Good morning! This is The Oakville Digest, your trusted guide to everything happening in the beautiful town of Oakville, Ontario.

Here is what to expect in today’s issue:

• 🏒 Local Hockey player climbing scouting ranks

• 🎨 Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts accepting proposals for new mural

• 📅 A list of potential plans for your weekend

Thanks for being part of our growing community. Let us know what you loved in today’s issue by replying to this email, and….

Let’s dive in!

News

🏒 Oakville’s Michael Misa Climbs to Record Heights in NHL Central Scouting Rankings

The NHL Central Scouting rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft are out, and Oakville’s own Michael Misa has secured an impressive third place among all North American forwards. This marks a significant milestone for the young talent, solidifying his position as one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class.

Misa has been a dominant force in his draft year, quickly becoming a favourite in mock drafts. Several NHL teams are reportedly eager to acquire the skilled forward if given the opportunity.

Currently playing for the Saginaw Spirit, Misa has racked up an incredible 35 goals and 37 assists—72 points in just 37 games. At this pace, he’s projected to close the season with a staggering 126 points, further cementing his reputation as a top-tier talent.

Adding to his list of achievements, Misa was recently named captain of the Saginaw Spirit and will also lead the Western Conference in the OHL Prospects Game. His leadership on and off the ice, combined with his dynamic offensive instincts, makes him a highly coveted player for any NHL team.

Misa is poised to continue Oakville’s tradition of producing NHL talent, and his journey is one that local fans will be eager to follow.

🎨 Calling All Artists! Submit Proposals for Outdoor Vinyl Art at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

Deadline: February 2, 2025

The Town of Oakville is inviting professional Canadian artists aged 18+ from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to submit proposals for two outdoor vinyl art displays on the exterior of the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts (OCPA). Artists with connections to Oakville will be given priority.

The selected artworks will be featured in two prominent locations:

• The south-facing front entrance wall

• The west-facing fly tower overlooking Sixteen Mile Creek

Artists may design either a cohesive artwork spanning both locations or two distinct pieces. The works should celebrate Oakville’s vibrant performing arts community, drawing inspiration from theatre, music, and dance.

Submission Details:

• Proposals must include high-resolution digital files suitable for large-format printing.

• Portfolio work is welcome to showcase your artistic style.

• For full details on specifications, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions, visit the online submission form.

Don’t miss this chance to showcase your talent and contribute to Oakville’s cultural landscape!

Community Spotlight

🤖 Oakville Robotics Club Ranks Among World’s Best

White Oaks Secondary School’s robotics team, launched in September 2023, has quickly risen to global prominence, ranking among the top 100 programs worldwide in just over a year.

The club was founded by two Grade 11 students, Zane Beeai and Shayaan Azeem, who started the initiative with minimal support. “White Oaks is a massive school, but there weren’t many opportunities to explore STEM,” said Zane. “Now we’ve expanded the club, added three teams, and seen incredible growth.”

Since its inception, the club has engaged over 150 students, including neurodivergent learners through the school’s Community Pathways Integration Program, and introduced robotics to local elementary schools.

The team has won 17 awards in two seasons, including four prestigious Excellence Awards, and were Global Finalists in the 2024 MathWorks Challenge.

Despite their success, the team operates without financial support from the school or district, relying entirely on sponsorships and personal contributions to fund equipment and competition travel.

To help support this impressive team and their innovative work, visit their website to learn more about sponsorship opportunities:

🏆 Conservation Halton: A Top Employer Three Years Running

Conservation Halton (CH) has once again been named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, earning the distinction for the third consecutive year.

The organization was recognized for its standout employee benefits, including parental leave policies, generous vacation allowances, and free access to local parks for staff. CH’s commitment to fostering a positive workplace environment and prioritizing staff wellness played a key role in this achievement.

Additionally, their innovation hub, which empowers employees to bring forward fresh ideas, was highlighted as an example of their collaborative and forward-thinking culture.

This recognition not only reinforces CH’s reputation as an exceptional employer but also reflects their dedication to preserving natural spaces and supporting their community through meaningful work.

Weather

Friday, January 19
☁️ Cloudy.
High: -3°C | Low: -7°C

Saturday, January 20
❄️ Light snow.
High: -5°C | Low: -10°C

Sunday, January 21
🌤️ A mix of sun and cloud.
High: -8°C | Low: -12°C

Events

• Sir Elton’s Greatest 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM | January 17 (more info)

  • Location: Meadowvale Theatre, Mississauga, ON

  • Description: Celebrate the iconic music of Elton John at this unforgettable tribute event. Relive his most celebrated hits and immerse yourself in the timeless melodies that defined his legendary career. Perfect for fans and newcomers alike, this evening promises a powerful performance honouring one of music's greatest legends.

• Level Up Dance Party for Women Only 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM | January 18 (more info)

  • Location: Pescaraa Restaurant, 218 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville

  • Description: Step back in time to the 90's at this women's-only dance party! Dress in your best 90's attire and groove to the era's greatest hits. Enjoy a night filled with nostalgia, fun vibes, and non-stop dancing. Your ticket includes one drink, and a cash bar will be available for more refreshments.

• Flashback Saturday at The Oakville Pump 8:30 PM - 11:45 AM | January 18 (more info)

  • Location: The Oakville Pump, 1011 Upper Middle Rd E, Oakville, ON

  • Description: Dance to iconic hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s with retro and unforgettable tunes! Get ready for an epic performance by The Music Factory (TMF) band.

• LIVE Music at Monaghan’s Sports Pub 9:00 PM - 11:59 PM | January 18 (more info)

  • Location: Monaghan's Sports Pub & Grill, 1289 Marlborough Court, Oakville, ON

  • Description: Enjoy a night of free live music at Oakville's premier music destination, Monaghan’s Sports Pub and Grill. Experience top-notch talent performing an eclectic mix of rock, blues, and hits from the 70’s through the 2000’s.

• Learn-to-Play Hockey Program (U6/U8) | January 18 & 19 (more info)

  • Location: Appleby Arena, 1201 Appleby Line, Burlington

  • Description: Tailored for U6/U8 players born between 2016 and 2020, this Learn-to-Play hockey program offers beginner players structured on-ice training led by professional coaches in a fun and engaging environment.

• Puppy Yoga: Support Rescue Puppies 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | January 19 (more info)

  • Location: Limitless Martial Arts, 3410 Semenyk Court #7, Mississauga, ON (edge of Oakville)

  • Description: Experience 75 minutes of pure joy with Puppy Yoga, where every ticket helps support rescue puppies. Perfect for all ages, including kids, this event combines relaxation, fun, and a great cause. Join us for an unforgettable session filled with cuddles, yoga, and love!

Submit your events to [email protected] to be featured!

Thank You!

Thank you for reading The Oakville Digest! We hope you found this edition helpful and insightful. We’d love to hear your feedback or any event suggestions you’d like us to feature in future issues. Don’t forget to share with friends and family, and we’ll see you on Monday!

P.S. Interested in sponsoring our newsletter? Email us at [email protected].