RELEASE: Whitecourt selected as first Celebrating Oil Country community

EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers are excited to announce the new Celebrating Oil Country initiative that will see the organization recognize communities across Northern and Central Alberta on an annual basis, with Whitecourt selected as the inaugural featured town.
Every year, the hockey club will celebrate a community in Oil Country by bringing the Oilers brand experience to them and honouring them during a home game at Rogers Place. A delegation from the Oilers organization will visit the selected community for an Oilers Day celebration, including live broadcasts and other content showcasing the town and its people, as well as funding and other support for local minor hockey development.
"We are very fortunate to have so many great fans from communities across Oil Country that shine a light on us every year, so we felt it was time to return the favour," said Tim Shipton, Executive Vice President, OEG Sports and Entertainment. "The town of Whitecourt is a great fit for the inaugural celebration and we are looking forward to highlighting the many other great communities across Oil Country in the years to come -- and bringing the Oilers experience to their backyard."
This year's festivities will begin in Whitecourt on Wednesday, October 19 with Oilers alumni, team mascot Hunter and the Orange & Blue Ice Crew visiting local schools and hosting a hockey clinic at Scott Safety Centre. The day will also feature Oilers Radio Analyst Bob Stauffer on site for a live broadcast of Oilers Now from Whitecourt's Boston Pizza.
Oilers alumni and executives will participate in the Whitecourt Chamber of Commerce Economic Forum that day, and the festivities will wrap up with the group attending the Whitecourt Wolverines Alberta Junior Hockey League home game against the Bonnyville Pontiacs that evening.
Then, on Saturday, October 22, the celebration will shift to the Oilers game against the St. Louis at Rogers Place, when the community and fans of Whitecourt will be featured throughout the night.
"Whitecourt is honoured to be featured this year by the Edmonton Oilers -- not only to celebrate our community, but also the game of hockey," said Whitecourt Mayor Tom Pickard. "Whitecourt is a young, vibrant community located in the heart of Oil Country with a strong hockey fan base. Just like in hockey, it's taken a lot of teamwork, support and determination to build our community into what it is today, and we are so proud to be recognized by an organization that values this spirit and collaboration."
There will be an application and selection process established for Celebrating Oil Country in future years with more details to be announced.