Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago this week, ink hardly dry on my University of Alberta business degree, I started selling season tickets for the Edmonton Oilers hockey club.
Those were difficult years, post-dynasty in a tough Canadian economy, and our small Edmonton market was in imminent danger of losing our NHL team to a wealthy U.S. buyer, but then something magical happened. Edmontonians stepped up in spectacular fashion, cobbling together complicated season ticket-sharing schemes with their friends, family and neighbours to, in mere months, double our season ticket base to save the Oilers from the American threat.
Over my 10 years there, and for 20 more years since, the Oilers fan base has never wavered in its support. In recent years, Oilers fans have been rewarded with one of the most exciting teams in the history of our great game. Today, the Oilers stand once again on the edge of glory, an entire nation cheering them on.
I know that all members of this House, rarely united on anything, can unite behind this remarkable Oilers team. At this one critical moment in history, it is undoubtedly Canada's team. Bring it home, boys.