Oilers Octane
The Oilers Octane was the cheerleading team for the NHL team the Edmonton Oilers. The team was the first Canadian cheerteam in NHL history.[2] The debut of the cheerleaders had a mixed reaction from the Edmontonian community, some signing petitions to keep cheerleading out of the sport of hockey in Canada and many protested that it was a sexist act while others supported the team.[3] Despite this, the team performed for the first time on December 14, 2010 in a home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.[4][5][6] The first team had 19 cheerleaders, dressed in uniforms that resembled the original Edmonton Oilers jerseys.[7]
Type | Cheerleading team |
---|---|
Headquarters | Edmonton, Alberta |
Location | |
Membership | 16-36 a year |
Director & Head Coach | Dr. Mailie Harris[1] |
Website | Official website |
In August 2016 the Oilers announced they were discontinuing the Octane cheer team as they moved to their first season in the new Rogers Place arena, as well as announcing auditions for a new Oilers Orange and Blue Ice Crew "brand ambassador' group.[8]
Notable former cheerleaders
- Oakley Dale – wife of Mark Pysyk
References
- Harris' Bio Page
- "Oilers Octane debut as first Canadian NHL cheer team". Closet Canuck. December 15, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Ian Harrison (November 24, 2011). "Top cheerleaders: Raise a cheer! Oilers Octane". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Jimmy Traina (December 16, 2010). "History Has Been Made". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Andrew Hanon (December 15, 2010). "Oiler cheerleaders heat things up". London Free Press. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- "Oilers unveil cheer team". Edmonton Sun. December 15, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- "Edmonton Oilers introduce cheerleaders". Toronto Star. December 15, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Woollven, Mark (August 9, 2016). "Say 'goodbye' to the Oilers Octane cheer team". iNews880. Retrieved August 29, 2016.