Hardcore hockey fan sings Oilers-themed parodies to spur support during playoffs
'(The reception has been) mainly positive,' 24-year-old Adam Zuniga told Global News from his home in Alberta's capital on Thursday as he — and the Oilers players, of course — mentally prepared for a crucial Game 6 in the team's opening-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.
'We went down 2-0 to L.A. and then the sky was falling to everyone else — not me.
'This is the time for these songs. … We need to get people back believing.'
Tweet This
Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is the time for these songs. … We need to get people back believing."
Like a hockey-crazed version of 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Zuniga has been posting videos of himself in Oilers-themed outfits, singing parodies of hit songs where he changes the words in an attempt to fire up members of Oil Country and put a smile on people's faces at the same time.
Story continues below advertisement
Examples of his work are 'Hey Nuge,' a reinterpretation of The Beatles' Hey Jude to show respect for Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 'Zachary Hyman Baby,' which is a reworking of The Human League's 1980s hit Don't You Want Me Baby to honour the hardworking Oilers winger, and 'Boosh Boosh Boosh Boosh' about Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard, which is a new version of Boom Boom Boom Boom by the dance-pop group Vengaboys.
Zuniga said putting together the parody songs usually takes him less than 20 minutes and said his recipe is to use the catchiest or the most annoying songs that everyone will know.
'Camera on (or) camera off, it's the same stuff… Nothing is fake. That's who I am,' he said of his social media video posts.
View full screen
View full screen
Previous Image
Next Image
Close Modal Gallery
Zuniga said during the Oilers' 2024 playoff run, which saw them reach Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, he had been making videos and just sharing them with friends and family.
Story continues below advertisement
They told him he should share them with a wider audience, but he feared potential embarrassment. This post-season, he changed his mind.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'After last year and making the (Stanley Cup) final and being that close, I'm like, 'This year, I feel like I've got to do it,'' he said. 'We need something to push these boys all the way this year.''
Zuniga noted even some fans of the Calgary Flames, the Oilers' natural provincial rivals, have given him a thumbs-up.
'I've had Flames fans comment: 'I'm a Flames fan, I hate the Oilers, but this is awesome.''
Tweet This
Click to share quote on Twitter: "I've had Flames fans comment: 'I'm a Flames fan, I hate the Oilers, but this is awesome.'"
On Thursday night, the Oilers will host the Kings at Rogers Place with a chance to eliminate L.A. from the playoffs after rebounding from going winless in their first two games to earning three victories in a row.
Despite Edmonton leading the series 3-2, many Oilers fans have been emotionally tested with a wild roller-coaster of a series that has seen each team dominate at times and with most games seeing frantic action in the third period.
'Full belief,' Zuniga said, adding that when it comes to supporting their team, Oilers fans 'do it better than anybody.'
Story continues below advertisement
'It makes them (Oilers players) want to play harder,' he added.
Zuniga's loud and lively support for the Oilers is something he believes stems from his family and his childhood.
'My parents were just as psychotic about this team as I am,' he explained. '(And) I text my grandmother every game. She doesn't miss a game.'
He said he has supported the Oilers even when the club was not very good, including during what fans have dubbed 'The Decade of Darkness,' a long run of seasons in which the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.
'I saw a lot of losses, but (former Oilers arena) Rexall (Place) — that whole childhood, I wouldn't change it for anything,' he said.
He added that with a team led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, he believes it's hard for any Oilers fan not to have faith in their ability to win.
To see more of Adam Zuniga's videos, check out his TikTok account.
