'Let's go Oilers!': Whatı̀, N.W.T., spreading hockey cheer during playoff finals

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl might be surprised to learn that some of their biggest fans are on the shores of Lac La Martre in the subarctic community of Whatı̀, N.W.T.

It's true: Whatı̀ residents love the Edmonton Oilers. When the team faced the Florida Panthers Wednesday night in a finals rematch, the Tłı̨chǫ community of just over 600 people showed its support with watch parties, parades, potlucks and seas of orange jerseys. 

Shaun Moosenose has become the unofficial organizer of those events — a role he says he got thrown into as passion for the team took off. For the first game of the finals Wednesday night, he organized a barbecue and potluck at the community's cultural centre. He said he's enjoyed seeing the community unite for the team.  

"I think it's just something great for the community that they get together and we just focus on one thing," he said. 

After posting online about the community's parade for the Oilers in the last round of the playoffs, Moosenose said people have been sharing like crazy and he's been receiving donations for more Oilers swag. He said people in Yellowknife 250 kilometres southeast of Whatı̀ and as far away as Whitecourt, Alta., have donated T-shirts and Oilers gear for the community. 

All that outpouring of support — and the effect he saw that have on his fellow residents — helped spark his own drive to celebrate.

"This whole entire Oilers fan club thing just took off. And you know, I think it's just something great for the community that they get together and we just focus on one thing and one thing only," he said.

Moosenose said he's never been a big Oilers fan himself — though he's reluctant to admit it — but even he is getting into cheering for the team. 

"[Seeing] the smiles and the joy ... the people actually love the Oilers and they're huge fans, and I ended up spending money on some merchandise myself," he said. 

Now the proud owner of an Oilers jersey and a hat, he said he's excited to be part of the celebration.

Meanwhile, Francis Beaverho and his son Bernard are spreading that Oilers spirit to other communities. 

The father and son, also from Whatı̀, drive their truck — decked out in towering Oilers flags — around Yellowknife and up the road to Dettah. 

Beaverho says he inherited his love of hockey from his dad. When people see his truck, he said, they're happy.

Some of his flags come from Edmonton — he buys them when he takes trips south. Some of them, he gives away to people who are as excited for the team as he is.

He and Bernard say they love hearing people honk and cheer when they see his vehicle.

For the athletes on the ice, Beaverho has one message: "Let's go Oilers!"