bold new territory for us at Hockey Edmonton," said Will Jang, president. "It has the potential to redefine minor hockey in Edmonton. This is an unprecedented opportunity to help show our U18 AAA teams and grow the game at the grassroots level."
More information about the program will be released later in the summer, the Oilers Entertainment Group said.
The new partnership was announced on Monday at Rogers Place, with Oilers alumni and former head coach Craig MacTavish hailing it as a natural fit that represents a "win-win for everybody."
"It's going to be wildly exciting for the players to put that jersey on and be part of an exciting winning Oilers organization," MacTavish said.
"I think it's great branding for the Oilers," he added. "Their charitable arm reaches wide and long, and this is just another example of that. It's really great for the community and for developing hockey players."
Bob Nicholson, Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club chairman, said in a statement that the new junior team would help expand the city's high-performance hockey culture.
"The Edmonton Oilers are proud to partner with Hockey Edmonton to grow the game of hockey through the Edmonton Junior Oilers," said Bob Nicholson, Edmonton Oilers chairman.
"This will create a legacy of community, sportsmanship and hockey excellence for kids growing up in Oil Country,” he added in a statement. “Minor hockey is a cornerstone of our community, and this partnership will help ensure that the most elite levels of youth hockey remain a part of this trusted institution for years to come."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Brown alleges political corruption over Conservative leadership disqualification
Patrick Brown is alleging political corruption played a role in his disqualification from the Conservative Party of Canada's leadership race, a move that came following allegations that his campaign violated election financing rules.
Conservative party not printing new ballots despite Patrick Brown's disqualification
Despite being disqualified by the Conservative Party of Canada from becoming its next leader, ousted candidate Patrick Brown's name will still appear on the ballot.
Intense video shows worker dangling from crane at Toronto construction site
Video has emerged showing a worker dangling in the air above a Toronto construction site after accidently getting entangled in a tagline attached to a crane.
Feds intend to keep ArriveCan for its data on COVID-19-positive travellers: sources
The federal government has no intention of dropping the controversial ArriveCan app because it gives the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) key health information about travellers who test positive for COVID-19 through testing at airports and land borders, senior government sources tell CTV News.
Air Canada, Pearson again rank No. 1 in delays worldwide; Montreal check-in freezes
Air Canada and Toronto's Pearson airport again claimed the top spots for flight delays on Tuesday, marking at least four days in a row where the country's biggest airline has placed No. 1 of any large carrier worldwide.
Air Canada temporarily bans pets from baggage hold over delays
Air Canada said on Wednesday it will not allow animals in the baggage hold until Sept. 12 due to 'longer than usual' delays at airports, as carriers and airports wrestle with complaints over lost luggage and long lines.
Planning a road trip? Here's how to save money on gas this summer
As gas prices slightly trend down this week after some of the highest national averages seen in recent months, some Canadians may be thinking twice before planning their usual summer road trip plans. CTVNews.ca looks at how drivers can save at the pumps while travelling.
OPINION | How much of a mortgage can I afford in Canada?
Prices have been easing slightly recently, but affording a mortgage is still a very difficult task for many Canadians. How much of a mortgage can you afford? Contributor Christopher Liew breaks it down in an exclusive column for CTVNews.ca.
Ex-'Cheer' star Harris gets 12 years for seeking photos, sex from minors
A federal judge Wednesday sentenced Jerry Harris, a former star of the Netflix documentary series 'Cheer,' to 12 years in prison for coercing teenage boys to send him obscene photos and videos of themselves and soliciting sex from minors at cheerleading competitions.
Calgary
-
Councillor asks Carra integrity investigation be referred to province and police
Ward 2 councillor Jennifer Wyness asked council to consider referring veteran colleague Gian-Carlo Carra's disclosure investigation findings to both the minister and police for further review.
-
Why is gas more expensive in Calgary than Toronto? Retail experts weigh in
Calgary drivers might be asking why the price of gasoline is more expensive in their energy rich province where oil is refined and extracted than in Ontario, but one retail expert claims to have the answer.
-
Vacant office space in 2 more Calgary buildings being converted into residential housing
City officials have announced two more downtown buildings that will see vacant office space repurposed into residential housing.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon intersection flood began with fire hydrant crash, city says
A crash involving a fire hydrant was the first in a chain of events that led to a chaotic scene in a Saskatoon intersection.
-
Saskatoon Access Transit user 'shocked' over service reduction
Starting Thursday, riders looking to take Access Transit to get to their destinations will notice a shift in service over the next three weeks.
-
Ukrainian siblings build new future in Saskatoon
Two Ukrainian refugees, a brother and sister, are settling into their new home in Saskatoon.
Regina
-
City of Regina discussing plans for new recreation facilities, event venues
The city’s executive committee discussed possible upgrades for Regina’s recreation facilities and event venues during a meeting Wednesday.
-
'I feel like I have everything to lose': Riders' Tevin Jones looks to maintain place on active roster
Wide Receiver Tevin Jones got his first regular season Canadian Football League (CFL) start in week four and will look to continue the momentum against Ottawa.
-
SaskEnergy gains ownership of head office building in Regina
SaskEnergy has gained ownership of its Regina head office building following a decade long legal battle.
Atlantic
-
Person in hospital with serious injuries following Halifax shooting: police
A person has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a shooting in Halifax Wednesday night.
