Ben Stelter immortalized in sand by Toronto artist James Sun
As many Edmontonians mourn the loss of the Oilers' smallest playoff ambassador, Ben Stelter, an artist across the country is also paying homage.
James Sun is a Toronto artist who uses coloured sand to create layered works of art. When he heard that Stelter had died, he said he wanted to create a piece commemorating the energy the six-year-old superfan put out into the world.
“All around the world, people saw his story,” said Sun, adding that he wanted to capture Stelter’s iconic moment in time.
“It really touched me, because his smile – you know, he’s a little guy but he’s got a lot of energy and he inspired a lot of people, even the teams.”
The piece took Sun 24 hours over two days to complete. When finished, he sent it to the Oilers and they posted it on their Instagram. Sun said the timelapse has gotten over a million views, and he’s received positive feedback on the piece.
Sun has recently been in contact with Stelter’s father, talking about where the piece will go and if the family or the Oilers will keep it.
BEN'S BURGER
Closer to home, another tribute to Stelter is taking place at three restaurants in Edmonton. Woodshed Burgers have made the ‘Ben Burger’ a permanent fixture on their menus.
The Ben Burger (Source: The Woodshed) was created in honour of 5-year-old Ben Stelter (Source: Edmonton Oilers).The burger was designed by Paul Shufelt, Woodshed chef and owner, and Stelter as a fundraiser for the Kids with Cancer Society during the Oilers’ spring playoff run. It’s basically a bacon cheeseburger, but with ketchup on both buns – just the way Stelter liked it.
Woodshed announced on Instagram Monday that the burger would be put on the menu at all three locations indefinitely, with $1 from each one sold going to the Kids with Cancer Society.
“We fell in love with him,” Shufelt said. “What a great kid and courageous kid.”
“He left a lot of marks on this community and people won’t soon forget his impact.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.