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Template:NHL Team Infobox The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Facts

Founded: 1972, as member of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Later joined the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1979.

Home Arena: Rexall Place (16,839 capacity)

Former Names: Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton Coliseum, Skyreach Centre

Former Home Arena: Edmonton Gardens

Division Championships: 6 — 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

Conference Championships: 7 — 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2006

Stanley Cups: 5 — 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990

Presidents' Trophies: 2 — 1986, 1987

NHL League Champions*: 1 — 1984

Main Rivals: Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars

Main programming networks: Television: Rogers Sportsnet West, Edmonton Oilers PPV. Radio: 630 CHED

Broadcast team: 630 CHED's Rod Phillips (play-by-play) and Morley Scott (colour commentator).

* – Prior to the introduction of the Presidents' Trophy in 1986 the winner of the regular season was awarded the title NHL League Champions.

Uniform History

The original 1972 design featured the traditional colors of blue and orange, but reversed from their more familiar appearance in later seasons, orange being the dominant color and blue used for the trimming. For the first few games of the 1972 season, player names weren't displayed on the uniform; rather the word 'ALBERTA' was written in that space. Once it became clear, however, that the team would play exclusively in Edmonton, the player names made their appearance. These jerseys also featured the player numbers high on the shoulders, rather than on the upper sleeve.

In 1975-1976 the jersey was changed to the more familiar blue base with orange trim, but with some minor differences. The logo that appeared on programs and promotional material remained the same, however the logo that appeared on the home jersey had a white oil drop, on a dark orange field, with the team name written in deep blue. The away jersey featured the orange-printed logo that many mistakenly attribute to the entire history of the WHA Oilers. In every other facet, though, the jerseys were identical to the dynasty-era form that is known throughout the hockey world.

When the team jumped to the NHL in 1979, the alternate logos were discarded, and the jersey took its most famous form, though the logo did appear very slightly differently on different vintages of the jersey (1979, 1986, 1990). The essential design remained untouched until 1996, when the blue and orange were replaced by midnight blue and copper. Other changes made to the jersey at that point were the removal of the orange shoulder bar and cuffs from the away jersey, and the addition of the "Rigger" alternate logo to the end of the shoulder bar on the home jersey, and the equivalent position on the road jersey. A year later, the shoulder bars were removed from the home jersey as well, giving the Oilers' sweater its modern look.

In 2001, the introduction of the third jersey featuring a logo designed by Spawn creator and Oilers co-owner, Todd McFarlane, was a controversial move, particularly given how ghastly so many other teams' designs turned out. While there remains some disdain towards both the "Rigger" logo and McFarlane's "Blades" logo--meant to symbolize elements of the Oilers' past--the navy, silver, and white design is generally considered a success, though it's very unlikely that it will become the basis for the team's primary jerseys as it has for teams such as Dallas or San Jose.

Franchise History

The WHA Years

In 1972 the Alberta Oilers joined the World Hockey Association as a founding member. The team was originally owned by Bill Hunter. Hunter had previously owned the Edmonton Oil Kings and founded what would become the Western Hockey League, but his efforts to bring professional hockey to Edmonton had been rebuffed by the NHL. Originally, the team was named the Alberta Oilers as it was planned to split their home games between Edmonton and Calgary after the Calgary Broncos folded. For various reasons, possibly financial reasons or the possibility of allowing easier expansion of either the NHL or WHA to Calgary, the team played all of its games in Edmonton, and changed their name to reflect this the following year.

The team was not one of the league's more successful on the ice, accumulating a mediocre record until the final WHA season of 1978-79, where, led by future superstar Wayne Gretzky, the Oilers gained a 48-30-2 mark to lead the league in the regular season, but fell to the Winnipeg Jets in the finals. However, the team proved popular with the fans, behind stars such as defenceman and team captain Al Hamilton, star goaltender Dave Dryden and forwards Blair McDonald and Bill Flett.

In 1978, new owner Peter Pocklington scored one of the greatest trades in hockey history, acquiring already-aspiring superstar Gretzky from the Indianapolis Racers for a token sum. Gretzky played only a single season in the WHA before the league folded, and Edmonton joined the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers, and Quebec Nordiques. Of these four teams, only Edmonton has avoided relocation and renaming.

