Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) and Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrate a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during second period NHL action in Edmonton on Tuesday November 28, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS
Russ Jericho's passion for the Edmonton Oilers, culminating in their entry into the Stanley Cup playoffs, traces back to an unexpected encounter with hockey in his UK upbringing. Drawn by his fondness for "Back to the Future" and wrestler Chris Benoit, Jericho's allegiance to the Oilers solidified with their 1985 Stanley Cup win.
Now, at 38, Jericho's fervent support reflects the excitement among Canadian hockey fans as multiple Canadian teams, including the Oilers, Maple Leafs, Canucks, and Jets, compete in the playoffs— the most since 2017.
However, Canada hasn't claimed a Stanley Cup since 1993. Jericho, who inherited part of his father's estate, invested in attending four Oilers games this season, expressing hope for their victory. Meanwhile, Bobby St. Laurent, a devoted Jets fan, plans to watch Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche from a Cancun resort, eager to support his team even from afar. St. Laurent, whose allegiance dates back to the Jets' World Hockey Association days,
anticipates attending Game 2 in person and participating in Winnipeg's renowned Whiteout festivities. While Toronto fans faced disappointment with the Maple Leafs' loss to the Bruins, Vancouver supporter Aaron J. Harder believes many underestimated the Canucks' capabilities, attributing their improvement to coaching. Despite the achievements of Canadian teams, Harder notes the prevalence of inter-team rivalry, hindering a sense of unified national pride among hockey enthusiasts.
