OIlers Vs Wolverines - Video Highlights

Merry Christmas - The Video

Visit the Saint Albert Oilers Christmas web page for a new video that was made for the team sponsors.

Remember, we're winners; everybody had fun and no one got hurt

The other night, a prophet disguised as a curler, delivered a message to me. He said "Remember, we're winners; everybody had fun and no one got hurt." As I sat down to reflect on the last two weeks of hockey, I realized, he had described our team.

We have had some tough losses this season and our volunteer coaching staff have felt it more then any of us. It can't be easy teaching kids to be strong individuals, yet play as a team; and these last 2 weeks have been a real test of team character. After all, it's easy to celebrate wins and say good job, but when you’re losing, it can be tough to identify the problem and fix it while remaining positive and gentle at the same time.

Our coaches have said from day one that they would give every player equal ice and the focus would be on 'having fun'. Winning games would be a by product of the effort our children put into the game and how well they merge as a team. It’s interesting, as the season unfolds, that the scoring is beginning to spread and the roles of the player’s are beginning to surface. Our team has grown and developed its own 'character'.

For the last few weeks, we have watched the progression and this past weekend we played the best hockey I have ever seen in this league. The defense was tight and kept the other team down to only a handful of shots while the fore checking was fast and hard. The great two way play resulted in well earned 6-2 win.

"We could of beat anyone today" said Bruce Gnenz after Sundays game. "We were just that good". Following the game, the mood in the dressing room was nice. The parents were happy, the children were proud and the coaches, they were relieved. With the weight lifted off the shoulders for one week, its easier to smile and remember "we're winners; everybody had fun and no one got hurt."

The images below are courtesy of Dale Blacklock and are from the social last weekend and Sunday’s game

| View Show | Create Your Own