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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.