Oilers’ playoff run infuses $179M into Edmonton’s economy: tourism board

While the Edmonton Oilers are waiting to win their first game in the Stanley Cup final, the city’s tourism board says the playoff run has already been a big win for Edmonton.

The first three rounds of Edmonton’s post-season play have contributed $179 million to the city’s economy, according to Explore Edmonton.

It’s meant an economic boost for hotels, restaurants and other businesses – notably those within the downtown core.

The tourism board says it reached that number using data from The Oilers Entertainment Group showing which fans come from out of town — a complex economic formula — as well as investments in watch parties and spending in nearby establishments.

“The tip that the server gets, and then they go out and they spend it in local shops as well,” explained Janelle Janis with events and business development at Explore Edmonton. “So this total economic impact of $179 million takes into full account every benefit that comes from that single outside dollar into Edmonton.”

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It’s not just Edmonton’s local businesses trying to make money off the playoff run.

Former Oiler and five-time Stanley cup champion Esa Tikkanen is selling four of his Stanley Cup rings. The highest bid online for his 1987-88 ring was at just over $15,000 by Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile Explore Edmonton took advantage of the Oilers’ Cup run to promote the city – while throwing some shade at Florida Panthers fans.

The agency that markets Edmonton took out ads outside Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., touting the Alberta capital as the “home of five Stanley Cups and zero rats.”

It’s a reference to Florida fans tossing plastic rats on the ice, a tradition honouring 1990s player Scott Mellanby, who once took his stick to swat a skittering dressing room rodent, then went out and scored two goals in the game.

And all of Alberta is famously rat free.