Oilers provide 'table service' at annual Hope Mission family Christmas banquet
Edmonton Oilers helped serve supper at the Hope Mission's annual Tegler Family Christmas Banquet Thursday evening.
The hockey starpower is an extra-nice touch to a tradition meant to help families celebrate the holidays, spokesperson Brenton Driedger said during the event at Ivor Dent School.
Edmonton Oilers Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci stop serving food to sign autographs during the Hope Mission's annual Tegler Family Christmas Banquet at Ivor Dent School on Dec. 8, 2022.
"Obviously with inflation and high food prices, it's a tough time. So we're just really glad to be able to get together and celebrate Christmas together in this fun banquet," he told CTV News Edmonton.
"And it's even more special when the people who are providing table service play for the Edmonton Oilers."
Hope Mission spokesperson Brenton Driedger talks to CTV News Edmonton during the annual Tegler Family Christmas Banquet on Dec. 8, 2022.
Table service, indeed. Jesse Puljujärvi and Edmonton-raised James Hamblin were partners in distributing plates of food throughout the school's gymnasium, as were Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci.
Meanwhile, Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club chairman Bob Nicholson and head coach Jay Woodcroft dished them up at the buffet line.
Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club chairman Bob Nicholson, left, and head coach Jay Woodcroft, centre, dish up plates at the Hope Mission's annual Tegler Family Christmas Banquet at Ivor Dent School on Dec. 8, 2022.
"The community is pretty amazing for us here in Edmonton and to come out and hang out with some great folks and families, it's great," Jack Campell told CTV News Edmonton.
"A lot of the kids are asking if we're famous and whatnot. It's super humbling. We don't think of ourselves like that, and when somebody looks up to you, it definitely goes a long way and makes us just want to be our best on and off the ice."
The Edmonton Oilers pose for a photo after the Hope Mission's annual Tegler Family Christmas Banquet at Ivor Dent School on Dec. 8, 2022.
Driedger added, "I think a night like tonight is one of those really special nights that really sticks with a kid for a long time. They will just lock that away in their mental highlight reel – the night the Oilers served them."
Most of the gymnasium's 260 seats were full.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Sean McClune
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Backlog of airline complaints balloons by 6,395 since December travel chaos: Canadian Transportation Agency
The fallout from the December travel chaos continues, as the backlog of complaints made to the Canadian Transportation Agency keeps growing. As of Jan. 31, there have been 6,395 new complaints made to the agency since Dec. 21.

'Legitimately flabbergasting': MP raises concerns over government's quarantine hotel spending
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is raising concerns over the federal government's spending on so-called COVID-19 quarantine hotels, calling the total spent on a Calgary-area hotel in 2022 'legitimately flabbergasting.'
Man spends 24 hours in Toronto Denny's after losing bet, raises almost $6K for charity
At first, Juan Delgado agreed to spend 24 hours inside a Dundas St. Denny’s as a consequence of losing in his fantasy football league.
Discovery in Canadian lab could help laptop, phone and car batteries last longer
A chance discovery in a Canadian laboratory could help extend the life of laptop, phone and electric car batteries.
Is working from home or the office better? Some Canadians weigh in
News that she'd be headed back to the office was very welcoming for English instructor Kathy Andvaag, after more than two years teaching from her “dark” and “cold” basement.
Looking to travel this spring? Here are some cost-saving tips
With the spring break travel season approaching, those looking to flee the cold, wet Canadian snow for sunnier skies will likely be met with a hefty price tag for their getaway, with inflation and increased demand pushing costs up.
Jeopardy! dedicates entire category to Ontario but one question stumps every contestant
Jeopardy! turned the spotlight on Ontario on Monday night with a category entirely dedicated to the province. One question stumped every contestant.
Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'
Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'
Woman detained in Syria says Ottawa is forcing her to make agonizing choice in order to get her kids to Canada
A woman held in a detention camp in Syria, along with her three Canadian children, says the federal government is forcing her to make an agonizing choice: relinquish custody of her kids so they can be repatriated to Canada, or keep them in the camp where the conditions are dire. Her children are eligible for repatriation but she is not a Canadian citizen.