Young Oilers fan Stelter dies at age 6

Ben Stelter, the Edmonton Oilers superfan who befriended captain Connor McDavid and encouraged them to “Play La Bamba, baby” after each win in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, has died at the age of 6.

Ben’s father, Mike Stelter, made the announcement on social media Wednesday.

“The world lost the most special boy and an absolute hero last night,” Mike Stelter wrote on Twitter. “Ben, you were the best son we could ever hope for and you were my best bud ever. Your sisters were so lucky to have you as such a sweet brother. You fought so long and hard and beat so many odds.

“You truly changed the world and did so much good in your short time here. Mom and I are so proud of you. You had a bigger heart than anyone we’ve ever met. Our hearts are left with a Ben sized hole in them and life will never be the same without you. We are absolutely crushed.

“We love you our sweet Benny boy.”

Ben was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in March 2021 before having surgery, four rounds of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiation treatment later that month.

On March 24 of this year, he joined McDavid and the Oilers for their game against the San Jose Sharks as the Scotiabank Skater. Before the game, He lined up alongside McDavid for the national anthems and gave fist bumps. He later attended a postgame press conference with forward Zach Hyman following Edmonton’s 5-2 win.

He rejoined the Oilers on April 28 for the morning skate and afterward was presented his own Upper Deck ‘Heroic Inspirations’ card by McDavid. The card was an officially licensed trading card, with 4,000 printed to be given to the Oilers and the Stelter family.

“Ben you’re a true warrior and are such a inspiration to all of us,” Edmonton forward Evander Kane wrote on Twitter. “Your strength, determination, courage and love beamed through the hockey world and especially our team. I’m going to miss your fist pumps before the games. To the Stelter family we send our love and support.”

During the Oilers run to the Western Conference Final, Mike would post video of Ben saying, “Play La Bamba, baby” after each win, an ode to their victory song, which was inspired by their longtime locker room attendant Joey Moss, who died at age 57 on Oct. 26, 2020.

“Out in public or when we’re at the games, people will run up and say, ‘Hey Ben, play La Bamba, baby!'” Mike told NHL.com in June. “They often try to get him to say that, but he usually only says it after the Oilers win. But he laughs every time, wherever we go, and someone asks him to say it.

“He knows it’s the Oilers win song, and he knows it was Joey Moss’ favorite song and that’s why they do it. And he knows that after every win they play that at Rogers Place and they play it in the dressing room, too.

“He loves all of that.”

Condolences poured in from around the hockey world on social media, including from the Calgary Flames, the Oilers’ fierce rival in the Battle of Alberta, and the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.

“We are mourning the passing of our dear friend, number one #Oilers fan, good luck charm & inspiration, Ben Stelter,” the Oilers wrote on Twitter. “Although small in stature, Ben’s impact on our team & community were massive.

“Play La Bamba, baby.”

Photo from Edmonton Oilers Twitter account