Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney... - Source: Getty

Canada PM Mark Carney sends a message to Connor McDavid's Edmonton Oilers before Game 1 of 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs

Modified Apr 22, 2025 01:15 GMT

The Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid received a heartfelt message from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ahead of their Game 1 matchup against the LA Kings on Monday night.

Carney, who has been a very outspoken fan of the Edmonton Oilers, shared his support for the Alberta-based club on social media.

Here’s a look at Carney’s message:

“The quest for the Cup begins tonight in LA. To the best team in hockey: you know what to do.”

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Carney has replaced Justin Trudeau as Canada’s foremost political leader. Unlike Trudeau and other former Canadian Prime Ministers, Carney hasn’t been shy to publicize his NHL allegiances. Shortly after residence at 10 Downing Street, Carney visited the Oilers at their practice facility, meeting Connor McDavid after the team’s morning skate.

The meeting drew mixed reactions from hockey fans across Canada, as some fans felt uneasy about their Prime Minister’s clear NHL affiliations.

In the meantime, Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will take on the LA Kings in Game 1 of their opening-round series of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, with Edmonton looking to return to the Cup Final after a disappointing ending to last season’s historic run.

Connor McDavid and Edmonton Oilers looking to shake Carney Curse

Following Carney’s visit to Oilers’ practice in late March, the club was beset with a series of injuries. Among them, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl went down. Other key players like goaltender Stuart Skinner and Mattias Ekholm also hit the shelf.

The decimated Oilers limped across the finish line during the regular season. That situation has prompted fans and some local media to declare the “Carney Curse,” as a disastrous string of injuries hit the club following the Canadian Prime Minister’s visit.

In a March 20 post, Spittin’ Chiclets host Ryan Whitney took to X to share his views on the so-called Carney Curse. He stated bluntly:

“The Carney Curse is real for Edmonton. What the h*ll just happened. Guy is on the ice with the Oil this morning and now everyone is injured.”

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The post highlighted the strange coincidence between Carney’s visit and the Oilers’ sudden rash of injuries. The loss of Connor McDavid stung, though he and Draisaitl will likely be back in time for the playoffs.

It remains to be seen if the Carney Curse will carry over to the playoffs, or if it is nothing more than a strange coincidence.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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