Alberta premier says she’s invited Prime Minister Carney to Oilers playoff game

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, made his allegiance to the home team clear when he stopped at Rogers Place to skate with the Oilers in March.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has invited Prime Minister Mark Carney to watch an Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup final game.

Speaking to The Canadian Press in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Smith said she’s waiting to see if Carney will join her for Game 5, which could take place next weekend ahead of the G7 conference in Kananaskis, Alta.

Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, made his allegiance to the home team clear when he stopped at Rogers Place to skate with the Oilers in March. That was his first visit to the city after being sworn in as Liberal leader, replacing Justin Trudeau.

“I am pleased to see that we at least have a prime minister who knows what team to root for,” Smith said.

The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. In response to a request for further details, Smith’s press secretary Sam Blackett offered a brief statement.

“Let’s see if the series goes to five games first,” he said.

It would be the first game Smith has publicly acknowledged planning to attend during this year’s Oilers NHL playoff run.

Last year, the premier and some of her cabinet members faced criticism for accepting free luxury box tickets to playoff games.