JR Patrick - The Constant

For as long as we have had the IBL in Edmonton, we've had JR Patrick. An IBL all-star several times over, JR is Edmonton's own. After attending Eastglen high school, JR attended Santa Clara University and has had the opportunity to play professionally ever since.

There is a tremendous sense of pride for JR in being able to play at home and represent his community, family and city.

"Being able to play in front of my son and my girlfriend and all my family and friends is a dream come true. Edmonton is my home and being able to represent the city of Champions and play the game I love, there is no greater feeling for a professional athlete." Said JR. "I am very excited to get all our core group of guys back, it’s the foundation of our team, having that good solid base of guys that we are all familiar with, know each others tendencies, and have great chemistry."

JR's keen scoring touch has been essential to the Energy's success in the past and with the new additions joining the team this year, JR should continue to get great opportunities to not only score but to contribute to his teammates success.

"The addition of the new guys on our team and guys coming back for the first time so to speak, it's going to be refreshing and exciting. We are adding some great complimentary players so that will help us down the stretch especially with our schedule this year, we are going to need everyone to have fresh legs. So I am excited to see what everyone including myself is going to bring this year."



With the new additions, the returning core and after being upset in last years playoffs, JR and the Energy have only one thing in mind -

"I see us getting to the championship game this year and winning it all. We had the best record in the league last year going into the playoffs and then didn’t bring our A game into the Semi Finals. It definitely left a sour taste in our mouths losing that game against Snohomish considering we beat them twice at home last year, so now we are out to get back to our winning ways. Anything less than a championship is an unsuccessful season for us!"

JR and the rest of the Energy begin their quest for an IBL title Friday May 7th against the defending champion LA Lightning!

7 PM at the University of Alberta Main Gym!

Come out and cheer on the Energy!

A Big Boost

As the Energy were putting together the roster this year there was going to be one notable absence that was bound to disappoint Edmonton basketball fans. Andrew Parker had signed with a team just outside of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and would be gone through the summer missing the 2010 season for the Edmonton Energy.

AGP, as he is known, won over fans with his electrifying dunks and relentless effort. Andrew was always the first to get the fans on their feet at every Energy game. His absence was bound to be noticed.



This past week, after suffering a minor injury in Brazil, AGP announced that he would be coming home and be able to play for the Energy this season.

"Brazil was absoluetly amazing, the fans welcomed me and made me feel at home instantly" said Andrew of his time in Brazil, "my first point was a monster put back dunk on a guy and in my first game I played ten minutes and had 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists." Andrew had the opportunity to play with and against the best Brazil had to offer including Joe Addai, whose brother Joseph plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.

But when it comes to playing at home in Edmonton for Andrew Parker there is nothing that compares.

"My mom (Claudia Parker) is here and she´s my best friend and greatest supporter, so I love playing in front of her and her seeing play ball professionally live and in the flesh. My family is here, my best friends are here, my community is here, and I love that people here know me and see me as Andrew that kid from M.E lazerte high school, North Edmonton, that was just like them and grinded with them until he got to the pro level and made it."

"One thing Edmonton truly appreciates is a real underdog story, and I really respect and love my city, Every time I am in the north side or any side of the city for that matter the love is incredible, and it's mutual, I love playing in front of my friends and family and playing professional at the same time, its truly a blessing."

Andrew is a great teammate and hopes to contribute to all aspects of the game for the Energy this season.

"I am a team player I will make sacrifices to help our team win, I can score, rebound, play defense, hussle, whatever coach needs me to do I will do. Last year JR (Patrick) and I told each other that we would do everything to help this team get back to championship level and thats what we intend on doing."

Along with Andrew, the Energy will feature 2 other successful Edmontonians; JR Patrick and Steve Sir.

"I Cant say enough about JR Patrick" said Andrew "He's my best friend on the team. JR is a born leader"

"Steve Sir is the greatest shooter I have ever seen, I think he is the best shooter in Canada, period, he's that good."

As close knit as the homegrown players are on the team, Andrew recognizes the outstanding contributions that the guys who come from afar make to the goals that the Energy have.

