Rediscovering Canada via a Stanley Cup Run

They say sport is a microcosm of life.

This year’s Stanley Cup final makes this feel especially true. As the Edmonton Oilers work to find a way to be fully themselves as a hockey team, Canada is working to find a way to fully be itself as a country.

It all feels so existential.

I know hockey’s just a game, but as one that was born in a land of ice, snow, and backyard rinks, it is also part of our national identity. And if you look closely, I think it has a few lessons for the geo-political game we’re now playing.

When you watch the Oilers this year, you’ll notice a difference. Depth scoring is up, everyone is elevating their game, and each player seems crucial to the team. To win a Stanley Cup you can’t rely on just one or two stars, on offence over defence, or on free-wheeling play over structure.

As I’ve watched the Oilers mature, I’ve noticed the same thing happening in our country—with provinces now choosing to play together and make room for each other’s unique contributions. We’re upping our game and working as a team.

There is a confidence that comes with this style of play. We can lean on each other and spur each other on. Just as the Oilers can trust in Evan Bouchard’s bomb of a shot, Mattias Ekholm’s powerful net front presence, and Connor McDavid’s incredible game-breaking speed, Canada can trust in Alberta’s energy-creating potential, Ontario’s industrial strength, and the unique playmaking skills of each of the provinces. Even as a player like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, in his 14th year, can play the best hockey he’s ever played; every Canadian citizen can choose to up their game and contribute more.

When we do this, we’ll find a way to be ourselves.   

“We’ve prepared to be in this position for a long time,” said team captain Connor McDavid. “These are more normal positions for us now. The moment doesn’t feel big, it doesn’t feel [like] anything other than hockey, and that allows you to make your play.”

Can you imagine feeling this kind of confidence as a nation—being this ready to meet the moment? It makes you wonder what Canada could be if it ever fully found its game. Imagine how productive, creative, and communally strong we could be.   

What I love about this Oilers team is how they do community at pace—fully in sync at 35 km/hour on the rush, beautifully choreographed in the dance of a powerplay, and just in time with their no-look pass to Leon Draisaitl in his spot. When they play this eloquently, they show us the power of community unleashed—that any city, province, or country can perform on a higher level.

I’m not sure what Canada-hitting-on-all-cylinders would be like, but I’m thinking that it would sound a lot like an arena full of Edmonton fans whole-heartedly singing the Canadian national anthem together—acapella!

And I imagine it would look like a brilliant Connor McDavid rush; a perfect hockey moment where time slows, vision clears, creativity kindles, and an almost inconceivable play is made.

I think it’s going to feel like the kind of belief that runs through a dressing room or city in a time like this. These players don’t just trust each other, they believe in each other and bring out the best in each other. It’s hard to imagine the potential that could be released in a country were everyone to truly believe in everyone else.

And maybe all these things would be animated by the power of love.

There’s a 9 second clip online that shows Leon Draisaitl making a video call to injured teammate Zach Hyman right after the Oilers clinched their place in the Stanley Cup final. The team could not celebrate fully without including everyone. “We love you Hymo,” Draisaitl shouts. Then Nugent-Hopkins jumps in, “Love ya”, and Corey Perry, “Love you Hyms, love you buddy.” The smiles on their faces said it all. It’s not hard to imagine what Hyman felt in that moment. This is what being a team is all about.

Can you imagine being a country in the same way?

I think we’re made for this, and this is why we’re so attracted to the glory of a Stanley Cup playoff run. We are meant to live in a world that is built on the kind of community that brings life to everyone. This game of life that we’re playing is meant to be played together.

We’re made to believe in Canada and in each other, and like the Oilers, now is the time where we need to trust each other, stay focussed, sacrifice ourselves, and have some fun.

This is our game—our country!

(from an article I wrote for the Calgary Herald)