It’s official! Whitecourt is the FIRST Oil Country Community

Wednesday, October 19 will undoubtedly go down in history as a day to remember in Whitecourt. The Edmonton Oilers recently kickstarted a brand new initiative called “Celebrating Oil Country,” which will see the organization recognize communities in Northern and Central Alberta annually. Whitecourt was the first community to be chosen, and being recognized first speaks volumes about the town.

The day started with an opening ceremony at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre. Oilers alumni Kevin Lowe and Jason Strudwick attended, as did Hunter the Mascot, the Orange & Blue Ice Crew, Oilers TV, and several dignitaries from management, including Tim Shipton, Executive Vice President of OEG Sports and Entertainment and Stew MacDonald, President & Chief Revenue Officer for the Oilers Entertainment Group.

The day featured school visits, a hockey clinic at the Scott Safety Centre, a hot mic with MacDonald and Lowe at the Chamber’s Economic Forum, a live broadcast by Oilers Radio Analyst Bob Stauffer and play-play announcer Jack Michaels at Whitecourt’s Boston Pizza, a presentation to Mayor Tom Pickard of two jerseys, one with his name and one that said Whitecourt, and an array of fun at the Wolverines game that evening.

During the opening ceremony, MC’d by Jack Michaels, Tim Shipton explained how they handpicked Whitecourt. “What’s a town that has a tremendous sense of community and community pride? What’s a town that has a fantastic minor hockey system with young kids developing the game, ensuring that the game of hockey is healthy? What’s a town that has had longstanding support for the Edmonton Oilers going right back to 1979? It was a very, very easy answer; that was Whitecourt. That’s why we are here today.”

He said the designation is a way for the organization to say thank you. “That support is never taken for granted. To be able to get out on a lovely fall day and come out to a community like Whitecourt is certainly special for us.” He thanked the town staff for being phenomenal to work with and also thanked the Whitecourt Chamber of Commerce, Whitecourt Minor Hockey, and the Whitecourt Wolverines. “We couldn’t have done it without the community support,” he said.

Michaels said that the organization knows how widespread its fans are in the province. Rather than waiting for the NHL as a league to put together a recognition program, the Oilers decided to venture forward alone. “It’s the backbone of what supports our organization and a primary reason why we decided to say, forget the league, let’s do it on our own and acknowledge the people that have been so kind to us for three and four decades.”

Later that day, at the arena, Lowe and Strudwick signed autographs ahead of the Wolverines game while Hunter raised the excitement by being silly and making people laugh, leading an army of eager youth around the arena. The Orange & Blue Ice Crew gave away t-shirts and handed out hockey cards, magnets, and posters, while the Oilers TV Crew captured footage of everything.

Ahead of the puck drop, Whitecourt Minor Hockey received a check for $20,000 and even more from the 50/50 at the Oilers game against S. Louis on Saturday afternoon. The financial boost to local sports and the in-game recognition received during the broadcast from Rogers Place was also part of being designated the first Celebrating Oil Country community and are massive boosts to Whitecourt as a whole. The level of exposure given is something many communities dream of receiving.

Over 850 people pilled into the Scott Safety Centre to see the Wolverines take on the Bonnyville Pontiacs. With the Oilers delegation in attendance to watch, fans were hoping for something big.

In the first, Bonnyville struck early, hoping to leverage their rivals quickly. The goal came close to the period’s halfway mark and was the only one in the frame. The game was feisty from the start, with Bonnyville taking a checking from behind penalty and a ten-minute game misconduct thirteen minutes into the first.

In the second, the Wolverines came out swinging. Kaiden Wiltsie kickstarted his team with a goal at the 4:51 mark, assisted by Spencer Rheaume. A few minutes later, Chase Broda netted in another on the powerplay, giving the Wolverines their first lead of the night, assisted by Aiden Long and Tanner Komzak. Not ready to be done with the period yet, Chase Broda pushed for more. With just over a minute and a half left in the frame, assisted by Aiden Long and Caleb MacDonald, Broda pocketed his second of the night, making it 3-1 for the home team.

Bonnyville attempted the comeback in the third period, scoring very early in the frame and getting to within one. Sitting at 3-2 for much of the period brought out tensions on the ice and some anxiety in the seats. Close calls from both teams elevated things even more, with extra whistles needed at times to draw players away from each other before things got too far. With an empty net on one side of the ice and Bonnyville itching to tie things up, Chase Broda riffled one in, sealing the visitor’s fate. Hats rained down to celebrate Broda’s hattrick as the hometown fans cheered loudly.

Since it was Oilers day in Whitecourt, what could be better than blaring La Bamba from the speakers? Ritchie Valens hit from the 50s was a favourite tune of the late Joey Moss, a staple figure of the Edmonton Oilers for years. Every time the Oilers win at home, Moss’s song blares as a legacy. Playing it at the Scott Safety Centre following the win was the icing on the cake following a fantastic day.