Ben Stelter captured the hearts of the entire hockey community, the city of Edmonton—and beyond—with his brave fight against glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer and while he was known for his iconic postgame cheer, “<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ben-stelters-legacy-more-than-play-la-bamba-baby">Play &#8216;La Bamba,&#8217; baby</a>,” he also became a symbol of resilience and determination.
After Ben’s tragic passing, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ben-stelter-foundation-reportedly-raises-more-than-10000-in-donations-from-dallas">the Ben Stelter Foundation</a> was established to support children with cancer, including efforts to bring proton therapy treatment to Canada. Inspired by Ben’s journey and his own battle with cancer, during which he underwent proton therapy in the United States, Ben’s father, Mike Stelter, was determined to make this advanced treatment accessible in Canada, with plans to have it operational in Edmonton in the coming years.
Additionally, Ashif Mawji <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/mike-and-lea-stelter-speak-on-spinal-cancer-treatments-and-whats-next-for-the-ben-stelter-foundation">played a key role in helping the Stelter family</a> start the Ben Stelter Foundation and now serves as its board chair. His son, Aariz Mawji, came up with the idea for the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser, where students raised money for the foundation to earn ballots for prizes, with the grand prize being a visit from Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who formed a special bond with Ben. Last year, the fundraiser involved five schools and raised $43,000; this year, it expanded to ten schools, raising an impressive $74,000.
<figure id="attachment_166162" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166162" style="width: 472px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-166162 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-140231.png" alt="" width="472" height="582" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-140231.png 472w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-140231-243x300.png 243w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 472px) 100vw, 472px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-166162" class="wp-caption-text">Connor McDavid&#8217;s visit to Ottewell School &#8211; Darcy Semeniuk (@dsemeniukphotography)</figcaption></figure>
This year, my sister, Ashley Panganiban, a teacher at Ottewell School, was approached about participating in the fundraiser in October. She took the lead and assembled a team of students—Dutt Vyas, Kyle Ma, Rui Yan Chen, Marcus Yu, Alice Li, Tyson Foo, Mia Buch, Yuliia Rasputnia, Jessie Li, Nina Wang, Carmen Lee, Yuqian Guo, Parker Lowe, Sienna Gennings, Kingsley Fung, and Sania Abraham—to raise funds for the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser.
Their efforts were driven not just by the chance to have the Oilers’ captain visit their school but, most importantly, to support such a meaningful cause. Panganiban mentioned:
<blockquote>“I received an email about running the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser and was asked to have students apply to lead it. I handpicked Dutt Vyas, a student who&#8217;s always been active in school activities and plays hockey, and Kyle Ma was selected as the second leader. Together, they went on to choose other students who helped with the fundraiser and throughout the process, I provided guidance to ensure they had the support they needed to succeed.
To raise money, they decided to reopen our school’s ‘snack shack,’ a concession that hadn’t been used all year. They sold a variety of treats, including freshly made popcorn and cotton candy, pizza pops, Ramen, cookies, chips, Rice Krispies squares, cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, and a few other goodies.”</blockquote>
The student&#8217;s hard work was remarkable, and Ottewell School raised over $3,000, earning additional ballots for a chance to have McDavid visit their school. On Dec. 6, Aariz Mawji and Ben’s sister Emmy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/EDbG3nPI8D4">drew the winning ballot and announced Ottewell School</a> as the winner. Reflecting on the moment, student leader Dutt Vyas shared, “It was about six o&#8217;clock almost, and he said Ottewell. Me and Kyle were speechless. We even got a call from Aariz after that, and we were just speechless.”
<h2>A feeling of excitement was in the air when McDavid visited Ottewell School</h2>
The day arrived for McDavid’s visit to Ottewell School on Dec. 13. As soon as I stepped into the building, I felt the excitement in the air—every student sported the biggest smile, and they were decked out in their Oilers gear, gleefully waiting for their favourite hockey player, and for some, their hero, to arrive. Additionally, Aariz Mawji described his excitement, “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while, I’m sure a lot of people are too, the students are very excited, I see a lot of Oiler jerseys around here, we’re all very excited, and it warms my heart that I was able to help out the community, and I was able to give kids something to be passionate about at school.”
<figure id="attachment_166128" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166128" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-166128 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Connor-McDavid-Visit-at-Ottewell-School-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Connor-McDavid-Visit-at-Ottewell-School-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Connor-McDavid-Visit-at-Ottewell-School-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Connor-McDavid-Visit-at-Ottewell-School-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Connor-McDavid-Visit-at-Ottewell-School-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Connor-McDavid-Visit-at-Ottewell-School-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-166128" class="wp-caption-text">Connor McDavid playfully interacting with the students at Ottewell School &#8211; Sean Panganiban Photography</figcaption></figure>
All of the students, teachers, and supporters filled the gym, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Oilers&#8217; captain. The moment McDavid stepped onto the scene, teacher Dan Bourbonnais played ‘La Bamba,’ and as the hockey superstar walked from behind the curtains, the students went wild with excitement.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Connor McDavid made an appearance at Ottewell School after they won this year’s Ben Stelter School Fundraiser. 
