Stanley Cup Finals: Longtime Oilers fan from Europe travels between Edmonton, Florida for games
Christian Huegl has been loyal to the Edmonton Oilers ever since the hockey fan born in Germany picked up a copy of NHL 98 and fell in love with how the team was portrayed in the video game.
“When I put on my jersey, I felt so much pride," Huegl said.
Huegl has been to Edmonton twice to see the Oilers play - the first time was the last game the team played at Rexall Place. Then two years ago, he went to a few home games during the playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings. But he always wanted to see his team make it to the Stanley Cup Final.
“I decided back in ’06 when they lost to Carolina (Hurricanes), if I have the chance to make it when they advance the next time to the final, I will do it,” he said.
He now lives in Switzerland and flew 11 hours to Miami to see Game 5, in which the Oilers defeated the Florida Panthers to extend the series. Huegl will travel to Edmonton for Game 6.
“You cannot plan to have success, so who knows if they make it next year?" he said.
For more info, please go to globalnews.ca/news/10574251/e...
Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on X HERE: bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews #Oilers #EdmontonOilers #StanleyCup
@edmontonoilers
Пікірлер: 111
What a beauty. Hopefully he gets treated like he just became a part of an Edmonton family when he travels to Alberta. Great story!
@Ryan-yi5ro
8 күн бұрын
Hopefully somebody hooks him up at the EDM game.
@tudormiller887
Сағат бұрын
Amazing! What's the furthest a Florida fan has to travel to watch a game ? 🤔🏒🏆
I can’t wait till he goes to Edmonton and hears the fans sing the Canadian national anthem. He will get goosebumps
@chrisullrich5740
8 күн бұрын
It’s my dream to go to Edmonton for a game.
@KamilRozkopal
7 күн бұрын
I get goosebumps just by watching it in TV
@nopenada2271
6 күн бұрын
Was there for the 2 last regular season games, drove from BC. Hadn't seen a hame in 25 years and the anthem almost had me weeping
@MoreSaladDressing
5 күн бұрын
Which version? 😅😅😅😅
that's crazy. i immediately just assumed he was a fan of drai(lol) but he's been a fan since '98? gah damn. win or lose, the oilers are lucky to have fans like this. i hope they win it just for this guy lol
@tudormiller887
Сағат бұрын
That's true commitment & dedication. Are Florida fans that dedicated to their franchise ? 🤔🏒
He’s a real one since 06!!! That’s some enduring to go through and not give up.
@l.c.3150
7 күн бұрын
Since 1998
@kode-man23
7 күн бұрын
@@l.c.3150 Yeah but those were some fun teams around that time. Beat the Stars in 97, beat the Avs in 1998. Then they were usually always at least a plucky underdog team that made the playoffs more often than not. I guess that I should have been more clear that if you were a fan of this team between 06 and 2015, you’re a real fan of the team haha.
Talking earnestly about his pride in putting on the Oilers jersey - the pure essence of fandom. The NHL should make an ad about team loyalty with this man.
This man must protected at all costs
I hope bro gets the best hospitality of our fans here in edmonton but i know he will cause he’s wearing the right colours in the right city. Youre going to have a blast lets hope our boys keep playing strong
Ryan Smyth is an Icon in E-town as you know !! He gave Everything To Our Team !!! Roger’s Place will Blow You Away !! EnJoyyyyyy !!!
This guy's a beaut! You will never be alone watching Oilers games ever again. Get this man a Canadian Passport!
@999one
4 күн бұрын
He does or he wouldn’t have been able to go to Edmonton lol.
Welcome back to Edmonton. We are happy to have you back again... Go Oilers Go...
Oilers fans travel so damn well!!! Incredibly happy for this man!
Awesome. Oilers fan's all over the world. Go oilers
@tudormiller887
Сағат бұрын
Yeah! How many Florida fans (non north American) are there globally ? 🤔
What a beauty! Welcome to party in Edmonton any time!
@tudormiller887
Сағат бұрын
A party not a riot, unlike in Vancouver. 👍
We love you sir, thank you for visiting, if there is anything you need say the word here.
