The Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup Final Return Sparks Celebration Across Northern Canada and Beyond
The Edmonton Oilers’ return to the Stanley Cup Final has ignited a fervent celebration that extends far beyond the city’s borders, reaching as far north as the Arctic Circle and drawing in fans from as distant as the Philippines.
Oilers Fans Pack Downtown Rogers Place
On Monday morning, Oilers fans braved the grey clouds and rain to flock to the team store at downtown Rogers Place. They eagerly snapped up jerseys, hats, t-shirts, and any other merchandise emblazoned with the team’s iconic logo – an encircled oil drop that crowns the team’s drippy, gooey nickname.
A Passion Passed Down Through Generations
Reece Santos, a devoted Oilers fan, had his eye on a Dylan Holloway jersey. His love of hockey was instilled by his father, who came to Canada at the age of six from the Philippines and fell in love with the Oilers during their glory days in the 1980s.
“My whole family plays hockey, I coach hockey now, so it’s been a big part of my life,” Santos shared, reflecting the deep-rooted connection between the Oilers and their passionate fan base, which spans generations and crosses continents.
Oilers Fans Celebrate Cup Berth with Merchandise and Joy
Gil Spanglet, a Calgary resident, brought his nine-year-old daughter Olivia to watch the Oilers defeat the Dallas Stars on Sunday night, securing their spot in the Stanley Cup Final. The next day, they returned to the team store at Rogers Place to buy some merchandise, but many items were already sold out.
A Special Moment for a Young Fan
Olivia, who loves Connor McDavid, got a hat to commemorate the occasion. Her father, Gil, reflected on the significance of the moment, noting that he was the same age as Olivia when the Oilers last won the Stanley Cup.
Downtown Rogers Place Erupts in Celebration
On Sunday night, thousands of fans gathered outside Rogers Place, creating a lively atmosphere with honking horns, cheering, waving glittery orange pompoms, and chanting “We want the Cup!” as the Oilers secured their spot in the NHL final against the Florida Panthers.
Oilers Fans Celebrate in the Northwest Territories
As the Oilers secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Final, fans in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, celebrated under the midnight sun. A procession of over 50 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and ATVs, drove through the town’s gravel streets, creating a festive atmosphere. The drivers honked their horns, leaned out of windows, and cheered, waving flags and enjoying the moment.
Organizing the Inuvik Oilers Parade
Donovan Arey, the organizer of the Oilers parade in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, described the event. “Some people had to stop at intersections and wait for the convoy to pass, then just jumped in,” he said, highlighting the spontaneous nature of the celebration.
Oilers’ Long-Awaited Return to Stanley Cup Final
The Edmonton Oilers are back in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since their heartbreaking loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. This marks a significant milestone for the team, which was once Canada’s last hockey dynasty, winning four Cups in the 1980s and a fifth in 1990. The Oilers have been in a celebratory mood since late April, when they defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games, then broke the hearts of the Vancouver Canucks in seven games before overcoming the Dallas Stars in six games.
Oilers Fans Gather in the “Moss Pit” for Game Nights
On game nights, thousands of Oilers fans gather outside the arena to watch and celebrate in the “Moss Pit,” a tribute to the late Joey Moss, a beloved former equipment assistant who passed away in 2020 at the age of 57. The term “Moss Pit” is a play on the phrase “mosh pit,” a nod to the energetic and emotional atmosphere of the gathering.
Oilers Fans’ Jersey Preferences and the “La Bamba” Tradition
An informal survey of Oilers jerseys worn by fans indicates a preference for the blue and orange home jerseys over the road whites. The most popular numbers are those worn by the team’s star players: 97 (Connor McDavid) and 29 (Leon Draisaitl).
The Oilers community has embraced the Mexican folk song “La Bamba” as a victory anthem. The song, originally a hit for Ritchie Valens in 1958 and later covered by the band Los Lobos in 1987, is played after every Oilers win at Rogers Place. The tradition has sentimental roots dating back to the 1980s, when it was a favorite of the late Joey Moss.
More recently, “Play La Bamba, baby!” became the catchphrase of the late Ben Stelter, a six-year-old Oilers superfan whose enthusiasm and support inspired star players like McDavid. Stelter passed away in 2022 after a battle with cancer, but his spirit lives on in the team’s success and the fans’ celebrations.
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