Career WHA Leaders (1972-79)

• Games: Al Hamilton, 456
• Goals: Rusty Patenaude, 126
• Assists: Hamilton, 258
• Points: Hamilton, 311
• Penalty Minutes: Doug Barrie, 620
• Goaltending Wins: Dave Dryden, 112
• Shutouts: Dryden, 8

The Oilers Dynasty

With an incredible core of young players, including Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr, and Kevin Lowe, the Edmonton Oilers became one of the greatest dynasties in hockey history with their domination of the NHL in the 1980s. The Oilers made a name for themselves very early, making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in just their first season. Although they were swept in three games by the Philadelphia Flyers and their second regular season gave them mediocre results in the standings, the Oilers scored a stunning upset in the first round of the 1981 playoffs, defeating the strongly favoured Montreal Canadiens three games to none, the Oilers making a case that they needed swift respect. In the 1981-82 season, the Oilers became one of the league's strongest teams in the regular season, but youthful lapses of discipline led to their losing the first playoff round. In 1983 they made it to their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals, but were swept in four games by the three-time defending champions, the New York Islanders. A year later, however, Edmonton defeated the Islanders in five games (four to one) to claim their first Stanley Cup.

Edmonton repeated Cup success in 1985 against the Philadelphia Flyers, but were knocked out of the 1986 playoffs by a complete fluke when Steve Smith scored off his own goalie and into his own net in game 7 of the Smythe Division Finals against the Calgary Flames. In 1987, Edmonton returned to the Stanley Cup Finals to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in a tense seven game series, overcoming a Conn Smythe Trophy winning performance by Flyers' goalie Ron Hextall and defeats in games 5 & 6 to win 3-1 in game seven, with Glenn Anderson's late breakaway goal sealing the outcome.

In 1988 the Oilers made their strongest ever run to the Cup, losing only two playoff games, and sweeping the Boston Bruins in the Finals to claim their fourth Stanley Cup in five years and in doing so, staking their claim as one of the greatest teams of all time. A unique event in Stanley Cup Finals history occurred in game 4 in Boston on May 24. With the score tied 3-3 in the second period, a power outage struck at the Boston Garden, forcing cancellation of the game. NHL President John Ziegler ordered the game to be re-scheduled, if necessary, to be played in Boston after the originally scheduled game 7 in Edmonton. The Oilers won 6-3 in the game originally scheduled for game 5 in Edmonton to win the series 4-0. All player statistics accrued in the aborted "game 4" in Boston are counted in the NHL record books.

That summer, however, was extremely bittersweet for Edmonton fans, as on August 9, 1988 Gretzky, along with popular players Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski, were traded to the Los Angeles Kings for $15 million, two rising young players (Jimmy Carson and Martin Gélinas), and three first round draft picks. Carson only played two seasons in Edmonton before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Gélinas played five years for Edmonton, never scoring more than 20 goals. The Oilers traded the 1989 pick Jason Miller to New Jersey for defenseman Corey Foster, then used the '91 and '93 picks to select Martin Rucinsky (1991), and Nick Stajduhar (1993), neither of whom were major contributors during their time in Edmonton.

The first post-Gretzky year, the 1989 season was a troubled one because of this trade, and for the first time since 1982, the Oilers were out of the playoffs in the first round, losing a seven-game series to the Kings.

1990 seemed set to continue the troubles for the Oilers, especially when All-Star and future Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr was charged with possession and use of cocaine. But the team rallied behind new goalie Bill Ranford, and despite finishing third in their division, behind Calgary and Los Angeles, the Oilers along with "The Kid Line" (Adam Graves, Joe Murphy, and Martin Gelinas) won their fifth and (to date) final Stanley Cup by again defeating the Boston Bruins, this time in five games. Ranford won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for his brilliant goaltending.

The Rebuilding Years

The writing was on the wall however. The Gretzky trade had opened up a new reality of rapidly climbing salaries in the NHL, and small-market teams like Edmonton simply couldn't compete with salaries offered in large U.S. cities. Messier, Kurri, Fuhr, and Anderson all left the team in rapid succession, leaving behind an underdeveloped base of young players and unproven prospects. Despite appearances in the Conference Finals in 1991 and 1992, the Oilers were nowhere near the powerhouse that had dominated the previous half-decade. In 1993 the Oilers missed the playoffs for the first time since they entered the league. They would not return for four years, despite the emergence of young centremen Doug Weight and Jason Arnott.

Trouble followed the team off the ice as well, as the Gainers meat-packing industry owned by Pocklington failed amidst charges of scandal and corruption. For most of the 1990s the Oilers were desperately trying to stay alive. In 1998, the Edmonton Investors Group, a consortium of 37 owners, finally purchased the team, vowing to keep the team in Edmonton. The Oilers have received support in this endeavour from the NHL, which was deeply troubled by the loss of two Canadian teams in short order.

