The Edmonton Oilers have one of the most passionate and engaged fan bases in the NHL. It seems like every time Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, or Ryan Nugent Hopkins put the puck in the net, they’re setting a new record or personal best. On the ice, the Oilers have captured the hearts and minds of fans throughout Edmonton, Northern Alberta and across Canada, and they are winning even more fans for what they’ve been doing to help others in the community.
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) helps thousands of people in the Edmonton area. And, the same can be said for the players who proudly wear the Oilers uniform. But there are countless stories that have captured my imagination and many of those in the community. I’d like to shed some light on some that have touched my heart, and hopefully yours.
A Boy Named Ben Stelter
Many Oilers fans are familiar with Ben Stelter and his friendship with McDavid. Ben fought a courageous battle with an aggressive glioblastoma brain tumour, and sadly passed away on Aug. 9, 2022, at the age of 6 years old. Ben, who was first introduced to Oilers fans as Scotiabank Skater of the Game on March 24, 2022, provided the Oilers with inspiration throughout the latter part of the 2021-22 season and into their playoff drive to the Western Conference Final last spring.
Related: A Tribute to Edmonton Oilers Superfan Ben Stelter
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This past December, a special fund was announced to honour the life of Stelter to support the fight to end cancer. McDavid also got involved and personally promoted the Ben Stelter Fund and Stollery Kids through his personal Instagram and Twitter pages. Ben’s parents Mike and Lea and his family have provided Oilers fans and the community with inspiration for their strength, courage, and vision to continue to help people battle cancer. Their story provides a reminder in this day and age, that kindness and compassion can go a long way.
The Inspiring Story of Ben Blum
On Dec. 3, 2022, the Scotiabank Skater of the Game was sledge hockey player Ben Blum. He has hereditary spastic paraplegia, which is a general term for a group of rare inherited disorders that cause weakness and stiffness in the leg muscles. Ben’s parents Ashley and Christian mentioned recently that, “Ben hasn’t let anything get in the way of his goal to play for Canada’s Para Hockey Team in the Olympics…
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