Twenty seven NHL hopefuls took to the downtown community arena at Rogers Place for the first day of a three-day Oilers summer development camp.
But for the first time at any NHL development camp, three women were invited to join the roster.
The women’s trio includes Waterloo, Ont., native Caitlin Kraemer.
Kraemer, who currently plays for the University of Minnesota-Duluth at the college level, says she got a call from the Oilers’ general manager about a month ago.
“I was in the car with my dad and I thought it was unwanted,” she laughed.
“Prior to her current team, Kraemer competed with the Canadian U-18 Women’s National Team.
Practicing at an NHL camp reminded her of the experience.
“Oh, it was hard. It reminded me of my first skate with the senior women’s team. Just another level. Something you’re excited about because it pushes you,” she explained.
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Kraemer joins U.S. Olympic gold medalist Abbey Murphy and Vancouver-born Chloe Primerano.
Primerano did not make the 2026 Canadian Olympic team, but she hopes to strengthen her skills at this camp and try again for the international games.
“Everything is earned. Nothing is given. This is just the first step,” Primerano said.
Primerano says she is grateful to join this year’s roster and learn from other players and the coaching staff.
“It’s so professional and top-notch. You look at the facilities and everything that’s offered here. It’s something I’ve never seen before,” she said.
“Just putting on an Oilers jersey was a really great experience,” she added.
It’s a dream come true for Kraemer — something she didn’t think was possible to achieve.
“It’s something young girls dream about. Before it was (the PWHL), I was like, ‘Oh, I want to make the NHL team even though it was kind of unrealistic,’ but it’s fun to make that dream come true a little bit,” she said.
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