My sister, a teacher at the school, spearheaded the project, and I’ll be writing about the experience over at <a href="https://t.co/TUO9Jev6JL">https://t.co/TUO9Jev6JL</a>. <a href="https://t.co/hqOcknjDA9">pic.twitter.com/hqOcknjDA9</a>
&mdash; seanpangs (@seanpangs) <a href="https://twitter.com/seanpangs/status/1867700954868724172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The cheers were loud, and to describe the experience, think back to your childhood hero and imagine meeting them face-to-face—and them being so nice and kind. That’s the kind of atmosphere it was, and it was incredible to witness. It emphasized to me that McDavid is not just a superstar on the ice but a genuinely great human being off of it as well—you hear about it and read about it, but seeing the captain&#8217;s kindness firsthand is truly eye-opening.
The floor was open for Ottewell students to ask the hockey icon anything, and they came prepared with some thoughtful questions. Some were hockey-related, like one student asking McDavid about an underrated aspect of his game. The three-time Hart Trophy winner replied, &#8220;I like to think that I work pretty hard, but I&#8217;d like to think I&#8217;m a skilled grinder out there that wins battles.&#8221; There were also fun questions, like asking the Oilers&#8217; forward about his favourite type of music. McDavid mentioned &#8216;La Bamba,&#8217; of course, and even hinted at possibly being a &#8216;Swiftie.&#8217;
There were some unique questions, like when we learned last October that <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/i-wouldnt-have-gone-out-there-for-a-million-dollars-connor-mcdavid-speaks-about-declining-to-accept-conn-smythe-in-new-prime-documentary">McDavid wasn’t a huge fan of ketchup</a>—yes, the condiment. A student asked him if it was true, and the hockey phenom doubled down on it, saying he never liked it and perhaps that feeling was passed down from his older brother.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
A student asked McDavid if it’s true he doesn’t like ketchup, and the Oilers captain confirmed- he&#39;s not a big ketchup guy: <a href="https://t.co/3WEOjIZGSD">pic.twitter.com/3WEOjIZGSD</a>
&mdash; seanpangs (@seanpangs) <a href="https://twitter.com/seanpangs/status/1867742955060310528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Overall, McDavid responded to the Ottewell students&#8217; questions with a playful and upbeat energy. Moreover, it seemed like he even stayed longer than expected to answer more questions from the crowd, with one of the last questions a student asked him was what he’d do with the Stanley Cup if he won it, to which he replied, “I want to lift it up, I want to kiss it, I want to hold it.”
The thrill of McDavid’s visit to Ottewell School was an unforgettable experience for all of the students and everyone involved, as student Kyle Ma highlighted, “It was really exciting, but also nerve-wracking, sitting next to your idol, but it was just a really good experience in general.”
<figure id="attachment_166155" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166155" style="width: 535px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-166155 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-133311.png" alt="" width="535" height="581" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-133311.png 535w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-133311-276x300.png 276w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-166155" class="wp-caption-text">The Stelters, Connor McDavid, Ashif Mawji at Ottewell School &#8211; Darcy Semeniuk (@dsemeniukphotography)</figcaption></figure>
That said, the most important takeaway from the big day at Ottewell School was the funds raised by all the schools involved for the Ben Stelter Foundation. The Oilers’ captain touched on it, saying:
<blockquote>“Just incredible work. It’s going to help so many families that are going through such a tough time. I think everybody in this room has somebody or has had somebody who’s been affected by this terrible disease, and to know that we’re all helping to make a difference in honour of Ben Stelter’s name, his legacy, and the entire Stelter family, it truly is incredible stuff. You guys should be very proud of yourselves.”</blockquote>
Moreover, the day was especially meaningful for the Stelter family, who attended to show their support. When Ben’s father, Mike, was asked about the significance of the fundraiser and the impact of the funds raised for proton therapy treatment, he shared:
<blockquote>“It’s huge, knowing how many families need this treatment and how many families we’ve met in the last few months who have had to travel to the United States for treatment. The financial burden it puts on families is immense, and there are so many who have to decline the treatment, whether for themselves or their child because they don’t have the money to do it. It’s heartbreaking. Everybody should be entitled to the same treatment, no matter their financial situation.”</blockquote>
The amazing day of McDavid&#8217;s visit to the school, the foundation in Ben&#8217;s name, and the goal of bringing proton therapy treatment—the first ever in Canada—to Edmonton is truly incredible. All of this came from the bravery of young Ben, and it’s very uplifting to see his legacy live on. Moreover, you definitely felt Ben&#8217;s legacy being celebrated in the building on the day McDavid brought smiles to the faces of everyone at Ottewell School.
<h2>PRESENTED BY ALBERTA BLUE CROSS</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-160239 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ABC_Logo_Stacked_RGB_Cyan.png" alt="" width="380" height="117" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ABC_Logo_Stacked_RGB_Cyan.png 380w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ABC_Logo_Stacked_RGB_Cyan-300x92.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px" />
Don’t let the hassles and risks of travel keep you from making connections that matter. From lost baggage and trip cancellation to medical emergencies, Alberta Blue Cross has you covered on every adventure. Best of all, Flight Delay Service is included. Travel worry-free with travel insurance from Alberta Blue Cross and get access to 24/7 assistance if you need it. If you’re traveling to the U.S. – you’ll get access to one of their largest healthcare networks which provides direct payment to hospitals. This means you won’t have to pay medical expenses out of pocket. Protect your next trip today at <a href="http://ab.bluecross.ca/travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ab.bluecross.ca/travel&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725719770830000&amp;usg=AOvVaw34YLFUMLPu_6qaXl_jpfuw">ab.bluecross.ca/travel</a>.

