Beloved Edmonton Oilers anthem singer Robert Clark reveals cancer diagnosis
A beloved figure in the Edmonton Oilers community is in the fight of his life.
Just weeks after the new season began, Oilers anthem singer Robert Clark announced on social media that he has been diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia, a form of cancer that affects the body’s white blood cells.
In a video explaining the situation, Clark revealed that he first started feeling symptoms back in August and underwent a series of tests that eventually led to the cancer diagnosis. Instead of dwelling on the diagnosis, Clark instead struck an optimistic tone about the situation.
“It’s a very, very treatable type of leukemia, and the treatment that I am going to be going through will put me into remission almost indefinitely,” Clark said. “What comes with this type of leukemia is a giant spleen, which I have, and a whole lot of tiredness. I am tired all the time.”
A little personal life update for everyone. Send positive vibes if you can! #HairyCellLeukemia #Leukemia #PositiveVibesOnly #FuckCancer #IGotThis pic.twitter.com/TXvT2Hawvm
— Robert Clark (@RobClarkTenor) October 20, 2025
Clark has been performing the Canadian and American national anthems before Oilers games for over a decade, with his first season with the team coming in 2013-14. He has become a staple at home games and a fan favourite among the Oilers faithful.
Apart from singing the anthems, Clark is also a fixture in the Edmonton operatic scene as well, having sung for three different local operas companies. He is an uber-talented perfomer, being able to sing in English, French, Italian, German, Russian and Spanish.
Clark is also openly gay and a staunch advocate for Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.
He has gained international noteriety for his anthem performances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he enlists the Oilers’ Rogers Place crowd to help him sing the words.
“Treatment for this is likely going to start on November 10, and it last for about eight to 10 weeks,” Clark said. “That may mean that I’m missing some Oilers games, I am trying to time it so that I don’t really miss too much. During those two weeks the Oilers are away so I’m hopefully back singing for those games fairly quickly.
“If there is anything you want to do for me, it’s just send your positive vibes. I don’t like asking for help, and I got a pretty good support system.”
ANOTHER PERFECT O CANADA FROM OILERS FANS 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/uGiBwVCd71
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 7, 2025
Oil Country immediately flooded Clark with all the good vibes they could muster, with his post gathering over 1,000 likes and more than 250 replies wishing him luck.
While it’s understandable that he will need to miss some Oilers games to get treatement, it’s clear that his brief absence will be felt around not only the fanbase, but the city as well.
May you get all the good vibes you need to beat this, Robert!