For Red Deer’s Kyle Thibeault, Game 6 of the Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup playoff series will forever hold a place in his heart—and not just because of what happened on the ice. Just hours before the puck dropped, Thibeault got the kind of phone call most people only dream about. He was the winner of the Oilers Playoffs 50/50 draw, and his prize? A life-changing $3.2 million.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Thibeault told Jessica Kent in an interview before the game. “I actually thought someone was pulling a prank. You never think it’s going to be you.”
But it was. And Thibeault, a lifelong Oilers fan and Red Deer native, wasted no time turning fantasy into reality. His first order of business? Fulfilling a dream he’s carried for over two decades.
“I’ve always wanted to open a classic car restoration shop,” he said. “It’s something I’ve talked about with my dad since I was a teenager. And now, I can finally do it.”
Thibeault, who works in construction and has spent most of his adult life doing contract jobs around central Alberta, says he’s never been a guy who takes big risks. The $20 he put into the 50/50 draw was part of a routine he started during last year’s playoffs.
“Even when I don’t have a lot of extra money, I always make sure to throw in for the 50/50,” he said. “It’s a fun way to support the team and maybe help out local charities.”
That modest contribution paid off big this time, and it couldn’t have happened to a more down-to-earth guy.
Friends and family describe Thibeault as generous, hard-working, and humble—someone who always makes time to help others and never looks for the spotlight. His phone has been ringing nonstop since the announcement, but he’s quick to emphasize that the money won’t change who he is.
“I’m still the same guy,” he said. “I’m not going to start buying Ferraris or flying private jets. But I will be setting up something that makes me excited to get out of bed every morning.”
Thibeault’s passion for classic cars began as a kid, working alongside his father in their garage in Red Deer. They spent weekends tinkering with old pickups, sanding down rust, and talking horsepower.
“We never had the money to do a full restoration, but we’d pick up old project cars and do what we could,” he said. “It was less about making them perfect and more about spending time together.”
That father-son bond fueled a dream: one day owning a fully equipped restoration shop that could turn beat-up classics into showpieces. With his newfound fortune, that vision is no longer a pipe dream.
“Now I can actually buy the tools, the space, and bring in a couple of the guys I’ve worked with over the years,” Thibeault said. “I want it to be a place where people feel like they’re part of something special.”
He’s already begun scouting properties in the Red Deer area and hopes to open his doors within the next year.
When news broke that Thibeault was the lucky winner, Oilers fans across social media celebrated as though the team had scored a game-winner in overtime. Comments poured in on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, praising the team for giving back and hailing Thibeault as a deserving winner.
Jessica Kent’s video interview with Thibeault quickly went viral, capturing the pure joy and disbelief on his face. “You could tell it meant the world to him,” one fan wrote. “This is the kind of story that makes Oilers Nation proud.”
And it wasn’t just fans taking notice. Oilers team staff sent a signed jersey to Thibeault, congratulating him on the win. Even a few players offered their congrats during pregame interviews.
“You hear stories like that and it reminds you why we play,” said Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. “It’s more than hockey. It’s about community and connection.”
Thibeault says he’s already spoken with financial advisors to make sure the money is handled wisely. He plans to pay off his mortgage, invest a portion of the winnings, and put some aside for his niece and nephew’s education.
But he’s also determined to give back. He’s setting up a local sponsorship fund aimed at supporting trade students in the Red Deer area.
“There are a lot of kids like me who love working with their hands but can’t afford the tools or schooling,” he said. “If I can help even one of them chase their dream, it’s worth it.”
He also hopes to partner with local nonprofits and offer job placements at his future restoration shop for youth looking to learn a trade.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky,” Thibeault said. “Now it’s my turn to pay that forward.”
Thibeault’s night at Rogers Place was unforgettable. Sitting just behind the bench thanks to complimentary seats provided by the Oilers, he got a standing ovation when introduced on the big screen during a timeout.
“I thought I was going to melt,” he laughed. “I’ve never felt anything like that.”
Though the Oilers lost Game 6 in a tight contest, Thibeault left the arena smiling ear to ear. Win or lose, his life had already changed forever.
“I’ll remember this night for the rest of my life,” he said. “Not just because of the money, but because of the energy, the people, and the love in that building.”
Even with $3.2 million in the bank, Thibeault says he won’t be quitting his day job just yet. He plans to finish his current contract, honor his commitments, and then transition into full-time work on his dream project.
“I’ve always believed in hard work,” he said. “This money is a blessing, but I still want to earn what I build next.”
As for extravagant purchases, there’s only one thing on his list: a mint-condition 1969 Chevy Camaro. “That’s my holy grail,” he grinned. “Once I’ve got that in the shop, then I’ll know it’s real.”
In a time when stories of lottery winners sometimes come with cautionary tales, Kyle Thibeault’s journey is refreshingly grounded. He’s not running off to Vegas. He’s not buying yachts. He’s buying sandpaper, socket wrenches, and shop lights.
Most of all, he’s staying true to the values that shaped him—family, community, and a deep love for Alberta hockey.
“Every time I walk into that shop, I’ll be thinking of my dad, of all those nights under the hood, and of what the Oilers have meant to me and my family,” he said. “This win isn’t just mine. It belongs to everyone who’s ever believed that good things come to good people.”
For Oilers fans, Game 6 may have ended with disappointment on the scoreboard, but for one man from Red Deer, it marked the beginning of something much bigger—a dream realized, a life changed, and a reminder that sometimes, in the unlikeliest moments, hope really does win big.