"Lee Scruggs is the best post player I have ever played with, just talented beyond belief, there's a reason he played for Georgetown. Will Funn is the most impressive point guard I have played with at the Pro level. Everyone on the team contributes and everyone on the team pulls for one another, its truly a joy to play with all of these guys again."

The Energy have experienced tremendous success for an expansion franchise, winning their division in their first season and if not for a hot shooting night by one player in their playoff match up they could be holding a championship trophy. As great as the on court accomplishments are, the Energy look to contribute to the community in other ways as well.

Andrew recalls a visit to his old stomping grounds -

"JR and I went to the M.E Lazerte Pep Rally and the kids started chanting AGP, all of them, they were wilding out, it was amazing, the whole gym was rocking, I thought I was in high school again!"

The Energy hope to be out to many schools this year to promote the game of basketball, getting a solid education and working hard at all you do!

Get ready to see Andrew Parker and the rest of the Energy May 7th, 8th and 9th as they take on the LA Lightning and their 6 former NBA'ers!

Season Slogan Contest!!

As advertised on the Edmonton Energy website, you can post your entry here for the Season Slogan Contest! Be creative, tie it into the team, show us what you got! On the line is a pair of season tickets to all Energy home games this year at the University of Alberta!

In The News

Check out the articles in the Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun following Friday's press conference -

Edmonton Journal

Edmonton Sun

A Strong Start

Today Head Coach and GM Paul Sir along with assistant coach Todd Warnick and IBL All Star JR Patrick welcomed the new season by hosting the opening press conference at the Percy Page center.

Many exciting details about the upcoming season, venue and roster were discussed.

"Character and Commitment", said coach Paul Sir "were key in deciding this years' roster."

After last seasons disappointing playoff loss, the Energy were determined to bring back the core of key players and to add determined, tenacious and skilled players to take the squad to the next level.

Key additions will include the return of Rashaun Broadus who was here 2 years ago and was an IBL All Star and lit up the court with numerous spectacular plays and is a constant competitor. Dave Patten from Weber State, who is finishing up a season in Argentina at the moment, is a 6' 11" athletic post player with great ball skills and was the Big Sky conference player of the year in his senior season.

The coaching staff will have some new faces this season as well. Dave Youngs from Ross Sheppard high school joins the staff this year and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a tradition of winning. Coach Youngs has won numerous 4A high school provincial championships as well as sending great numbers of his players to the next level including Steve Sir, Jermaine and Jamaal Bucknor, Mangisto Arop, Phil Sudol, Spencer Dorward and Brandon Park to name a few.

One of the greatest improvements to the team this year will be where the Energy call home. The University of Alberta Main Gym will host the teams' home games this year. If you are a basketball fan in Edmonton chances are you have taken in a game here at some point and there is no court with a greater tradition in Northern Alberta. The Bears have been a winning program from decades and the Energy are proud to have the opportunity to represent Edmonton and its basketball community on the court at the University of Alberta.

The season is now only 28 days away. The Energy open practice the week of April 19th and will be ready for the challenge of competing for an IBL crown.

The first weekend of games is May 7th, 8th and 9th against the reiging IBL champion Los Angeles Lightning who will feature 6 ex-NBA players!

Come out and take in the action!

2010 Press Conference

The Edmonton Energy will be holding a press conference on April 9th at 11 AM to discuss the upcoming season. The press conference will be at the Basketball Alberta offices at the Percy Page centre. The new venue, incoming players, goals and objectives for the season will be discussed. Look for coverage throughout Edmonton's media.

The Energy have a great opportunity to have a special season. Only 29 days until the opening tip!

GO Centre - Future Home of the Edmonton Energy

In just over two weeks there is a great opportunity to come out and see the plans for the new GO Centre that will be located on the south campus of the University of Alberta.

The facility will feature 9 basketball courts, 9 volleyball courts and 25000 square feet of gymnastics space.

Upon completion the GO Centre will be the home of the Edmonton Energy!

The open house will be on April 20th for 4 to 8 PM at the Saville Centre also on the south campus of the U of A.

For more information on the GO Centre check out their website at www.gocentre.com