Edmonton Oilers, Hockey Edmonton launch U18 AAA female team

The Edmonton Oilers and Hockey Edmonton have announced they will be launching a AAA U18 female hockey team.

The program, the team said in a statement, will provide girls aged 15 to 18 with the “same high-quality development opportunities as the two previously announced Junior Oilers male teams.”

The females will be given opportunities through 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 said in a statement.

All 60 of the athletes chosen for the inaugural Edmonton Junior Teams — two male and one female — 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.”

The female program will “strive to grow a relationship” with the Edmonton Female Athletic Club (EFAC), who operate U15 AA and U18 AA female teams.

The U18 AAA female team will be led by head coach Shayne Schwetz, who will be joined by Nathan Papirny and Derek Hemsley behind the bench.