BLOG: Oilers embrace five-year-old cancer fighter

EDMONTON, AB - Leon Draisaitl scored twice, Derick Brassard buried the game-winner in his Oilers debut and Mike Smith made 28 saves in net, but the real MVP on Thursday's game against the San Jose Sharks was five-year-old cancer fighter Ben Stelter.
Ben was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in March 2021 and underwent surgery that month before embarking upon four rounds of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiation treatment. Unfortunately, the tumour returned this past December, prompting another surgery and more radiation sessions starting next week.
The Oilers selected Ben to be Thursday's Scotiabank Skater as he was able to join the team on the ice for the national anthems and receive a pep talk from captain Connor McDavid.
"He lit up the building pretty quickly," Smith said. "It was easy to get up for the game after Ben skated out on the ice... He's an inspiration to us all and we're happy we got a big win for him."

Ben then received his second standing ovation from the capacity crowd at Rogers Place during a TV timeout in the second period, and after the Oilers closed out their 5-2 win over the Sharks, he was there in the hallway between the ice and the locker room to provide fist-bumps for the victorious squad.
He was then escorted into the room where the team presented him with their player of the game helmet and leather vest, followed by a trip to the media room as he joined Zach Hyman on stage to answer questions from the reporters in attendance.

Ben told Oilers TV's Tony Brar that Hyman "played really good" but his favourite players are still the NHL's top two scorers, McDavid and Draisaitl, garnering a laugh from the winger next to him.
Hyman later paused mid-answer to show his new buddy all the Oilers fans gathered outside the Hall of Fame room chanting his name. "Look, they're all cheering for you," he said.