The Edmonton Oilers are vying for the Stanley Cup in Miami, aiming to bring the coveted trophy back to Canada for the first time since 1993. This marks a return trip to Florida for the Oilers, who suffered defeat in last year’s finals.
For over three decades, the NHL championship has eluded Canadian teams, a significant event given hockey’s integral role in Canadian national identity. Canadians comprise over 40% of NHL players, the largest national contingent in the league.
Last year’s final series loss to the Florida Panthers was particularly disheartening for fans like Carson Duggan, a Canadian now residing in the US, who witnessed the game in Miami alongside thousands of fellow Canadians.
The Oilers’ current playoff run represents a second chance to break the drought, but concerns linger. Despite a strong series start with a 4-3 win, the Panthers leveled the score at 3-2 with a decisive 5-2 victory, putting pressure on the Oilers heading into a crucial Game 6.
Tuesday’s game in Miami is a do-or-die encounter. The prolonged championship drought has, ironically, fostered a sense of national unity among Canadians, with support rallying behind whichever Canadian team advances furthest in the playoffs. This year, that team is Edmonton.
“We need a Cup as Canada,” Duggan explains. “A lot of Canada is cheering for Edmonton.”
This unified support is amplified by existing Canada-US tensions, heightened by recent trade disputes. These tensions reached a peak during the 4 Nations Face Off, marked by anti-American sentiment among Canadian fans and on-ice altercations.
The “elbows up” slogan, initially a hockey term, was adopted as a symbol of Canadian resilience, even used by Prime Minister Mark Carney during his campaign. Conversely, US President Donald Trump voiced support for the Florida Panthers.
While tensions have cooled somewhat, Duggan notes that a Canadian victory would be a significant triumph. “We’re not going to be bullied,” she asserts, clarifying that this sentiment doesn’t reflect poorly on the majority of Americans.
Numerous theories attempt to explain Canada’s Stanley Cup drought since 1993, ranging from practical considerations to conspiracy theories. Factors cited include the expansion of American franchises under Commissioner Gary Bettman, favorable climates and tax incentives in the US, and the increasing appeal of American teams to free agents.
Duggan suggests that hockey’s unique egalitarian structure, with its short shifts, may play a role. This limits even star players like Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid from dominating play, potentially hindering the development of superstar-led teams.
McDavid, a generational talent, has played for the Oilers since being drafted in 2015. Duggan believes that had he joined a major US team, hockey’s popularity could have soared. “You could know absolutely nothing about hockey and watch five minutes and see [he’s] the best player,” she said.
Currently residing in New Hampshire after pursuing hockey at the university level and coaching, Duggan, whose great-grandfather was Edmonton’s mayor, remains a devoted Oilers fan. “They’ve probably taken years off my life,” she admits, referring to the late game times she endures to watch every match.