Oilers to host Hockey Is For Everyone night in support of inclusiveness in sports

(Edmonton, AB) - On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Edmonton Oilers will be supporting the Hockey Is For Everyone campaign as they take on the Boston Bruins with a special Hockey Is For Everyone Night. This important initiative is to celebrate diversity and inclusion in hockey.

Hockey Is For Everyone is a National Hockey League (NHL) initiative that uses the game of hockey - and the league's global influence - to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities. The program celebrates all hockey players, coaches, athletes and fans who are passionate about the sport, regardless of race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic status.

The Feb. 19 game follows an Introduction to Hockey session that the Edmonton Oilers hosted as part of the Hockey Is For Everyone campaign. Twenty-five participants from amiskwaciy Academy were invited to the Downtown Community Arena attached to Rogers Place for the chance to try their hand at hockey with Oilers/NHL Alumni members Shawn Belle, Kevin Lowe, Jeff Deslauriers and Rob Brown.

To further celebrate this initiative, the Oilers have invited special guests from various local organizations, community groups and non-profits, that support diversity and inclusion, to attend and enjoy the Hockey Is For Everyone Night game.

Alberta Sport and Recreation Association for the Blind, amiskwaciy Academy, Fruit Loop Edmonton, Edmonton Impact, the Edmonton Rage, NorQuest College, You Can Play and Pride Tape representatives will be located around the concourse to provide information on resources, programming and various organizations throughout Edmonton. These organizations will also be recognized with a special on-ice presentation.

Oilers players will be using Pride Tape during the warmup at Hockey Is For Everyone Night to show their support for inclusiveness in sports. Created in Edmonton, Pride Tape, is a multicoloured tape used as a badge of support from the hockey world to show that all players are welcome on the ice. The Oilers players' sticks will be auctioned off at a future Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation online charity auction. Pride Tape will also be available for purchase on the concourse of Rogers Place.

Fans can share their experiences showcasing respect and inclusion on and off the ice on social media using #HockeyIsForEveryone.

For more information, please visit EdmontonOilers.com or OilersFoundation.ca.