The Edmonton Oilers turned some heads in late June when they announced three women’s hockey players would be attending their development camp.

“I’ve never been in this atmosphere… It’s something girls dream of growing up,” said Caitlin Kraemer. “Before there was the PWHL, it was, ‘I want to make an NHL team,’ even though it was kind of unrealistic. But it’s kind of fun to live out that dream a little.”

She, along with fellow NCAA stars Chloe Primerano and Abbey Murphy, received a rare invitation to an NHL development camp, courtesy of Oilers general manager Stan Bowman.

“Stan sent a text over, and I was in the car with my dad, and I thought it was spam. But it turned out to be legit… I didn’t ever feel like this was going to happen, so it was surprising but really excited for this opportunity,” said Kraemer.

While in Milan for the 2026 Olympics, Bowman came up with the idea of inviting women’s hockey players to the Oilers’ development camp.

“I was over at the Olympics this year watching up close the Olympic performance from the women’s games while I was there with the U.S. men’s team, and I was so impressed with the play of women’s hockey,” said Bowman.

The Oilers GM had gotten to know Murphy over the years. She grew up playing with Bowman’s sons and trains with his youngest daughter, Graycen.

“I couldn’t believe it. We were all super excited about the opportunity,” said Murphy.

Murphy was selected second overall by the Seattle Torrent at this year’s PWHL draft and played alongside Primerano at the University of Minnesota, while Kraemer played for the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Primerano and Kraemer haven’t declared for the PWHL draft yet, but both are considered top prospects. Back in 2022, Primerano made history as the first female skater ever selected in the WHL prospects draft, when the Vancouver Giants picked her 268th overall. Kraemer, meanwhile, was a standout player for Canada’s under-18 national team.

As some of the biggest rising stars in women’s hockey, Kraemer, Murphy, and Primerano have all played at an elite level, but the Oilers development camp was their first chance to see how an NHL organization operates.

“It’s so professional and top-notch,” said Primerano. “You just see the facilities and everything that’s provided here. It’s something I’ve never seen before, so it’s really special.”

“It’s been super fun to learn what goes on behind the scenes and how these NHL pros get treated and then get to experience that a little,” said Kraemer. She compared being on the ice with Oilers prospects to her first skate with the senior women’s team, but on a whole new level.

The camp offered the trio an early glimpse of the professionalism and resources that await them as professional players.

“Obviously, going out to Seattle, it’s a big organization, too, and I’m super pumped for that, and here they’re also just helping us get settled in with what it’s like to be a professional,” said Murphy.

The three prospects weren’t the only women on the ice for the Oilers development camp this year — they were also joined by Montreal Victoire veteran Erin Ambrose, who Edmonton brought in as a coach for the second straight year.

Ambrose was an Olympic gold medallist for Team Canada at the 2022 Olympics, and this past season, she helped Montreal capture its first-ever Walter Cup.

“She’s one of the best minds I’ve ever met in hockey. It was such an honour to be her teammate… and it’s even better to pick her brain here,” said Kraemer. She and Primerano each played alongside Ambrose as invitees to Canada’s Olympic orientation camp last year.

“I’ve only played with her before and never been coached by her, but it’s been so fun to have her here, and she’s a good friend, and it’s awesome,” said Primerano.

The Oilers’ development camp invites for the three women are part of a broader trend across the hockey world. NHL organizations have slowly been involving more women over the past few years. In 2024, Jessica Campbell became the first full-time female assistant coach in the NHL, working for the Seattle Kraken for two seasons.

As one of the first women ever to take part in an NHL camp as a player, Murphy couldn’t have been prouder to be a part of the growing trend.

“I think this is the first time girls have been invited to a development camp,” said Murphy. “And just to be a part of history like that is pretty fun, and they’ve been nothing but welcoming to us and giving us the best experience they could.”

LeaseBusters is Canada’s premier lease takeover marketplace, helping drivers get out of their current vehicle leases without costly penalties or negative equity. Instead of paying thousands to break a lease, sellers connect with qualified buyers ready to take it over—saving money and avoiding financial stress. Buyers benefit from shorter-term commitments and often better monthly payments, while dealerships retain a replacement customer and leasing companies keep contracts active. It’s a smarter, more efficient solution for everyone involved. Four parties, four wins—only with LeaseBusters. For more information, check out www.LeaseBusters.com.