An Oilers fan from Switzerland. I hope the Oilers bring down the house on Friday for game 6, if nothing else, just for this man’s dedication to the team. What an awesome story!
@tudormiller887
Сағат бұрын
🇨🇭 ? 👍 I'm from 🇬🇧 ❤🇨🇦🏒
Global needs to find this guy before and after the game Friday here in Edmonton lol. Would make for great content!
Wow, what a great fan. Oil country will greet him with smiles and arms wide open.
He does not wash that jersey. I support that move
@Mark-kr5go
8 күн бұрын
Damn, can't unsee that lol
@alfyer5
7 күн бұрын
Superstition. Haven’t you seen Mcdavid’s socks? 😂
Oh man! This guys a beauty. True fan
Oiler Nation, reach out to this man and take care of him!
I love this guy
💙🧡 true fan! Welcome to Edmonton
Wow, I can only imagine the magic he must have felt during game 5 and 6!! ❤️❤️❤️
@videosbydrake
5 күн бұрын
Must’ve been priceless!! 🤯🤩
@lenaforsgren
5 күн бұрын
@@videosbydrake Yes! I hope he’ll get a ticket for game 7, although it seems to be fun watching the game on a big screen as well. Hopefully the game will be awesome whichever team wins!
What a beauty. Since Arnott
OMG i remember that scene of Jason Arnott from the nhl 98 intro! I love that it inspired him to cheer for the Oil.. Edmontonian here, this is just so cool. Hope you have the time of your life man, LETS GO OILERS
@jockejocke1
5 күн бұрын
Me too, I played NHL 94, 97, 98 and 99 a lot. 99 became my favorite and I played it for many years.
This warms my soul.
Awesomeness you bring great luck buddy thank you!
Respect for this fan, he is a true blue and orange die hard
I hope they show him at the game.
Love this guy,enjoy our victory tomorrow night.
what a beauty. hope you get a amazing game 6 in edmonton. go walking through the river valley when your there
Need a follow up from that guy during Game 6
I love watching things like this..way to go buddy! LETS GO OILERS!!!!!
@tudormiller887
Сағат бұрын
No matter the result, Oilers fans are so committed to the team & the franchise. If only Gary Bettman would watch this video. This is what many of those NHL expansion teams lack. 🇩🇪🏒🇨🇦
Superfan, lol. This guy is awesome.
That's awesome
RIP Hans
How great Welcome back to Oil Country Soon !!! Hardcore Fan, knows a lot you can tell !! Third time to Edmonton !!
Super Cool video and interview I hope he has the best time there in Edmonton
Come on Edmonton make him proud don’t let us down for Monday he must be so happy 😁 proud 😊so excited happy 😊
good story, hope they win!!!!
Solid! Welcome to YEG.
Awesome fan. Love you already buddy
This is a phenomenal story - and so is mine! Growing up back in Ontario in the 70's and 80's I was aware of Wayne Gretzky and remember when he scored the ridiculous number of goals in Pee Wee - 378 in ONE season. Then I saw him play in my hometown of Kingston when he was playing for the Sault Grey Hounds in the OHL. After that I saw his season in the WHA's Indianapolis followed by, well of course, the Oilers Dynasty. At the time I was a diehard Montreal Canadiens fan but EVERYONE was in awe of the Great One, regardless of what team you were supporting in the NHL - you were just proud he was Canadian, playing in Canada - the GOAT! Then the treasonous transfer to LA and our hearts were broken. I stopped watching hockey for several years. Then in 06, I was living in Vancouver and had some business in Edmonton. It coincided with an Oilers Anaheim playoff game so I went - they won - it was electric in Edmonton. That night Edmonton was the most fun city on the planet - horns blaring, high-fiving strangers, friendly Canadians having a city-wide party! I'll never forget it. This year - I am a Canucks fan, have been for years since I moved there in 96 (yes I know, I cheered for Edmonton in 06 but Van City was out and I ALWAYS support Canadian teams - F Gary Bettman you know?!). I thought the Canucks could go all the way but they didn't in spite of a valiant effort - Edmonton stopped them. At first I was pissed but then I said - OK Edmonton, if you beat my team then you had better go all the way to make it sting less. And look at you now - this could be the greatest Stanley Cup comeback in hockey history - indeed the greatest comeback in ANY sport (never even happened ONCE in basketball for example) - because in 42 when the Leafs became the ONLY team to ever come back and win the SC from 0-3 - it was WW2 and the talent was sparse. Doing it now, in the era of virtual talent equity in the NHL - is an almost superhuman feat. Not done yet but even coming back to 3-3 is one for the history books. However it is the WAY they came back that is truly historic - they shellacked Florida for 18 goals in those three games while only allowing 5. Can't wait for G7!!!!!!!!!!!! And those fans in Edmonton, and that city that I came to love over two decades ago - F'in Eh!!!!! Get 'er DONE!!!!