In 1997 the Oilers returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs and emerged victorious again, defeating the Dallas Stars in a seven-game series considered to be one of the most exciting of all time. Riding on the hot goaltending of Curtis Joseph, the Oilers completed the upset with the final goal coming on a breakaway by Todd Marchant in overtime. Another of the highlights of that playoff series occurred on April 20th. Down 3-0 with just under 4 minutes to go in game #3 of their western conference quarter final match-up against the Dallas Stars, the Edmonton Oilers rallied for three goals in the final three minutes of the third period to tie the game and eventually win 4-3 in overtime on Kelly Buchberger's game-winning goal.

Though Edmonton would lose to Colorado in the next round, fans were ecstatic about the Oilers' return to the playoffs. In 1998, Joseph led the Oilers to another first round upset, knocking off the Avalanche in seven games. Dallas and Edmonton met again, this time in the second round of the playoffs, with Dallas emerging the victor. This has led to one of the most unusual rivalries of all time in hockey: between 1997 and 2003 the Oilers and Stars have played each other in the playoffs six times, five of them first-round matchups. The only year in which they did not meet was 2002, when neither team made the playoffs. In 2004 the streak came to an official end, when Edmonton failed to qualify for the playoff round; the Oilers finished ninth in the Western Conference, two points behind the eighth-seeded Nashville Predators.

On November 22, 2003, the Oilers hosted the Heritage Classic, the first outdoor hockey game in the NHL's history. The Edmonton Oilers were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in front of more than fifty-five thousand fans, an NHL attendance record, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

On July 23, 2004, the team announced that its minor league affiliate, the Toronto Roadrunners would play the 2004-05 AHL season at the Oilers' home arena, now known as Rexall Place. The decision, an unusual one for a North American professional sports organization, was likely influenced by the expectation that the 2004-05 NHL lockout would wipe out the 2004-05 NHL season. After an unsuccessful year, the Edmonton Road Runners were suspended at the end of 2004-05.

Post Lockout

The Oilers struggled with their small-market status for years as big-market teams scooped up high-priced help. But after the wiped-out 2004-05 NHL season, the Oilers looked poised to compete again. 2004-05 NHL lockout negotiations led to a collective bargaining agreement between the NHL owners and players that included a league-wide salary cap, putting all teams on a much more equal financial footing.

Although Edmonton was one of the last teams to make a big splash in the free agent market, they were able to sign two important stars: former Hart and James Norris Trophy winner Chris Pronger from the St. Louis Blues, and New York Islanders forward Michael Peca, two-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy for best defensive forward. Even though the club had to give up Mike York and Eric Brewer to the Islanders and the Blues, respectively, fans now hoped the team could at least return to the playoffs, if not to the glory the franchise enjoyed during its dynasty era.

However, the team suffered again from inconsistency during the first few months of the regular season, especially in goal and on offense. Goaltender Ty Conklin often was unreliable in net, and highly-touted prospect Jussi Markkanen showed flashes of brilliance, but still was not quite ready for regular NHL goaltending duty. Edmonton even tried third-string goalie Mike Morrison, but he proved ineffective as well. A streaky offense led by alternate captain Ryan Smyth had trouble putting goals in the net at times, while at other times the puck looked like it was radio-controlled. Peca and Pronger also struggled early on. Many called for head coach Craig MacTavish's head; others called for a big trade. Nothing materialized, but by the end of December, the Oilers led their division with a 22-18-4 record for 48 points.

However, the Oilers remained inconsistent; they would win one or two games and then lose two or three in a row. By the end of January, the Oilers traded for scoring defenceman Jaroslav Spacek from the Chicago Blackhawks and Dick Tarnstrom from Pittsburgh. Both defenceman, Spacek in particular, secured their shaky blue line. However goaltending was still in doubt. But right before the trade deadline, the Oilers added goaltender and 2004 All-Star, Dwayne Roloson, from the Minnesota Wild, and speedy forward Sergei Samsonov – a past rookie of the year – from the Boston Bruins.

The new acquisitions paid off, and Edmonton finished the regular season with 95 points, 10 behind the Northwest Division champion Calgary Flames, and clinched the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference over the Vancouver Canucks. Oilers youngsters Ales Hemsky, Shawn Horcoff, and Jarret Stoll led the way in scoring, all with break-out seasons of 77, 73, and 68 points, respectively. Smyth finished with 66 points, his second best season to date.

2006 Playoff Run

Main article: Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Oilers played the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, defeating the 2006 Presidents' Trophy winner in six games. It was the team's first playoff series win since 1998. In the Western Conference Semifinal, Edmonton defeated the San Jose Sharks, also in six games, making the Oilers the first eighth-seeded team to reach the Western Conference Final since the NHL introduced the conference format in 1994. In the Western Conference Finals, the Oilers beat the sixth-seeded Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in five games.

