The Edmonton Oilers are set to start a brand-new campaign in just under a month, but a secret from last season has finally come to light.

Last year’s magical run to the Stanley Cup Final had Oilers fans across the city chanting the words of Chappell Roan’s hit song “Pink Pony Club,” but nobody understood why. The phenomenon began late in the regular season, as it was reported that the Oilers would blast the song in their dressing room after every victory.

This continued into the playoffs, and eventually, it became Edmonton’s rally cry right next to “La Bamba” for the duration of the run. However, whenever the media tried to uncover the secret behind the song’s use, Oilers players opted to keep things quiet, giving only cryptic answers.

Offside asked several players inside the Edmonton dressing room about “Pink Pony Club,” but was only met by sly smiles and promises of not saying a single word about it.

Now, the secret has finally been revealed after ex-Oilers player Connor Brown told the story on the latest edition of John Shannon and Daren Millard’s 100% Hockey podcast.

“We were out for dinner in San Jose, there was a girl who was playing on the piano, and she started singing ‘Pink Pony Club,’” Brown said. “All the boys were bobbing their heads, and we needed a new win song…

“We were keeping the lips sealed, thought the imagination would be more funny.”

Brown left the Oilers over the summer to sign with the New Jersey Devils. Perhaps leaving made him feel more comfortable in sharing the secret behind Edmonton’s obsession with “Pink Pony Club.”

Despite going all the way to the Stanley Cup Final with that song, the former Oilers fan favourite said that the song leaves a sour taste in his mouth after losing to the Florida Panthers.

“After we lost, I can’t listen to it anymore,” Brown admitted. “Every time it just reminds me [of the loss] and now it just stings [to hear it].”

The interview wasn’t all about the Chappell Roan, as Shannon also asked Brown about his decision to leave the Oilers in free agency. The 31-year-old admitted that he loved playing in the Alberta capital, and the decision to leave was not an easy one.

It’s a sentiment that was also shared by Corey Perry, who left Edmonton around the same time to sign with the LA Kings.

“It was incredibly difficult to leave the staff, to leave the players, to leave the players, to leave the fans,” Brown said. “You create such a bond, so many big-time moments and so many high-pressure situations, and you’re all in it together.

“It was an incredibly challenging decision, but one we felt had to be made.”

It’s a shame that such a catchy song was ruined for Brown and, most likely, a lot of Oilers fans as well. The hope is that next Spring will see the rise of another playoff anthem that can be played as the team finally hoists the Stanley Cup in Edmonton.