CALGARY - It didnt take long for "the Canadian way" to become a mantra at Hockey Canadas massive under-17 mens hockey camp. The slogan is on the back of every red T-shirt worn by the 108 players circulating through the Markin MacPhail Centre on Calgarys west side. The phrase is drilled into their heads on and off the ice by their coaches and Hockey Canada staff. "They use that term almost in every sentence," Toronto defenceman Jakob Chychrun said Wednesday. "They really teach us all to be young men. "They talk about professionalism, respect and even the little things like cleaning the table up after lunch." Part of the revamp of the national under-17 program was summoning this vast group of players born in 1998 to learn early what Hockey Canada expects and wants from players who wear the Maple Leaf. The nine-day camp ends Tuesday. "Weve had a lot of lectures on the Canadian way and what that means to us and how we have to respect it," defenceman Sean Day said. "Thats one of the most used words Ive heard in the last two days is respect. Just having pride in your nation and respecting everyone who is involved and respecting your opponents." Their days have been filled with fitness and hockey skills testing as well as classroom seminars on nutrition, mental training and media relations. Theyre learning how to warm up and cool down properly for workouts and games in order to avoid injury and perform their best. Players from Duncan, B.C., to Mount Pearl, N.L., have been divided into six teams with their own coaches and support staff. They start playing games against each other Thursday. "The message to them is theres a way we do things here," said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canadas vice-president of hockey operations. "What were trying to teach them in the different areas, were going to have a better chance to win. "We want them leaving here knowing what the Canadian way is, that theyre going to play hard, theyre committed players, theyre character players, they accept their roles. The Canadian way was really borne out of the Olympic team and the performance that they had in Sochi, everything from how that team performed to how they prepared. "Its playing hard, its playing with character and when other teams push, we push back harder. Those are the messages were trying to give every day, all day. The Markin MacPhail Centre will bulge with Canadian hockey prospects when another 44 arrive Friday for the under-18 mens selection camp. A team of the best 22 players born in 1997 will be chosen to play for Canada at the annual Ivan Hlinka international tournament Aug. 11-16 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Canada has won the tournament six consecutive years. The presence of the under-18 players is another way of driving home the message to the under-17 players whats required to play for Canada. "We want those kids to see the next level for them," Salmond said. The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge has traditionally been held in late December during its 22 years, but the event will be played Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 this year in Sarnia, Ont. Instead of five regional teams representing Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, West and Pacific, Canada will enter three teams mixing players from different regions. So Canadians will now play in the under-17 tournament under the banner of their country, and not their geographical region. There will be more competition to play in the tournament as 66 players from across the country will be named to those three squads. Torontos Chychrun and Day played for Ontario at the most recent under-17 tournament held in Sydney, N.S., under the old format. Forward Mitchell Balmas of Sydney represented Team Atlantic and Edmonton forward Tyler Benson played for Team Pacific. Chychrun was the first overall pick in this years Ontario Hockey League draft by the Sarnia Sting. Benson went first in last years Western Hockey League draft to the Vancouver Giants. Day is the only player invited to this under-17 camp who played major junior hockey last season. He was an underage defenceman for the OHLs Mississauga Steelheads. Balmas was a first-round pick of the QMJHLs Charlottetown Islanders this year. This is his first trip to Western Canada and his camp roommates are from Ontario and Quebec. Mixing the players pushes them out of their comfort zone. Where once they compared themselves to players from within their own province, they now measure themselves against their counterparts in the rest of the country. "You see how you rank with the other guys all across Canada and what you need to work on," Balmas said. "You kind of have to bring all your stuff because you dont know who youre playing against or who youre playing with. You have to learn and adapt." 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Tony Parker Jersey . -- Manager Bob Melvin shuffled the Athletics batting order and got the type of production he was looking for from the top of the lineup. EDMONTON -- Former Hockey Canada top executive Bob Nicholson is joining the Edmonton Oilers to oversee business operations, promising to take a scalpel -- not a bulldozer -- to the struggling NHL franchise. "There are a lot of things that are going very well in this organization. Im not coming in here to rip things apart," Nicholson told reporters Friday. "I know what Hockey Canada was when I started, and I know where this (Oilers) organization is today. "There are huge challenges, but I think there could be something very special in this city." Oilers owner Daryl Katz was not at the news conference, a not unusual occurrence for the reclusive pharmacy magnate. Nicholsons hiring is part of a corporate reorganization for Katzs sports entertainment properties. Under the newly named Oilers Entertainment Group, or OEG, Katz will be chairman while former Oiler Kevin Lowe and Nicholson will be vice-chairmen. Lowe will continue to be in charge of hockey operations while Nicholson will handle the business side -- but both said they expect the other to help out across the board. Patrick LaForge remains in charge of day-to-day business operations as president and chief operating officer. Nicholson spent 16 years as president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada, officially stepping down May 31. Canadian hockey teams excelled under his watch, winning numerous championships including seven Olympic gold medals. Lowe and Nicholson worked closely on Canadas Olympic teams, and Nicholson said that relationship was a key reason he signed up with the Oilers. "The relationship that I have with Kevin, and the one that Ive really developed with Daryl over the last little bit, had a big part," said Nicholsson.dddddddddddd "I had a great job with Hockey Canada. I didnt have to rush into anything. I was going to play a little more golf. "But when you get a chance to work with the right people in the right organization, the time was right to join the Oilers." Lowe said Nicholson has already started delivering ideas on the hockey side. "Yesterday Bob sat in on pro scouting meetings and was engaged with the scouts," said Lowe. "Hell be as involved as much as we can get him, and I know that will be a massive addition to this organization. "Hes as passionate about fixing the Oilers as we all are." In addition to the Oilers, OEG owns the 2014 Memorial Cup Champion Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL) and the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL). Lowe said more franchises are part of the long-term game plan. "Hopefully well acquire more in the future years," he said. "(Im) not predicting anything, but we know that our owner has great vision." The Oilers and the City of Edmonton have also broken ground on a new downtown arena that is slated to open for the start of the 2016-17 season. Nicholson joins a franchise and a fan base desperate for success. The Oilers have missed the playoffs every year since advancing to the Stanley Cup final in 2006. The team has been criticized for sub par scouting and poor player development, failing to rebuild the team despite having three of the last four first-overall draft picks. Other changes are underway. Earlier this week, the team announced Craig Ramsay will join Dallas Eakins coaching staff to handle the defence and power play. Assistant coach Kelly Buchberger will move over to player development. ' ' '