'Incredible stuff': McDavid celebrates Ben Stelter Foundation fundraiser with junior high students

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid speaking with Ottewell School students on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Matt Marshall/CTV News Edmonton)

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid on Friday visited Ottewell School to celebrate with students who helped raise $73,000 for the Ben Stelter Foundation.

The Ben Stelter School Fundraiser ran from Nov. 18 to Dec. 5. Several schools across Alberta collected donations. For every $1,000 raised, each school entered a ballot into a draw for the McDavid visit.

A packed Ottewell School gym hosted McDavid and welcomed him onto the stage with Ben's favourite song, La Bamba.

"Kids helping kids, kids raising money for such a great cause truly is an amazing thing," McDavid said as he congratulated students for their work.

"To know that we're all helping make a difference in honour of Ben Stelter's name and his legacy and the entire Stelter family, it truly is incredible stuff."

The junior high students asked McDavid what he'd first do if he won the Stanley Cup (lift it up and kiss it), what it's like to play in the NHL (pretty cool), and who his hockey idol is (Sidney Crosby).

"I thought it was really exciting," McDavid told reporters following the event. "I thought the kids had a ton of energy, similar to last year's event.

"Both schools that I've been to have been so much fun, so much excitement and energy, but even behind the scenes, the actual money that's being raised, the awareness that's being raised, the support of Ben and his family and the foundation, it's been amazing to see.

"Bigger and better than anyone could have ever imagined. And we're hoping to bring proton therapy to Canada, that'd be such a big thing, and that's big credit to the kids that are continuing to support."

Ottewell School raised just under $2,400. Namao School in Sturgeon County raised the most at $16,225.