Oilers' Connor McDavid Remembers Tragic Loss, Makes Heartwarming Gesture for Stelter Family

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Liam McCormick
November 23, 2024 (12:53)

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The Edmonton Oilers will take on the New York Rangers on home ice tonight on Hockey Fights Cancer night, making Connor McDavid think of Ben Stelter and the rest of the Stelter Family.

Oilers players were asked to write down a person affected by Cancer who they're supporting.

Most players named personal relatives and friends, and Connor McDavid named the Stelter Family.

It's heartwarming to see McDavid thinking of the Stelter family and battling for them after the passing of their son, Oilers superfan Ben Stelter.

Ben passed away in the summer of 2022 at the age of six years old due to brain cancer. The Oilers did everything they could to bring joy to Ben by including him in so many team events, that Ben began to inspire the Oilers players and the entire city of Edmonton. His catchphrase of Play La Bamba, Baby is still often used by Oilers fans.

McDavid was interviewed earlier this week about Hockey Fights Cancer month, and the Oilers superstar spoke glowingly about Ben and the Stelter family.

»He was a great kid. A great family, and they're doing so many great things with the Stelter foundation Such a great kid that had such a big impact, not only on me, but guys in our dressing room. His legacy will live on forever.»
- Connor McDavid

The Stelter family's fight is unfortunately not yet over. Ben's father Mike was diagnosed with Cancer in 2023.

According to Derek Van Diest of the NHL, Connor McDavid has literally been by Mike's side as he received treatment, and continues to support the family through the Stelter Family Foundation

»As good as Connor is on the ice, he's even better off the ice,» Mike said. «It's pretty cool with everything with Ben, he helped out a ton and it wasn't for show or anything like that, it was all pretty genuine.»
- Mike Stelter

The Stelter Family Foundation is now working on bringing new Cancer treatment centres and technology to Edmonton, and incredible personal endeavour by McDavid and the Stelter Family.

It's both heartwarming and heartbreaking to see the impact that Ben Stelter had on Connor McDavid and the Oilers. McDavid is doing the right thing by continuing his memory, continuing to support the family, and supporting the entire community in Edmonton.