McDavid dedicates Oilers 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs to Ben Stelter

Every athlete has something special to play for as the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway.
Connor McDavid has someonespecial to play for.

The Edmonton Oilers captain has dedicated the upcoming playoffs to Ben Stelter, the young superfan who sadly passed away at the age of six last August. Stelter battled brain cancer.

Stelter became a staple with the Oilers last March when the
team invited him to skate on the ice
before a game against the San Jose Sharks. After that game - a 5-2 win for the Oilers - Stelter made sure to give every player a fist bump.
That game, Stelter was the team's MVP.

Stelter was the team's No. 1 supporter from there on out, including during the Oilers' playoff run last season. His "Play La Bamba, baby!" messages
punctuated each Oilers win
. The Los Lobos hit became the team's victory song.
His positivity was contagious, not just to the Oilers but to teams and players across the league. When Stelter passed away in August, there was an outpouring across the hockey community.
It's yet to be determined how far the Oilers will go in the playoffs, but it's clear that McDavid will be holding onto Stelter's memory for the entire run.