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Edmonton Oilers Hockey Clinic Presented by EnCana takes Bonnyville by Storm

Monday, 04.05.2009 / 6:52 PM / News
By Jessica McPhee  - edmontonoilers.com
A youngster goes through some drills at the Bonnyville Hockey Clinic. (photo by Jody Young/EOHC)
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The town of Bonnyville welcomed the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Clinic with open arms this weekend. The Clinic gave ninety young players from northern Alberta aged nine through 13 the chance to participate in the two-day event presented by EnCana.

“The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Clinic presented by EnCana was a great opportunity for our organization to visit another community in Oil Country and help to develop the hockey and life skills of these young players,” said Patrick LaForge, President and CEO, Edmonton Oilers. “Both the Oilers and EnCana are deeply committed to the betterment of our communities and we thank the town of Bonnyville for their hospitality and enthusiasm.”

The Clinic kicked off with a community BBQ at the Centennial Arena in Bonnyville on Friday evening. Over 1200 people came out to enjoy the live band, street hockey games, shootout competition and BBQ.

When the kids first arrived at the Clinic on Saturday morning they were thrilled to find their dressing room set-up Oilers style with name bars, jerseys hung and water bottles awaiting them. The clinic included on-ice, off-ice, team building and special sessions which received accolades from participants and parents alike. Featured sessions included a Hockey Alberta led parents’ session on supporting children through hockey and an RCMP led players’ session on respect and being a team player.

“I’ve been having a lot of fun, the coaches are great and I’ve learned about stick handling, skating and stretching,” Tyler Monias, 10 year old Clinic participant.  “It’s going to help me be a better player; it was really nice of the Oilers to come here to do a clinic.”

The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Clinic was the latest initiative for the Oilers organization to connect with their fans around Oil Country. The Oilers partnered with EnCana to bring this invaluable experience to young players. A trusted contributor in the communities where they work and live, EnCana is an innovative and responsible natural gas and oil producer, who provides energy for communities across Alberta and North America.

“It’s nice to see the Oilers organization bring hockey to Bonnyville,” Shane Buchta, local coach, parent and Clinic volunteer. “Everyone I’ve talked to in our community has really enjoyed the event, they were really pleased to have the Oilers here and grateful for EnCana’s sponsorship. The clinic not just about the hockey on the ice, it’s the whole perspective. It’s nice to see that diversity.”