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Hockey Alberta Foundation

Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Donating $1.5 Million to Hockey Alberta Foundation

August 8, 2022 (Edmonton, Alberta) – The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) is teaming up the with the Hockey Alberta Foundation (HAF) for the second consecutive season by donating $1.5 million to make minor hockey accessible for thousands of families and help grow the game in Alberta. Donations from the EOCF to the Hockey Alberta Foundation have totaled $3 Million over the last two years.

This donation will support the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community Grant Program, the Hockey Alberta Member Grant Program and the Hockey Alberta Volunteer Recognition/Thank You Program.

“We are once again proud and honoured to partner with the Hockey Alberta Foundation to help make hockey possible for thousands of kids across our province,” said Corey Smith, EOCF Board Chair. Seeing all those kids take the ice for the first time last year, and the smiles and tears in their parents eyes, we saw firsthand just how important these funds were for families across Alberta. This partnership has made an enormous impact on growing the game of hockey from the grass roots level and making Canada’s game accessible for all kids in Alberta—one of the EOCF’s core mandates.”

During the 2021-22 season, the Hockey Alberta Member Grant Program, supported by the EOCF, impacted over 13,000 participants, coaches and members. Focused on Northern Alberta, 83 associations and organizations received grants across 60 different communities.

“The effect that the Member Grant had on communities across Northern Alberta last season was remarkable. It truly made a difference in communities and associations, whether it was putting a stick in a child’s hands, implementing a para hockey program or infrastructure development. Thanks to the continued partnership with the EOCF, we can continue to reach more participants and grow the game in the right direction,” said Dennis Zukiwsky, HAF Board Chair.

The Hockey Alberta Member Grant Program, supported by the EOCF, allows access to funding for Hockey Alberta members in Red Deer area and north. Priority for funding will be given to those in need for leadership development, introduction to hockey, female, para, Indigenous hockey programming and any inclusion and diversity initiatives.

Minor hockey associations and members will be able to access the funding application at: hockeyalbertafoundation.ca.

As part of the partnership, the Hockey Alberta Volunteer Recognition/Thank You Program is back. Volunteers are crucial to the success of amateur hockey in the province and Hockey Alberta wants to give their thanks. Coaches, parents, and players will have an opportunity to be inspired by their Oilers or Oil Kings heroes.

The HAF works to inspire every kid in every community’s passion for hockey. In collaboration with the EOCF, the HAF can continue to grow the game in Northern Alberta.

For more information on the HAF visit hockeyalbertafoundation.ca or the EOCF visit nhl.com/oilers/eocf.

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ABOUT THE EDMONTON OILERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) is a proud supporter of Oil Country and has been contributing to our community’s success since 2001. With a focus on programs aimed at those most vulnerable in our community, especially in Edmonton’s downtown, and youth hockey programming with a goal to increase participation of under-represented groups in our community, the Oilers Foundation is dedicated to building strong, vibrant and safe communities by demonstrating philanthropic leadership and continues its deep legacy of giving back. Thanks to the generosity of our valued hockey fans, Oilers players and alumni, the EOCF Board of Directors, OEG employees and the Katz Family, the Foundation has contributed over $86 million to more than 2900 charitable organizations and minor hockey programs across Oil Country since 2001.

ABOUT THE HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION (HAF)

The Hockey Alberta Foundation’s goal is to raise funds to provide EVERY KID in EVERY COMMUNITY the opportunity to play hockey in Alberta. We work in collaboration with partners to fund those who need us, invest in those who will lead us and honour those before us. For more information on the HAF or to make a donation, visit hockeyalberta.ca.

Team Alberta

Over 150 Players Attended the U18 NAHC Selection Camp

RED DEER - Over 150 players attended the male and female U18 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) Selection Camp in Red Deer, with the goal of being selected to a Team Alberta roster and representing the province at the 2023 championships.

Hockey Alberta, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta (ISCA), is overseeing and coordinating the selection process for the players and coaches representing the province at the championships. The camps were held August 4-7 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

The national championships provide a forum for elite U18-aged Indigenous male and female youth and attracts participation from First Nation, Inuit and Metis players across the country.

“Hockey Alberta is honoured to partner with the ISCA in assisting in the process of forming the 2023 NAHC Team Alberta female and male teams,” said Mike Applegate, Regional Manager North, Hockey Development, for Hockey Alberta.

“ISCA is very proud of the partnership we have with Hockey Alberta for the 2023 NAHC,” said Shannon Dunfield, Chair of the ISCA. “This is reconciliation in action and the ongoing collaboration creates a space in which Hockey Alberta learns from ISCA on culture and protocols, and we learn from them on processes that allow for safe and equitable tryouts for our Indigenous youth in Hockey. We look forward to Team Alberta making its way back to the NAHC in 2023!”

The Team Alberta rosters will be announced October 31. The 2023 NAHC will take place in Winnipeg, May 7-13.

News

Update to Members - Hockey Canada’s National Equity Fund

The following Member Update was shared with Hockey Alberta’s Member organizations this week. Members of the hockey community in the province are encouraged to review the Update, along with the documents.

The past few weeks have been challenging times for the hockey community across Canada, with intense attention from the federal government, the media, and participants in our sport.

Hockey Canada’s use of the National Equity Fund in the settlement of 2018 sexual misconduct allegations has been a key component of the ongoing public discussion. The media has reported some member organizations and participants are questioning whether their fees should go to Hockey Canada in the future.

Hockey Alberta has been working with the other 12 Member Branch partners across Canada to gain clarity for our member organizations and participants when it comes to the National Equity Fund.

Linked in this message is a Memo from Brian Cairo, Chief Financial Officer for Hockey Canada. Mr. Cairo put together this Memo at the request of the 13 Member Branches to answer questions on the National Equity Fund, how the dollars within that fund are collected, and how it will be used going forward.

HOCKEY CANADA MEMO - NATIONAL EQUITY FUND >

Also linked in this email is the Action Plan that Hockey Canada published recently, outlining the steps that will be undertaken by Hockey Canada to drive culture change within our sport.

HOCKEY CANADA - ACTION PLAN >

Please review both documents. They can be used internally and when speaking with your participants.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Hockey Alberta Office so that we can work to obtain the clarity your organization is seeking.