Sure, each professional sports team has its superstars — but it also needs its cult heroes.
So, why not wear gear inspired by everyone’s favourite gap-toothed Oiler, Ryan McLeod?
Flannel Foxes, the Edmonton-born clothing line, is collaborating with the speedy Oilers winger on a collection of “Cloudy” gear, with all profits earmarked for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
The seeds for this partnership were sown during the 2022 Christmas season. The Flannel Foxes team was selling gear at the Royal Bison, when an enthusiastic shopper told them he really liked their stuff, and dropped the hint that McLeod might be up for a collaboration. Turns out that the person was connected to the West Edmonton Volkswagen dealership, and knew the forward.
In 2023, Flannel Foxes co-owner Mike Lundy and McLeod put their heads together on the project.
“We started working together in September, and we wanted to create designs he could be proud of,” says Lundy.
“It was unreal,” McLeod said of working with Lundy. “He was so good. I didn’t have to do much, I just gave him a couple of things that I liked, and he did an amazing job. I’m super happy, and I can’t tell you enough good things about it.”
One of the designs has mercurial wings on skates, an homage to McLeod’s speed — which is especially fitting after McLeod took top spot in the Oilers’ recent fastest skater competition.
“That was all (Mike), he killed it with that one,” said McLeod.
Another has a puck bearing a gap-toothed smile, which is a nod to McLeod’s missing front teeth.
“He’s a big, smiley guy,” says Lundy. “I just love seeing that smile when he scores.”
And, as an expectant father, Lundy says knowing that the Stollery is there to look after the sick kids in the region, is a comfort. McLeod is also deeply committed to the hospital; to him, it’s more than an annual visit from the hockey team.
The gear can be ordered through the Flannel Foxes website or found at VW West Edmonton.
