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Video: Oilers anthem singer Paul Lorieau passes away

Carolina Hurricanes v Edmonton Oilers - Game 4

EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 12: National Anthem singer Paul Lorieau allows the crowd to sing the Canadian National Anthem before game four of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes on June 12, 2006 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The familiar voice of Paul Lorieau will live on in the hearts of Edmonton Oilers fans everywhere.

Lorieau, the longtime national anthem singer for the Oilers, passed away at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer, the NHL club announced just after midnight on Wednesday morning.

“Paul will be respected and remembered for being a key player in the history of the Edmonton Oilers. His passion and excitement became a staple at every Oilers home game for more than 30 years,” said Oilers president Patrick LaForge in a statement.

One of his more memorable moments, belting out O Canada, came during the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Prior to puck drop in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, Lorieau began singing the Canadian national anthem, but then pointed the microphone to the Edmonton crowd, which took over with a loud and stirring rendition all the way to the anthem’s conclusion.

Since the announcement of his passing, there has been an outpouring of support from fans and Edmonton media.