The Conference Final win made the Oilers the winningest team of the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, having won it 7 times in franchise history. Edmonton faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals (marking the first time two former WHA teams met in Stanley Cup play). The series went to seven games, with Carolina defeating Edmonton 3-1 in Game 7 to claim the Cup.

2006 Off Season

Main article: Edmonton Oilers post 2006 Playoff run

The incredible, yet ultimately unsuccesful playoff run of 2006 was met with much discontent from within the team following the season. Of an impressive list of impending unrestricted free agents, many stars, including, Jaroslav Spacek, Sergei Samsonov, Dwayne Roloson, Michael Peca and Chris Pronger showed very little interest in remaining with the team. Peca did very little during the season to mask his distaste for the organization and it's fans. Despite being handed a secure starting job, Roloson also remained ambiguous on his future with the team. The most surprising development of the off season however, was Chris Prongers decision to ask for a trade from the Oilers. Many Oiler fans immediately placed blame upon Chris' wife, who had been living in St.Louis since early November. However, as of recently more fingers have been pointed in Prongers direction. It is rumoured that Pronger has relations with Edmonton CityTV personality Christie Chorley (http://www.citytv.com/edmonton/personalities_11461.aspx) resulting in an unexpected/unwanted pregnancy. According to individuals close to the Oilers organization, Chris was left with an ultimatum from his wife; request a trade from Edmonton or divorce. Thus leaving general manager Kevin Lowe with a difficult conondrum, the solution of which remains to be seen. All we know now, is that the Edmonton Oilers will be a radically different team next season.

Season-By-Season Record

Alberta/Edmonton Oilers (WHA 1972-79)

Edmonton Oilers (NHL 1979-present)

Season was shortened due to the 1994-95 NHL lockout.

Season was cancelled due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

Notable Players

Current Roster

As of June 6, 2006

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
29		Ty Conklin	L	2001	Anchorage, Alaska
30		Jussi Markkanen	L	2004	Imatra, Finland
35		Dwayne Roloson	L	2006	Simcoe, Ontario

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
2		Matt Greene	R	2002	Grand Ledge, Michigan
6		Jaroslav Spacek	L	2006	Rokycany, Czechoslovakia
21		Jason Smith - C	R	1999	Calgary, Alberta
23		Dick Tarnstrom	L	2006	Sundbyberg, Sweden
24		Steve Staios	R	2001	Hamilton, Ontario
44		Chris Pronger	L	2005	Dryden, Ontario
47		Marc-Andre Bergeron	L	2001	St-Louis-de-France, Quebec
55		Igor Ulanov	L	2004	Krasnokamsk, U.S.S.R.

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
10		Shawn Horcoff	L	C	1998	Trail, British Columbia
12		Sergei Samsonov	R	LW	2006	Moscow, Russia
13		Todd Harvey	R	RW	2004	Hamilton, Ontario
14		Raffi Torres	L	LW	2003	Toronto, Ontario
16		Jarret Stoll	R	C	2002	Melville, Saskatchewan
18		Ethan Moreau - A	L	LW	1999	Huntsville, Ontario
20		Radek Dvorak	R	RW	2003	Tabor, Czechoslovakia
22		Rem Murray	L	C	2006	Stratford, Ontario
26		Brad Winchester	L	RW/LW	2000	Madison, Wisconsin
27		Georges Laraque	R	RW	1995	Montreal, Quebec
34		Fernando Pisani	L	RW/LW	1996	Edmonton, Alberta
36		Marc-Antoine Pouliot	R	C	2003	Quebec City, Quebec
37		Michael Peca	R	C	2005	Toronto, Ontario
41		Jean-Francois Jacques	L	LW	2003	Terrebonne, Quebec
83		Ales Hemsky	R	RW	2001	Pardubice, Czechoslovakia
94		Ryan Smyth - A	L	LW	1994	Banff, Alberta

Hall of Famers

• Players
  • Wayne Gretzky (1978-1988), inducted 1999
  • Jari Kurri (1980-1990), inducted 2001
  • Grant Fuhr (1981-1991), inducted 2003
  • Paul Coffey (1980-1987), inducted 2004