Ben Stelter captured the hearts of the entire hockey community, the city of Edmonton—and beyond—with his brave fight against glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer and while he was known for his iconic postgame cheer, “<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ben-stelters-legacy-more-than-play-la-bamba-baby">Play 'La Bamba,' baby</a>,” he also became a symbol of resilience and determination.

After Ben’s tragic passing, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ben-stelter-foundation-reportedly-raises-more-than-10000-in-donations-from-dallas">the Ben Stelter Foundation</a> was established to support children with cancer, including efforts to bring proton therapy treatment to Canada. Inspired by Ben’s journey and his own battle with cancer, during which he underwent proton therapy in the United States, Ben’s father, Mike Stelter, was determined to make this advanced treatment accessible in Canada, with plans to have it operational in Edmonton in the coming years.

Additionally, Ashif Mawji <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/mike-and-lea-stelter-speak-on-spinal-cancer-treatments-and-whats-next-for-the-ben-stelter-foundation">played a key role in helping the Stelter family</a> start the Ben Stelter Foundation and now serves as its board chair. His son, Aariz Mawji, came up with the idea for the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser, where students raised money for the foundation to earn ballots for prizes, with the grand prize being a visit from Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who formed a special bond with Ben. Last year, the fundraiser involved five schools and raised $43,000; this year, it expanded to ten schools, raising an impressive $74,000.

