ANNOUNCEMENT: Superstitious Edmonton Oilers supporters were alarmed when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl touched the allegedly cursed Conference Championship trophy prior to the…..view more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Superstitious Edmonton Oilers Supporters Alarmed After McDavid and Draisaitl Touch ‘Cursed’ Conference Championship Trophy

EDMONTON, AB –

Edmonton Oilers fans are buzzing with both celebration and concern after a superstitious taboo was broken following the team’s victory in the Western Conference Final. Stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl sparked controversy among fans when they touched—and even lifted—the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, a move widely considered bad luck by traditionalists.

The Oilers clinched their spot in the Stanley Cup Final with a commanding Game 6 win over the [opponent], but the celebration took an eerie turn during the trophy presentation. In hockey lore, it’s considered bad luck for players to touch the conference championship trophy, as it’s seen as a mere stepping stone to the real prize—the Stanley Cup. Most teams elect to pose stoically beside it, avoiding contact entirely.

However, McDavid and Draisaitl defied the superstition. McDavid grinned as he placed both hands on the trophy, lifting it for a brief photo op, while Draisaitl gave it a firm pat and nodded approvingly.

The move left many Oilers supporters unnerved. Social media was immediately ablaze with reactions ranging from humorous acceptance to outright panic.

“Great, we just kissed our Cup chances goodbye,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“If anyone can break the curse, it’s McDavid and Leon,” another countered.

This isn’t the first time a team has broken the tradition—some past Cup winners have touched the conference trophy, while others who avoided it still fell short. The superstitions, while deeply rooted in NHL culture, are far from a proven science.

Team captain McDavid shrugged off the concern in a brief postgame interview, saying, “We earned this. But it’s not the one we want.”

The Oilers now shift focus to the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 scheduled for next week. Whether the “curse” has been invoked or broken will be revealed on the biggest stage in hockey.