EDMONTON – Hockey Edmonton and the Edmonton Oilers are partnering to offer a revolutionized elite hockey program in the city. The first program of its kind, will include the renaming of Hockey Edmonton’s two male U18 AAA Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) teams to the Edmonton Junior Oilers, beginning the 2022-23 season.
Through this partnership, the Edmonton Oilers will provide the teams access to world-class resources, including: player and coach development opportunities, facility utilization, apparel and equipment, and social media support. While the teams will be guided by Hockey Edmonton’s four pillars of player development: technical-tactical, physical, mental, and life skills.
Aiming to foster well-rounded individuals both on and off the ice, Hockey Edmonton will also ensure that academic supports are available to these elite student athletes. Additionally, to ensure that this innovative club hockey program limits barriers to access, the fees will remain affordable and effective for families, compared to other program options offered regionally.
“The Alberta Elite Hockey League congratulates Hockey Edmonton on their partnership with the Edmonton Oilers to support truly elite hockey in the capital city,” said Aaron Rawlake, AEHL Vice-Chair. “This partnership is innovative, community-centered and has the athlete experience as the pillars which will make it successful. Congratulations to Hockey Edmonton and the Oilers for continuing to grow hockey in Alberta.”
The Edmonton Junior Oilers will be managed by Hockey Edmonton’s Hockey Development Committee (HDC). The committee includes respected hockey development experts such as Craig MacTavish, Billy Moores, Dan Kordic, Umberto Fiorillo, Stephen Zipp, and Joel Lenius. Collectively this group consists of NHL, AHL, WHL and AJHL, and post-secondary, playing and coaching experience. Hockey Edmonton recently hired accomplished coaches Nathan Papirny and Derek Hemsley to Head Coach the two teams in the inaugural season.
The Edmonton Junior Oilers Spring ID Camp will run May 30 to June 1. Additional program details will be available on hockeyedmonton.ca.