–With files from Global News' Jaclyn Kucey
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
This fresh face on the Edmonton Oilers' Top Prospects list will attempt to buck long NHL odds
We will kick off our 2025 Cult of Hockey Prospect Series where we typically do, which is…at the bottom. Article content Today, I will cover all the forwards ranked 34-21. Tomorrow, David Staples will do the Defencemen and Goaltenders in that same range. Then, we will go from #20 to #1 between now and training camp. Who will garner top spot? Article content This series of articles has always strived to be a number of things, long before I was a member of the CoH staff. That includes being comprehensive. We intentionally cast a wide net. Players only fall off the list once they: Article content Article content -Make the NHL -Get dealt to a different organization -Age out, or… -Drop off the map. Article content Article content By their very definition, these guys are distant bells. At best, one of more of them may become a useful NHL Bottom-six regular. But most will never play actual NHL games, let alone have a significant role with the big club. And to be frank, some of these guys are rated as high as they are because the organization is not flush with prospects to begin with. Article content And look: When your club hockey is knocking on the door for a Stanley Cup, and have been in the final two years running, part of the price of that success is the spending of draft picks. Article content (Voters: David Staples, Kurt Leavins, Jim Matheson, Ira Cooper. The average of our four votes determined each prospect's standing). Article content Park (Unranked in 2024). Selected in Round 7 of the 2025 draft, #223 overall. Made an initial splash by sticking around in his hoodie on draft day as he lived just around the corner and was rewarded with the spotlight. The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakout year with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. The 6'1, 188 LB right-shot Center put up 33-33-66 in 55 GP. Added 49 PIM. Scouts describe him as a tenacious, two-way forward who plays quick and smart. Our Cult of Hockey Draft Day summary can be found here. At just 19, Park would seem to be the one guy out of this lot with an outside shot. So, keep an eye out for him. But there is a long road to go. The numbers say that guys from Round 7 only have a 10% chance of playing 100+ NHL games. And three out of four will never see the ice. Park's Uncle is retired NHL forward Richard Park. Article content Article content Grubbe (Ranked 10 in 2024). Grubbe has toiled in the depths of the Oilers organization for a couple years now. The 6'3, 200LB Calgary native was drafted by the Rangers in Round 3, #65 overall in 2021. Worked himself up to a point per game player for the Red Deer Rebels by the time he graduated the WHL. Since being acquired by the Oilers, Grubbe has had two muted offensive seasons in Bakersfield, of 67-8-6-14 in 2-23-24 and 62-2-12-14 in 2024-25. Good friend of the CoH Ira Cooper who watches Bakersfield a great deal described Grubbe last Summer as 'A player the coach will play in tough situations at the AHL level, but questions arise regarding enough skill to translate for the NHL'. Outside shot at a Bottom-six role down the road a ways. Article content Copponi (19). A long shot selection by the Oilers in 2023, #216 overall in Round 7. After graduating from Hockey East (Merrimack for three years, Boston for one), the right shot Center got a productive cup of coffee with the Condors last season (3-0-2-2). Somewhat undersized at 5'11 180 LB, he was generally at or below a point per game in college. Recently signed a two-year AHL deal. Scouts say he is 'a high-energy player who definitely shows some good skill'. Projects as a middle-six AHL man.
Toronto Star
7 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Beyoncé wins first Emmy, for ‘Beyoncé Bowl' halftime show
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé has an Emmy to go with her 35 Grammys. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, her legal name, was listed as one of a half dozen people on a team that won outstanding costumes for a variety, nonfiction or reality show for 'Beyoncé Bowl,' her Western-themed halftime show on Netflix's Christmas NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Beyoncé wins first Emmy, for ‘Beyoncé Bowl' halftime show
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé has an Emmy to go with her 35 Grammys. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, her legal name, was listed as one of a half dozen people on a team that won outstanding costumes for a variety, nonfiction or reality show for 'Beyoncé Bowl,' her Western-themed halftime show on Netflix's Christmas NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. The show in her hometown of Houston brought the live debut of songs from her 'Cowboy Carter' album. The special Emmy is Beyoncé's first. She has been nominated for 10 others without a victory. And it takes her halfway to an EGOT with her 35 Grammys. She still needs a Tony and an Oscar to complete the quartet. The award was among a handful of so-called juried Emmys announced Tuesday that are determined outside the regular voting process and given out by committees, with no official nominees. They are usually highly technical — several involve individual elements of the animation process — and rarely go to famous names. They are announced in advance and handed out at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony next month. Beyoncé is also nominated for best variety special as a producer of 'Beyoncé Bowl' and for best direction of a variety special. Her husband, Jay-Z, is competing against her as an executive producer of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show.
