Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard battles memory of hitting post in Game 7 of Stanley Cup final

Evan Bouchard’s heart still sinks when he recalls that moment: the sound of the puck clanging off the post in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. The arena was electric, the stakes impossibly high, and he had a clear shot. As the puck slid across the ice, hope surged through him. He could almost see the victory in sight—a dream realized, a city behind him, a legacy being forged

But as the shot rang out, a haunting silence followed, and reality struck. The post was a cruel reminder of how close he had come. In the days that followed, Bouchard wrestled with a mix of frustration and determination. The weight of disappointment loomed large, but he understood that moments like this define a player. They shape resilience and forge character.

Every time he steps on the ice, he feels that memory, but he’s learned to channel it into motivation. Bouchard knows the journey is far from over. The lessons from that night—about focus, precision, and tenacity—fuel his drive. With each practice, each game, he pushes to turn that painful memory into fuel for future success, ready to help lead the Oilers back to the pinnacle of the sport. The post may have denied him once, but it won’t again.