[caption id="attachment_166162" align="aligncenter" width="472"]<img class="wp-image-166162 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-140231.png" alt="" width="472" height="582" /> Connor McDavid's visit to Ottewell School - Darcy Semeniuk (@dsemeniukphotography)[/caption]

This year, my sister, Ashley Panganiban, a teacher at Ottewell School, was approached about participating in the fundraiser in October. She took the lead and assembled a team of students—Dutt Vyas, Kyle Ma, Rui Yan Chen, Marcus Yu, Alice Li, Tyson Foo, Mia Buch, Yuliia Rasputnia, Jessie Li, Nina Wang, Carmen Lee, Yuqian Guo, Parker Lowe, Sienna Gennings, Kingsley Fung, and Sania Abraham—to raise funds for the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser.

Their efforts were driven not just by the chance to have the Oilers’ captain visit their school but, most importantly, to support such a meaningful cause. Panganiban mentioned:
<blockquote>“I received an email about running the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser and was asked to have students apply to lead it. I handpicked Dutt Vyas, a student who's always been active in school activities and plays hockey, and Kyle Ma was selected as the second leader. Together, they went on to choose other students who helped with the fundraiser and throughout the process, I provided guidance to ensure they had the support they needed to succeed.

To raise money, they decided to reopen our school’s ‘snack shack,’ a concession that hadn’t been used all year. They sold a variety of treats, including freshly made popcorn and cotton candy, pizza pops, Ramen, cookies, chips, Rice Krispies squares, cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, and a few other goodies.”</blockquote>
The student's hard work was remarkable, and Ottewell School raised over $3,000, earning additional ballots for a chance to have McDavid visit their school. On Dec. 6, Aariz Mawji and Ben’s sister Emmy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/EDbG3nPI8D4">drew the winning ballot and announced Ottewell School</a> as the winner. Reflecting on the moment, student leader Dutt Vyas shared, “It was about six o'clock almost, and he said Ottewell. Me and Kyle were speechless. We even got a call from Aariz after that, and we were just speechless.”
<h2>A feeling of excitement was in the air when McDavid visited Ottewell School</h2>
The day arrived for McDavid’s visit to Ottewell School on Dec. 13. As soon as I stepped into the building, I felt the excitement in the air—every student sported the biggest smile, and they were decked out in their Oilers gear, gleefully waiting for their favourite hockey player, and for some, their hero, to arrive. Additionally, Aariz Mawji described his excitement, “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while, I’m sure a lot of people are too, the students are very excited, I see a lot of Oiler jerseys around here, we’re all very excited, and it warms my heart that I was able to help out the community, and I was able to give kids something to be passionate about at school.”

[caption id="attachment_166128" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-166128 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Connor-McDavid-Visit-at-Ottewell-School-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Connor McDavid playfully interacting with the students at Ottewell School - Sean Panganiban Photography[/caption]

All of the students, teachers, and supporters filled the gym, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Oilers' captain. The moment McDavid stepped onto the scene, teacher Dan Bourbonnais played ‘La Bamba,’ and as the hockey superstar walked from behind the curtains, the students went wild with excitement.

https://twitter.com/seanpangs/status/1867700954868724172

The cheers were loud, and to describe the experience, think back to your childhood hero and imagine meeting them face-to-face—and them being so nice and kind. That’s the kind of atmosphere it was, and it was incredible to witness. It emphasized to me that McDavid is not just a superstar on the ice but a genuinely great human being off of it as well—you hear about it and read about it, but seeing the captain's kindness firsthand is truly eye-opening.

The floor was open for Ottewell students to ask the hockey icon anything, and they came prepared with some thoughtful questions. Some were hockey-related, like one student asking McDavid about an underrated aspect of his game. The three-time Hart Trophy winner replied, "I like to think that I work pretty hard, but I'd like to think I'm a skilled grinder out there that wins battles." There were also fun questions, like asking the Oilers' forward about his favourite type of music. McDavid mentioned 'La Bamba,' of course, and even hinted at possibly being a 'Swiftie.'

