The ‘Steaks’ Are High as Alberta Premier Makes Stanley Cup Wager With Texas Governor

Nils Hoglander of the Vancouver Canucks can only watch as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard celebrates his goal in Game 7 of a second-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Vancouver, Canada on May 20, 2024. Bob Frid/USA TODAY via Field Level Media

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has made another hockey wager on the Edmonton Oilers, who will be facing off with the Dallas Stars in the NHL Western Conference finals.

After winning Game 7 against the Vancouver Canucks, the Oilers are heading to Dallas for the first game against the Stars on May 23.

Premier Smith invited Texas Governor Greg Abbott to make a bet with her over the upcoming hockey series.

“The Edmonton Oilers are facing off against the Dallas Stars soon! It seems only fitting that I challenge my counterpart Governor @GregAbbott_TX to a bet,” she said in a May 21 post on X, formerly Twitter.

“When the Oilers beat the Stars, you must eat the world’s best steak, an Alberta rib steak, on video and comment on just how amazing it is. If the Stars win, which is highly unlikely, I will do the same,” she said.

Governor Abbot confirmed the bet over social media on May 22.

“You’re on, [Danielle Smith],” he responded.

“I bet the world’s best ribeye—which is only found in Texas—that the Stars beat the Oilers.”

Ms. Smith made a similar wager with B.C. Premier David Eby when the Oilers were playing the Canucks.

In a May 3 post on X, she wagered that if the Oilers lost she would deliver a statement in the legislature written by Mr. Eby while wearing a Canucks jersey. However, if the Oilers won, Mr. Eby was to deliver a speech she wrote in the legislature while wearing an Oilers jersey.

Mr. Eby responded the next day, accepting the challenge.

“In this vast democracy called Canada, we must often set aside our differences to come together. But over the coming weeks, British Columbians & Edmontonians will have to set aside what we have in common (hating the Calgary Flames) for hockey glory,” Mr. Eby wrote on X on May 4. “Bet’s on!”

Ms. Smith made the comment just two months after she was in Texas, cultivating connections between the two regions’ energy sectors.

“Much of Alberta’s oil is shipped to Houston, Texas 🇺🇸 where it can access global markets,” she said in a March 18 post on Instagram.

“Today, I toured the Seaway Port operated by Enbridge and Enterprise Products with Minister Brian Jean. Alberta is keen on expanding our production capacity and we will continue to work with reliable partners to make this a reality!”

On March 19, she attended the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston in an effort to expand Alberta’s energy industry.

“Another busy afternoon in Houston, Texas at the CERA conference meeting with new allies and old friends continue expanding Alberta’s energy industry and export potential through the USA,” she posted on X, adding she had an opportunity to meet Texas Deputy Secretary of State, Dave Nelson as well as teams from TC Energy, Gentari, Petronas and Reliance Exploration.

A day later, she attended another event to encourage investment in Alberta.

“I was thrilled to speak to a packed house of investors, partners, and delegates at the ‘Invest Canada’ event in Houston,” she wrote.