Canada's new prime minister practised with the Edmonton Oilers, the NHL team he continues to cheer on.
Mark Carney took the ice with the Oilers on Thursday ahead of the team's clash against the Winnipeg Jets, which rank second in the NHL.
Carney was sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minster on March 14. Since then, he spent the past week visiting leaders in France, the United Kingdom and Iqaluit before taking some shots on net on Thursday. The 60-year-old wore an Oilers jersey with his nameplate and the No. 24 on the back.
"Obviously nice to have him here," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said after practice. "He's an Oilers fan, lifelong Oilers fan, and Oilers fans are welcome here for sure, so definitely a unique thing."
Carney was born in Fort Smith, N.W.T., but grew up in Edmonton while Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey led the team to Stanley Cup championships.
He even mentioned the Oilers in his speech after winning the Liberal party leadership race to replace outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau on March 9.
"Yes, we can argue about politics. We can argue about hockey. We can even be an Oilers fan in Ottawa," Carney said at the time. "This is a free country. But when it comes to Canada, we are all on the same side."
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch appreciated Carney's support.
"I assume not too many former prime ministers have been Oiler fans, so it's nice to have one that cheers for the good team," he told reporters.
Carney chatted with players and coaches and even helped out with drills – although his skates hinted at his usual position on the ice.
"Looks like he was a goalie with those goalie skates," McDavid said.
Indeed he was, putting on the pads as a third-string goaltender for Harvard University's varsity squad in the mid-1980s. He didn't start in net for a game, but he did play part of a 10-2 win for the Crimson against Colgate, stopping all the shots he faced, according to the Harvard Crimson. He was even roommates with former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, who captained the team during Carney's senior year.
Carney later became the backup goalie on the University of Oxford's men's hockey team. But despite his hockey experience, he wasn't a practice goalie for the Oilers on Thursday.
"I'm not sure the security detail would like that very much," McDavid said.
Where Have All The NHL's 50-Goal Scorers Gone?Eighty years ago today, Maurice 'Rocket' Richard set the gold standard for goals in an NHL season. He became the first player in history to record a 50-goal season.
The Oilers host the Jets at 9 p.m. ET. As for Carney, he's expected to meet with Alberta premier Danielle Smith, according to the Canadian Press.
- Jonathan Tovell contributed to this report.
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