Oilers statement on pause of 2019-20 NHL season

From the Edmonton Oilers

Earlier today, the National Hockey League (NHL) issued a directive to pause the 2019-20 season starting with tonight’s games after consulting medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors.

As a result, the Edmonton Oilers will not be playing games until the NHL determines its next steps addressing the coronavirus pandemic. The Oilers will be communicating to ticket holders, partners and other affected parties with information as soon it becomes available.

We will continue to follow protocols as laid out by the NHL and will continue to work in close consultation with health and government officials.

We will provide additional information as we learn more on this evolving issue. Please continue to check RogersPlace.com or EdmontonOilers.com for more information.

The health and safety of our players, fans and employees is our top priority. We thank our fans for their support and understanding as we work through this unprecedented period.

“Public health and safety are a priority at a time like this. As players, we support the NHL and NHLPA’s decision to suspend the season for the safety of the teams and their fans. We look forward to the day we can get back playing the game we love in front of full arenas.” – Edmonton Oilers Captain Connor McDavid

“We fully support the decision of the NHL to pause the 2019-20 season. We want to get back to playing games as soon as possible, but this decision is in the best interest of our fans, employees and players. Our focus is on their health and safety and doing what we can to combat the spread of the virus. Some things are bigger than the game of hockey.” – Edmonton Oilers Chairman Bob Nicholson

From the National Hockey League

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman today released the following statement regarding the 2019-20 NHL season:

“In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus, and after consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019‑20 season beginning with tonight’s games.

“The NHL has been attempting to follow the mandates of health experts and local authorities, while preparing for any possible developments without taking premature or unnecessary measures. However, following last night’s news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus – and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point – it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time.

“We will continue to monitor all the appropriate medical advice, and we will encourage our players and other members of the NHL community to take all reasonable precautions – including by self-quarantine, where appropriate. Our goal is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent, so that we will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup. Until then, we thank NHL fans for your patience and hope you stay healthy.”

Related Topics:COVID-19 Edmonton Oilers feature National Hockey League

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Alberta

Police arrest two more people following killing of eight-year-old girl in Alberta

Published on September 22, 2023

The Canadian Press

An Edmonton Police Service logo is shown at a press conference in Edmonton, Oct. 2, 2017. Police in Edmonton have charged two more people following the killing of an eight-year-old girl whose remains were found on a First Nation south of the provincial capital in April. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Edmonton

Police in Edmonton have charged two more people following the killing of an eight-year-old girl whose remains were found on a First Nation south of the provincial capital.

Officers responded on April 24 to a welfare call about the girl at an Edmonton home but were unable to locate her.

Her remains were discovered five days later on the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis.

Shayden Lightning, who is 21, and Raighne Stoney, who is 36, have been charged with being an accessory to murder and causing an indignity to a body.

Three others were initially charged in the case.

Police are not releasing the names of two of the accused in order to protect the identities of other children related to the victim, whose identity is under a publication ban.

A 27-year-old woman faces a charge of first-degree murder and a 25-year-old man faces charges of being an accessory to murder and causing an indignity to a body.

Edward Nievera, 67, was charged with being an accessory to murder and causing an indignity to a body.

Edmonton police Staff Sgt. Colin Leathem said in a release Friday that the recent arrests will be the last in the case and that the investigation has concluded.

“We want to thank the RCMP in Maskwacis and Wetaskiwin for their assistance with this investigation,” he said. “Needless to say, this was an exceptionally distressing investigation to work on, and they went above and beyond in helping to facilitate these final arrests and bring this file to conclusion.

“While nothing can change the horror of what occurred, we hope (the arrests) can provide some measure of justice to those who knew and loved this little girl.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2023.

Alberta

Police investigate 22 shootings across city in month of August

Published on September 14, 2023

Todayville

News release from the Edmonton Police Service

The Edmonton Police Service continues to investigate 22 reported shooting occurrences in the month of August.

Of the 22 occurrences, 18 are believed to be targeted offences and not random in nature. Ten of the 22 shootings resulted in injuries, and in 19 of these shooting incidents, there was the potential for innocent bystanders, including children, to be harmed. There were three deaths as a result of shooting occurrences in August, one of which was self-inflicted.

Nine incidents involved shots being fired at a person, four shots were firedat residences, another four shots were fired into the air, two shots were fired at vehicles, two shots were accidentally discharged and one was self-inflicted.

Compared to August 2022, August 2023 shooting occurrences are up by 36%. There have been 152 reported shooting occurrences year to date, a 32% increase from last year at this time. Edmonton Police Service members have also seized 679 firearms year to date.