It’s been a tough summer for the Edmonton Oilers. Last season, the team had superfan Ben Stelter as a special guest during most home games. The young kid, just six years old, was battling glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, and had a special place in the team’s locker room. And he even attended the ice at some practices.
After a win against the San Jose Sharks back in March, Stelter was awarded the MVP helmet. This summer, Ben Stelter passed away way too soon, and the whole city of Edmonton, and all of the Stelter family, are still mourning.
Last night, during the Oilers’ season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, the Oilers took the time to honor Ben in a fantastic tribute. The tribute ended with a standing ovation, and it was such a special moment. The players stood sad on the ice, and in the stands, fans were crying.
The Edmonton Oilers won the game, 5-3, after a Connor McDavid hattrick. The Edmonton Oilers captain got close to Ben Stelter during the spring, and it was a special moment for him and all Edmonton Oilers fans.
In the post-match interviews, McDavid dedicated the Oilers’ win to Ben Stelter with heartwarming words.
“Tonight was for our buddy Ben. We miss him, you know, for the whole Stelter family. We think about him. I think about him after big wins, and tonight was a big win. I’m thinking about him. His famous saying was, ‘Play La Bamba, Baby,’ so I think we’ll have to listen to that tonight.”
