By Matthew Roscoe • Updated: 11 Aug 2022 • 11:00
Heartbreak as young Edmonton Oilers fan Ben Stelter dies aged 6. Image: Mike Stelter/Twitter
Ben Stelter’s dad Mike shared the sad news via a tweet, writing: “The world lost the most special boy and an absolute hero last night.”
“Ben, you were the best son we could ever hope for and you were my best bud ever. Your sisters were so lucky to have you as such a sweet brother. You fought so long and hard and beat so many odds.”
He added: “You truly changed the world and did so much good in your short time here. Mom and I are so proud of you. You had a bigger heart than anyone we’ve ever met. Our hearts are left with a Ben sized hole in them and life will never be the same without you. We are absolutely crushed.”
You truly changed the world and did so much good in your short time here. Mom and I are so proud of you. You had a bigger heart than anyone we’ve ever met. Our hearts are left with a Ben sized hole in them and life will never be the same without you. We are absolutely crushed. — Mike Stelter (@m_dan25) August 10, 2022
You truly changed the world and did so much good in your short time here. Mom and I are so proud of you. You had a bigger heart than anyone we’ve ever met. Our hearts are left with a Ben sized hole in them and life will never be the same without you. We are absolutely crushed.
— Mike Stelter (@m_dan25) August 10, 2022
Hundreds of tributes flooded social media following the news.
The Edmonton Oilers wrote: “We are mourning the passing of our dear friend, number one #Oilers fan, good luck charm & inspiration, Ben Stelter. Although small in stature, Ben’s impact on our team & community were massive. Play La Bamba, baby. 💙🧡”
We are mourning the passing of our dear friend, number one #Oilers fan, good luck charm & inspiration, Ben Stelter. Although small in stature, Ben's impact on our team & community were massive. Play La Bamba, baby. 💙🧡 — Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) August 10, 2022
We are mourning the passing of our dear friend, number one #Oilers fan, good luck charm & inspiration, Ben Stelter.
Although small in stature, Ben's impact on our team & community were massive.
Play La Bamba, baby. 💙🧡
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) August 10, 2022
The NHL wrote: “We join the hockey world in mourning the loss of young @EdmontonOilers fan Ben Stelter.”
We join the hockey world in mourning the loss of young @EdmontonOilers fan Ben Stelter. pic.twitter.com/G95mwEc5uT — NHL (@NHL) August 10, 2022
We join the hockey world in mourning the loss of young @EdmontonOilers fan Ben Stelter. pic.twitter.com/G95mwEc5uT
— NHL (@NHL) August 10, 2022
Ryan Dittrick wrote: “My deepest condolences to you and your family, Mike. Ben was a special young man and is a hero to so many. Thank you for sharing his story and giving the hockey world a chance to rally around and give him the experience of a lifetime. The smile on his face said it all.”
My deepest condolences to you and your family, Mike. Ben was a special young man and is a hero to so many. Thank you for sharing his story and giving the hockey world a chance to rally around and give him the experience of a lifetime. The smile on his face said it all. — Ryan Dittrick (@ryandittrick) August 10, 2022
My deepest condolences to you and your family, Mike. Ben was a special young man and is a hero to so many. Thank you for sharing his story and giving the hockey world a chance to rally around and give him the experience of a lifetime. The smile on his face said it all.
— Ryan Dittrick (@ryandittrick) August 10, 2022
“Mike, I am so heartbroken for you and your family. Ben captivated the hearts of not only Edmonton but the Oilers, the NHL and the world. Losing a child is devastating no matter their age or health. I grieve with you. May he fly with angels and Rest in eternal peace 💔🙏🏻” one person wrote.
https://twitter.com/grossvatterb/status/1557466100756975616?s=21&t=hE5PivzC0AS3kXeyNaVkvQ
Another said: “Truly heartbreaking. Rest in peace little man. What a fighter ❤️”
Truly heartbreaking. Rest in peace little man. What a fighter ❤️ https://t.co/nmYXthH99Z — Ryley (@RyleyKabyn) August 10, 2022
Truly heartbreaking. Rest in peace little man. What a fighter ❤️ https://t.co/nmYXthH99Z
— Ryley (@RyleyKabyn) August 10, 2022
Bakersfield Condors wrote: “Condolences from Condorstown to your entire family.”
Condolences from Condorstown to your entire family. — Bakersfield Condors (@Condors) August 10, 2022
Condolences from Condorstown to your entire family.
— Bakersfield Condors (@Condors) August 10, 2022
Another wrote: “The coolest card I have. Thanks for sharing Ben with us and letting the world meet Ben.”
The coolest card I have. Thanks for sharing Ben with us and letting the world meet Ben. pic.twitter.com/Ea2sXszL0f — Heatbag (@Heatbag94) August 10, 2022
The coolest card I have. Thanks for sharing Ben with us and letting the world meet Ben. pic.twitter.com/Ea2sXszL0f
— Heatbag (@Heatbag94) August 10, 2022
“Crushed to say the least 😞😢 Glad I could be a small part in Ben’s life and give him some smiles ❤️ Rest In Peace little buddy and let’s play some mini-sticks and Lego’s when I see you again 🙏🏻 Love you all ❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻” another person on Twitter wrote.
Crushed to say the least 😞😢 Glad I could be a small part in Ben’s life and give him some smiles ❤️ Rest In Peace little buddy and let’s play some mini-sticks and Lego’s when I see you again 🙏🏻 Love you all ❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Zcl9kJ37sd — Derek Stokke (@SpoonMan34) August 10, 2022
Crushed to say the least 😞😢 Glad I could be a small part in Ben’s life and give him some smiles ❤️ Rest In Peace little buddy and let’s play some mini-sticks and Lego’s when I see you again 🙏🏻 Love you all ❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Zcl9kJ37sd
— Derek Stokke (@SpoonMan34) August 10, 2022
Lowetide wrote: “Your son brought so much joy while showing great courage. What a brave soul. We’re all better for having known him, thank you for sharing him with us. I hope you and your family find peace in the coming days. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Your son brought so much joy while showing great courage. What a brave soul. We're all better for having known him, thank you for sharing him with us. I hope you and your family find peace in the coming days. I'm so sorry for your loss. — Lowetide (@Lowetide) August 10, 2022
Your son brought so much joy while showing great courage. What a brave soul. We're all better for having known him, thank you for sharing him with us. I hope you and your family find peace in the coming days. I'm so sorry for your loss.
— Lowetide (@Lowetide) August 10, 2022
Another said: “I’m so sorry for your loss. Ben was and will always continue to be an inspiration. Always had a smile on his face in every video, was tremendous to see.”
I’m so sorry for your loss. Ben was and will always continue to be an inspiration. Always had a smile on his face in every video, was tremendous to see. — Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) August 10, 2022
I’m so sorry for your loss. Ben was and will always continue to be an inspiration. Always had a smile on his face in every video, was tremendous to see.
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) August 10, 2022
Over a year ago, Ben was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer known as glioblastoma.
According to local media reports, the youngster underwent four rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatment sessions to remove it.
However, the tumour returned just before Christmas and Ben was forced to go through more rounds of radiation.
Speaking NHL.com back in April, Mike Stelter said: “The Oilers have been so amazing to him.
“They’ve been a world-class organisation for how they treated him. We didn’t expect everything to blow up as it has, but they’ve helped make it happen with him along the whole way.”
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Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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