Fandom often stems from family tradition or hometown pride, but for Bill and Kathy Wagner from San Diego, California, their allegiance to the Edmonton Oilers began with an interrupted anniversary trip, a COVID-19 quarantine, and a crash course in hockey.
In 2022, the couple planned a belated 40th-anniversary celebration aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train through the Canadian Rockies. But upon arriving in Jasper, Alberta, they tested positive for COVID-19, forcing them to cancel their journey to Vancouver and isolate in their hotel. Boredom soon gave way to fascination when they stumbled upon an Oilers playoff game on TV. Despite having no prior knowledge of hockey, the fast-paced sport quickly captivated them.
“Hockey was on almost constantly, and we spent the whole week deciphering the rules,” Bill shared. Kathy added that their confusion over terms like “icing” and penalty calls became a distraction from their illness. “By the end of the week, we were hooked—and official Oilers fans,” she said.
After returning to California, their newfound passion only grew. They began tuning into every Oilers game, cheering them on against California rivals like the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks, as well as the Vegas Golden Knights. Their enthusiasm even led them to watch minor-league matches, such as the Bakersfield Condors facing off against the San Diego Gulls.
Their dedication extended to collecting Oilers merchandise and diving into Canadian culture. “We wanted to understand the country’s history, anthem, and hockey’s significance,” Kathy explained. Their children, however, were amused by their sudden obsession. “They think we’re crazy,” Bill laughed. “They’ll ask, ‘What are you doing?’ and we’ll say, ‘Watching hockey!’ They just roll their eyes.”
To add fun to their viewings, the couple created bingo cards filled with signature phrases from Oilers broadcasters Jack Michaels, Louie DeBrusk, and Gene Principe. Every “The pleasure was all ours!” or quirky comment from the announcers becomes a chance to mark off a square.
What began as a derailed anniversary trip has blossomed into an unexpected love affair with hockey—proving that fandom can emerge in the most unpredictable ways.
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