Great story!
Women in Florida take note: this man is committed!!!!!!!
If you are gonna win it for one person..this is the guy!
This guy is rad.
heck yes brother
How Greattttttt Oillllll Babyyyyy All On Board !!! Wait until You Experience Oil Countryyyyyy
What a beauty
Please Oilers win for this guy!
💙🧡💙🧡 WE WANT THE CUP !!
That's really cool I had a copy of NHL 98 when I was 12. It was my first PC hockey game.
@dmullz100
7 күн бұрын
Mine was 99 on PC, also had 06
That jersey has seen some things lol.
If he liked them in 98" then he would be losing mind in 85/86.
Yes come on let’s go Edmonton oilers 🧡💙🫶🧡💙🤍🧡💙🤍🙏🙏👏👏🏆🏆🙏🙏🤞🤞🥂🥳🥳🎖️🎖️yes bring the cup back home 🏡 finally
Welcome to Edmonton Strap yourself in for the ride in game 6
Let's go Oilers 🧡💙🧡💙💪🏆
....its just hockey brother.....RELAX
awesome
My most prized possesion is an oilers game puck signed by Ryan Smyth so I know how he feels
Glad you got to see game 6 ! Are you going to game 7 ? 😂
Would love to see his reaction to gane 6.
What's legend
I wish i had the money to do what this man does
@samuelc1817
8 күн бұрын
Most people were thinking that while they watched it. Your not alone sir
🇨🇭🏒🔥👍🏻 great fan! but I'm a panthers fan🇨🇭
That's awesome haha
🥰🥰🥰
This dude just walked 20 feet backwards throughout the entire interview. He probably didn't wanna catch COVID from that mic.
Well,I guess we will see him on Friday then lmao. GO OILERS GO !
Christian, du bist zu geil, du bist zu geil. du bist zu geil fur diese welt!!!!
Switzerland ?? I thought he is from Germany
@Fricky27
7 күн бұрын
The description says he was born in Germany, but now seems to life in Switzerland. I was also confused in the beginning.
damn he must be rich......
5:29 Drag them back to Edmonton
☯️✌️📺
That’s a jersey that needs a serious washing, with a lil more love
He must a rich man or living off his credit card like most Canadians and Americans 😂😂😂
HOCKEY!! That's enough..
Barkov's dad is a traitor!
This is an awesome real life story! He began following hockey in 1998.. I had to retire from hockey work due to health issues end of 1998. My job came from Gretzky being traded to Kings in 1988. I have been rooting for Oilers to win Cup. They last won in 1990.. my first season of working LA hockey. It was bittersweet for Edmonton as Gretzky no longer there. This guy’s story just confirms why I love this game. It’s a world of community and intersecting moments. 🥅🏒🏆🌟🌟🌟
Must be nice to have 30k to spend watching millionaires skate around
@jacob1351
8 күн бұрын
Shush dude
@paulg6274
8 күн бұрын
You don't need 30k man. More like 5-6k including flights ect
@nello1591
8 күн бұрын
I mean if he planned on it since 2006 he may have saved money for when the time arrived.
@thecheesecakeman
8 күн бұрын
@@nello1591 he also has Euros so that's easy for him.
@ColdHardToronto
8 күн бұрын
You must be fun at parties
The rudest, most conceited and delusional fanbase there is...... sad.
Good stuff Ole boy