McDavid dedicates victory and his 4 point performance to Oilers superfan Ben Stelter

In case you missed it last night, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid put on an absolute show in the Oilers' home opener against the Vancouver Canucks. 

With the Canucks up 3-0 and the Oilers looking pretty listless, McDavid put the Oilers on his back like he has dozens of times before and willed them to victory using sheer determination. He scored three goals and four points en route to a thrilling 5-3 comeback victory. We've been so spoiled by McDavid throughout his career that these types of performances are beginning to become normal. But, here's the thing... we are truly privileged to witness this level of hockey. You never know what life has in store for you, so why not appreciate all that life has to offer while we're here? That's the lesson that McDavid himself has learned in the past year since becoming close friends with Oilers superfan Ben Stelter.

Stelter, of course, passed away this past summer at just six years old after a brutal battle with brain cancer. The Oilers took him on as a bit of a mascot last season and McDavid himself seemed to have a strong connection with the young boy. Stelter's passing had an impact on McDavid and indeed the entire Oilers team and fanbase. Last night the Oilers' held a special moment in Ben's honor prior to dropping the puck on the 2022-23 season.

Check it out:

And if that weren't enough of a tribute, McDavid dedicated the team's victory and his four point performance to Ben's memory.

Check it out:

"Tonight was for our buddy Ben. We miss him. To the whole Stelter family: We think about him. I said in an interview... a little bit ago that I think about him after big wins and tonight was a big win and I'm thinking about him. His famous saying was, 'Play Labamba, baby!' so I think we'll have to listen to that tonight.

- Connor McDavid

That's class personified right there. Kudos to McDavid for taking a moment out of his evening to put Ben and his family back in all of our thoughts.