For immediate release – June 15, 2026
Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation supports inclusive hockey programing with the Rustlers
(Lloydminster, Alta.) The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) is committing $25,000 annually for three years to support community programs and outreach initiatives led by the Lakeland College Lloydminster Co-op Rustlers women’s hockey team.
The $75,000 investment will support programs that introduce hockey to Indigenous youth and newcomers to Canada and expand opportunities for women and girls to participate in competitive sport, helping remove barriers and create more inclusive pathways into the game.
“Hockey is more than a game. It has the power to build confidence, foster belonging and bring communities together. This support from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation helps
remove barriers and create more opportunities for girls and women to access the sport, develop their skills and pursue their goals,” says Kent Hummelle, vice president of people and cultural
services. “The funding will allow Lakeland to expand programming for youth, newcomers to Canada and Indigenous athletes, creating welcoming spaces where everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.”
Funding will support a range of initiatives, including Wintergation, an introductory skating experience for newcomers to Canada, as well as school outreach programs, girls’ hockey camps,
and hosting local female athletes behind the scenes access at Rustlers games.
“Through our Even Strength program, we’re proud to support initiatives that help more girls and women participate in sport through the power and spirit of hockey,” said Myrna Khan, executive director, EOCF. “This partnership with Lakeland College will create meaningful opportunities for newcomers to Canada and Indigenous youth to build confidence and develop leadership skills. Together, we’re helping remove barriers and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can build a lifelong connection to the game, both on and off the ice.”
The Lakeland Rustlers women’s hockey team first hit the ice in 2021 and joined the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) in 2022. In 2026, the team won their second consecutive
ACAC gold medal. Supporting the team is a joint effort between Lakeland and the Lloydminster community.
About Lakeland College
Established in 1913, Lakeland College is a place of possibility that serves more than 6,000 students every year at its campuses in Vermilion, Alta., and Lloydminster, Alta./Sask., and through online and off-site programs and courses. Lakeland offers programming in the areas of agricultural sciences, business, energy, environmental sciences, fire and emergency services, health and
wellness, human services, interior design technology, trades and technology, university transfer and foundational learning.
About Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) has proudly supported Oil Country for 25 years. The EOCF operates the largest 50/50 raffle in professional sports, which serves as the
primary funding engine for its charitable work across the region. With a focus on programs that serve Oil Country’s most vulnerable populations and youth hockey initiatives that increase
participation among under-represented groups, the EOCF is dedicated to building strong, vibrant and inclusive communities from Edmonton to Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Lloydminster, Fort
McMurray and beyond. Its key investment areas include Every Kid Deserves a Shot, presented by Rogers, which gives kids the opportunity to reach their full potential through the power and spirit of hockey; and Standing Up for Oil Country, which partners with charitable organizations to respond to emerging needs across the region. Since 2001, the EOCF has distributed over $114 million to charitable organizations and minor hockey programs throughout Oil Country.
