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LaForge commends Pontiacs

Edmonton Oilers President and CEO Patrick LaForge was in Bonnyville Monday morning as the guest speaker for the Pontiacs education breakfast. Following the event, he spoke with local media.
Assistant coach Ryan Pollock introduces the team at the first annual Pontiacs Education Breakfast on August 23.
Assistant coach Ryan Pollock introduces the team at the first annual Pontiacs Education Breakfast on August 23.

Edmonton Oilers President and CEO Patrick LaForge was in Bonnyville Monday morning as the guest speaker for the Pontiacs education breakfast. Following the event, he spoke with local media.

He spoke about the breakfast itself and addressed the need for continuing community support of the Pontiacs, and about the progress on a new arena complex in Edmonton.

"I thought it was tremendous, great turnout, excellent spirit." LaForge said, in regards to the education breakfast. Adding, with events like these, "obviously the club is very prepared to go to war for their hometown."

He believes the Pontiacs have it right when it comes to taking care of their players and their community. Hockey and its players must grow from the community up, and it is happening here, he said, adding, "The Pontiacs are a great example to the four and five year olds [in Bonnyville]."

LaForge said that it was really important for him to be at the breakfast, and that he was happy to come. "Bonnyville is so critical to what we represent." He added, "It's important for me and our organization to reach back and say 'how can we help you'."

LaForge played a role in gathering further financial and political support for the C2, prior to its completion.

He is now trying to build support for a new facility in Edmonton. LaForge, along with the Katz Group are working towards securing a plot of land in downtown Edmonton to house the new home of the Oilers.

But LaForge said it would be much more than that. The facility would be a sports and entertainment complex, with many activities that go beyond the scope of the Oilers, for visitors to take part in.

LaForge said, "Rexall is expiring," but he explained, "A new facility is still a big challenge." He said, just like the Pontiacs, Edmonton needs the best people in the community to step up and support the club.

He explained that some of the delays in getting this project started have to do with city politics. "It's an election year, so people find ways to posture." But he assured fans that after the election is over "cooler heads should prevail and the strategy will bear itself out."

LaForge is well aware that fans of the Oilers and Edmonton as a city are not all residents of Edmonton itself. He explained that their fan base spreads all across Northern Canada, especially Northern Alberta.

"Many people from here come to Edmonton to enjoy the fruits of their work." And LaForge believes a new arena and entertainment complex in downtown Edmonton would add to that enjoyment. "It's all part of adding to the entertainment of the north, and Edmonton needs to be a great provider of that."

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