“How about them Oilers?”—during playoff season, this phrase becomes the go-to conversation starter in Edmonton. And for local political candidates, it’s proving to be a strategic way to break the ice on the campaign trail.
As the Edmonton Oilers kick off their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, candidates vying for votes are embracing the city’s hockey fever to strengthen their connections with constituents.
Trisha Estabrooks, the NDP candidate in Edmonton Centre, plans to watch Game 1 with community members at the Crestwood Curling Club. She’s even taken her fandom door-to-door, wearing blue and orange beaded Oilers earrings to show her team spirit. Her campaign is keenly aware of how deeply the Oilers resonate with locals.
“When we’re in apartment buildings, we can hear how the game’s going just by the cheers in the hallways,” Estabrooks said.
However, her team draws the line at knocking on doors after 8 p.m.—both out of respect for young families and, conveniently, to avoid clashing with late puck drops. With the first four games taking place before election day and only Game 4 scheduled before 8 p.m., there’s plenty of time for evening canvassing.
While the polling site 338Canada currently lists Edmonton Centre as leaning Liberal, Estabrooks feels the community’s colors tell a different story. “It’s orange and blue throughout,” she said, suggesting a close NDP-Conservative contest.
Liberal candidate Ron Thiering in Edmonton Strathcona also aims to finish canvassing by 8 p.m., though his team sometimes stretches later to wrap up a neighborhood. Volunteer availability plays a big role in scheduling, and flexibility is key.
Thiering also acknowledges another twist in hockey-driven voter behavior. Although Edmonton is Oilers territory, the Maple Leafs draw significant support when they visit, and with Toronto in a first-round Battle of Ontario series against the Ottawa Senators, game-time scheduling matters.
“Sometimes people just don’t answer the door because they’re watching hockey,” he admitted. “We might need to adapt.”
Meanwhile, Edmonton West Conservative incumbent Kelly McCauley is charging ahead with his usual door-knocking strategy, undeterred by the Oilers’ schedule. He says playoff games won’t disrupt his campaign.
“We’re still going full speed,” said McCauley. “We get score updates from residents as we go. Sometimes, we even hear the cheers from the street. We’re excited for a strong Oilers playoff run—hopefully all the way to the Cup.”
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