Five-year-old battling brain cancer steals the show in Oilers-Sharks game
Posted March 25, 2022 11:16 am.
Last Updated March 25, 2022 11:28 am.
Forget McDavid or Draisaitl – the biggest cheers during the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night win over San Jose were for 5-year-old Ben Stelter.
The young boy took centre stage during the game’s opening ceremonies.
It was an honour to have such an inspirational #Oilers fan as our @Scotiabank Skater.
Five-year-old Ben Stelter has been battling glioblastoma & starts another round of radiation soon. We wanted to show him all our love & support.
You've got this, Ben. ????????#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/sHrVGHMU20
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 25, 2022
Stelter is a life-long Oilers fan who was diagnosed with a brain tumour one year ago.
Since then, he’s undergone 4 chemotherapy rounds and 30 radiation sessions.
Is there a better way to start the day than with the #oilers fist-bumping local legend Ben Stelter as La Bamba plays in the background after the big win? #Yeg #Yyc pic.twitter.com/P9iutap3Iy
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 25, 2022
Stelter is set for another round of radiation next week.
In addition to skating the centre ice with the team, Stelter also took part in the post-game press conference with Oilers winger Zach Hyman.
The @EdmontonOilers gave Ben Stelter, a five-year-old fan battling brain cancer, a night he'll never forget. ????
Ben was the pre-game skater, the star of the post-game presser, and was named the team's MVP. pic.twitter.com/trgYmbbLSe
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 25, 2022
“I think he’s playing really good,” Stelter answered when asked about Hyman’s efforts in the game. Stelter then confirmed that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were his favourite players.
“I think I need a little more time,” Hyman said when asked how he could become Stelter’s favourite player. “I just got here, but I think Ben’s picked two great guys, two great players, just happy to be on stage with him.”
Oilers fans watching from a nearby window gave Stelter a raucous ovation as he left the press conference stage.
Stelter’s dad Mike took to Twitter following the game to thank the Oilers and everyone at the game that made the night memorable for the entire family.
It was such a good night and it just kept getting better and better. Everyone went above and beyond to make sure this night was special for Ben and made sure Ben felt like a celebrity. Thank you for everyone that was cheering Ben on the whole way, you all made it extra special
— Mike Stelter (@m_dan25) March 25, 2022
