Oil Kings Encourage Others to Get Their Wings

Edmonton, AB - The City of Edmonton's Snow Angels program is receiving help of noble proportions as the Edmonton Oil Kings once again join as a program partner. The partnership includes providing Oil Kings tickets to all nominated Snow Angels as a thank you.

"It is great to see an organization like the Edmonton Oil Kings getting involved in a community-based program like Snow Angels," said Councillor Jane Batty. "Having sidewalks clear of snow and particularly ice at this time of year is crucial for the accessibility of all Edmontonians and the Oil Kings' involvement has helped get the message across."

The program has already received 320 nominations for the 2012-2013 season -- up from 194 last year, and on pace to beat record numbers from 2010-2011.

"Remaining focused on the responsibility we have to our local community is something that is incredibly important to our hockey club and intrinsic to the make up of junior hockey," said Oil Kings vice president and alternate governor Darryl Porter. "It stands by our mandate of developing players for the next level -- both on and off the ice."

In addition to providing tickets, the players themselves are setting an example as they get out into the community  to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in various Edmonton neighbourhoods.

"It feels good to be a part of a program like this where you get the chance to help people firsthand and really see where your effort is going," said Oil Kings Captain Griffin Reinhart. "We just try to lead by example and hopefully it will encourage other Edmontonians to volunteer as Snow Angels themselves."

Centre Curtis Lazar also lent his image to the program for new creative materials with ads encouraging fans to get involved, as well as appearing on the Rexall Place jumbotron.

Anyone can be a Snow Angel and feel like a king. Residents are urged to watch for those in their neighbourhood who could use help shoveling and offer to lend a hand.

Recipients can nominate shovellers to get Snow Angel wings by visiting edmonton.ca/snowangels, or calling 311.