It might be the dog days of summer, but that only means things are heating up for the Edmonton Oilers.
From July 2 to 5, 36 rookies will be in town to showcase their skills to try and earn an invitation to the team鈥檚 training camp in September.
The team will hit the ice at the Jasper Activity Centre every morning at 9 a.m. with goalies starting a half hour earlier. The players will be split up into two groups aptly named Gretzky and Messier, two of the best players to ever play for the team. The practices are open to the public and are free to attend.
There will also be a mini afternoon scrimmage on July 3 starting at 12:30 p.m. and costs $10.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important for our community because it鈥檚 our closest pro sports affiliate,鈥� said Doug McPhee, the local organizer.
鈥淭here are a lot of fans in the area and you can鈥檛 always get in and go to Rogers Place and get to a game, but this gives them a chance to see the up and coming Oilers and catch up with the coaching staff and management staff.鈥�
The team鈥檚 top brass, including general manager Peter Chiarelli and head coach Todd McLellan, will also be in Jasper to take in the action.
The highlight of the week will take place on July 5 when the team hosts the annual Billy Moores Cup, an offensive filled four-on-four inner-squad game. The game starts earlier this year at 5:30 p.m. and will consist of two periods followed by a shoot-out or a three-on-three overtime period.
Proceeds of the inter-squad game will go to the Jasper chapter of the MS Society of Canada.
Fire chief Greg Van Tighem, who is helping to organize the game and is a big supporter of the MS Society, will be hosting a tailgate party in the parking lot across from the activity centre after the game.
While the team is in town, they will also get a chance to hit a few balls with the public at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course, July 4. There are 40 spots available to the public to play alongside the team鈥檚 prospects, coaches and management. Tickets are $150 with a membership and includes a steak dinner at the seventh tee. The proceeds from the game will also go to the MS Society.
To accommodate the golf tournament the team will practice from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This is the third time in four years that Jasper has hosted the camp.
Tickets for the inter-squad game are $10 and can be purchased at Avalanche Spirits, Source for Sports and from Van Tighem.
Those interested in playing golf on July 4 should contact JPL鈥檚 director of golf Gregg Lown at 780-852-6090. Any other inquires can be sent to McPhee at [email protected].
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
