Edmonton, April 12, 2025 — The Edmonton Oilers punched their ticket to the NHL playoffs with a 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Friday night, and no one seemed more thrilled than Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
A lifelong fan of the team, Carney celebrated the moment on Saturday by retweeting a playoff-clinching poster from the team’s official X account. In his caption, the PM echoed the enthusiasm of thousands of Oilers fans, signaling his unwavering support.
Carney’s connection to the Oilers runs deep. Growing up in Edmonton during the team’s 1980s dynasty, he witnessed their rise firsthand. Over the years, he’s proudly shown his loyalty — even sporting a “McJesus” shirt in support of Connor McDavid during last season’s Stanley Cup Finals.
But Carney is more than just a fan. He has a solid hockey background himself. He played at Harvard University as a third-string goaltender and later co-captained the Oxford Blues during his studies in the UK.
His bond with the team recently went beyond the stands. In March, during a trip to Edmonton to meet Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Carney joined the Oilers for a skate at Rogers Place before a game against the Winnipeg Jets. Dressed in goalie skates, he glided alongside the players, drawing laughs and praise from captain Connor McDavid.
“We were happy to have him out,” said McDavid. “Didn’t ask him to stop any pucks, though — those goalie skates were enough of a statement.”
Carney, ever the good sport, later joked about his diminished skills but was proud he didn’t fall. “Not quite the college days anymore,” he said with a grin.
As the Oilers gear up for their postseason run, they know one thing for certain: they’ve got a fan in Canada’s highest office.