There were some unique questions, like when we learned last October that <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/i-wouldnt-have-gone-out-there-for-a-million-dollars-connor-mcdavid-speaks-about-declining-to-accept-conn-smythe-in-new-prime-documentary">McDavid wasn’t a huge fan of ketchup</a>—yes, the condiment. A student asked him if it was true, and the hockey phenom doubled down on it, saying he never liked it and perhaps that feeling was passed down from his older brother.

https://twitter.com/seanpangs/status/1867742955060310528

Overall, McDavid responded to the Ottewell students' questions with a playful and upbeat energy. Moreover, it seemed like he even stayed longer than expected to answer more questions from the crowd, with one of the last questions a student asked him was what he’d do with the Stanley Cup if he won it, to which he replied, “I want to lift it up, I want to kiss it, I want to hold it.”

The thrill of McDavid’s visit to Ottewell School was an unforgettable experience for all of the students and everyone involved, as student Kyle Ma highlighted, “It was really exciting, but also nerve-wracking, sitting next to your idol, but it was just a really good experience in general.”

[caption id="attachment_166155" align="aligncenter" width="535"]<img class="wp-image-166155 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-14-133311.png" alt="" width="535" height="581" /> The Stelters, Connor McDavid, Ashif Mawji at Ottewell School - Darcy Semeniuk (@dsemeniukphotography)[/caption]

That said, the most important takeaway from the big day at Ottewell School was the funds raised by all the schools involved for the Ben Stelter Foundation. The Oilers’ captain touched on it, saying:
<blockquote>“Just incredible work. It’s going to help so many families that are going through such a tough time. I think everybody in this room has somebody or has had somebody who’s been affected by this terrible disease, and to know that we’re all helping to make a difference in honour of Ben Stelter’s name, his legacy, and the entire Stelter family, it truly is incredible stuff. You guys should be very proud of yourselves.”</blockquote>
Moreover, the day was especially meaningful for the Stelter family, who attended to show their support. When Ben’s father, Mike, was asked about the significance of the fundraiser and the impact of the funds raised for proton therapy treatment, he shared:
<blockquote>“It’s huge, knowing how many families need this treatment and how many families we’ve met in the last few months who have had to travel to the United States for treatment. The financial burden it puts on families is immense, and there are so many who have to decline the treatment, whether for themselves or their child because they don’t have the money to do it. It’s heartbreaking. Everybody should be entitled to the same treatment, no matter their financial situation.”</blockquote>
The amazing day of McDavid's visit to the school, the foundation in Ben's name, and the goal of bringing proton therapy treatment—the first ever in Canada—to Edmonton is truly incredible. All of this came from the bravery of young Ben, and it’s very uplifting to see his legacy live on. Moreover, you definitely felt Ben's legacy being celebrated in the building on the day McDavid brought smiles to the faces of everyone at Ottewell School.
<h2>PRESENTED BY ALBERTA BLUE CROSS</h2>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-160239 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ABC_Logo_Stacked_RGB_Cyan.png" alt="" width="380" height="117" />

Don’t let the hassles and risks of travel keep you from making connections that matter. From lost baggage and trip cancellation to medical emergencies, Alberta Blue Cross has you covered on every adventure. Best of all, Flight Delay Service is included. Travel worry-free with travel insurance from Alberta Blue Cross and get access to 24/7 assistance if you need it. If you’re traveling to the U.S. – you’ll get access to one of their largest healthcare networks which provides direct payment to hospitals. This means you won’t have to pay medical expenses out of pocket. Protect your next trip today at <a href="http://ab.bluecross.ca/travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ab.bluecross.ca/travel&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725719770830000&amp;usg=AOvVaw34YLFUMLPu_6qaXl_jpfuw">ab.bluecross.ca/travel</a>.

Oilers’ Connor McDavid brings smiles to Ottewell School after winning the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser

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