Oilers celebrate diversity, inclusion with Hockey is for Everyone Night

(Edmonton, AB) - The Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) are proudly celebrating diversity and inclusion in hockey, announcing today more details of its support for Hockey is for Everyone alongside the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). The Oilers are hosting a dedicated Hockey is for EveryoneNight in support of the You Can Play Project at Rogers Place, tomorrow, February 22 vs. Colorado.

Hockey is for Everyone, an annual campaign, is run with all 31 NHL clubs, focusing on awareness and activities with organizations that celebrate all people who play or watch hockey, including fans of every race, colour, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and ability.
"My teammates and I are proud to share a message of inclusion, acceptance and diversity alongside the NHL and NHLPA," said Oilers forward and Hockey is for Everyone Ambassador Jujhar Khaira. "Hockey Is for Everyone is an important platform that helps ensure our game can be enjoyed by all athletes, coaches and fans."
In support of the Oilers longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion in hockey, the Oilers hosted a Hockey is for Everyone Panel in the Oilers Hall of Fame Room at Rogers Place today, hosted by former Oilers Captain and NHL Hockey is for Everyone Ambassador Andrew Ference, featuring dialogue and discussion amongst participants including, The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues, Jujhar Khaira, Oilers forward and Hockey is for Everyone Ambassador, Drew MacRae, Edmonton Impact Team Captain and Edmonton Sled Hockey Club President, Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, You Can Play Ambassador and Leiha Crier, Former Collegiate Hockey Athlete at the University of Denver, Former President and Coach of Maskwacis Minor Hockey and Coach of Team Alberta for National Aboriginal Hockey Championship, and Lorne Webber, Goaltender for the Edmonton Seehawks, Edmonton's only blind hockey club and recipient of the Best Goalie Award at the 2017 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament.

Hockey is for Everyone truly celebrates all hockey players, coaches, athletes and fans who are passionate about the sport, a sentiment reiterated by the esteemed panel.
"Participation in the sport of Blind Hockey is growing right across North America. The game is currently being enjoyed at all levels - from children learning to skate and play for the first time, to adult recreational programs, to the competitive division at the Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament," said Gary Steeves, President of Canadian Blind Hockey. "Thanks to the Edmonton Oilers leadership to showcase Blind Hockey, it really shows that Hockey is for Everyone!"
During tomorrow's Hockey is for Everyone Night, the Oilers Foundation will be selling exclusive, limited-edition Hockey is for Everyone mystery pucks individually signed by Oilers players for only $20 each. Net proceeds will support the Oilers Foundation and You Can Play Project, a non-profit committed to supporting the LGBTQ community and fighting homophobia in sports.
GALLERY: Puck Signing
GALLERY: Press Conference
"The Edmonton Oilers are proving that hockey truly is for everyone by showing a passion for diversity and inclusion," said You Can Play Director of Professional Sports Outreach Wade Davis. "We are honoured to work with the Edmonton Oilers and the rest of the NHL and NHLPA to help spread this powerful message of respect for LGBTQ players, coaches and fans."
Fans can share their experiences of respect and inclusion on and off the ice on social media using the official hashtag #HockeyIsForEveryone.
You can also show your support for Hockey is for Everyone by bidding in the EOCF's Hockey is for Everyone Online Auction now until February 27, 2018.
For more information, please visit EdmontonOilers.com or OilersFoundation.ca.