Oilers’ Jake Walman Turns Everyday Store Run into Lasting Memory for Young Fans
What began as a simple family errand turned into a heartwarming encounter that the Stephens family will remember for years. All thanks to Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman. On Friday, Adam and Angela Stephens were out shopping with their three children: Luke (9), Jake (7), and Emma (5) when the boys convinced their parents to visit the trading cards aisle. Luke was browsing for Pokémon cards while Jake Walman scanned the shelves. That’s when they unexpectedly ran into Walman, who was there picking up a tin of cards himself. A known Pokémon enthusiast, the Oilers blueliner struck up a friendly conversation with the kids, asking if they were Oilers fans and who their favorite players were. The boys are named Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Then came the surprise: Jake Walman revealed who he was and asked if they’d heard of Jake Walman. Jake immediately responded, “My dad loves him, he was so happy when they traded for him.” What followed was a 10-minute conversation covering everything from hockey to Pokémon to Minecraft. Walman then offered to buy each of the kids a box of trading cards, with their parents’ permission, of course. For little Emma, who doesn’t collect cards, he picked out a Minecraft stuffed toy instead. The moment didn’t end there. The family snapped a photo with Walman, which went viral over the weekend. The Stephens kids became “mini celebrities” at their school, Lakeland Ridge in Sherwood Park, Alberta, where the photo is now destined for the school’s Oilers wall just in time for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. At media day, Walman reflected on the encounter: “I like doing that stuff. I think we’re in a position to be able to do that kind of thing and make people’s day. So, I always try to interact with fans or kids.” Adam, who works in the children’s wing at Royal Alexandra Hospital, has seen NHL players make time for young fans before, but said this encounter was unique: “He could have slipped by unnoticed, but he chose to be kind and present. That’s what made it special.” Now, the Stephens children are even more devoted to the Oilers. “They all want his jersey now,” Adam said. “And my daughter won’t stop saying his name. She even named her stuffed animal after him.” Sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest impact and this one may have created lifelong fans.