• "Builders"
  • Glen Sather, Head coach/GM, (1977-2000), inducted 1997

• Broadcasters
  • Rod Phillips, (1979-present) inducted 2003

Team Captains

Note: This list includes the NHL and WHA

• Al Hamilton - 1972-1976
• Glen Sather - 1976-1977
• Paul Shmyr - 1977-1979
• Ron Chipperfield - 1979-80
• Blair MacDonald - 1980-81
• Lee Fogolin - 1981-83
• Wayne Gretzky - 1983-88
• Mark Messier - 1988-91
• Kevin Lowe - 1991-92
• Craig MacTavish - 1992-94
• Shayne Corson - 1995
• Kelly Buchberger - 1995-99
• Doug Weight - 1999-2001
• Jason Smith - 2001-Present

Retired Numbers

• 3 Al Hamilton, D, 1972-80, number retired in 1980 (jersey ceremony on April 4, 2001)
• 7 Paul Coffey, D, 1980-87, number retired October 18, 2005
• 17 Jari Kurri, RW, 1980-90, number retired October 6, 2001
• 31 Grant Fuhr, G, 1981-91, number retired October 9, 2003
• 99 Wayne Gretzky, C, 1978-88, number retired October 1, 1999

First round draft picks

Note: This list does not include selections from the WHA.

• 1979: Kevin Lowe (21st overall)
• 1980: Paul Coffey (6th overall)
• 1981: Grant Fuhr (8th overall)
• 1982: Jim Playfair (20th overall)
• 1983: Jeff Beukeboom (19th overall)
• 1984: Selmar Odelein (21st overall)
• 1985: Scott Metcalfe (20th overall)
• 1986: Kim Issel (21st overall)
• 1987: Pete Soberlak (21st overall)
• 1988: Francois Leroux (19th overall)
• 1989: Jason Soules (15th overall)
• 1990: Scott Allison (17th overall)
• 1991: Tyler Wright (12th overall), Martin Rucinsky (20th overall)
• 1992: Joe Hulbig (13th overall)
• 1993: Jason Arnott (7th overall), Nick Stajduhar (16th overall)
• 1994: Jason Bonsignore (4th overall), Ryan Smyth (6th overall)
• 1995: Steve Kelly (6th overall)
• 1996: Boyd Devereaux (6th overall), Matthieu Descoteaux (19th overall)
• 1997: Michel Riesen (14th overall)
• 1998: Michael Henrich (13th overall)
• 1999: Jani Rita (13th overall)
• 2000: Alexei Mikhnov (17th overall)
• 2001: Ales Hemsky (13th overall)
• 2002: Jesse Niinimaki (15th overall)
• 2003: Marc-Antoine Pouliot (22nd overall)
• 2004: Devan Dubnyk (14th overall), Rob Schremp (25th overall)
• 2005: Andrew Cogliano (25th overall)
• 2006: no first round draft pick — 17th pick overall traded to Minnesota Wild for Dwayne Roloson

Franchise Scoring Leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in the history of the Oilers in the NHL. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, P/G = Pts per Game, * = Active

Edmonton Oilers Individual Records

• Most Goals in a season: Wayne Gretzky, 92 (1981-82)
• Most Assists in a season: Wayne Gretzky, 163 (1985-86)
• Most Points in a season: Wayne Gretzky, 215 (1985-86)
• Most Penalty Minutes in a season: Steve Smith, 286 (1987-88)
• Most Points in a season, defenseman: Paul Coffey, 138 (1985-86)
• Most Points in a season, rookie: Jari Kurri, 75 (1980-81)
• Most Wins in a season: Grant Fuhr, 40 (1987-88)
• Most Shutouts in a season: Curtis Joseph & Tommy Salo, 8 (1997-98 & 2000-01)

Other Notable People Associated with the Oilers

• Peter Pocklington was the owner of the Oilers from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s. Pocklington had a number of business deals that went sour and was responsible for "the trade" of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988.
• Joey Moss has the official title of Dressing Room Attendant. Moss was born with Down Syndrome and was asked by Wayne Gretzky in the early 1980's to come work for the Oilers. Every year an intra-squad game called the "Joey Moss Cup" is held in early September. In 2003, Moss was honoured by the NHL Alumni Association with its “Seventh Man Award”, honouring those for their dedication and service behind the scenes
• Todd McFarlane, artist and creator of the comic book Spawn, is a part-owner of the franchise. In late 2001, McFarlane revealed a new logo for the Edmonton Oilers. This logo is featured on the team's Third Jersey. His company McFarlane Toys also makes action figures for the NHL. Ironically, McFarlane was born in rival city Calgary.

See also

• Edmonton Oilers Records
• List of Edmonton Oilers players
• Head Coaches of the Edmonton Oilers
• List of Stanley Cup champions
• World Hockey Association
• List of NHL seasons
• List of NHL players
• Battle of Alberta
• Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs

External links

• Edmonton Oilers official web site
• The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation web site

• 1972 establishments
• Edmonton Oilers