Five-year-old battling brain cancer steals the show in Oilers-Sharks game

Forget McDavid or Draisaitl – the biggest cheers during the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night win over San Jose were for 5-year-old Ben Stelter.

The young boy took centre stage during the game’s opening ceremonies.

Stelter is a life-long Oilers fan who was diagnosed with a brain tumour one year ago.

Since then, he’s undergone 4 chemotherapy rounds and 30 radiation sessions.

Stelter is set for another round of radiation next week.

In addition to skating the centre ice with the team, Stelter also took part in the post-game press conference with Oilers winger Zach Hyman.

“I think he’s playing really good,” Stelter answered when asked about Hyman’s efforts in the game. Stelter then confirmed that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were his favourite players.

“I think I need a little more time,” Hyman said when asked how he could become Stelter’s favourite player. “I just got here, but I think Ben’s picked two great guys, two great players, just happy to be on stage with him.”

Oilers fans watching from a nearby window gave Stelter a raucous ovation as he left the press conference stage.

Stelter’s dad Mike took to Twitter following the game to thank the Oilers and everyone at the game that made the night memorable for the entire family.