One of the best players in the NHL, his teammate and his coach got together for a Zoom call on Thursday.
But it wasn’t to discuss the upcoming season or the signings or the potential lineup. It was to remember and mourn Ben Stelter. That’s the impact this 6-year-old has had on forwards Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, coach Jay Woodcroft and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers.
Stelter died Tuesday, 18 months after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in March 2021.
Stelter gained notoriety around the NHL as an Oilers superfan, encouraging them to “Play La Bamba Baby” in social media videos after every postseason win during their run to the Western Conference Finals.
“I thought ‘Woody’ made a great point: athletes make an impact on kids, but Ben had such an impact on our team and me, even in the short time we knew him,” McDavid said. “He was just such an amazing kid, so strong, so brave. When you watch someone go through that, especially when you’re 5 or 6 years old, it’s really inspiring. He was such a fighter. Just a terrible, terrible day.”
McDavid said he first met Stelter last September after Ben’s father, Mike, sent a message to the Oilers.
“Obviously I fell in love with him right away and the whole family,” McDavid said. “We just developed that relationship over the course of the year. I just loved being around him.”
So did the rest of the Oilers, who felt Stelter’s influence all season long.
Stelter was the Scotiabank skater when the Oilers played the San Jose Sharks on March 24 and stood on the ice with the players during the introduction and the national anthem. He then attended the postgame press conference with Hyman following Edmonton’s 5-2 win. Hyman placed the microphone in front of Stelter, who laughed as the press conference began.
When Stelter was asked to name his favorite Oilers player, even with Hyman by his side, he didn’t hesitate to say McDavid and forward Leon Draistill.
“First and foremost, he wasn’t nervous or shy at all,” Hyman said. “He was ready to go on stage, he was excited to go on stage, whereas most kids his age would be nervous in front of a room of media. Some players would be nervous in front of a room of media. This guy was excited, a huge smile on his face and just wanted to talk about the game and the win.
“It was great and obviously the fans were outside our media room, you have the fans on the glass and everyone was chanting his name. So it was another great moment to share with him, and his family was in the room as well. It was just a great moment and something I will certainly cherish.”
Stelter also joined the Oilers for their morning skate on April 28 and was then presented with his own Upper Deck “Heroic Inspirations” trading card by McDavid. This was an officially licensed card with 4,000 printed to be given to the Oilers and Stelters.
“The moment I got to know Ben and his effect on our team, I thought it put a lot of things into perspective for a lot of people in determining what’s important in life,” Woodcroft said. “To see the courage this young man had to fight what he had to fight and the lessons that can be learned from him. In terms of getting to know Ben and working through a tough day yesterday, I think that puts a lot of things into perspective.”
How will the Oilers continue Stelter’s legacy? McDavid said that’s something the team will discuss over the next few weeks. On Thursday, the pain of losing Stelter remained too fresh to think about it. Still, Stelter’s impact was evident, and his heart, his will to fight and the memories he left behind will stay with the Oilers for a long time.
“We lost a little boy who showed nothing but courage every day,” Woodcroft said. “He was able to inspire a team, he was able to inspire a city, he had the support of the entire country and the hockey world.
“As a father, as I said earlier, it was special for me to see the effect it had on so many people. I know I’m just grateful for the time I had with him. We have lost a bright light, but his spirit will surely live on.”
Photo: Mike Stelter courtesy of the Edmonton Oilers
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