Connor McDavid took home the third Hart Trophy of his NHL career, but the honor this year came with a surprise that likely meant more to the league’s most valuable player than any of the other times he won.
When McDavid was announced as the winner during Monday’s NHL Award ceremony in Nashville, he was given the trophy by a special group of people.
The Stelter family had traveled all the way from Edmonton to be there for McDavid, which appeared to blow the NHL superstar away.
The Stelters hold a special place in the heart of McDavid and Oilers fans after he grew close to their 6-year-old son, Ben, who passed away last August after an 18-month battle with cancer.
Ben had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in March 2021, and after meeting McDavid, the two became fast friends.
“Wow, that was an incredible surprise, and it means so much to me to be standing up here with the Stelters. Thinking about our buddy, Ben,” McDavid said taking in the moment on Monday night.
Ben’s mom Lea, father Mike and sisters were on hand to present McDavid with the MVP award.
Ben became known as a superfan in Oilers country after he was invited to hold the flag pregame during a March 24, 2022, game against the San Jose Sharks.
He stood next to McDavid, who was Ben’s favorite player, during the national anthem, and he sat next to Zach Hyman during a postgame press conference.
Ben also became a good-luck charm of sorts during the team’s surprise playoff run to the Western Conference Finals.
McDavid had even dedicated the Oilers’ playoff run this season to Ben.
”Ready to go for ya Benny Boy. Let’s go Oil Country!” McDavid tweeted.
The Oilers were eliminated by the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the NHL Playoffs.
McDavid won his second Hart Trophy in the last three years on Monday night.