-
Halifax police, dive team searching for missing swimmer at King's Wharf
Halifax Regional Police and fire crews are investigating after receiving reports of a missing swimmer in Dartmouth.
-
Cassidy Bernard's ex-boyfriend sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter in her death
The ex-boyfriend of Cassidy Bernard has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter and a consecutive three years for child abandonment in connection with the young mother's death.
Toronto
-
'I cannot get any rest': Residents complain of sleepless nights after alleged nightclub opens up under condo
Residents living in Toronto’s west end say they have been left utterly exhausted after an alleged nightclub opened up at the base of their condominium.
-
Ontario has likely entered new COVID-19 wave driven by BA.5 subvariant, science table warns
Ontario has likely entered a new wave of the pandemic driven by the more infectious BA.5 subvariant, the province’s science advisory table says.
-
Mother and daughters sleep on Toronto Pearson nursing room floor after chaotic travel experience
A mother from Nova Scotia is speaking out about her recent travel experience through Toronto Pearson Airport after a WestJet flight delay left her and her daughters sleeping on a nursing room floor.
Montreal
-
WATCH LIVE @ 9 A.M.
WATCH LIVE @ 9 A.M. | With another COVID climb, Quebec health minister calls news conference for Thursday morning
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on the rise in Quebec, public health officials have called a news conference for Thursday morning.
-
'Not a time when Quebec can afford to lose young doctors,' province's opposition leader says of ER exodus
The leader of Quebec's Liberal Party paused her vacation briefly on Wednesday to react to the news that two young emergency room doctors have quit their jobs in their hometown of Montreal to work in Toronto.
-
Montreal drag queen says story hour event for kids abruptly called off
A prominent Montreal drag queen who recently faced pressure from critics over library readings to young children says her storytime events scheduled for the fall were abruptly called off for unknown reasons.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa senior says he lost life savings investing with company now facing fraud charges
An Ottawa senior citizen says he lost his life savings after investing with a real estate development firm that has been charged with fraud.
-
One person suffers life-threatening injuries in west Ottawa shooting
Ottawa police are on the scene of a shooting that injured one person in the city's west end.
-
Alstom exec says LRT train manufacturer did not get adequate maintenance access
The penultimate day of the public hearings into Ottawa’s light rail transit system saw some sharp words from the train manufacturer.
Kitchener
-
18 Waterloo region stores report overnight break-ins Wednesday: police
Break-ins targeting restaurants, salons, dress shops and cannabis stores have been reported in Kitchener, Waterloo and Woolwich.
-
'There’s no great answer': Low-income tenants weigh options in Cambridge as renovations push them out
Tenants of the Tiger Lofts, an affordable apartment building in Cambridge, say they’re being “renovicted” and won’t be allowed to stay after extensive renovations.
-
Sexual assault in McLennan Park under investigation
Police are looking for a man who allegedly grabbed and sexually assaulted a woman in a Kitchener park.
Northern Ontario
-
Station Mall merchants waiting to hear from new owners
The chair of the Station Mall Merchants Association says news of the mall's sale to a southern Ontario holding company brings to a close years of uncertainty regarding the future of the property.
-
International film festival returns to Manitoulin Island
Weengushk International Film Festival returns to in-person events this coming weekend. The festival will highlight stories and voices of Indigenous women.
-
Northern College first school to adopt national cybersecurity standard
Many post-secondary institutions are vulnerable to cyber attacks, according to CyberCatch, a firm tasked with getting small- to medium-sized organizations up to date with Canada's new standard for cybersecurity.
Winnipeg
-
'Irreconcilable differences': Councillor, fired assistant clash in election race
A political breakup at Winnipeg City Hall is creating intrigue in a council race.
-
Community organization wants to install cameras to enhance downtown safety
A community organization is proposing a network of cameras in an effort to bolster safety throughout the area.
-
Dire shortages leave Melita residents with no ER services for the summer
Residents in a southern Manitoba town are asking questions as to why they are facing a summer with no emergency room.
Vancouver
-
Park board staff debating if logs should return to Vancouver beaches
The large logs that have lined the water’s edge at many Vancouver beaches have been a favourite lounging spot for sun worshipers for over 50 years.
-
Mayor’s promise to Vancouver renters slammed as unrealistic, opportunistic
Critics of Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart's proposal to usher in what he calls the “strongest renter protections in Canada” are slamming the move, questioning both the plan itself and the motivation for bringing it forward now.
-
First COVID-19 vaccine for youngest children in Canada could be approved this month
Health professionals are hoping the rollout of the pending COVID-19 vaccine for children under five will have better uptake than the one approved for children aged five to 11.
Vancouver Island
-
35-year-old man was lying in roadway when killed by vehicle near Courtenay: RCMP
Investigators say a man was lying in the roadway when he was struck and killed by a vehicle near Courtenay, B.C., on Wednesday.
-
Logging truck driver airlifted to hospital after crash near Campbell River
The driver of a logging truck was airlifted to hospital in Victoria after he was pinned inside the vehicle following a rollover crash on Wednesday morning.
-
Vancouver Island marmots released onto Mount Washington
The number of Vancouver Island marmots in the wild increased this week, with 10 of the critically endangered rodents released onto a Mount Washington ski run.