RELEASE: Oilers, Hockey Edmonton add Junior Oilers female program

EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers and Hockey Edmonton announced a significant update to the Edmonton Junior Oilers program by establishing an Edmonton Junior Oilers U18 AAA female program. The female team will remain a member of the EFHL for the 2022-23 season.
The new Edmonton Junior Oilers program, which now includes the U18 AAA female program, will promise elite player and coaching development opportunities through programming guided by Hockey Edmonton's four pillars of player development: technical-tactical, physical, mental, and life skills. Hockey Edmonton will continue to ensure that academics are at the forefront and that player fees/budgets are affordable and effective for families.
The Oilers and Hockey Edmonton also unveiled the Edmonton Junior Oilers logo. The logo was created to promote gender equality, as all three Junior Oilers teams will have an identical logo proudly incorporating the iconic Oilers insignia.
The U18 AAA female team will provide girls ages 15 to 18 with the same high-quality development opportunities as the two previously announced male teams. All 60 athletes chosen for the inaugural Edmonton Junior Oilers teams will receive access to world-class resources, including player and coach development opportunities, access to Oilers facilities, high-end apparel and equipment, as well as other valuable off-ice support.

Hockey Edmonton's U18 AAA female team are the reigning provincial champions, garnering national attention after competing in the quest for the 2021-22 Esso Cup, Canada's most prestigious title in U18 AAA female hockey.
All three Edmonton Junior Oilers teams will be managed by Hockey Edmonton's Hockey Development Committee (HDC). The committee of respected hockey development experts includes Matt Davidson, Umberto Fiorillo, Dan Kordic, Joel Lenius, Craig MacTavish, Billy Moores and Stephen Zipp, bringing NHL, AHL, WHL, AJHL and post-secondary playing and coaching experience.
The U18 AAA female team will strive to maintain and grow the relationship with the Edmonton Female Athletic Club (EFAC). EFAC operates U15 AA and U18 AA female teams and will support with the Junior Oilers administrative component in the inaugural season. Through player and coach development opportunities, the goal is to have EFAC players and coaches striving to earn a future position on the Junior Oilers U18 AAA team.
The U18 AAA female team's new Head Coach, Shayna Shwetz, joins Nathan Papirny and Derek Hemsley as to round out the staff for the team's inaugural season.
The Edmonton Junior Oilers teams are also seeking support from corporate partners for their 2022-23 debut season. More details on the program can be found at HockeyEdmonton.ca.